Situated in northern Idaho's panhandle, 60 miles
south of British Columbia, picturesque Sandpoint is an outdoor
recreation Paradise. This rugged but chic community (population
8,500) sits along sparkling, 43-mile-long Lake Pend Oreille (Pon-da-ray) and is
surrounded by mountains, attracting boaters, hikers, fishermen and women
and snow skiers (popular Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort is
nearby). Retirees come for the laid-back, Western flavor,
clean air, low crime rate, breathtaking scenery and cool
climate.
The town has somewhat of a resort atmosphere and has
been "discovered" within the last few years; in 2004-2006 it
went through a real estate "gold rush," but as nearly
everywhere, things have
quieted down. Today, the median
home price is roughly $190,000, down 12% from the second quarter of
2009. New resort communities popped up during the boom, and new home styles
are the mountain chalet
variety. The overall cost of living is about 5% below the national
average. Of the population, 22% is age 45 to 64, and 15% is age 65
or better.
Sandpoint's quaint downtown bustles with
restaurants, shops, coffee houses, art galleries, real estate offices and pubs
(do not miss the Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale). Buildings
are late 19th-century brick, and pedestrians include locals and
tourists. While the great outdoors are the primary draw
here, the town also hosts an annual summer concert series (Festival at
Sandpoint) and offers theatrical events year round at The Panida
Theater, a renovated 1927 Spanish Mission-style structure. There
is also an annual Winter Carnival, an Art Walk and a farmers' market
(and huckleberry picking is a favorite pastime).
Bonner General Hospital is a non-profit facility and has
48 beds, 72 part-time and full-time physicians and provides 24-hour emergency care, home health
care, cancer treatment, urgent care and comprehensive rehabilitation
services. Sandpoint Senior Center offers a variety of
programs, and North Idaho Community Express provides local
transportation, although it is limited. Several companies
offer broadband DSL Internet access. Summers are
spectacular with low humidity and temperatures rarely rising above 80
degrees. Deep blue skies dappled with white fluffy clouds
inspire and sooth the spirit.
On the downside, Sandpoint sits along Route 95, and
traffic congestion is a problem during the summer season.
Locals also complain about the new money that has come to town, much of
it from vacation home buyers, and they are concerned that Sandpoint's character is
changing from an old timber and railroad town to a vacation playground
(although this is being tempered somewhat by the Recession). And winters can be a
little tough, with up to 80 inches of snow in a season; January
temperatures average in the low 20s.
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Recommended
as a Retirement Spot?
Yes
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Challenging winters, summer tourists
and new influx of money may be drawbacks for some, but
gorgeous scenery, outstanding lake and mountain
recreation, adequate health care, a senior center, little
crime, public transportation and low-key ambiance make
Sandpoint a place to consider for retirement. |
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