What BestPlaces Users Say about Spokane
Spokane, Washington is a mid-sized city located in the eastern part of the state. It is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, vibrant arts and cultural scene, and affordable cost of living. In recent years, it has been experiencing significant growth and development, making it an attractive place for people to live. However, as with any city, there are mixed opinions about living in Spokane. Let's take a look at what some users have to say about their experiences living in this particular place.
Here are some excerpts from four different user reviews about living in Spokane:
1) "I've been living in Spokane for over 10 years now and I have to say, it's a great place to raise a family. The schools are good, the cost of living is affordable, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. The only downside is the traffic can get pretty bad during rush hour." - Emily W.
2) "I moved to Spokane for college and ended up staying because I fell in love with the city. There's always something going on, whether it's a music festival or a new restaurant opening. It's also a very bike-friendly city, which I appreciate. My only complaint would be the lack of diversity, but I hope that changes in the future." - Alex M.
3) "I've lived in Spokane my whole life and I have to say, it's gotten a lot better in recent years. The downtown area has really improved and there are more job opportunities now. However, there are still some areas that can be unsafe, so it's important to do your research before choosing a neighborhood to live in." - John B.
4) "I moved to Spokane from Seattle and I have to say, I love it here. It's much more affordable and the people are friendlier. Plus, you can't beat the outdoor recreation opportunities. My only complaint is that the winters can be brutal, but the summers make up for it." - Sarah K.
In summary, Spokane may not be for everyone, but it seems to be a popular choice for families, students, and those looking for a more affordable and laid-back lifestyle. While there are some challenges, such as traffic and safety concerns, overall the reviews are mostly positive and highlight the city's charm, community, and outdoor offerings.
based on 146 ReviewsGet to know Spokane with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Spokane
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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