Tell me about the mountains of Sandpoint, ID.

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Okay, now that we see that we can handle 754 sq.ft., I'd like to know more about the area. My husband is going to go out as soon as possible, but in the meantime I'd like to get a feel for the place.

Thanks. Penny

-- Penny (drewbange@pa.net), April 03, 2002

Answers

I don't mean to sound a pessimist, but from what I understand it is very hard to make a living in Idaho. The wages are poor, and the environmentalists have taken over. This information is from someone who has left Idaho for these reasons.

Laurean

-- Laurean (cranston_06010@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.


False information.

Feel free to e-mail me privately for specific information.

Suffice it to say that N. Idaho is a great place to live. There is work aplenty for those with the gumption to look for it and not be picky. It is true that wages are below average, but what rural area isn't? Our cost of living is probably less.

And I can't say that there are too many environmentalists or that they have taken over, what is wrong with environmentalists?

-- Tis I (really_tis_i@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.


Sandpoint is a lovely little town that's a popular skiing area in the winter and big on water sports in the summer. It's approximately 1 1/2 hours north of Spokane, WA (largest city in the region) and you can get to the Canadian border within 45 minutes. Making a living there can be tough, but the town is large enough to support a Wal- Mart and K-Mart. The area is breathtakingly beautiful, but the environmental wackos from California are moving in and shouting their demands at the locals who have lived there for ages. I would have to say that is probably the only downside to the area. A great tourist area, so if you can think up something to sell the tourist, you could do quite well there financially!

I could send you some information on the area if you like. Email me and I can get some info sent out to you within the next day or so!

All the best to you and your move out to the inland NW! You'll love it here!

-- Joy in Eastern WA (jparkes@spfarm.com), April 03, 2002.


Instead of sending it privately, how about sharing it with the board? That way those of us with false information can be enlightened! :0)

-- Laurean (cranston_06010@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.

I think maybe you might just love it there. My cousin was a deputy sheriff there a few years ago and she loved the area. With her job, she was right in the middle of many of the problem types that you and I would probably never take notice of unless you are active in town politics or ran afoul of the strong prejudices that we seem to have here in the NW. So, she didn't like that part of living there. Other than that, it is so pretty, wonderful wildlife, gorgeous views. Have fun and good luck, LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), April 03, 2002.


I have lived near Sandpoint since the early '70's. We like to tell everyone how cold it gets here in the winter, how the Aryan Nations headquarters is here, and we a completely race intolerant, no one can make a living here, yada, yada.

It's all false information. We just don't want to be overrun with folks.

In the many years I have lived here, I have never lacked for work. It is seemingly everwhere. But then again, I am a self starter and if I need work I'll shovel out someones barn in trade for eggs if necessary. I think the same is true everwhere. If you are willing to work and approach any job with honesty and a can do attitude there will always be someone needing work done. In fact, if you do move to Sandpoint and are in need of work, I may have work for you myself that blends well with the homestead life.

It is beautiful here, locals consider this the banana belt because of our relatively and usual mild winters, although this one seems to be hanging on longer than most. Growing seasons are relatively short, in many places 90 days or less, but if you look you can find areas that have another 30-45 days usually.

The area is full of homesteaders, and yes many of them do come from California. Sometimes it seems that every other person you meet used to live in that particular state. However, people here are friendly, quick to help out when asked and will leave you alone if you wish. The area breeds or attracts independent spirit.

Idaho is the most conservative state in the nation, with 85% of the state legislature made up of Republicans. Many attribute this to conservative factions moving to the state from California.

The economy is slowly changing. We have been dependant for a long time on extractive industry and have been slow to diversify.

Sandpoint not only has a Kmart and a Walmart, it has a Burger King, McDonalds, Taco Bell, KFC but tons of other eating and drinking establishments in the area. Sandpoint has the Panida Theatre, that brings in big name entertainment as well as the Festival In Sandpoint each summer that brings big name entertainment and thousands to town for two weeks each summer. Arts and crafts abound, hunting and fishing are right outside your door. Zillion lakes, rivers and creeks, what more could you ask for.

The reason I suggested e-mailing me privately is because I want to get out and enjoy this beautiful day instead of sitting here staring at my computer, and e-mailing gives me the leisure to respond when I want. So like I said, if there is anything anyone wants to know specifically, feel free to ask via e-mail.

-- Tis I (really_tis_i@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.


Tis I said it pretty well. (Tis' I, my husband and I wouldn't mind meeting you sometime.) I live in Priest River, about 30 miles from Sdpt (local abbreviation). There are a lot of environmentally concious people here, but to pose them all as enemies and obstacles to work would unfair and untrue. Recycling and eating healthfully is encouraged, as is frugality and a simple lifestyle, and homesteading, at least, among the friends we have, which include quite a few environmentalists.

The area is so beautful that it isn't hard to see why clearcutting is unpopular among some folks. You see a lovely mountain, covered with trees, except for a big square patch that's completely bald and raped, with lots of dead slash laying all around. It's not hard to develop an aversion to such sights... Still, logging is still a major industry, and there are several active lumbermills.

Work- the thing about north Idaho is this: if you're lazy, stay where you are. If you want to be paid a lot of money per hour and certain jobs are beneath you, or you can only work one specialized job, you may also want to reconsider the area. But if you don't mind work, and working at various jobs, and working hard is not a problem, you'll probably do alright, and if you live simply you'll be able to afford to have the luxury of living in a place where most can only visit and dream about living here.

Below is a picture of Gold Cup mountain, the pic doesn't do the area justice. If desired, I can post some more.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), April 03, 2002.


I'm not far from Sandpoint. See http://www.javaranch.com/farm/map.html to see exactly where I am. And you can see some pictures of my farm at http://www.javaranch.com/farm

I suspect that the general terrain is not that different in sandpoint.

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), April 03, 2002.


Another, taken from Schweitzer.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), April 03, 2002.

What are the land prices, the pics are beautiful? Also, any real estate companies you would recommend?

-- curious (justcurious@nospam.com), April 03, 2002.


Curious - www.tomlinsonblack.com or www.windermere.com or www.johnlscott.com

These realtors list throughout the inland NW, in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. You could possibly get some good info from them and their websites.

-- Joy in Eastern WA (jparkes@spfarm.com), April 03, 2002.


Alright!! Let's all move to Sandpoint, ID!! It sounds good to me.

-- Sheila in NC (nannie@intrstar.net), April 03, 2002.

I have lived 15 miles north of Sandpoint for 8 yrs. The mountains are spectacular. I overlook the Selkirk Mtns and back up against the Cabinet Mtn range. The highest peaks are very dramatic and snowcovered much of the year. If you like to ski or want to learn, Sweitzer Mtn is right there. There do seem to be several mini climates around. In town its fairly moderate for the most part, near that humungous Lake Pend Oreille (pronounced Ponderay), but up here its gets more extreme. I get alot more snow than the town area as I live in a "snowbelt". And I agree with all who say you can find work here. But I learned that it works best if you MAKE your own work in this area. There are lots of homesteader type here as well as all the Californians who want to city-fy everything. Good luck with your move...its a lovely time to be comeing here.

-- Barbie from N. Idaho (think_peace51@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.

Here's a link where you can see more pictures. Idaho pics

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), April 04, 2002.

Sandpoint also has a great farmer's market. Wish ours in Colville did as well! We just don't get the tourist trade here. We love where we are, but sometimes I wish we had moved to Sandpoint - it was one of the places we looked at. It is also the childhood home of Pat McManus.

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), April 04, 2002.


You aren't buying the Weaver's cabin are you ?

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), April 04, 2002.

Don't know. I just emailed the realtor today for more details. This place is on Cohage Road. Sound like them?

-- Penny (drewbange@pa.net), April 04, 2002.

Nope, the address would be Ruby Ridge and the place would have a lot of old yellow tape around it that says "U.S. Marshalls Crime Scene- Do Not Cross"

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), April 05, 2002.

And, it wouldn't be livable- the roof caved in several winters ago.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), April 05, 2002.

Rebekah, is it still a Government siezure or was it sold at auction ?

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), April 06, 2002.

It was sold at auction and torn down and removed in an attempt to keep folks from souvineer hunting. Good riddance!

-- Tis I (really_tis_i@yahoo.com), April 06, 2002.

Careful now Tis I. I plan to retire up there someday and a firefight at my house would not result in one dead U.S. Marshall--more like twenty !

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), April 06, 2002.

A word of advice Joel, if you DO retire up here one day, you might want to avoid reference of Weaver. We're pretty sick of the subject.

-- Tis I (really_tis_i@yahoo.com), April 06, 2002.

Yes, I know Tis I. Everyone is always sick of the subject till it's their family that gets shot for no reason. Than even people like you come blubbering and crying to people like me--Help me, Joel, Help me. They can't do that. I'm a little sick myself of people like you--but I'd probably help you anyway.

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), April 06, 2002.

Well, ya know Joel, I had to debate whether your reply would be worth degrading this message board to even answer.

If you knew Randy or any of the Weavers, like I do, you wouldn't make such rash statements. If you find Randy a hero, then I would highly suggest that rather than retire here, you search for a place where it is accepted that a MAN doesn't hide behind a women's skirt. Everyone I know here doesn't choose to take that route, which is why you likely wouldn't be welcome here. Weaver was a coward, plain and simple, and I suggest that if you wish to go further with this conversation that we take it to e-mail.

-- Tis I (really_tis_i@yahoo.com), April 06, 2002.


I see, after the fact that I mis-spoke. Randy is well known here for HIDING behind Sarah's skirt, so if You are that type, don't bother trying to find like minded folks here. You will be Most unwelcome.

I will assume that you are simply mis-informed on the actual situation and are willing to listen to reality, so Joel, I give you the benefit of the doubt. I'd be happy to back up any of my statements with proof if you want to converse privately or open up a new thread.

-- Tis I (really_tis_i@yahoo.com), April 06, 2002.


Tis I, Joel; I did know the Weaver family. In fact, I played with Sarah, our families were friends. I will grant this- Vicky was a strong lady, a real pioneer woman, very smart and very wise about homesteading, and maybe too outspoken. She was, IMHO the stronger half of the couple. She was the kind of gal that most of us here would love to be- that strong, that capable, and that 'together'. She taught my mom a lot about makin gthe transition from city life to life in Idaho. I'm not exaggerating at all when I say that, had it not been for Vicki, I wouldn't be living in the country, and particularly in Idaho. We need more women like Vicki- and Sarah is cast in the same mold.

They really were a neat family. And when we knew them they weren't racist. How do I know? My mom's half Asian, and it's very apparent. Their friends and neighbors, the Brigg's were Jewish. So they weren't racist when I knew them. Whether they became that way later, I don't know.

Is Randy a hero? Frankly, I don't think so. I think what happened there was awful, tragic, and wrong. I think Randy was scared silly and I don't blame him for that at all. I think it would be more accurate to call him a victim- of a government gone awry. There would be a good deal of truth in saying that Sarah was stronger than her dad during the ordeal. Randy and Kevin may well have died without her, and she held the family together. But keep in mind- Sarah is stronger than most women, and even than most men. I have a lot of respect for both Vicki and Sarah.

As for me, I can't help remembering the days when our mothers sat talking together, and our dads too, and Sarah showed us around the place and explained her beliefs to a couple of city slicker kids, while Sam and my brother played cops and robbers, falling down in mock agony. So sad.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), April 07, 2002.


You said it all Rebekah and that is how I saw it also. Tis I and myself took our little rift to private E mails. We found out we had more in common than we had differences. Vicki was one of the best Homesteading wifes I ever knew and boy did she know herbs !

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), April 08, 2002.

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