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Ralph W. housing

Housing market in Spokane right now

Random thought, We have two kids and It's a a mid-size city city with about 229K people. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider — Spokane sits at 689.6 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.

Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Low taxes
- Lots of new development

Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Limited dining options
- Far from major airports
- Limited cultural events
What do you all think? The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
1 upvotes

11 Replies

Roman Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a nurse, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Oak Park and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- South: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
40 upvotes
Eli Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 7 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Gabriella
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
33 upvotes
Hazel Murphy
facts
27 upvotes
Hazel Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Midtown for 4 years. Moved from Miami for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 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. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And cost of living can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Thomas Chavez
This.
23 upvotes
Everly R.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
18 upvotes
Santiago Turner
Came here for retirement and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The healthcare is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Nova Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's solid for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.

People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Serenity Campbell
interesting, hadn't considered that
2 upvotes
Dylan K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.

I've been here 13 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Happy to answer more specific questions..
0 upvotes
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