I live about 12 miles NorthWest by West from Orofino, my kids go to school there and I did when I was in high school.
Good things...... Pleasant country, lots of trees, mountains and the great outdoors. Not many shooting ranges, but who needs them, I shoot in my back yard. Lots of white tail deer, some elk and bear. A fair amount of pheasant and turkey, lots of quail. Low cost of housing, fair to average schools Dworshak lake with Kokanee fishing, clearwater river and tributaries for trout and steelhead fishing.
Bad things..... Economy has been flat on its back for 20 years or more. Logging and farming are both hurting bad. That is why housing and labor are both cheap around here. It is turning into a retirement community because there are no jobs for the family types. (I returned to the family farm back in the late 80s after doing a stint as an engineer. I thought things would eventually turn around, I am still waiting and living with very low income.)
Some of the school buildings are in terrible disrepair because of the broken economy, but I feel the quality of education is more dependant on the the teachers and while we do have a few losers, we also have some really good ones, probably a better group of teachers than when I was in school 30 years ago.
Some people complain it takes forever to get anywhere. Most roads are twisting winding grades, not the straight flat high speed you are used to.
As an ATV mechanic, you need to contact Mountain Motor Sports in Orofino. They are the Yamaha dealer. I don't know if they need any mechanics. If that doesn't work, you are probably looking at getting a job in Lewiston, 45 minutes away.
Good luck and if you come this direction, let me know, I would be glad to meet with you for whatever good that might do you.
