Coeur d'Alene or Lewiston? (Moscow, Bonners Ferry: crime, school district, university)

[kukla1]

Okay, I have been avidly reading thread after thread, and I have read over and over that Lewiston is a tad bit sunnier and warmer than Coeur d'Alene - not by much, but enough to make a difference to folks who like to see sunny days.

I went to a city-to-sity comparison site, and found the opposite to be true.
So please, won't some one somewhere tell me the TRUTH? ARRRRGH!

We want to relocate to Idaho form Bakersfield CA (I swear we won't try to change Idaho in any way...we are actually NICE Californinas) but I simply cannot get to the bottom of this mystery!

[pimit2]

Hi Kukla1,

Days of sunshine are based on an average number over the course of many years of data. Then, there is a matter of opinions, which as the saying goes: Everyone has.

Here's some more numbers for you to chew on:

Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston are 118 miles apart.

Coeur d'Alene is 2,180 feet above sea level. Lewiston, the lowest point in the State of Idaho, is 738 feet above sea level.

Coeur d'Alene receives 142 days of sunshine per year, on average, while Lewiston receives 190 days of sunshine per year on average.

Coeur d'Alene gets 26 inches of rain and 50 inches of snow per year, average.
Lewiston gets 29 inches of rain and 19 inches of snow per year, average.

This data may only tend to confuse your query further. I hope not!

Bob (pimit2)

[Elocyn]

I was born in and raised near Lewiston. I now live in Bonners Ferry. In my humble opinion, Lewiston is warmer but Coeur d'Alene's weather is a little more moderate the rest of the year. (Not quite as hot during summer) Also the Coeur d'Alene area is prettier.

[kukla1]

This info really does help. Next question (or two):

1. Is the Lewiston area a little more un-pretty because it's more of a barren landscape? Essentially, how does it differ from CDA? We will be visitng CDA in a couple of weeks, but I don't think we'll have time to travel to Lewiston.

2. Are the summers way or only slightly hotter than CDA?

3. Do either of you know any realtors in the Lewiston area?

Again, you have really helped me. Thank you!

[Cosmo]

Lewiston smells really bad due to Potlatch being there so keep that in mind

[kukla1]

Oh no! Why is there always a catch? Is the smell ever-present? Or do they release the aroma from time to time?

[DJKirkland]

kukla1-

I grew up in both Lewiston and Coeur d' Alene, and I can say that personally, Coeur d' Alene is a better choice. The difference in temperatures and sun between the two is negligible. If you're concerned about driving in snow, Lewiston has the advantage there as the snow there rarely sticks around for very long. Even CDA has a lot less snow these days than I remember when I was younger.

Summers are nice in both; Lewiston tends to stay warm even through the night while CDA will usually cool off. Daytime temps are usually a bit warmer in Lewiston also. Coeur d' Alene does have the advantage of being on a lake with several beaches and other large lakes nearby for summer fun. Lewiston does have the Snake and Clearwater rivers, but they are not as nice as the lakes up north.

The landscapes are very different.... CDA is wooded and has more of an alpine Pacific Northwest feel to it, while Lewiston is very dry, brown, and barren with more of a high desert look to it. The area between the two- the Palouse- is a really neat area of rolling hills and farmland.

Potlatch does make the city smell a bit- you get used to it and don't notice it after you've been there for a couple days though. It's not constant though.

Schools are good in both- probably on the same level. I think CDA's school district is larger though.

If you're used to any big-city amenities, you won't find them in Lewiston. CDA has the advantage of being in Spokane's metro area, and has all the amenties that an area of 600,000 people should. That being said, Lewiston is more laid back and has less traffic which can be really nice too, and if that's what you're looking for Lewiston is a good choice.

So, there's my $.02!

Basically, the weather is similar enough that you may want to see which city suits your needs more.

[DJKirkland]

Hey! I was just thinking... have you considered Moscow? It is about 1/2 hr north of Lewiston and 1.5 hrs south of CDA. It's a really cool town, the University of Idaho is there and it's got a neat downtown. There are good schools and the weather is kind of a mix between CDA and Lewiston. Having UI in the town and Washington State just across the border make it a fun place to be during the school year. It even has a decent mall

[kukla1]

Originally Posted by DJKirkland

Hey! I was just thinking... have you considered Moscow? It is about 1/2 hr north of Lewiston and 1.5 hrs south of CDA. It's a really cool town, the University of Idaho is there and it's got a neat downtown. There are good schools and the weather is kind of a mix between CDA and Lewiston. Having UI in the town and Washington State just across the border make it a fun place to be during the school year. It even has a decent mall

Great idea! I think I didn't consider it because I figured if it's named Moscow it must be colder than you-know-where. Silly of me, isn't it? But thanks for the tip. I'll research it.

[Blue Sky]

I moved to Spokane from Arizona and trust me, you will want to be some place warmer and sunnier. Lewiston has 2 great rivers running through town with a great bike path that you can actually use year round. Also, you can get more for your money in Lewiston and it has a far less crime rate. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone wants to move to Couer d Alene right now, for what? Slick roads and Tons of fog in the winter? There really isn't much temperature difference in the summer either. Couer D Alene gets many days in the high 90's to low 100's. If I had to choose right now, I'd choose Lewiston. Why? One reason. Better quality of life! Sorry N. Idaho people, but you've been discovered, Lewiston hasn't, yet.