Neighborhood of the Week: The North Pole faces new era
Neighborhood of the Week: The North Pole faces new era
<p>JAKE PARRISH/Press More then 250 displays with more than 1.5 million lights can be seen on the Journey to the North Pole cruise, which begin this week and run through the Christmas Season. The cruise beings at the Coeur d'Alene Resort, travels across Lake Coeur d'Alene to Santa's Workshop, and back to the Resort.</p>
<p>JEROME A. POLLOS/Press Santa and his elf read names from the "good list" as children aboard a cruise ship wait to hear their names.</p>
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press Fireworks explode over a 60-foot tall animated floating Christmas tree at the “North Pole” feature of the holiday lights cruise.</p>
Up north, there’s always a good deal in real estate.
The North Pole, absolutely frigid 12 months of the year, continues to see solid growth year-to-year. While most residents identify themselves as elves, humans can live there too.
“Our citizenship process is easier than it is in Canada,” said Candy Cane Mintberry, a Realtor with Gingerbread-Free Realty. “Getting here is a bit difficult — we’re talking several dog sled rides. Once you’re here though, we treat you like family.”
Housing options vary, from single room igloos all the way up to magical castles, and at prices that rival bottom of the market options in North Idaho. Some properties even boast large plots of land — the horrific cold prevents most types of growth on it, but Christmas trees grow easily.
In 2017, the North Pole will also welcome a new Head Elf to office. After a contentious and seemingly never-ending election season, Brumpy Goldtinsel will be sworn into office. Santa Claus, of course, is the symbolic leader of the North Pole — Santa oversees Claus Co. and Christmas Eve activities, whereas the Head Elf manages governmental affairs and elf relations.
Goldtinsel rose to notoriety on the hit reality series, “The Toymaker.” Famed reindeer Rudolph will take over hosting duties in 2017. In a somewhat controversial move, Goldtinsel will stay on as the show’s executive producer during his administration.
“The credit of executive producer is an undefined, made-up title,” said Goldtinsel spokesperson Merryanne Cocoa. “Rest assured the Head Elf-elect will be focused on the issues — like North Pole manufacturing and draining that swampy ice rink over by the reindeer stables.”
The new administration means potential changes to the real estate industry as well. Goldtinsel has pledged to deregulate the Chocolate-Gold Coin Banking Co., and he’s made a big push on infrastructure that could mean even more work opportunities for new residents.
“Goldtinsel has made a lot of promises, particularly when it comes to repairing the Peppermint-Gumdrop Byway,” Mintberry said. “That project alone will require hundreds of new laborers, which means we can expect the home construction market to expand as well.”
Home and ice palace construction has exploded in recent years, catering to the growing human population. Since the initiation of the Elf on the Shelf program, Claus Co. has had to replace many elf toymakers with humans.
“Even if the Peppermint-Gumdrop Byway fails to gain traction in Elf-Congress, toymakers will be needed,” Mintberry said. “Human parents are going crazy for this Elf on the Shelf business, and a ton of elves want in on a job where they get to head south for a month out of the year.”
A few years ago, the only homes available at the North Pole catered to elves or really, really short people. Now more regular size properties are available, and Claus Co. has an entire wing of its factory devoted to human-size hands.
Mintberry said the chief concern among potential North Pole property buyers is the weather. Yes, it’s cold, and it snows quite a bit.
“We have an excellent plow system in place, and our ski and sledding seasons last longer than anywhere else on earth — the slopes are open every day,” Mintberry said. “Claus Co. makes incredibly efficient furnaces too.”
Traveling to the North Pole, again, very tough. Even the Polar Express, the most comfortable (and expensive) travel option, is prone to frequent breakdowns, ghost sightings and caribou-related delays.
But during the holiday season a magical portal opens on Lake Coeur d’Alene, bringing the travel time to less than 15 minutes. It’s also the perfect time for potential buyers to visit the area and see Santa Claus.
“I keep hearing about how they’re trying to open the portal year-round, but that’s the magic of Christmas for you,” Mintberry said. “We all try to take advantage of it during the season, but us Realtors are extremely busy showing properties to visitors.”
There’s still time to check out the North Pole via Lake Coeur d’Alene. The “Journey to the North Pole” cruise departs from The Coeur d’Alene Resort Boardwalk Marina nightly through Jan. 2. Departure times are 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Perfect for the kids, passengers can view 1.5 million twinkling holiday lights and animated displays. Santa will also greet each child passenger by name — a pretty special thing even after Christmas Eve.
Tickets are $22.25 for adults, $21.25 for seniors (55+), $7.50 for children ages 6-12, and free for children five and under. Visit www.CdAResort.com for more information.
To meet with Candy Cane Mintberry from the cruise, call (HOH) 0H0-H0H0 or email JoshGrobanFan23@GingerbreadFreeRealty.com