Neighborhood of the week: Downtown Coeur d'Alene

When you're alone and life is making you lonely / You can always go downtown / You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares / So go downtown / Things will be great when you're downtown / Don't wait a minute more / Downtown, everything is waiting for you. ("Downtown," written by Tony Hatch, performed by Petula Clark)

Petula had it right. Everything is better downtown. Or at least that's what Chad Oakland of Northwest Realty Group thinks. A third generation Coeur d'Alene resident, Oakland is known as "Downtown Chad" for a reason. "I loved downtown when downtown wasn't cool," he said. Oakland was raised downtown; now, he and his wife are raising their two sons there.

Where exactly is "downtown?" Well, it's generally defined as the area south of Harrison Avenue, east of Northwest Boulevard., north of Sherman Avenue, and west of Lake Coeur d'Alene Drive. Often the Sanders Beach area and the Fort Grounds are included, as well.

Where else can you find homes ranging from $75,000 to $800,000 right next door to each other? Where else is there such a huge variety of architectural styles, lot sizes, landscaping, and neighborhoods?

Then there's the convenience. Hop on your bike or slip on your sandals and in minutes you're at City Park, Sanders Beach, Tubbs Hill, and Centennial Trail. Not to mention the abundance of stores and restaurants on Sherman Avenue, Front Street, Lakeside Avenue, and Midtown.

Oh wait, there's also the library, Riverstone, McEuen Park, the Coeur d'Alene Resort...the list is endless. You are virtually minutes from every convenience and service you could ever need or want, when you live downtown.

Oh - and did I mention the lake?

A wide variety of events take place downtown, from Car d'Lane to parades, Oktoberfest to Art on the Green, farmers markets to marathons. Depending on your location, you can watch the fireworks relaxing in your front yard. "Anything that happens in Kootenai County, happens in downtown Coeur d'Alene," Oakland said. When you live downtown, you don't have to worry about parking. Just walk a few blocks and you're there.

He has found that a number of baby boomers are moving into this neighborhood, deciding to simplify their lives by selling that 3,000 square foot home on five acres and buying a cozy cottage they can lock up for the winter and head to warmer climes. Many of the older homes are being bought and remodeled by folks who appreciate the "bones" and character of these classic houses. The neighborhood is changing - for the better.

Even with the wide selection of homes available, sometimes folks can't find exactly what they're looking for. So, they buy an older home in that perfect spot, tear it down, and rebuild. "We're seeing more new construction than we have in years downtown," Oakland said. "And there aren't as many homes being repossessed, as our market is stabilizing."

There are approximately 70 homes in the downtown area on the market right now (including Sanders Beach and the Fort Grounds), ranging in price from $84,500 to $600,000. Since January 2013, 50 homes have sold downtown; Oakland was involved in 15 of those sales.

He is currently developing property on the corner of 11th Street and Indiana Avenue called Millers Crossing, which will consist of nine single-family homes in the $325,000-$400,000 price range - four of which are already sold.

So, why buy a house miles from the center of everything? Consider moving to the heart of Coeur d'Alene. "We're selling more of a lifestyle than a home," Oakland said. "We've got that downtown hometown feeling."

When you're ready to simplify your life and become a part of this unique community, call Chad Oakland at (208) 704-2000. Downtown is waiting for you!