Going to Coeur d" Alene, ID next weekend any suggestions?

Hugh R · 02-10-2012, 07:03 PM

The wifey and I are going to Coeur d' Alene next weekend to visit and see if it is a potential retirement spot. Might as well go in the middle of the Winter to see how cold it gets. 10 day on weather.com looks good low of 29 high of 40. Any suggestions on what to see, where to eat? We fly into Spokane, rent a car and drive there. Looks like a nice place in the Spring, Summer and Fall, not hot at all, and low humidity. We may keep a place somewhere warmer for the Winter.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Last time I was there, meth was plentiful... Not much to do around there (for the kids).

Hugh R · 02-10-2012, 07:22 PM

Sweet! No kids.

syncroid · 02-10-2012, 07:24 PM

The wife and I thought about moving up that way about 20 years ago. We subscribed to all the local news papers of the time. No jobs (for us) and a depressed economy. If you can retire on what you have here now and live there now...good for you. Beautiful country. Go for it Hugh! That part of our fabulous country is breath taking

LWJ · 02-10-2012, 07:28 PM

I hear nothing but positives. Of course, we are talking Idaho here!

Head416 · Head416's Garage

Okay, if this just urban legand I'll apologize now. But I've heard repeatedly that there's a huge white supremicist movement up there. Any truth to that? I mean more than the normal racist a-holes scattered throughout most places.

fanaudical · fanaudical's Garage

Not urban legend.

homer944 · 02-10-2012, 08:08 PM

It's true.

It's also has the 2nd largest meth busts in the country.

jorian · 02-10-2012, 08:16 PM

There was a large white supremicist compound in northern Idaho but it was raided and subsequently confiscated by the FBI. Not a lot of brothers up there though...

Bill Douglas · 02-10-2012, 08:24 PM

You could always come and hive here Hugh. Sure we talk a bit funny but the food's good and the weather is OK.

look 171 · 02-10-2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanaudical

Not urban legend.

I am surprise to hear that. Isn't it a resort like Sunshine or a smaller or less crowded Tahoe? I was thinking about going up there this summer with my kids and spend a week there and press onto Canada so visit relatives. Now, maybe not. I hate going to those places where they give you the evil eye due to your lic. plate.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

I am surprise to hear that. Isn't it a resort like Sunshine or a smaller or less crowded Tahoe? I was thinking about going up there this summer with my kids and spend a week there and press onto Canada so visit relatives. Now, maybe not. I hate going to those places where they give you the evil eye due to your lic. plate.

What I posted above, reflected on when I was there during a family vacation when I was in my mid teens. I think by the time we had reached Coeur d'Alene, I needed some space from them, so I had found some local kids hanging out at a closed gas station one night. It was then I found out about the meth problem. It's a great place to visit, but not much to do for a local teen....

brents42gpw · 02-10-2012, 09:32 PM

I happen to live in the silver valley. I am half hour from coeur d alene. there is plenty of skiing and snowmobiling. yes there is meth problems. but that crap is everywhere. a pretty tight nit community. summer is better. with 4 wheeling and mountain biking. and hiking. I live at the base of silver mountain. with the worlds largest gondola. and also. dave smith. the worlds largest dodge truck dealer. there are tons of people moving from cali and other areas to retire here ( mark furhman) lives in sandpoint..... it is a great place to live. and raise kids. ok. off my soap box..

madmmac · madmmac's Garage

There is really not much to do in CDA except lake activities. The Skinheads are just North up in the Hayden Lake area.

I like Spokane and the surrounds a whole lot better. Much more of a city and actual things to do or enjoy in the evening.

I can recommend The Davenport as a nice place to eat and stay. They will take you out in a town car for a tour for just a tip for the driver. At least they used to. Spokane Hotels | Hotels in Spokane | The Davenport Hotel & Tower, Spokane, WA

genrex · 04:41 AM

+1 for Spokane, and +1 for the Davenport. If you're looking for a retirement home, you can't beat the Comstock Park area or the Japanese Gardens area. Basically the area bounded by 20th Ave and the bluff, and Manito Ave and the bluff. You can get a really nice house for $150k - $250k. Idyllic neighborhood, fantastic tree-lined streets, amazing for walking, quiet, and friendly. Walk around a bit, check it out. Services and restaurants nearby. The main streets through the neighborhood have some traffic at rush hour, but nothing (laughable) compared to what you and I are used to. One block off the main streets there is no traffic at all. Honest mechanics at the Mechanics Pride locations, but no Porsche specialists in town that I know of. There is an active regional PCA chapter. Coeur d' Alene is an easy drive away, and Sandpoint is a great weekend getaway.

P.S: "We may keep a place somewhere warmer for the Winter." A yearly wintering place would be perfect. Many people leave Spokane after the holidays, and get away for a while during the snow/ice months of January, February, and March.

_

afterburn 549 · 02-11-2012, 04:39 AM

Go to Atohl. Take a right.
go see the Navy submerines in a lake
Quite schocking...(well you might not see them...)

LakeCleElum · 02-11-2012, 06:42 AM

CDA - Very beautiful area. Summer is great. Very high real estate prices compared to other nearby areas. Regarding retirement, Idaho has an income tax, Washington does not. Do the math.

Lots of outdoor activities. Go for a drive. Maybe all the way aroud the lake. On the west side, hit Hwy 27 just over the Washington border. When you see those little wheat farming towns, you'll think you're back in the 1950's....Not a bad thing at all. Check out homes on the "South Hill" of Spokane. If you want a great steak: "Wolf Creek Lodge" just east of CDA B4 you start up 4th of July Pass.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

If that is your summer roost, just spend more than 6 months in Texas or wherever your winter quarters will be, then no income tax.

Have you looked at Whitefish, MT?

Hugh R · 02-11-2012, 08:31 AM

Thanks guys, we are going to spend a day driving around the Spokane area while we're there.

billybek · billybek's Garage

I really like the Sandpoint area and Lake Pend Oreille.
Great boating, fishing, mountain biking and a lot of golf.
Great summers with decently long spring and fall seasons.
Don't know what the winters would be like there. It has been years since I was at Switzer (sp?) Basin to ski. It was fun back in the day!