Sandpoint Input??? (Hope: renting, private schools, live in)

[sweetsommertime]

Hey there! I'll be going to Sandpoint for the first time next Friday, for an interview, and it will help to receive some input to help in my decision. My husband and I lived in Kalispell, MT for awhile and absolutely loved it and are hoping Sandpoint has similarities. Such as FRIENDLY, down to earth, easy to make friends with lots of stuff to do! We also enjoyed the more conservative way of life that was there, socially, not just politically speaking. We live in Washington State and we get so sick of the politics and the extreme liberalism. We plan on having kids as well so input on schools will help. Any opinions you have on Sandpoint will be helpful! Thanks a bunch!!!

[8 SNAKE]

Not to sound rude or disrespectful, but there are already two threads about Sandpoint on the first page of this forum (and certainly many, many more beyond that). Have you looked at them?

[Sandpointian]

Hey there! I'll be going to Sandpoint for the first time next Friday, for an interview, and it will help to receive some input to help in my decision.
My advice:
(0) Solicit as much as advice as possible, but do jsut store it--don;t read it.
(1) Do your own research!! Draft your own game plan.
(2) The first two days should be spent dirving every street with map in hand, comparing notes. When tired, head to Monarch's for coffee and sweets.
(3) When done for the day, discuss what you found what what remains.
(4) After you have driven the place for two days, take one day to drive around the lake to Hope and the North and West Parts of the city.
(5) Then one day to drive Sagle, both sides of 95.
(6) With four days of unbiased observation, proceed to check out places mentioned by others and perhaps go around with a local. Those first four days (or maybe three if you pack stuff in and weather cooperates or two if you already know the layout) are sooo important when considering a move...
(7) Spend remaining time on jobs and housing, even if only renting.
(8) If you had a successful visit, spend the last day relaxing and soaking it all in...why? When you get back to MT you'll be that more focused on getting things prepped for the move.

Note that SP is liberal...in the classic British sense: independent, free, etc. If you define yourself as anti-liberal, i.e. with a different agenda but an agenda nonetheless, you may very well find Sandpoint a bit frustrating. But if you are of the mold "live and let live," you will find the heart of SP...well, at least that was my experience...

Schools. I think they are good. Like SP a balance of core elements and freedom from overpressurizing the youth. But I don't ask the schools to do everything. Ours are in the Washington/SP/SP area. There are also a number of Charters and private schools...

Enjoy the visit!!

[stephanie firey]

check out ponderpoint in sandpoint its great!

[Sage of Sagle]

Originally Posted by Sandpointian

Note that SP is liberal...in the classic British sense: independent, free, etc. If you define yourself as anti-liberal, i.e. with a different agenda but an agenda nonetheless, you may very well find Sandpoint a bit frustrating. But if you are of the mold "live and let live," you will find the heart of SP...well, at least that was my experience...

I would second this sentiment. It's not "Berzerkely" liberal...but it has the artsy free thinking feel to it (unlike some areas of Idaho where voting the Republican party ticket is almost required to remain in good graces with your community). Almost everyone we've met, and most of our friends, are pretty live-and-let-live libertarian/independent, socially more broadly accepting (almost considered borderline "liberal" by SE Idaho standards) but fiscally conservative. So on a red state vs blue state meter, I think NID is solidly in the red state sector, but not as much as you'd think due to a frustration with growing government spending/control and losses of freedoms. Protecting gun/hunting/logging/fishing rights is awfully important here.

While we're ALL about protecting our lake, tree huggers (the "anti-logging" folks) are awfully unwelcome here. Sort of a balance of environmental conservation with realistic usage of resources in this area. I don't hunt or fish myself (it's all about powersports for me), but I adamantly support both, and I have my own backyard shooting range on our acreage. My only frustration was some idiot up shooting off his AK-47 all night once. But I would still vote to NOT restrict his right to shoot on his own acreage. You just expect your neighbors to be more respectful. Barking dogs, snowblowers, tractors, bikes, etc, that's fine. I have a 1000' buffer (minimum) from my neighbors, so it's no big deal really.

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Its a shame whats happening in states like Washington and Oregon as far as whacky (left liberal) laws and stuff.. Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming seem to be the last bastions of Libertarian minded folk, and I dont think it will change anytime soon.
Good Luck!

[TohobitPeak]

I love Sandpoint and it is one of my most favorite areas in Idaho. I am a native of Idaho and Sandpoint has long been known as one of the more liberal/artsy areas of the state, and one of the greenest in more ways than one too. It is so green in Sandpoint you can smell it walking around the quaint downtown, or hanging at city beach, the smell of green is everywhere.

[mistyriverranch]

Originally Posted by IdahoResortProperty

While we came to Sandpoint because of the great lifestyle (skiing, lake, mountains, four seasons), our decision has really been solidified because of the people here. I have lived all over the country - we have found that the spirit of friendliness here beats any place. Almost everyone we meet is here because they want to get the most out of life, they enjoy the outdoors, and they wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of bigger cities.

[MOD CUT]

Hey Rick, just giving you a heads up. No advertising or posting links to your business is allowed here.

[Sage of Sagle]

Thanks MRR. His screen name is also in violation, so hopefully he'll be back interacting under a more close adherence to the Terms of Service. But it was nice of you to warn him.