Spokane - Pros/Cons - 4/5/2008

Pros: 1. Low crime rate 2. Low cost of living and housing for the region 3. Affordable place to live 4. Good school system 5. Good weather 6. Plenty of outdoor recreation 7. An overall good place to live and raise a family Cons: 1. General lack of sunny days 2. Rising housing costs 3. Some ghetto areas 4. Compared to the rest of Washington, Spokane seems to have a significant meth lab problem

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Housing market in Spokane, WA - 3/27/2008

In a nutshell, if you already have money to buy a house here, then youre gonna be fine. If you have to work to pay for your mortgage, like most of us, then youre in big trouble. The wages and job opportunities in Spokane do not match the cost of living or the price of homes. Therefore, the city is dying. People dont have any money left if they do own a home so they cant buy anything else... we call it being house poor. Which in turn results in people not shopping, eating out, buying cars or any other big ticket items... basically not stimulating the local economy enough to promote growth as a city. Im getting the heck out of here asap. But where to go?

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Tell me more................... - 2/23/2008

I have read all the comments, and am still wondering.......... I am a single parent with one teenager at home (will start college in a few years), and another child who is bi-racial and also a single parent. I would like to buy a home to leave behind for my kids, and live in a community that is accepting of diversity, with not too much crime, good educational opportunities, and a not-too-high cost of living (I know I am overly optimistic). I love to hike, so it sounds as if Spokane would be a good choice for recreational opportunities. However, I am curious as to whether my grandchildren would be accepted into the community. Also, I am wondering whether an old tree-hugger would be welcomed, and whether her activist daughter would be fighting the homophobes as she is in Kalispell. (Regarding Kalispell, the cost of living is high, 1/3 of the population lives below 200% of the federal poverty level, and good ole boys reign supreme). Also, I am curious as to whether there are there senior living options available for my aging mother. I would appreciate any feedback.

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Thinking about moving to Spokane - 11/29/2007

I have been researching the Spokane/Northern Idaho area for possible relocation. I'm curious to know if Spokane values and supports environmentally friendly issues such as green building, maintaining healthy rivers, alternative energy, conserving land, etc. We are also wondering about the education system. Is the public school system in Spokane progressive/effective or more of the status quo ?

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Spokane, Washington - 10/25/2007

I was born and raised in Spokane, moved to Seattle, Washington for 7 years, and returned to my hometown to raise a family. Spokane has an affordable housing market and good public schools. However, drug and property crime is significant in the area.

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Public Transportation - 10/15/2007

For a city this size the public transportation system tends to "struggle." Public trasnit via bus is difficult and akward unless you are fortunate enough to be close to a main route.

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Spokane - 9/24/2007

It has a great climate, and many things to do. It's a wonderful place.

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Recreation Opportunities in the Great Outdoors - 9/7/2007

Lots of uncrowded Lakes, Hunting, Fishing, Clean Air, Lower Crime Rate, Laid Back, Housing Costs reasonable, Temperate Climate, Great Place to Retire

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Spokane: A Great Place to Live! - 6/20/2007

Spokane is a great place to live. It is a pretty city right on the banks of the Spokane River with 4 distinct seasons to enjoy the many outdoor recreations and indoor culture. Fine, family-friendly and has a reasonabe cost of living.

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Spookville Comments from San Diego... - 5/14/2007

It was very difficult to understand how someone from San Diego could post a comment like this about Spokane. Before moving from the gorgeous, sunny coast of California, wouldn't you check out what the weather's like year-round? Maybe even visit during the winter to see what it's like? It's unfathomable that someone would move without researching the demographics before moving. If the ratio of white to other nationalities is an issue, then maybe Spokane isn't the right town for you to begin with. Diversity is always good, but you can't force people to live where they don't want to. Including people who relocate to Spokane from San Diego. Sounds like you might be happier going back.

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Spokane has quite a few interesting... - 5/9/2007

events. We are an ever evolving community with many summer events and great recreational opportunities. My finding is that the community is fairly diverse in it's willingness to accept all. Being a multiracial family has not hindered our ability to participateor succeed in Spokane. We have owned more homes than years I've been alive and I am 43. Visit my wesite at AllaboutSpokaneHomes.com for event information.

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Good places to live? - 4/26/2007

I need help! I've been looking for a good place to live and have narrowed it down to a few I think may be okay, but I need inside information. I am a New Yorker, but was living in California. I am now currently living in Tampa, Florida for family reasons, but have no intention of staying. It's much too humid here for my blood. And although, I thought California was a beautiful place, it is also too warm for me. And it was expensive and overpopulated much like NY. I have always long for a place were there are mountains, lakes, snow, lots of land, lots of space, wildlife,relatively safe and most importantly no traffic jams, but still viable enough to live comfortably. A tall order, I know. All my life it’s been one traffic jam after another. Sitting in your car two hours to work and from work is such a waste of your life, or so it feels like it to me, everyone is different. I've narrowed my list down to a few places. I like from looking on websites and pictures. They are Kalispell or Whitefish, Montana, Spokane WA, or surrounding areas near to that city, Coure d'Alene Idaho. I love the West and want to be near Canada since I like vacationing in British Columbia, Canada. I currently work in the Administration field, but after fourteen years I've had to change that and am going to school for recording and sound. So radio stations and TV stations in these areas will be important. If there is anyone out there who can give me input from his or her experiences I've be ever so grateful

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I call it Spookyville - 4/4/2007

Moved to Spokane from San Diego. I call it Spookyville because it's downright spooky how little racial diversity there is, how conservative it is, and how it seems content to be so resistent to progress! Than there's winter! They're dark, cold, gray, and last forever. Oh, and it is interesting that it has one of the highest rates of M.S. in the world.

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RE: where to live in spokane - 4/2/2007

Hi Sandra, I live in the northwest part of spokane off indian trail. very nice neighborhoods and average 3500 squarefoot homes from the 190,000s-300,000. this area is also known as five mile Joe

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Definately has 4 seasons, usually - 4/2/2007

Spokane is a very nice area to live if you love the outdoors. There are limitless places to go and see and canada is only 2 1/2 hours away

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RE:Good Neighborhood - 3/18/2007

If you are looking for a good neighborhood, try the South Hill area. We have lived on the South Hill for 9 yrs. We recently upgraded our home to a nicer neighborhood and home on the South Hill. It is a great area for families. You can find a nice 2000 SqFt home for around $250000-We paid 230,000 for our 4 bd 2 ba, 2100 Sq ft home on a 1/3 acre lot, 2 years ago, it is now been appraised at (and our property taxes show it!!) $295000-. Taxes in WA are getting ridiculous and all the money goes to Seattle, so we see none of it. The winters are long, and seem darker and longer each year. The are wetter then they have been in the past, they used to be riddled with snow, but sunny most of the time. Now we have nothing but, clouds, fog (something new), and rain. We are thinking of making a move to Phoenix, for the sun, and job opportunities. My husband is a Software Developer and there are limited positions in this are for his experience. Don't get me wrong, we have enjoyed our years here and have made great friends, some of our family has even moved here from Cali. But the technical economy is not all that great, and the weather is getting tiresome, not to mention i hate the snow and cold.

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neighborhood - 3/9/2007

hi, we are thinking on moving out of state of california and considering spokane....but we have no idea about were in spokane...we would like some ideas on neighborhoods....we would like a family ,quiet,clean,median high class area. thank you very much!!

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want to live in a small town again - 3/6/2007

spokane is growing to fasy

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Cold Weather - 2/25/2007

Spokane has many great points, but weather is not one of them. With about 10 years of long-term visits to Spokane, I've found the winters to be far too long and cold and the summers to be far to short and cold. The average temperatures are deceptive. It is not uncommon to wear a light to medium coat at night in the summer months. The days can be very pleasant in July and August but are unpredictable with wind one day, clouds the next and hot the next.

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climate - 2/21/2007

Love Spokane's 4 seasons. Something to do every season although you had better love the cold grey winters, they are long.

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