*NGC* Thinking of Moving to Coeur d'Alene, ID

[Jim C]

Looking for opinions and comments related to this place.
I currently live in CA, but hate it here, I can't stand the politics,
the congestion, the rudeness, etc. Man, talk about everyone with
their hand out, and no one taking responsibility. I've been
here over 40 years. I think it's time to go before it gets even worse.

So, what d'ya think?

Jim

[Kentktk]

It`s a nice place, you will be in for a shock during the winter since you`ve lived a California for so long. You could still fly a Confederate flag there if you want, which give's you an insight into the mind set of many people living in that area.

[canuguzzi]

I just came back from there (trip). It is growing by leaps and bounds. I have family there for the last 12 years or so. The joke is that you can live there for years and never meet someone who actually is from there, lot of people from California.

Unfortunately, it is becoming californiaized since it seems Californians really like to get away from California but then turn right around and start trying to make the places they go into the place they left.

Now you see high fenced golf courses stuffed full of McMansions.

Last few winters they have had little snow although at times it can get really cold. The summers can be very hot and there is some humidity there.

Much of the really nice land has been bought up and made off-limits to others.

The city itself is almost quaint and it has a lot of events through the nicer months. The lake is nice too, lots of homes built right on lakeside.

A bigger city Spokane isn't too far away, there is a Guzzi dealer there if that matters.

For year round living, you must be prepared for the winters, snow or no snow. If you aren't into the winter sports or that kind of thing, home time becomes a big deal.

The people are really nice, conservative although that is slowly changing too. You can own a gun there, a lot of them if you want. Like any place, there are parts that have their crime but it isn't bad. Once in a while they do have the area shocker where someone does something really heinous but it is rare.

Its a nice place to visit, I get there a few times a year but not in winter since I ride the bike.

Employment is so-so. The economy there is rebounding although like a lot of places, some businesses went under and not returned. You have all your Walmarts, Kmarts, Fred Meyers and stores like that, you won't think you moved to nowhere. Schools seem to be good and there are private schools too.

If you go there without a job, I'd line that up first unless you are retired.

It is a slower paced lifestyle unless you are slower than the big wheeled pickup behind you.

If you can manage it, have a place there for the summer and another place for winters and you'll fit right in. Lots of people do that. There is a lot of money there but it is tightly kept.

For outdoor activity lifestyles it is as good as it gets. The border is only about 75 miles away and there are plenty of small towns bordering the city or not too far away.

Traffic can be miserable, yes they have congestion and it can be really ugly.

For riding, there are roads all over the place. For raising kids, I'd pick some place else, it is a tourist town, no doubt about that. Lots of places to eat.

it is sort of like a conservative San Luis Obispo for reference.

[Jim C]

NorgePilot,

Thank you for the informative post about Coeur d'Alene, ID. Very appreciated.

Unfortunately, it is becoming californiaized since it seems Californians really like to get away from California but then turn right around and start trying to make the places they go into the place they left

That would absolutely defeat the whole purpose of moving there. My purpose is to get away from all  the 'California ideology', and move to a place that is more in keeping with my wife's and I personal ideals. California ain't it. Other reasons would be to slow down, enjoy life and be happy in our retirement. I can't see that happening here in California. We can sell our house here that would help fund the rest of our nest egg, which would be awesome.

Conservative, although that is slowly changing too.

I don't want to move to a state that is changing from conservative to swinging the other way. One of the reasons I picked Idaho is because of their conservatism. I don't want to take a chance that I move up there and the whole state goes the other direction ideologically.

Thanks again for the reply.

Jim

[Chuck in Indiana]

Jim, in your lifetime, Idaho isn't going to change that much. Want to get away? Much of it is uninhabited. 
I like it. You'll need a motorcycle to restore during the winter. Some kind of project. What's not to like?

[not-fishing]

I was born & raised in California so I remember what California was like in the 60's and it was a good place to live.

Contrary to popular belief more than half of the nearly 40,000,000 Californian's were not born here.  Those same people are only Californian's by the fact that that was the last state they left.

[idahorider]

Idaho is one of the most conservative states and CDA is one of its most conservative regions. Nearest Demo in the state legislature is 90 miles south and that's not going to change.
I would look in the greater CDA region as there's beautiful country all around with many lakes and streams. By California standards, real estate is reasonable if you don't have to live right on CDA Lake.
Yes, winters can be tough. I live 110 miles south, at lower elevation, and our golf courses fill up with folks from Spokane and CDA in February and March.
Folks are friendly and it's relatively safe. Another important factor for retirees is that medical facilities are excellent with a growing regional medical center.
I wouldn't move there if I wanted to find a living-wage job and raise a family, but it's a great place to move if you're bringing some money with you.
And, yes, there's great riding, boating, fishing and snowmobiling in the area.
Paul Emerson

[cruzziguzzi]

Idaho in general as an alternative to an unhappy existence in California?

Yup.

C d'A as the same in particular? You'll likely generally be pleased but on a regular basis be disappointed in local policies if Cali tweaks your craw. City and county policy left leanings have accelerated considerably over the last 12-15 years anyhow. Some of my pals would say there and Boise have suffered with a progressive tilt for a lot longer. We're up there twice a year, yearly and get the rush to progress in weird fits and spurts rather than the slow erosion the year-'rounds experience.

'Course, some folk, they'se call that the pro-gress.


Todd.

[segesta]

There used to be quite a white supremacist community north of there (Hayden Lake area), but they mostly got run off.  Coeur d'Alene is a nice town with nice people.

Good to hear. I confess that the first thing I think of when I hear about CDA are those erstwhile white supremacist clowns. Fortunately that movement collapsed under the weight of its own stupidity.

But in any case--tell us how it goes. That's supposed to be a beautiful part of the country.

[cruzziguzzi]

Good to hear. I confess that the first thing I think of when I hear about CDA are those erstwhile white supremacist clowns. Fortunately that movement collapsed under the weight of its own stupidity.

But in any case--tell us how it goes. That's supposed to be a beautiful part of the country.

They're generally "at elevation" now and easy enough to spot and avoid. Treat 'em like hazardous animals in "identify and avoid".

Like placer mines in Alaska or commercial poachers in the North East.

Definitely there but not a reason to not live in the area. I'd be more worried about text-while-driving Subaru invaders from Washington State or Yellowstone imploding into a moon sized crater than those goof-balls.

Todd.

[Zinfan]

Have you thought about Sitka Alaska?  .  I do wish the wife would consider a move out of Ca but she likes the weather here too much and anywhere else would be too hot or too cold at some point of the year.  It will be interesting to see how far the retirement monies go now that I don't work anymore (actual retirement is Aug 1, I'm actually still on vacation till then).

[Caffeineo]

I did not make it that far north.....except for the winters here (Boise) we really like it. This was the best choice for low cost housing, low cost of living, low crime rate, low risk of running out of water. After 3 years here I can see it is growing like crazy...the small town we moved to is turning into a big city.  Meridian is the 9th fastest growing city this year. The secret is out and things are changing....as always. Makes me wonder if this growth is due to population growth or just a redistribution of the existing population???

[Sasquatch Jim]

  And the Hern Iron works is nearby in case you need cannons.
  The Hern foundry makes and sells cast iron cannons for reasonable prices.
  A good six pounder artillary piece can be had for about the same price as a good rifle.
  Lottsa fun at Guzzi campouts.