So, Military spouse here. It's a a mid-size city city with about 105K people. Crime rate is something to consider -Spokane Valley sits at 308.0 per 100K. Homes are going for about $344,300 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thanks in advance! The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
60 upvotes
7 Replies
Sarah Nelson
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in South area are underrated. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Aria Wood
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Tampa about 14 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Caleb Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Carter M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 13 years. Moved from Austin for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Nightlife is limited. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Grace Hill
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Korean places. the quality of life is solid.
5 upvotes
Mason C.
I'm a HR manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
1 upvotes
Piper Anderson
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
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