Spokane is a beautiful mountain paradise with a smallish city vibe, rural surroundings, and lots and lots of outdoorsy life. Running and biking trails weave alongside the gorgeous Spokane River, which cuts right through the city. Outside the city, five ski resorts, nearby lakes (including Lake Couer d’Alene), more rivers, and forests provide the best of Washington’s scenery and amazing recreation opportunities. While those moving from Seattle or Portland will find downtown sleepy, it's a good mix of nature and urban if you like your ratio heavier on the nature side of things. 

The weather and economy are quite cold in today’s Spokane. The long winters can be tough to endure for those coming from the coasts, and the local economy can be even tougher to endure if you don’t have a job lined up. The disenfranchised are common here. Gonzaga University losing in the Final Four every year also doesn’t help morale around town.

Mother Nature

The Best Thing About Spokane?

Some of the eternally weird from Portland and Seattle move to Spokane due to the lower cost of living and outdoor recreation, so, for better or for worse, get ready for a city where there’s a lot more to do outdoors than indoors. Spokane has a reputation of being rundown and having a small, sleepy downtown. Generally speaking, the better neighborhoods are on the outer rings of the city. The majority of social interaction for newcomers will come without a roof (or on the Gonzaga campus for students).

If you want to see all that happens in Spokane check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.visitspokane.com/events/).

We highly recommend visiting Spokane and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.


Lifestyle

Outside of healthcare and education, there aren’t a ton of jobs. A lot of coastal transplants move to town for the mountains rather than the money and either have jobs lined up before moving or are living that remote lifestyle. The lack of an extensive freeway system, poor public transit, and frequent railroad crossings cause frustrating commuter traffic for a town of its size. Not surprisingly, the biggest population growth is coming from expats from more expensive West Coast cities looking for economic and lifestyle improvements. 

Worklife

You should move here now for the scenery, outdoor lifestyle and a city filled with people who love those things. In the age of remote working, Spokane is a great choice for the nature lover seeking a cheaper option than the coastal cities to the west and the mountain cities to the east. 


Outdoors

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**Anonymous**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Spokane is what you make it. For me, I moved here for a job and was looking for a city that was close to hiking trails and ski slopes. If you want a crazy downtown party scene, Spokane ain't it. Sure we have the comedy club, the opera, live music venues, and a theater downtown, but Spokane isn't a big city. For me, I dig that neighborhoods are where the action is. As for dogs, I hike all the time with my dog, even if it's just through Riverfront Park or on the Centennial Trail near Kendall Yards.

I don't think Idaho is as bad as everyone says, but again, last time I was there I had a guy ask me how "the blacks were" in Spokane. You'll make less money in Idaho, and they have state income tax as well, whereas WA has none. I can't really say a bad thing about Spokane. I grew up and have lived in big cities, where fun finds you. Spokane makes you work for it.


For more reviews of what living in Spokane is like from locals, check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/spokane/reviews)


The Cold

Reviews of Spokane from Locals

**The Best Thing About Spokane?** 
The scenery. Smallish town, rural surroundings, lots and lots of outdoorsy life. Running and biking trails weave through the city, five ski resorts as well as nearby lakes (including Lake Couer D’ Alene), rivers and forests (it’s Washington after all.) And there’s an Ale Trail. In short, it’s a mix of urban/rural. It's close to nature but it also has a downtown (which features a waterfall) and Riverfront Park.

**The Worst Thing About Spokane?** 
Long winters. Depressed economy. Property crime. The disenfranchised are common here. 
Lack of extensive freeway system (and a lot of railroad crossings) which causes traffic unusual for a town this size and public transportation is limited. 

Spokane has a reputation of being rundown and a smallish downtown. Outside of healthcare, there aren’t a ton of available jobs. It’s generally considered just an okay place to live with not a lot to do indoors.


**How You Living?** 

Probably in a single-family, older home. Although more new, multi-unit housing is being developed. 

Some of the eternally weird from Portland and Seattle are moving to Spokane due to cost of living. Newcomers generally flock to the North, Spokane Valley or South Hill. 

Generally speaking, the better neighborhoods are on the outer rings of the city (with a few exceptions.) The general consensus is, the closer you get to downtown, the tougher it is.


**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

The scenery. The outdoors. The trails. The nature.




**Neighborhoods**

**Hipster**: Browne’s Addition: A trendy new commercial center has arisen that serves pints and coffee and pastries and food to the neighborhood (and beyond) but it’s still undergoing gentrification.

**South Hill**: A collective of neighborhoods with different neighborhood centers, architectural styles, development eras, walkability, and boundaries. Good for families looking for a suburban lifestyle. 

**Downtown**: Mixed-market housing for all income levels. River Park Square, Downtown’s largest entertainment and retail center, is where the energy of the urban environment peaks; thereby, it’s the center of the center.

**West Central**: Located on the north bank overlooking the Spokane River, West Central is only a short distance from downtown and many neighborhood views provide a sweeping panorama of the City’s core. It’s undergoing a phase of rapid growth specifically due to the Kendall Yards development.

**Manito-Cannon Hill**: A fair amount of dining and shopping but there’s still plenty of greenery to enjoy. Stroll along the water at the Spokane Riverfront Park, or visit the Fitch Arboretum. A great elementary school.

**Peaceful Valley**: Located at the bottom of the Spokane River Gorge just west of downtown. Surrounded on all sides by natural boundaries, steep bluffs tower above the neighborhood while the Spokane River and Latah Creek round out the edges. Due to its geography, Peaceful Valley’s location uniquely accomplishes the normally paradoxical goals of being somewhat isolated yet only a short walk to the heart of Spokane.

**Rockwood**: One of Spokane’s oldest neighborhoods, this area was designed to incorporate elegant residences with towering trees. Nature abounds, with opportunities for nature walks, visits to wineries, and parks. Quality of life is high, and residents can walk to the Spokane Public Market for groceries. The Rockwood neighborhood caters more to the elderly and has limited school choices. 
**Lincoln Heights**: New developments are being built, including more multi-family housing.


**Good**: Any neighborhood North of the city; Five Mile, Indian Trail, Mead. The upper South Hill; Northwood, Neighborhoods in the Southeast suburbs; Liberty Lake, West Plains. Pretty much those areas just outside the city (other than the South Hill, which is part of the Spokane city) 


**Bad**: Most of the inner city, North Central, Hillyard, Northwest, East of Downtown, Northeast of Downtown, the Lower South Hill, Parts of Spokane Valley. 


Browne’s Addition has a trendy new commercial area that serves pints, coffee, pastries and good food to the neighborhood. It’s close to downtown and one of the cities more diverse neighborhoods. There are plenty of excellent apartment options for those looking to rent that can be hard to come by in a family-centric city like Spokane. 

Logan is home to Gonzaga University, and is a cool mix of students, young couples, and young families. It’s not the peaceful, quiet, suburban style neighborhood Spokane typically offers and has the college town energy young professionals might be looking for.
- Browne’s Addition
- Logan
- Downtown
- Shiloh Hills




Young Professionals

Browne's Addition

WIth a business/commercial district in the heart of the neighborhood, North Hill offers locals an interesting mix of a urban/suburban feel right in the middle of Spokane. It’s got solid schools and plenty parks for the young beans to run around in. 

Peaceful Valley is another great option as it lives up to its name aby offering residents gorgeous topography and some separation from the "downtown" but all within a walk from the heart of the city.
- North Hill
- Peaceful Valley
- East Central


Young Families

North Hill 

North Indian Trail is one of Spokane’s most gorgeous, safe and pricey neighborhoods. It has good spots for dinner and drinks, and is home to multiple grocery stores. 

Five Mile Prairie is another of Spokane's more affluent neighborhoods, and brings a more rural vibe that North Indian Trail. There’s a wonderful local park, and the area’s public schools are some of the best in town. 
- North Indian Trail
- Five Mile Prairie
- North Hill


Established Families

North Indian Trail

Spokane

**Anonymous**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Spokane is what you make it. For me, I moved here for a job and was looking for a city that was close to hiking trails and ski slopes. If you want a crazy downtown party scene, Spokane ain't it. Sure we have the comedy club, the opera, live music venues, and a theater downtown, but Spokane isn't a big city. For me, I dig that neighborhoods are where the action is. As for dogs, I hike all the time with my dog, even if it's just through Riverfront Park or on the Centennial Trail near Kendall Yards.

I don't think Idaho is as bad as everyone says, but again, last time I was there I had a guy ask me how "the blacks were" in Spokane. You'll make less money in Idaho, and they have state income tax as well, whereas WA has none.

I can't really say a bad thing about Spokane. I grew up and have lived in big cities, where fun finds you. Spokane makes you work for it.

ristanjuricek
10mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Cannon Hill
We relocated a couple of years ago from Portland after basically being priced out. Both of us are now “forever remote”, and when we bought the place in PDX I wasn’t. After a few years we really needed the space, and wanted to stay in the PNW near natural amenities, be near an airport, and have enough space for two offices where we couldn’t hear each other all day. Spokane checked all the boxes, and, after a couple of years we definitely have no regrets.

Where we are on the South Hill is fantastic; being able to walk the dogs around beautiful parks daily hasn’t gotten old at all. Everyone’s friendly, and I’ve spoken to far more neighbors and random folks here compared to the last couple of cities I’ve lived in (Berkeley, CA and Portland, OR).

The culture is kinda funny. I haven’t really found many of my “people” yet, but a lot of that is my own fault (I’m working on it… slowly). I do sense I’m living in a bubble, and outside of that bubble, the experience of living here is wildly different. There are some pretty depressing parts of town, and plenty of challenges ahead, but overall, I think Spokane’s doing alright

**Thatcrazyunclefester**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Wandermere
COL isn’t bad, but housing costs have been rising pretty drastically over the last few years. I lived here for years, moved away for a decade then came back from Seattle. Cheap in comparison, but depends on your frame of reference.

Crime can be an issue depending on where you live. Especially property crime. Higher in the city itself. Living up north, we haven’t had any issues since moving back.

Food is outstanding. Some restaurants I’d put against anything in Seattle (looking at Gander & Ryegrass).

Transit is terrible. Get a car.

Heat is definitely a thing. It’s getting up to 103 today, but it’s a dry heat, so not muggy. Just hot.

Diversity is minimal, but on the upswing. Could always use more. Gets worse (less so) the farther east you go (Idaho).

**obo410**
2y ago
🦉🦉

COL is more or less the national average. Probably a bit high compared to the south in general but Zillow is probably a good starting place to get an idea. It has gone up a lot in the last few years so I wouldn't say it is consistent.

Crime is going to be very neighborhood dependent. Property crime, especially in the city and nearer downtown, is high. Violent crime is about what you would normally expect from a mid-size city. Not especially high but not low either, again concentrated more in the city.

Food is alright, there are lots of options. Definitely a LOT of typical American fare but also a few good ethnic food options.

Public transportation is not great, definitely more of a car city. Without a car you will probably need to live nearish downtown to get reasonable public transportation. The main draw for Spokane is the great outdoors which is only accessible by car except in very limited circumstances.

Spokane gets four full seasons. Summers are hot but dry. Usually will have a week of hot weather followed by a week of warm weather so it's not like Texas or someplace where its always hot in the summer but there are some hot days. Spring and fall are pleasant. Winter is the longest season though, last year we had the first frost in September and the last frost in May. Perhaps the biggest adjustment though, if you are used to more coastal weather, is that the temperature swings in a given day or big. It's fairly normal to have a 40 degree swing in temperature throughout the day. This week for example the daily lows have been in the high 50s to mid 60s and the daily highs have been high 90s to mid 100s.

Spokane, Washington

HoopTown

Looklyloo Score: 84