5 Reasons why Sandpoint, Idaho is a great place to raise a family

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Chances are if you’ve spent any time in the northwest, you’re probably familiar with Coeur D’Alene.  It’s a popular tourist destination, with its gorgeous scenery and mountain & lake activities.  But if you drive another 45 minutes north, you can enjoy the mountains and lakes with the added appeal of a small-town feel.  As a mom of three young kids, this blog will highlight just five of the reasons why Sandpoint is a great place for families.

BEAUTY

Growing up in Alaska, I have a pretty high standard when it comes to beauty in the great outdoors.  I took great pride in being from the state that everyone wants to visit.  I loved being able to wake up in the morning and soak in the grandeur that was in my own backyard.  When my family left Alaska, over 12 years ago, I struggled to feel the same kind of passion about a place…until we moved to Sandpoint.  I remember crossing over the long bridge (the mile-long bridge that leads into Sandpoint, ID with a breathtaking view) for the first time and feeling like I was coming home.  It reminds me so much of where I grew up, without being soooo far removed from everything.  There are so many things to love about Sandpoint.  How many places in the world can you enjoy mountain biking and skiing, fishing and boating, hiking and hanging out at the beach – all within a 15-20 minute drive?!

WALKABILITY

I LOVE that Sandpoint is a walking town.  And in case you forget, there is a sign proclaiming this as you drive into town.  Having lived all over the country, I know from experience that most towns are not walking towns.  Sure, most places have sidewalks, but outside of your neighborhood, there aren’t usually many areas where it feels safe to walk with your kids in tow.  Too much traffic, too much crime, etc.  In Sandpoint, I have always felt safe and there are sidewalks and trails everywhere, including around many of the roundabouts.  It is a place designed for walking and biking.  If you live near downtown Sandpoint, you likely have walking access to numerous trails, shopping, dining, and the city beach.  There are also a number of great parks, including Travers park, which has a great playground, skate park, baseball and soccer fields, and yes, another walking trail.  If you live outside of town, there are around 660 miles of biking, walking, hiking, and ATV trails in Bonner County.  There are hikes to suit all levels of age and ability.  Some of my personal favorites to hike with children are Greta’s Segway (or Pine Street Trail), Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, Sand Creek Trail, and the Sandpoint-Dover Community Trail.  Just remember that even though you may be walking close to town, you’re still in the North Idaho woods, so pepper spray at the very least is advisable. 

COMMUNITY 

Sandpoint is such a great community.  Sure, there are challenges, like any other town, but there is a strong community feel.  The Hive is a versatile music venue. I’ve even seen them host a community Halloween party for all ages.  At The Panida theater, you can watch a movie on the big screen or enjoy a large variety of live entertainment.  The Farmers Market downtown is a great place to gather in the summertime, with crafts for kids and live music.  Cedar Street Bridge Public Market makes Sandpoint totally unique.  The market was built literally over a bridge, so you can look out over the water while dining or shopping, or even walk along the outside of it.  In addition to great food and a huge variety of unique shops, there is a whole section of the market devoted to kids.  There is a fantastic indoor playground that features a giant treehouse, a section with a variety of games, and an arts and crafts area with every material imaginable to create whatever a child can dream up.  And the best part?  All of the supplies are donated by the community.  There are donation boxes set up with the request that you donate $1 per child when you visit.  It provided a great opportunity to teach my children about giving to the community by donating paints and craft supplies together.  There are also art classes, storytime, and other activities throughout the week that you can attend.  Once, walking through a neighborhood, I passed a home with tables, chairs, dressers, and other odds and ends on the lawn.  As I got closer, I saw that there were price tags on the items and a sign that said to “Take what you want and leave the money in the mailbox.”  This is not uncommon for Sandpoint.  There are mini food pantries called “The Little Pantry” stationed at various locations around town with the slogan “take what you need, leave what you can”, as well as “Little Free Library” boxes, where you can “Take a book + share a book.”

SHOPPING

Between Sandpoint and the neighboring town of Ponderay, you have all of the shopping you could ask for.  There are big box stores like Walmart, Yokes, and Super1, health food options at Winter Ridge, the Express Lane drive-through convenience store, boutique shops, and several consignment and thrift stores (as a young mom, good thrifting is a must!)  Of course, you’re only 45 minutes to an hour from Coeur D’Alene and Spokane if you’d like to shop at Costco, Trader Joe’s, and countless other stores. Really though, you can find just about everything right there in Sandpoint.  

EDUCATION

There is quite a range of options for education in Sandpoint.  I am a homeschool mom and have found that there is a great homeschooling community in the area.  In general, Idaho is very supportive of homeschoolers and there are some fabulous resources that give homeschool families access to all of the curriculum and materials they need.  That could be a blog in and of itself.  Not everyone dreams of homeschooling their kids though :) and there are plenty of options for everyone.  There is the public school system that runs all the way up to community college with North Idaho Community College (NIC).  Many of my friends have their children in the public school system and have been very happy with their experience.  For people wanting an option somewhere in the middle, there are also a number of private schools, including the Sandpoint Waldorf School, which is also one of the most affordable Waldorf schools in the nation.

If you’re looking for a place to vacation for part of the year; if you’re hoping to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while still being close enough to shop and enjoy a good restaurant; if you want a spot in the woods where you can go off-grid from the rest of the world – there’s a spot for you in Sandpoint, Idaho. 

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