Living in the Spirit Lake, Idaho area??? (Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint: real estate, 2009)

[Stormilady]

I would like honest info from anyone who lives in or near Spirit Lake, Idaho..... what are the schools like? What are the people like? (We are tired of the cliquish and snobby people in our central Iowa area).
What is the crime rate and cost of living like? Is it a touristy area?

Thanks for any info!
Stormilady

[IdahoEagle]

It isn't big enough to have tourists... The schools are small. The Jr/Sr. high school was built in the last few years. There isn't much crime there, I do understand that there are a few meth users in the woods though. A lot of folks that live there live on 5 or more acres and enjoy the abundant wildlife.

[esselcue]

I have noticed, while perusing real estate on-line, that there seem to be some "tract" homes (a development?) being built in or near Spirit Lake which are on one acre parcels and priced very nicely. Anyone have any knowledge of this. I will be in NID in about 3 weeks looking around for retirement and I intend to search this out just to see what's up. I like the on-line photos of Spirit Lake...it looks small, quaint and peaceful.

[IdahoEagle]

There is a subdivision near the Jr/Sr high school. The homes are nice but I have always thought if you are going to live in a subdivision you might as well live in Coeur d'Alene. Spirit Lake has one main Grocery store (Millers) and a few other small businesses. They even opened a bank last year. Rathdrum which is a town about 5 miles or so south of Spirit Lake has more businesses. There is also a new "Senior" subdivision in Rathdrum called Golden Spike Golden Spike . We have some land north of Spirit Lake, it is pretty country. There is a "snow belt" that runs through that area that gets more snow than other areas.

[Sage of Sagle]

It seems like the Rathdrum/Spirit Lake "corridor" (Highway 41) gets less attention than the CDA-Sandpoint Highway 95 route too. But with the gold course/resort in there and other big developments, that area is seeing a lot of interest.

[esselcue]

Golden Spike is a 55+ community and I am really not into that. Don't want retirement living...want a nice, smaller home on a wooded acre or so in a somewhat rural area. I know I will "know it" when I see it, which is why I am traveling north to check places out again. I am tenacious, if nothing else! Thanks for your input!!!

[Asthedeer]

Originally Posted by esselcue

I have noticed, while perusing real estate on-line, that there seem to be some "tract" homes (a development?) being built in or near Spirit Lake which are on one acre parcels and priced very nicely. Anyone have any knowledge of this. I will be in NID in about 3 weeks looking around for retirement and I intend to search this out just to see what's up. I like the on-line photos of Spirit Lake...it looks small, quaint and peaceful.

There are a couple sub divisions going in right now. The prices are a steal compared to just a year or so ago. They are nice houses out in the woods, where it is very quiet, and like you said on an acre or so. The other sub division has smaller lots (.34 acres) and cheaper homes. They are nice as well, with a view of the mountain, but closer to the highway. I think you will love it!!

[ejay]

If I were in your shoes I would take a real hard look at winter and talk to some people who actually live there when you get up here. In the event of a hard winter or ice storm you are a bit out there. Power will be slow to come back on. And money for snow plowing is less up there. You gotta be self reliant if you really wish to live out there. There is a reason the locals have not inhabited there much. Don't believe everything you here either! People will lie on both sides good and bad!! If you want a SLOW PACE thats the place!!!

[esselcue]

I have sort of assumed that many of the smaller, rural towns are not as inhabited because people need to be closer to work...especially now with gas prices through the roof. I do want a slow place for retirement...I have always maintained acreage and been a single gal for over 15 years now so I'm pretty self-reliant (also used to snow ) I've cooked on a woodstove many times over the years when the power went out . Spirit lake will be one of the places I check out...but I suppose when the time comes to choose (when I sell my place here in 2009) I will be lead to wherever I am meant to be. Usually works that way for me.

[esselcue]

Originally Posted by OnOurWay2MO

There are a couple sub divisions going in right now. The prices are a steal compared to just a year or so ago. They are nice houses out in the woods, where it is very quiet, and like you said on an acre or so. The other sub division has smaller lots (.34 acres) and cheaper homes. They are nice as well, with a view of the mountain, but closer to the highway. I think you will love it!!

Thanks so much! I think the sub divisions I found on-line were all acres or more and it said "Spirit Lake Area" which could mean anything, I guess. It's good to get input from folks like you and others, though. Helps me organize my thoughts!