Neighborhood of the week: StoneRidge

If you believe that you need to play golf to live in a golf course neighborhood, think again. StoneRidge Golf Community, nestled in the mountains north of Rathdrum, is a hidden paradise perfect for anyone interested in an active, year-round lifestyle.

Although StoneRidge markets itself as a golf and recreational community, there's a very strong emphasis on the "recreation" part.

"The community offers something for everyone," said General Manager Brad Hansen. "It's not just a golf community. We're here to have fun."

The rolling fairways and manicured greens are just one facet of this beautiful neighborhood. Residents and members can take advantage of recreational opportunities that include pickle-ball, tennis, mini-golf and canoeing. Fish in the stocked 12-acre lake. Work out in the fitness center or swim in the indoor pool. Soak in the hot tub. Hike the 3.5 miles of walking trails. Have a snack in the grill. Enjoy a cocktail on the outdoor deck. Browse in the pro shop.

"It's really an outdoor community," Hansen said. "There are tons of activities to do."

In addition to the recreational opportunities that StoneRidge offers, there are also those that North Idaho itself affords, such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, skiing, and 4-wheeling. Three ski areas are less than an hour away, offering both downhill and cross-country skiing. And of course there are a number of lakes in the area for boating.

StoneRidge is located in a valley that runs east and west, so it experiences milder weather than other parts of the area. "The ridge splits the storms," said Aaron Knight, owner of Knights Realty and a resident of StoneRidge. "We don't have the same weather as Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene. There's much less snow and rain, and the days seem a little longer." The milder weather means the golf course opens a little earlier each spring than neighboring ones.

StoneRidge is located on Highway 41 just north of Spirit Lake. It's an hour to the Spokane airport, 35-40 minutes to downtown Coeur d'Alene, and 45 minutes to Sandpoint. You can drive "over the hump" and be in north Spokane in 30 minutes. It's the perfect location from which to visit places like Canada, Yellowstone, or Glacier National Park.

Hansen is continually surprised that more people haven't discovered StoneRidge. "It's hard to get people to come up here," he said. "They've never taken the time to turn off 41 and check us out." There's an impression of distance, he said, but they really are close to everything.

The 18-hole, 6,684 yard par-71 golf course was designed in 1971. The current owners purchased the property in 2000. Knight remembers the original course. "It was like golfing on a farmer's pasture," he said. The new owners closed the course for 1.5 years, and reopened it 11 years ago. "It was just unbelievable what they did to the course," Knight continued. "It's been nice watching it mature."

"The golf course is fantastic," Hansen said. "We're a great value proposition. Our value is unprecedented for the area." He pointed out that while there are a wide variety of golf courses in the area, at all price ranges, once you're out on the course, "you still have the same amount of fun, regardless of where you are."

Housing options in StoneRidge abound. There are both single-family detached homes and townhomes. (A timeshare community is located on the property and available for rentals, but is not managed by the same company.) There are lakefront properties, homesites tucked into the forest, and lots that border the golf course.

One of the more unique neighborhoods is the Motor Coach Village, adjacent to the 4th green, where residents buy a pad and make it their own. And the results are incredible, with everything from simple sheds to gourmet kitchens to cozy outdoor living spaces clustered around stone fireplaces. The village has its own clubhouse, which includes a great room with large screen TV and surround sound system, full kitchen, fitness area, men's and women's bathrooms with shower facilities, and an outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi. It's the perfect home base for those who prefer a more mobile lifestyle.

There are 77 existing pads, 15 of which are available for purchase; two more phases are planned. Each site has a 20'x60' concrete pad, a minimum of 100 amp service (50/30/20), frost-free water spigot, sewer dump station, and landscaped site with a sprinkler system. The sites vary in size from 3,600-7,100 sq. ft. and offer phone service, wireless internet access, and a mailbox in the clubhouse. There's even a fenced dog park. A golf membership is included with purchase. These types of facilities are becoming very popular across the nation, providing the perfect solution for snowbirds and retirees looking for more than just a campsite. Many of the village residents eventually transition into homeowners.

The newest community at StoneRidge is the Ironwood project, a 28-unit development of single family homes with smaller, maintained lots designed for snowbirds or retirees. The homes will include features such as accessible bathrooms, wider doors, and single-level living.

There still are building lots available in StoneRidge. "We're about 25-30 percent built out," said Knight. Lot prices on the golf course begin around $70,000; pricing on secondary and resale lots varies. Existing homes do occasionally come onto the market; contact Knight for more details.

Memberships are $10,000, with dues of $1,650/year. Social memberships are available that include the fitness center, tennis and pickle-ball, plus discounts on golf, at $400/year per family. HOA dues are $90/year, which cover maintenance of the roads, common grounds and lake, plus use of the fitness center, indoor pool and tennis court.

Residents of StoneRidge take the concept of living an "active" lifestyle seriously. There are a number of groups in the community, including a Jeep Club. Women can join Mamas on a Mission, a charity organization that provides school supplies and backpacks to students, and supports local schools throughout the year.

If you're still not convinced that you can live in a golf course community and not play golf, take the short drive up Highway 41 and visit StoneRidge. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

For a personal tour of StoneRidge, and to learn more about this year-round paradise, contact Brad Hansen at (208) 437-3148 or Aaron Knight at (208) 691-2666, or visit their website at www.stoneridgeidaho.com.

If you have a neighborhood that you would like to be featured in this series, please contact Beth Hanggeli at (208) 659-8367.