Pacific Northwest Bush League - 6/6/2019

Quick Facts about Spokane: *Ranked #1 for the "Worst City for Jobs" in North America in both 2012 and 2015. Ranked #4 in 2014. *Nick-named "Scam Capital of America" in 2009 due to Widespread Business Fraud by Forbes. *Business fraud trends have been documented far back as 1988, 2002, and ongoing through 2011. *6.26 Violent Crime stat per 1,000 residents compared to the national median of 4. Washington State's average is 3.04 per 1,000 according to Neighborhood Scout. Chances of being a victim of violent crime is 1 in 160. *Property Crime is 72.3 per 1,000 residents. Compared to 31.74 in washington state. 24 is the National Median. Chances of being a victim of a property crime is 1 in 14 in Spokane. *According to Neighborhood Scout, Spokane is safer than 1% of U.S. Cities. *According to Neighborhood Scout, There are 284 median crimes per square mile in Spokane. Washington state's median is 54. The National Median is 31.1. *Spokane Annual Crimes are 1,360 for violent crime. Property crime is marked at 15,697. *Area Vibes gives an "F" rating for Spokane's crime data. *Crime data in Spokane is calculated at 185% higher than the national average. *1 in 13 people have a probability of having a crime committed against them. *Significantly Higher Crime rates than Milwood, Cheney, Green Bluff, Medical Lake, Airway Heights, Mead, and Four Lakes according to population and crime data compared with one another. *Law Enforcement Employees are 384 for officers and civilians. Compared to Washington's number of 8169. National Average is 558,732. 1.8 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents. Washington has 2.2 per 1,000. 3.3 Police officers and civilians per 1,000 people are the National Median. The result is 16.5% less than the Washington Median and 44.3% less than the National Average. *Outranked by San Bernardino, California for Violent Crime at 1,291 per 100,000 people. Outranked by Rochester, NY at 897 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by Modesto, CA at 971 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by Birmingham, AL at 878 Violent Crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by Des Moines, IA at 670 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by Schenectady, New York at 892 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by Chicago, IL at 1,099 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by Philadelphia, PA at 948 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by Detroit, Michigan at 2,057 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by paterson, New Jersey at 696 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by Bridgeport, CT at 900 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Outranked by Huntington, WV at 893 violent crimes per 100,000 people. *Chief Garry Park is ranked at 153% higher crime rate than Washington State. 8,794 crimes committed per 100,000 people. 220% higher than the U.S. Average. N. Market Street is full of graffiti, homeless people, dilapidated houses and public streets, drug addicts, litter, broken windows. Just check it out for yourself. *Spokane is ranked as of April 25, 2019 as among the worst of cities for Air Pollution. *Spokane had record windspeeds of 71 miles per hour that ripped down power lines and knocked down trees. Two people were reported to have been killed by the windstorm on November 17, 2015. *Spokane Police are on record of "Shooting first and asking questions later". As indicated by a report on January 8, 2019. Police assumed that the man they shot and killed had been firing a gun. In all actuality, they found a baseball bat. Neighbors gave conflicting reports. The man was pronounced dead. Too many instances of police corruption that are swept under the rug. *Spokane Police have a public rating currently of 2.7 by over 58 google reviews on their police department. *Spokane District Resource officers have been reported to abuse students in isolation rooms. One report indicates a parent sent their child to five different school districts before home schooling them. Isolation rooms made their child's behavior worse and weren't productive for the student's academic progress. Spokane District Resource Officers are reported to put children in isolation rooms for not following directions for hours on end. *GOP Chairwoman in Spokane defends a racist provocateur at a Tea Party Meeting. *Spokane Woman drove a Richland Murder suspect out of town. *Jury Exonerates drug dealer in a 2017 drive-by killing of a Spokane Man. *Man and dog attacked by pit bull of unidentified owners while on walk in N. Spokane. Spokane Police Fail to investigate or take the matter seriously. *In 2018, Spokane was marked as the 3rd most dangerous city for property crime. Bested by Springfield, MO at #2. And Salt Lake City, Utah at #1. *Spokane is not business-friendly.

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WHAT THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER REPORTS - 4/7/2019

This is not my first review but will probably be my last. My last reviews received many "disagree" which is shocking since everything I wrote was based on first hand experience. How can someone disagree with something that is true. (Ignorance?) So I thought I would try another approach by stating some issues covered by the local newspaper in the past year. Junkies are shooting up in the public library and they put in blue lights. (Anybody else thinks this is incredibly stupid and not a solution?) 77,000 pounds of debris has been removed the parks/rivers, etc. 500 abandoned houses. High crime especially property crime. High homelessness. The city of Spokane just spent $500,000 on a marketing campaign. How is that not just plain "stupid"? Why not use that money to clean up the trash? More first hand experience: sales clerk at Nordstrom told me she found a used needle in the restroom. Amazon jobs that are coming are low paying jobs. Come see for yourself - ride down Francis, Monroe, Maple and the freeway to see nastiness, dilapidated fences, mattresses, washing machines, etc. in front lawns, etc. Lots of run down trailer parks, etc. It appears that people that respond favorably to Spokane are from OR or CA which are the same or worse than WA state. Maybe they just do not know that people in other cities DO NOT live with such trash and certainly do not support it if they do. Why don't residents do something about it? So what good is having a beautiful state if the people that live here trash it. WA, OR and CA are all liberal states and many of their cities are "sh**t holes. Standards are VERY low here on all levels. White Trash - that's it. Anybody that disagrees with this has never experienced otherwise or they are smoking dope. There are so many beautiful, clean and low crimes cities/areas in the US. If you have a choice I would not move here. I am only here part time and can't wait to be gone for good.

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Loving Spokane! - 11/27/2018

My husband and I retired to Spokane and we're loving it! We had a list of criteria. After checking out many places in Oregon, Idaho and Washington, we found that Spokane met every one. Plus, just as importantly, when we came to visit on several occasions before moving, we had a positive emotional reaction to the beauty of the area and the energy of the city. This was our list of criteria. It's in no particular order except cost of good quality housing was a major consideration. Affordable nice homes Good medical care Airport At least one major university. Spokane has many plus a new medical school which was a big bonus since my husband is a retired medical researcher and would like to get involved part time. Beautiful scenery and interesting places to take day trips Forests and water (LOTS of lakes & rivers here) Places to kayak, walk and hike An art scene, both visual and performing Farmers markets and good restaurants West Coast and preferably Pacific Northwest Relatively safe from natural disasters We found a beautiful home on the South Hill. Just about any place we want to go is 10-15 minutes away. There are many hiking trails very close by, one we can walk to. In fact we've counted over ten major walking/hiking areas within 15 minutes of our home. And even though we're right in the city, we look out to pine, birch and quaking aspen trees everywhere. We have wonderful neighbors. We love the fact that people all around Spokane get out and take advantage of the gorgeous parks and trails - even in winter. It's a very outdoorsy town! We can do city things only allowing 15 minutes for driving and parking! We also appreciate all the old brick buildings downtown, many being refurbished. People are friendly and drivers are more courteous than we're used to. We also enjoy having four distinct seasons. Fall is especially gorgeous-wow! Maybe you have to love the PNW to appreciate winter. We actually don't like having sun year round and especially don't like the heat so the weather here suits us. Actually it's MUCH sunnier and dryer than western Oregon where we moved from so we're enjoying that. It reminds us of Bend, Oregon however it's greener; Spokane is not classified as desert like Bend. There are so many beautiful places to go in the metro area and in every direction outward we'll never get bored. There are way too many places to begin to list but if you come for a visit, definitely check out Riverfront Park, Manito Park, Bowl & Pitcher, Green Bluff (small farms), Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, The Davenport, the Centennial Trail, Kendall Yards, the art museum and Browne's Addition, Lake Coeur d'Alene...... I'm aware of all the negative reviews but don't quite get it. All places have their downsides. Choosing a place to live is very subjective as to what's most important to you and how much money you have to spend. Maybe everyone would want to live in Monterrey if they could afford it? Or maybe not. Spokane has changed a lot even in the past few years. It's definitely up & coming. In fact the great housing prices may not last long; they're up & coming too! As for the homeless problem, sadly it seems all cities and even many smaller towns have drug and homeless problems now. Yes I see it around in certain areas but nothing like Portland or bigger cities. As for property crime, it seems to us that if you choose a safe neighborhood, are reasonably cautious, it's not a huge deal. Again, check crime statistics for any town. We did and it was a real eye opener to see what goes on where. Most of the property crimes here, according to the police, are car burglaries. We park in the garage. On weather, this website shows a con of "harsh winters" yet for Coeur d'Alene says "cold winters". Hmmmm. CDA gets more rain and snow than Spokane and anyway, again, it's all relative. This isn't the midwest, or the northeast. In fact Bend, Oregon, gets colder than Spokane as per weather statistics yet there's no "con" mentioned for Bend's weather and in general Bend seems to have a great reputation for weather. Spokane on average gets more snow than Bend (although the past 2 years haven't seen it) but the winter season doesn't last any longer nor get as low temperature-wise. And some people love snow especially if they're skiers. The way I look at it is that if you want green trees, you need precipitation. That will either be in the form of constant rain like western Oregon & Washington, or snow in the eastern parts of the states. Another "con" mentioned on this website is lack of diversity. You can say that about any place in the Pacific Northwest. Actually I see more diversity here than most PNW towns possibly due to the number of large universities. Despite the naysayers, MANY people are moving here and loving it just like we do. Everyone we've met here, from natives to transplants from Oregon, California etc, is very happy and wouldn't live anywhere else. There's a lot of positive energy in this lovely small vibrant city. We couldn't be happier with our choice. Before we made the move I asked a realtor point blank about all the negative reviews. She said "come and see for yourself" so we did and it was the best advice.

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Moving, please read & advise - 9/15/2018

O.K., we need some help / advise from you all, especially the negative review writers. My wife and I live in Colorado Springs, (seems like paradise after reading the reviews here) I must say it is the exact opposite of what I have been reading, been here 15 years and have not seen one meth-head homeless person, hardly any crime, etc. In the next 2 years I have to move to WA, OR or ID for my work. We have a 9 yr old and 7 yr old boy. I love the mountains here in Colorado, but having grown up in Minnesota, and also living on water on the Gulf of Mexico, I really miss water and fishing, very very little here in Colorado. I live to live within 2 hours of either the Seattle, Portland, or Spokane airport. We were all excited about buying a house on water, maybe Coeur d Alene or Bend Oreille, but after reading these reviews of Spokane we are now scared to death of moving in that area. Our kids would be involved in sports, etc, and now are concerned about if they had to travel to Spokane to compete, etc. I would like to get a boat that I could have docked on my property, or if on the coast at a marina near by. We Also are interested in Port Ludow and some of the other areas outside of Seattle near or on water. Lastly we looked at the coast straight west of Portland near the ocean. I would love to get back into fishing, love to ski with my sons, (we have a condo at Breckenridge but would sell when we move). Does anyone have any advice at all or suggestions ? If we did not have the kids we could live farther out, but need some of the features that a city has to offer. What is sand point / Dover Like ? Does the Spokane issues spill over up there ? Any advise, potential ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated ! Thanks !! Note: our budget for our new home would be in the range of 600k to 900k but no more.

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Not recommended - 9/11/2018

First time back for a visit after 7 years and its like nothing changed ....meth addicts everywhere ...roads are horible...good quality services is unheard of here.....went to the dollar store on my way from my car to the store a meth adict girl asks me casually if i am interested in some bags of rocks wtf!!! Well maybe i will wait another 7 years to visit again but i will most likely will never be back

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City not as bad as some say, come see 4 urself! - 8/16/2018

I've lived in Spokane for over half of my life, I'm 45, and no matter where I roam whether it's vacation or past moves to other areas, Spokane will always be home to me. Granted, the city has its pros and cons. Then again, what city doesn't have their share of problems? I traveled to many cities over the years and trust me, there are far worse cities than Spokane out there. All I will say is, some reviews on here are believable, and some are a tad over exaggerated to the point that leads me to believe that maybe they're anti-growth/development. They're hoping to discourage people from moving here by making the area seem much uglier than it truly is.. For example, I have friends that live in Austin, TX and they're always saying negative opinions about their city and discouraging people to move there. Back on subject: whether people like it or not, Spokane is growing now and people are moving here. After years of having a slow and stagnant economy, we've bounced back from the recent Great Recession and we're now making up for lost time. One negative I will mention about Spokane: Downtown Spokane lacks when it comes to downtown living. Compared to other US cities, it's limited as far as housing from affordable to high-end. A couple of residential projects are becoming reality such as The M, and finally the revitalization of the former Ridpath Hotel. They're both a step in the right direction, but downtown still needs more than that to answer the demand for downtown housing. There are current mix-use proposals for downtown with residential in mind, but despite approvals from the city, none have started construction yet. If you're looking for a sleek glass 25th floor downtown condo, chances are you'll have to wait till a developer finally comes thru and makes a residential/mix-use project a reality. I'm hopeful that downtown will eventually sprout more housing choices, but for now, the choices are limited. Now back to positives: •Even tho Spokane is now considered a mid-size city, it's still small enough to be convenient, but large enough to be sophisticated. •We're a short drive to nature, & area lakes. the •Despite the naysayer reviews, Spokane is improving on many levels and becoming a city on the rise. The nation has noticed these positive aspects and is finally taking this area seriously instead of overlooking it. •Spokane has a hot real estate markets now, which is also encouraging more people to move here, and yes it's driving up the housing costs. •Spokane is finally on a few best cities lists which wasn't before. Maybe we're finally doing something right? •City leaders are promoting the area a lot more now compared to years past, which shows that they're pro-development and they want this area to grow and thrive in today's competitive market. Does Spokane needs some improvement? Yes, in places. We're not a perfect city, but no city is. Spokane in my opinion, has more pros going for it than cons and with that in mind, I give Spokane 4 out of 5 stars. I welcome and encourage out of towners to ignore the bad reviews & come and check the area out for themselves. Discover for yourself the reasons why most people love living here and see why more newcomers are starting to call Spokane home.

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Spokane: Growing, improving - 8/16/2018

I've lived in Spokane for over half of my life, I'm 45, and no matter where I roam whether it's vacation or past moves to other areas, Spokane will always be home to me. Granted, the city has its pros and cons. Then again, what city doesn't have their share of problems? I traveled to many cities over the years and trust me, there are far worse cities than Spokane out there. All I will say is, some reviews on here are believable, and some are a tad over exaggerated to the point that leads me to believe that maybe they're anti-growth/development. They're hoping to discourage people from moving here by making the area seem much uglier than it truly is.. For example, I have friends that live in Austin, TX and they're always saying negative opinions about their city and discouraging people to move there. Back on subject: whether people like it or not, Spokane is growing now and people are moving here. After years of having a slow and stagnant economy, we've bounced back from the recent Great Recession and we're now making up for lost time. One negative I will mention about Spokane: Downtown Spokane lacks when it comes to downtown living. Compared to other US cities, it's limited as far as housing from affordable to high-end. A couple of residential projects are becoming reality such as The M, and finally the revitalization of the former Ridpath Hotel. They're both a step in the right direction, but downtown still needs more than that to answer the demand for downtown housing. There are current mix-use proposals for downtown with residential in mind, but despite approvals from the city, none have started construction yet. If you're looking for a sleek glass 25th floor downtown condo, chances are you'll have to wait till a developer finally comes thru and makes a residential/mix-use project a reality. I'm hopeful that downtown will eventually sprout more housing choices, but for now, the choices are limited. Now back to positives: •Even tho Spokane is now considered a mid-size city, it's still small enough to be convenient, but large enough to be sophisticated. •We're a short drive to nature, & area lakes. the •Despite the naysayer reviews, Spokane is improving on many levels and becoming a city on the rise. The nation has noticed these positive aspects and is finally taking this area seriously instead of overlooking it. •Spokane has a hot real estate markets now, which is also encouraging more people to move here, and yes it's driving up the housing costs. •Spokane is finally on a few best cities lists which wasn't before. Maybe we're finally doing something right? •City leaders are promoting the area a lot more now compared to years past, which shows that they're pro-development and they want this area to grow and thrive in today's competitive market. Does Spokane needs some improvement? Yes, in places. We're not a perfect city, but no city is. Spokane in my opinion, has more pros going for it than cons and with that in mind, I give Spokane 4 out of 5 stars. I welcome and encourage out of towners to ignore the bad reviews & come and check the area out for themselves. Discover for yourself the reasons why most people love living here and see why more newcomers are starting to call Spokane home.

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Welfare Town - 6/19/2018

Oh, how I can't wait to escape this nasty place, it's been a long 4 1/2 years. It's over run with white trash, drugged out basket cases. This town is full of imbeciles, complete imbeciles. Just overrun with disgusting people who suck the teat of Washington's welfare system. They move from Montana, Idaho, California and Seattle area to get on welfare and do drugs. The police do nothing about this, the jails don't hold them. If you do need the police in Spokane, good luck. Spokane is a haven for the worst sort of people. Ungrateful, disgusting, lazy, brain dead scoundrels who should all be neutered. High property crime rates of course. Not much opportunity as this is an economically depressed little city. This is a conservative and religious place. Full of bigots. This is the only place I've lived where men think they can approach a strange woman and order her to smile! Lots of sexist pigs out here. It's always young lady this, and young lady that in a tone of superiority, and I'm middle aged. It's no wonder most of the women here seem so repressed and meek. SAD. Don't even think of dating anyone here. I'd rather be celibate and AM. The winters a long, dark and very gloomy. The roads are in deplorable condition. The city should be ashamed. In the winter they don't stay on top of plowing or deicing either. Spokane really is surrounded by natural beauty, it has a lot of potential. Too bad the government and most of the residents out here suck so bad.

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Compared to other Areas - 6/10/2018

I have lived all over the country. From Seattle, WA to Kappa, Hawaii and back to Spokane, WA. Then, I moved from Spokane, WA to Tampa, FL. Finally, after living as a travel nurse (Living in Houston, TX, Tullahoma, TN, Las Cruces, NM, Hobbs, NM, Lubbock, TX, Goldsboro, NC, Idaho Falls, ID, Phoenix, AZ, etc.) my family is now back in Spokane,WA. I have read a lot of ratings about how bad Spokane is and all I can say is that there are A LOT worse places. Spokane is great for raising a family, it has great education systems (including higher education), it has great climate, and friendly people. Compared to the other places named, salaries don't even come close (Especially minimum wage). All places have their share of bad, but to say this is the worse is completely misleading. It's a beautiful place to live.

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Spokane is garbage! - 5/26/2018

Spokane is garbage. I just moved out of Spokane to Colorado. Thank God! I hated most about Spokane were the people and the crappy winters! The people of Spokane are some of the most insecure, judgmental, back stabbing for self-gain, fake, narcissistic, depressed and anxious liars I have ever met. I grew up in Spokane. I’ve been all over the world and lived in many places. Hands down Spokane is the worst! It’s a cesspool of insecurity. People don’t say hi, they don’t hold doors open for you, they drive like idiots, neighbors are mean and act like children, jobs are always shaking because of drama caused by someone who thinks they’re the best. It is endless. The schools are just as bad. Roads are terrible!!!! The mid south hill is covered with dirt roads. The city refuses to pave them. Meanwhile they’ll spend millions of dollars on a stupid ice skating ring that doesn’t even work. The amount of complete stupidity in this town is on a whole new level. It’s almost like everyone is imbred. I hate the people of Spokane and will never look back. I wish it wasn’t this way because parts of Spokane are beautiful. However, there isn’t much to do. Move here and you’ll be bored out of your mind and then dealing with all of the idiots will make your life a living hell. People in Spokane are fake as it gets. Never trust anyone in Spokane. Keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself in Spokane cause they will use it against you for their own personal gain. Bye Spokane!! Have fun in your misery. Oh btw, Spokane has one of the highest rates of divorce. Lol! DO NOT MOVE TO SPOKANE. I have warned you.

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Not a great place to live - 5/10/2018

Spokane has had, for decades, a very deserved reputation for being crime-ridden, trashy, and downtrodden place. Imagine the walking dead, but in real life. The city has huge issues with drugs, homelessness, property crime, and assault. The roads are also so bad as to damage your vehicle. Jobs are low paying, and the entire economy here is supported almost completely by a huge medical provider system (think Medicaid dollars) and Fairchild AFB. Otherwise, it's generally low paying service employment (retail and restaurants). The city, realizing to some extent the well-deserved reputation isn't good for business, wastes millions of dollars on projects that don't fix the real issues, and come across like that neighbor that can't afford to keep up with the other neighbor, but tries anyway. Only, this neighbor is 300 miles west. There's been a recent push using social media to try and convince people that facts aren't facts, and that Spokane doesn't actually suck. They even made a hashtag, so must be true, right? Wrong. There are some pretty places to visit within a days drive of Spokane, but Spokane itself is anything but. The only way to know for sure about this place is to actually visit. Spend a weekend with the meth heads wandering around talking to themselves and decide for yourself. But lock your car, or it won't be there when you get back.

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Best of the '50's into the 21st Century - 1/20/2018

I've lived in Spokane County for over 16 years. It takes the best of 1950's America and combines it with a fresh mix of conservatism and progressiveness not found on the western side of the state. It has all the modern conveniences and attractions of a bigger metropolitan area but on a smaller scale with no sacrifice to quality. Spokane has excellent educational institutions, growing local and national industries, superior medical facilities and an array of distinct neighborhoods and districts. With mountain state parks, Idaho resort towns and multiple ski slopes less than an hour drive away Spokane truly is 'next to nature, next to perfect'.

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Spokane is a DUMP! - 10/11/2017

I have lived in 9 states and more than 10 different cities along with extensive travel. Here is the truth: Spokane is what my dear mother would call "white trash". Throughout Spokane you will see many many homes with garbage in their yards, including mattresses, couches, etc. It is even in the so called "nice" areas (low income is mixed with nicer homes). Currently there are 500 abandoned houses. Seattle runs the politics of the state and they are NOT business friendly. For the most part there are very few good jobs here. The powers that be in Seattle put restrictions on wells which will limit further development. They continue to build more low income housing but do nothing to bring high paying jobs in. I have never seen such horrible lack of "pride of ownership". Crime and drugs are extremely high. The nicest health social "club" in the area allows women to leave their dirty bathing suits and loofah sponges outside their lockers indefinitely. And, they are allowed to decorate their lockers with notes that say "naughty" on them. Dr's office had graffiti in the office building bathroom. Bed Bath & Beyond stores has Formica coming apart on the counters and bathrooms that are pits. Many people that are born here have never lived any where else and they think living like this is acceptable. Many are in complete denial. Such a shame because the state is a beautiful state. To get rid of homeless they dump (at a cost of $150,000) rocks on their hangout. I have been able to experience the difference of living in a liberal state vs conservative states and I will choose a conservative state. The liberals try and succeeded in keeping residents stoned and dependent on the government and to see how they live is heartbreaking. And, we have learned from a law enforcement agent that Seattle gives their criminals bus tickets to Spokane.

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Nice and getting better - 10/7/2017

A beautiful and welcoming place now -- which I couldn't have said twenty years ago when the economy was on the skids, and Spokane had a well-earned reputation as a shabby, conservative, religious, depressed town still pining away for its lumber, manufacturing and railroad days. Now, it's a city with a booming central cluster of universities, and ambitious, liberal young people who grow up here no longer feel as compelled to leave. The once-notorious police department and city government seem cleaned up and more competently run, although the county government still has issues. Housing is still cheap, and neighborhoods are on the upswing. Outdoor options are stunning: a 70-mile bike trail runs along the river. Hiking and skiing abound in the nearby Selkirk Mountains. Everyone with any money seems to own a second home on one of the scores of nearby lakes. As long as Seattle, Portland and SF keep booming, Spokane will keep getting lots of new arrivals from those cities looking for more space and affordability.

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Don't move here! - 7/7/2017

I moved to Spokane back in 1993 and I would have left earlier if I had the money to do so. Spokane is one of the most backward places I know. Streets are not maintained well. Local police do as much complaining about doing their job as the citizens complain about themnot doing it. Property crime is high with the police slow to respond ornot at all. It's a city over run with lawyers, food places, and medical workers. People here are not very nice and the local news seems to be instigators of Drama and stuck on themselfs. City government never gets much done other than pas stupid laws that add to our taxes. The school system here is very very bad!!! Children are labeled with Developmental problems early so the schools get federal money... I will say the parks ar pretty but it's not worth it! We are leaving soon

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Worst Community I've Ever Experienced - 1/7/2017

Spokane is absolutely the worst community I have lived in during my 65 years (and I have lived all over the US). Very unfriendly natives lacking the most basic of social skills, a noticeably dishonest business community where buyer beware is the standard and unprofessional practices are the norm, a healthcare community that is profit-driven, and a city government that is the most dysfunctional I've ever encountered. Crime, especially property, is widespread, while policing is almost non-existent, as is road maintenance and management, while everyone here seems accepting of the City and County lack of providing even basic services. Finally, the City's contemporary nicknames are all apt: Spocant, Spokanistan, and The Land That Honesty [and Time] Forgot. And despite the number of higher education institutions in the area, an absence of good education is notable throughout the area. I remain somewhat baffled by how a community situated within so much natural beauty and access can be so comparatively unattractive when it comes to the human side? Nonetheless, gratefully moving this year after two-and-a-half years, and would have done so after only a few months, had I been able to afforded it following the worst relocation decision I have made in my life. Caveat emptor, and the only good thing I have to say about Spokane is that it is truly within one of the more beautiful areas of the US, as well as will please those interested in recreational and team sports, or a lower-cost-of-living locale for anyone enamored with American Pacific Northwest culture; i.e. already local or coming from similar communities elsewhere? Though I would observe that would be no recommendation for me.

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You are wrong - 1/5/2017

I have lived in Spokane and it is the worst city I have ever lived in!

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Nice City - 11/24/2016

I moved here from North Eastern Oregon and find the climate, outdoor recreation, access to quality health care, and opportunities better than where I am from. There is snow but not much, mostly just lots of cloudy days during the winter. There is a large addict population here, however that seems to be everywhere anymore and although I have heard the crime is bad, I live in the outlying suburb of Fairwood and have had little issues with that. Would recommend if you are looking for a beautiful mid sized city.

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A lot of good, but yes, there is a lot of crime - 8/13/2016

Spokane was a lot to offer: beautiful nature and parks, affordable housing, great downtown. The public schools are top notch, in large part because there is so much competition for teaching jobs with three (four if you count WSU) colleges pumping out ed grads every year. It has the feel of a small town with the amenities of a city. It also has big city levels of violent crime. Meth is a huge contributor in recent years, but Spokane has a long history of violent crime going back even before meth moved to town: the Spokane serial killer, the South Hill serial rapist, shootings and knifings, the draw of a disproportionate number of sex offenders. Growing up in the north side, safe suburbs of Spokane, I still heard numerous stories of rapes. A girl at my high school was drug out of her car when she stopped at a stoplight late at night and raped. Another student, who did running start at SFCC, got into her car and was raped by the man hiding in her backseat. I know of numerous other childhood friends who were molested by relatives, babysitters and neighbors. Growing up this way, learning where to go and when, looking over my shoulder and being very aware of my surroundings when walking alone, it's no wonder that so many of my classmates and I have been able to transition to living in huge cities like NYC and LA without much culture shock. We grew up in the trenches- in the Mead District suburbs of Spokane...

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Additional information - 7/14/2016

Spokane police department provided our neighborhood meeting with this information: #1 Auto theft in the U.S. And # 8 Property crime in the U.S. The police said drug use in Spokane is the overwheming reason for our rankings. I have been a victim of property crime four times in the last three years and I live on the South Hill! Deaconess hospital delivered 100 babies and Sared Heart delivered 25 babies that went to the NICU going through withdraws last year. The paper did not provide numbers for those newborns that did not need to be admitted to the NICU going through withdrawal. Regarding the homeless, it is much easier and faster, with more benefits, to receive benefits in the state of Washington compared to Idaho and your Washington benefits just don't go far enough on the west coast so Spokane has been a draw for these folks. Searching the Internet I have discovered Spokane's unemployment rate is 6.8%. World Relief Spokane processes 600 refugees every year and I was told by World Relief Spokane that these refugees take the jobs that our own citizens will not take. Also, on the Internet we are advertised as a Sanctuary City. Our local healthcare system is overwhelmed! One survey I found that ranks states where physicians are the "most happiest " Washington ranks #32. Half of Washington state's physicians practice in King County and 1/3 of our physicians are over the age of 55. All you need to do is talk with a small business owner and they will tell you Washington state is not a business friendly state. All this information is available on line. Yes four great seasons with a beautiful landscape but just not worth it.

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