Spokane, Washington

Anonymous
1y ago
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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
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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
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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
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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.

Pros & Cons Of Living In Spokane Washington