Why buyers are drawn to Oldtown’s quiet setting near larger cities
Considered the gateway to the north Idaho Panhandle, Oldtown is a small Bonner County city tucked along the Idaho–Washington border. At first glance, it looks like any other rural spot filled with older homes, but the city's location lets people enjoy the feel of country living without losing access to everyday essentials. Homebuyers can find relatively affordable home options and rural lots in Oldtown and still enjoy everything Newport, Washington and Priest River, Idaho, have to offer. Many residents work, go to school, shop and dine in these cities, then return home to the laid-back privacy of Oldtown.
What the average home styles and prices are like in the area
Most of Oldtown's homes are inside core subdivisions along the Idaho state line. These tend to be older bungalows and ranch-style houses with little variety. "The structure of Oldtown's housing area is not what it needs to be, not quite yet, but it is coming," says Suzie Hatfield, real estate agent with Century 21 RiverStone. New construction is coming to town, helping improve the market. "Over the last three or four years, quite a few investment-type and construction people have bought a lot of these older homes and have been fixing them up," Hatfield says. "An investment company bought a big chunk of land, and they've been building new homes right in the middle of Oldtown." As you move into the more rural parts of the area, acreage grows, and architecture becomes more custom. Some buyers have built homes on empty lots surrounded by tranquil forests and open fields. A few extra-large properties have waterfront views of the Pend Oreille River.
Most homes in the core subdivisions sell between the mid-$200,000s and the mid-$500,000s. "It can sometimes be a little bit of a struggle to sell property in Oldtown, and yet, prices tend to be less," Hatfield says. "Even the new houses, compared to some new subdivisions in Priest River, are about $50,000 less." More rural properties can range from the upper $400,000s to the upper $900,000s, depending on the amount of acreage and the home's age. Rural estates sell for over $1 million because of their private setting, expansive acreage or waterfront access.
How Oldtown compares to nearby Newport
If you're driving between Oldtown and Newport, Washington, you may not immediately notice when you've crossed state lines. However, Newport is considerably more developed than Oldtown, with more new construction and a larger inventory of homes. In turn, Newport's home prices tend to be more expensive. Oldtown has a more rural residential feel, with lower prices and competition for listings. Depending on the area, lots typically have more acreage. Idaho has state income tax, but Oldtown buyers avoid Washington's higher property taxes and potentially more expensive utility costs by staying on the Idaho side of the border.
Highway 2 links residents to nearby job centers
Highway 2 is the major connector between Oldtown and Newport, the closest employment hub with healthcare, government and retail jobs. Commuters also use the highway to reach Priest River, which has many public sector and school district jobs.
Limited local shops mean most errands happen across the border
Oldtown has very little commercial development, but options are growing. "They've brought in some larger businesses, like Super 1 Foods and Tractor Supply Co., which support not just Oldtown, but Newport and Priest River," Hatfield says. Regardless, people usually head across the state line to grab a bite to eat, get groceries and even pick up their prescriptions. You can catch a movie at The Roxy Theater or shop for locally sourced produce and honey at the seasonal Newport Farmer's Market.
Students attend West Bonner County public schools or private options
The only schools in Oldtown are Idaho Hill Elementary School and House of the Lord Christian Academy, a prekindergarten through 12th-grade faith-based private school. Public school students travel to Priest River for seventh through 12th grade.
What to know about utility providers in Oldtown
Residents get their utilities from a variety of providers:
- Water is provided by the city, and homes are connected to a municipal sewer system.
- Natural gas and power are available through Avista Utilities.
- Private waste haulers in Bonner County provide trash services.
- Most homes have reliable broadband coverage, but some rely on wireless or satellite internet.
