Is NID too rural for a city girl? (Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls: transplants, neighborhood)

[Higglytown]

First I must say "Hello" to all the regulars on this board. I've been following along in silence for the last few months and have really enjoyed all of you.
After many years of discussion, my husband and I have finally agreed to research other areas. For the last 20 years he's commuted 45 miles into LA and just can't take it anymore. In three years our third child will graduate high school, leaving us with just one more in the nest. Our last will be 8 years old and we feel a move at that time won't be too tramatic.

I've looked heavily into the Post Falls/Coeur d'Alene area as well as the Eagle/Star area. I'm drawn to NID because I love snow, wildlife and the general beauty of the area. In the last post I read; "Idaho here we come" Rickers was commenting on a Moose in the yard and Toyman commented on bears and cougars. I find it very exciting to live in an area so rich in wildlife (in fact that's what I love about the area), however, I worry about the danger associated with living so close to animals I know nothing about. Is it something that I can learn to deal with safely or will I be mauled to death due to my ignorance . Any other city transplants that have faced and conquered this fear?

[mistyriverranch]

Well I used to live right in downtown Boston and I've made it here for seven years living in a cabin in the woods on a river without the grizzlies or cougars taking a chunk out of me.
In CDA or Post Falls, you really have nothing to worry about. In fact, if you're smart about trash and how you store things, you really have little to worry about anywhere in regards ot the wildlife.

[DESERTRYDER]

I am planning on putting marshmellows in my kids pockets.
Then I know when it's gets dark they will already be inside hiding from the critters

[Higglytown]

That's one way to get 'em in before the street lights turn on


Thanks for the reply Misty. So was the adjustment easy, difficult or "who really cares" cuz it was worth it?

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by DESERTRYDER

I am planning on putting marshmellows in my kids pockets.
Then I know when it's gets dark they will already be inside hiding from the critters

Hey DR, are your kids online? I might have some ideas for them for a Father's Day gift

[pimit2]

Hello to you, Higglytown,

If you live 45 miles from LA, you have lots of wild animals around you, too. You can bet there are cougars, bobcats and even a bear or two in your "neighborhood", and I have to assume you haven't been mauled yet. Your worst fear where you live should be the "exremely dangerous animals" who are upright, walking on two legs!

There are no moose in and around LA, but they are plentiful in NID. It's not often you would see one in the Post Falls/Coeur d'Alene area, but you might come across them out in the wilderness or even the surrounding, rural areas. Frankly, if you just stay clear of them, those big clowns are always good for a laugh.

Shake off any fears you may have and start making plans for the best move of your life. Your 8 year-old will applaud your decision and quickly make new friends. You'll all be getting away from the real bad stuff!


pimit2 (Bob)

[brokencrayola]

I moved to Sandpoint in 1981 from southern California. I knew I wanted to move here the first day I visited. I have now lived here 28 years and never for one second regretted it. As far as animals, for the most part they are more afraid of you than you think, but use common sense. Do not approach wild animals, even if they are standing still like moose often do. They can all be potentially dangerous under the right or wrong conditions. Take pictures from your car or at a distance, do not approach an animals with a baby at all, and fall during mating season some animals can be testee. You will do fine. It is an incredible place to live.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Higgly, you really don't have anything to worry about. In the cities you will rarely see large wildlife, though occasionally a moose will wander into the outskirts of CDA or PF. They are the only large critter I'd have any concern about, and even at that only in more remote areas, and the risk is pretty small. A tiny bit of common sense greatly reduces the risk. I've been charged by a moose once, and it was only after my dog harrassed the heck out of a mother and calf. I was yelling at the dog trying to get it away...the moose charged the dog, and the dog took cover behind me. Man's best friend my...well never mind. Even at that the moose veered off, but she was within 10 ft when she started to turn away, and her momentum carried her past me. I had the sights on her...almost squeezed off a round but thankfully didn't have to. That's the only threatening incident I've had and I spend a lot of time in the woods. Usually when we see moose it's while hunting elk, and then it's just nice to watch them go about their day.

We also do have elk, deer, grizzly bear, black bear, cougar and wolves around. Every year somewhere in the country someone is attacked by a deer (yes, a cute little bamby), they can get kind of crazy in the rut. I've never heard of it happening in Idaho and I think your odds are smaller than being hit by lightening. Humans have been attacked by grizzlys, Montana gets an attack or 2 every couple of years. Usually it's a hunter that has killed an animal and the scent of blood attracts them. I'm not aware of any attacks in Idaho.

There hasn't been a wolf attack on humans in the lower 48 that I'm aware of. I wouldn't be supprised to see it happen though. They are protected out here and are rapidly loosing fear of humans. I have friends that have had them come in while bugling elk. There was also an incident where a turkey hunter ended up killing a cougar that was stalking him a few years back.

If you live in a developed area, you really don't need to give wildlife much of a thought. Even in rural areas, the threat to a person is minimal. In the back country, use just a bit of caution and common sense. I always pack a handgun in the backcountry, but have never had a reason to draw it.

Pets are another story though, our local coyotes have been hard on my cats, and we have lost one dog. There has been an increase in wolf attacks on dogs in the last few years, and some wolf and cougar attacks on livestock.

[mistyriverranch]

Originally Posted by Higglytown

That's one way to get 'em in before the street lights turn on


Thanks for the reply Misty. So was the adjustment easy, difficult or "who really cares" cuz it was worth it?

It was a great adventure and I think we pretty much loved almost every minute of it. Even the 18 months using the outhouse. It's all in the attitude.
(though I don't think you'll be using an outhouse in Post Falls or CDA)

[Sage of Sagle]

I commuted 60+ miles to downtown and East LA for a decade, so I feel your husband's pain. We're in an area of 10-50 acre parcels, below some heights populated by cougar and bear. Around here we have moose, deer, and wild turkey, and the occasional elk. What we have found is that having dogs keeps the cougar and bear away. The more our dogs are marking around the perimeter of our property the less we've seen tracks. And we've only SEEN one bear on our place.

Moose, they're a different story. About 1-2 every couple months. We leave them alone, and remain still and they eventually move along.

the plethora of bugs will be a change for you. Quite a few more than Socal, which as you know is somewhat of an agricultural island. I could do without so many bugs here. But that's about the only thing I've found that bugs me (pun intended) about living here.

You will love it here. It would take a court order to get me back to California...