Cour D’ Alene (sp? too) looks like a great town, except for the winters. And are there jobs up there? I know the area is growing, and that Buck knives from San Diego moved there. Schweitzer ski area is right above the town, and that lake might as well be Tahoe.
As far as ‘dream towns’ go, I have found myself looking at the same ones you have all listed. Cour D Alene, Austin, Fort Collins etc. Are we influenced my the ‘best cities’ lists on CNN, Money Magazine and Outdoor Magazine by chance?
I went to Bozeman, MT a few weeks ago – another city that always makes those lists. Homes are not cheap because people like us have been moving there and jacking up prices. When I was checking out of the hotel the clerk saw that I was from SD and told me that if I moved there I should get new plates before looking for a home since the people hate Californians so much. There is a brochure at the Chamber that actually advises you on how to conduct yourself with ‘Montana’ values. Out of nowhere the lady then whispered “We have Mexicans here now and gangs.” I was actually kind of offended since I didn’t even ask and she must have assumed that because I was white she needed to tell me that! She was from Santa Barbara…
