Reviews & Comments
Spokane Valley, WA
Spokane Valley and the surrounding areas -
3/1/2019Let me begin by saying that I am proud to live in this area the majority of my life. I have lived in other places outside of here and I truly love living where I do. We are in an area where you are literally surrounded by natural beauty. Forests, lakes, smaller communities (Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Sandpoint, Otis Orchards, Greenacres, etc). We are 10-30 minutes approximately from Spokane, which I will include in the review as well, and Coeur d'Alene, ID.
Regarding commute and travel, we have an international airport hub, Spokane International Airport, a decent bus system, Uber, Lyft, a bus and train station as well as many areas that are walkable, depending upon which part of town you live in.
Culturally, we have ballet, opera, symphony, art and history museums, outside music festivals, fantastic restaurants, wineries, breweries and celebrate Hoopfest, which people come from all over the country to join in on. Also, we have some incredible areas to hike, fish, beautiful and plentiful parks that are well maintained, and walking trails that run from Spokane all the way to Liberty Lake.
The cost of living in Spokane and the surrounding areas are a quarter of Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. What it costs for a months rent in an apartment in Seattle literally is the same amount or more that it costs me to pay my entire monthly expenses. For instance, I live in almost 1000 sqft, 2 bedroom apartment, with a washer and dryer in unit, for $825. Yep. Read that again, you didnt hallucinate. A 4 bedroom apartment with all amenities is what people in the Seattle area pay for their studio/one bedroom...between $1200 and $1400 a month!
Crime and homelessness exist everywhere, and one must expect that in any big city, and now even in smaller towns. I personally have lived in the Seattle area and let me be clear...they have homelessness and are a prime source of illegal drugs as well...its just not talked about. Just because we acknowledge the issues with it and we dont sweep it under the rug, doesnt mean it's an unsafe place to live. Just like ANY heavily populated city, there is going to be issues with crime and homelessness. Some places, like in the Spokane Valley, the South Hill, Greenacres, Otis Orchards and Liberty Lake, it is not as prominent.
Political views are more split in our area here. Spokane itself is more liberal minded than say, Spokane Valley. The split is fairly healthy honestly.
In the city of Spokane and the surrounding areas, we are also home of Gonzaga University, Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College, ITT tech, Whitmore University, Eastern Washington University, as well as other technical and trade education organizations. The option for education is available here for many different things and the opportunity for success is available here as well.
Spokane, WA
re: Moving, please read & advise
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3/1/2019I don't know what exactly you expect when it comes to reality, but every big city has crime. I have lived in the city of Spokane Valley for the majority of my life and yes, certain parts you may want to steer clear of in the city of Spokane. Don't move to Hillyard or in sections of the Northside. The South Hill is stunning. Wandermere is nice, so is the Valley, Liberty Lake, and Greenacres.
We are in an area where you are literally surrounded by natural beauty. Forests, lakes, smaller communities (Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Sandpoint, Otis Orchards, Greenacres, etc) and to be honest, I don't know what people are talking about regarding the airport...we have an international hub here, which, I may add, is an effective and an efficient airport that gets you from point A to point B safely and without many issues.
I personally have lived in the Seattle area and let me be clear...they have homelessness and are a prime source of illegal drugs as well...its just not talked about. I would never live in the area again. I have also lived in Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding areas. Just because we acknowledge the issues with Spokane area and we dont sweep it under the rug, doesnt mean it's an unsafe place to live. I can tell you that you have a more political split, yes. We are not as liberal over here politically, and that is ok. The cost of living over here is much lower, you're never really bored, and the traffic is nearly non existant over what you're comparing to Seattle or Portland. I dont have to worry about an hour or more commute unless you live on the outskirts of town, neither will you.
With the budget you have stated, you can easily find a house without fuss and the south hill would be a great place to look. We also have a reasonable transit center, we have uber and Lyft, and we have a bus and train station. Downtown is alive with art, opera, plays and shows, outside music festivals, great food restaurants, as well as having local breweries and wineries in the area. You will be surprised on what we have to offer in this city and the surrounding areas.