Neighborhood of the week: Best Hill Meadows
<p>Jill Satterly is a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Coeur d’Alene, representing property in Best Hill Meadows.</p>
<p>Some of the homes back up to Best Hill, adding to the rural feel of the neighborhood.</p>
<p>Streets adopt a theme for their holiday decorations, such as snowmen, gingerbread men and moose.</p>
Best Hill Meadows is one of those neighborhoods that you drive past every day, yet have no idea it's there - unless you're one of the lucky few to live there. Snuggled against the foot of Best Hill, northeast of the intersection of 15th Street and East Best Avenue, it's one of Coeur d'Alene's hidden jewels.
Best Hill Meadows is a planned community of 106 homes nestled in a natural meadow bordered by Best Hill to the south and Nettleton Gulch to the northeast. Although it's located a few minutes from downtown, it boasts a natural beauty all its own.
Residents feel as though they're "tucked away and hidden in a rural area," said Jill Satterly, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and long-time resident of Best Hill Meadows. Yet they are just "minutes away from the hospital, grocery stores and downtown," she continued.
Nettleton Gulch is a popular area for hiking, biking and snow activities. The Canfield Mountain trail system can be accessed at the Nettleton Gulch Road trailhead, which is located just down the road.
It's a very "walkable" neighborhood, said Satterly, with sidewalks maintained by the residents. There are no through streets, so traffic is limited to residents and their guests.
With the 15th Street entrance to I-90 just a few blocks away, you can be downtown, or on your way to Spokane or Missoula, in minutes. "It's super easy here to get from one side of the city to the other," Satterly said.
Recent sales in Best Hill Meadows range between $250,000 and $350,000. All homes were custom built, so it isn't a "cookie cutter" neighborhood. The builders retained a large number of beautiful mature trees, which adds to the rural feel.
They have a homeowners association with dues of $250/year that cover maintenance of the neighborhood park as well as the perimeter fence and associated landscaping. The Best Hill Meadows Owners' Association protects home values by enforcing rules such as parking limits for boats and RVs, while the architectural committee approves exterior changes such as tree removal, major landscape changes, painting, etc. The HOA publishes a newsletter with important information for residents about their community, as well as Coeur d'Alene in general.
There's a sense of community that is apparent in the attitude of the residents, Satterly said. Everyone takes pride in the exterior of their homes. "We have a sense of community that is apparent in the attitude of the residents," she continued. "Our neighbors really look out for each other and care. It's not uncommon to see a neighbor take in a trashcan that's been out for a while or pick up a newspaper from the driveway." Residents also pitch in to keep the mailbox housings, fencing, etc. looking nice between the times they are maintained professionally.
Residents in Best Hill Meadows cover the spectrum, from single folks to families to retired couples. So everyone is welcome!
This time of year, the community feel is highlighted by some of the streets decorating with specific themes. One street features gingerbread men, one has snowmen, and another has moose. So, you might want to drive over this weekend and check them out before they're stashed away for another year.
If the idea of living out in the country yet on the edge of town appeals to you, contact Jill Satterly at (208) 661-8461 to find out more about the hidden jewel that is Best Hill Meadows.
If you have a neighborhood that you'd like to feature in this series, contact Beth Hanggeli at (208) 659-8367 or bhanggeli@cdapress.com.