So, I've been here for 8 years and Homes are going for about $326,200 on average. With a population of 229K, Spokane is a mid-size city. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
36 upvotes
34 Replies
Anthony M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 29, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Addison C.
I work in finance here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is pretty good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Jaxon Ruiz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
39 upvotes
Isabelle K.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
38 upvotes
Emma Reyes
Totally agree!
37 upvotes
Adrian Ward
spot on
37 upvotes
orlandogirl2020
interesting, hadn't considered that
36 upvotes
Caroline Bailey
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Santiago Alvarez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
35 upvotes
cool_daniel95
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Charlotte Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Chicago about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Cooper M.
I've lived in Eastside for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The healthcare scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Kennedy G.
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Jacob Ramirez
facts
29 upvotes
Delilah Mendoza
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The pet-friendliness scene is solid
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Miles Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 38, moved here 13 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in South and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Phoenix, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
28 upvotes
Adeline Morris
haha yep pretty much
26 upvotes
Deborah R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 42, moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
24 upvotes
Ezra Evans
as a local I can confirm
24 upvotes
Michael Ramirez
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 1 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains 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 solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Paisley Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 53, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Midtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
22 upvotes
Nevaeh Carter
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Charlotte M.
noted, appreciate it
21 upvotes
Jack W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 10 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 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:**
education is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are solid. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited high-paying job options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Scarlett P.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
20 upvotes
Colton Gutierrez
haha yep pretty much
19 upvotes
Connor Murphy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Eli Davis
yep
9 upvotes
Kai F.
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
8 upvotes
Carson
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
7 upvotes
Grace M.
Moved here from Dallas about 5 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
proud_gabriella57
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
Logan Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 44, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
0 upvotes
Vivian Bailey
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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