Sandpoint, Id. 2021

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by gc57

Thinking of relocating there. How is it now in 2021. Overcrowded?, pricey,etc?

IMO, the city of Sandpoint's biggest issues are it's leadership. They are trying to be trendy, "woke" and make the city into a mini-CA. They have destroyed the main thoroughfare through the city, narrowing the road, taking out a lane and making it borderline dangerous (at least accident-prone) to drive, as well as a traffic nightmare. Parking is limited, but do-able. They are so focused on making it a "walking town" that they forget that its the 21st century and people actually DO still drive. The mayor and city council never miss a chance to raise taxes, there has been a local added sales tax of 1% (it might have recently expired).

Now, Bonner county (where Sandpoint is located) is nice-though it's gotten very expensive. 7 figure homes used to be very rare, now they are common, especially with rural acreage and any kind of nice view. Nuts in an area where wages are low and most jobs are retail or "blue collar".

IMO, the area is really nice, beautiful country. Be use to long, if not terribly harsh winters, and frequent wildfire smoke in the summer. IMO, if you are looking for "town life" I'd look at Ponderay or Kootenai, rather than Sandpoint proper. They are adjacent communities, and IMHO seem to have more sensible management. Just my opinion of course.

We recently sold and moved to Tennessee (in August).

[Mister Torgue]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

IMO, the city of Sandpoint's biggest issues are it's leadership. They are trying to be trendy, "woke" and make the city into a mini-CA. They have destroyed the main thoroughfare through the city, narrowing the road, taking out a lane and making it borderline dangerous (at least accident-prone) to drive, as well as a traffic nightmare. Parking is limited, but do-able. They are so focused on making it a "walking town" that they forget that its the 21st century and people actually DO still drive. The mayor and city council never miss a chance to raise taxes, there has been a local added sales tax of 1% (it might have recently expired).

Now, Bonner county (where Sandpoint is located) is nice-though it's gotten very expensive. 7 figure homes used to be very rare, now they are common, especially with rural acreage and any kind of nice view. Nuts in an area where wages are low and most jobs are retail or "blue collar".

IMO, the area is really nice, beautiful country. Be use to long, if not terribly harsh winters, and frequent wildfire smoke in the summer. IMO, if you are looking for "town life" I'd look at Ponderay or Kootenai, rather than Sandpoint proper. They are adjacent communities, and IMHO seem to have more sensible management. Just my opinion of course.

We recently sold and moved to Tennessee (in August).

“ You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Toyman at Jewel Lake again.”

100% on how leadership wants to turn Sandpoint to a mini-CA. I got that impression back in June when I visited it (and Coeur d’Alene).

Where at in Tennessee? I hear a lot of western state natives moving to TN lately to get away from all of that aforementioned nonsense.

[Heron31]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

...They are trying to be trendy, "woke" and make the city into a mini-CA.....

On the other hand, in Sandpoint you'll occasionally see a guy driving around proudly displaying a big anti-Biden flag. A lot of locals complained about that (the language, that is, not the anti-Biden sentiment). Another guy drives around with his big Confederate flag flying. AFAIK, these guys are pretty isolated individuals. It is unclear just how accurate it is to call the Coeur d'Alene/Sandpoint area "the South of the North." But apparently local hospitals have "been having trouble recruiting doctors and other staff, particularly people of color." - source

[Heron31]

Originally Posted by ejay

That’s not normal behavior for Idaho residents.

Good to hear. That's not what Idaho was, but is it what Idaho is? That's Not Who We Are, Idaho - a commentary

[CaseyLF]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

IMO, the city of Sandpoint's biggest issues are it's leadership. They are trying to be trendy, "woke" and make the city into a mini-CA. They have destroyed the main thoroughfare through the city, narrowing the road, taking out a lane and making it borderline dangerous (at least accident-prone) to drive, as well as a traffic nightmare. Parking is limited, but do-able. They are so focused on making it a "walking town" that they forget that its the 21st century and people actually DO still drive. The mayor and city council never miss a chance to raise taxes, there has been a local added sales tax of 1% (it might have recently expired).

Now, Bonner county (where Sandpoint is located) is nice-though it's gotten very expensive. 7 figure homes used to be very rare, now they are common, especially with rural acreage and any kind of nice view. Nuts in an area where wages are low and most jobs are retail or "blue collar".

IMO, the area is really nice, beautiful country. Be use to long, if not terribly harsh winters, and frequent wildfire smoke in the summer. IMO, if you are looking for "town life" I'd look at Ponderay or Kootenai, rather than Sandpoint proper. They are adjacent communities, and IMHO seem to have more sensible management. Just my opinion of course.

We recently sold and moved to Tennessee (in August).

You must not ski.