Rating Spokane:
-
10/26/2010
I grew up in Spokane and lived there for 29 years.
The Cons: Crime rate is not what you would think. A good deal of vehicle and home theft, petty crime. Winters are long and cold. In fact, if you are looking for a warm place to live, forget Spokane. It barely gets warm here until after July 4 most years. Not a lot of rain and most years for a city so far North, not a ton of snow, but they can get dumped on some years. Not a good place to start of move up in a career, a much better place to end up or to retire. Mostly caucasian. Not the most diverse place to live, for sure. Little to really see or do here if you are not into the outdoors and outdoor recreation.
The Pros: If you like the four seaons, cold/cool cloudly weather, this is a good place for you. Good schools. Good, diverse colleges. Very nice downtown compliments of Expo 74'. Reasonable cost of living, but not cheap by any means and more on par with the rest of the U.S. in housing costs now. Property Taxes are a bit high, but utilities and other costs are reasonable and no state income tax. Can live in Idaho just across the line and save on property taxes and work in WA to not pay income taxes (Vancouver/Portland scenerio). Good place to raise a family. Great for hunting, fishing, boating, anything to do with water because Spokane has tons and tons of all kinds of water in and around it. Better than it used to be for national events, cycling, skating, has Arena Football, good college sports nearby. Gonzaga BB.
Gregory | Reno, NV