Spokane, Washington, maybe the second-largest City in the state. Still, with its idyllic small-town atmosphere and stunning natural beauty, it has earned a reputation as one of the most special places to live in the Pacific Northwest.
Despite its often cold winters and occasional crime waves that sweep through town, Spokane boasts some of the best outdoor adventures available year-round and a vibrant downtown scene filled with unique restaurants, music venues, parks, gardens, and family attractions.
In this blog post, we will dig into living in Spokane – breaking down both pros and cons for those considering moving to this corner of Washington State.
Pros Of Living In Spokane
Seasons
In Spokane, we experience all four seasons and enjoy them each for some time. Our two preferred seasons are spring and fall – though both only seem to fly by! One especially attractive element of living in this City is observing the different seasonal changes.
Spokane, known for its changing leaf colors of fall, plentiful blooms in the springtime, hot summer days, and inches of snow in the winter, is an ideal destination for those who enjoy seasonality and the outdoors. Experience all local activities—hiking, baseball, hockey, gardening, and ice skating every season! Moreover, enjoy plenty of other activities for fun year-round.
Lively Downtown
Downtown is a family-friendly city. During the workweek, it’s bustling and vibrant, but after 5 PM, when people go home for the day, it suddenly empties. For some people unfortunate enough to live near an extremely noisy freeway, Downtown is impossible to enjoy with all the distracting sound.
Washington state’s second-largest City stands in stark contrast to the rest of the state due largely to the progressive and inventive people who laid its foundations in the 1970s. The result is a vibrant and forward-thinking city that continues to break new ground regarding progressivism and innovation. The downtown Spokane area had seen a lot of traffic before 1974, yet not for the best: while commercial activity was humming, it was an unpleasant place that was family-friendly.
Spokane’s much-improved Riverfront Park is a hub for recreational activities and attractions. Hosting concerts and markets in the remodeled Pavilion along with playgrounds, basketball courts, and food trucks, it is now one of the most sought-after places for outdoor recreation.
Cost Of Living
Even though the cost of living in Spokane wa is 5% higher than the national average, a wide range of reasonably priced neighborhoods are available for selection. People can find places to suit their budget and lifestyle without spending too much money.
Living on an annual salary of around $50,000 is reasonable if you have a small family or are single but don’t forget to count in the personal income tax too. Real estate in Spokane is not too expensive – a three-bedroom property can cost around $300,000, lower than the average home price of $445,000.
Outdoor Activities
With its pleasant climate, Spokane, located in eastern Washington, offers a host of outdoor activities year-round. During the summer months, lake visits are in order, and when winter arrives, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing usher in plenty of fun. No matter which season it is – the options are simply endless! Spokane offers almost every imaginable outdoor activity to enjoy within an hour – from hiking and camping to fishing and gardening.
Winter Activities
Spokane has a variety of outdoor activities for those willing to enjoy winter snow. It’s acceptable to stay inside, but for those seeking adventure, there are plenty of things to do while it’s snowing. Activities such as skiing, sledding, and building snow are pastimesst-times in this City during the chilly months.
If you love the holidays, there’s no better place than Spokane to celebrate them! From light shows to multiple holiday markets, seasonal activities, and sightings of Santa everywhere, it’ll feel like the most magical time of the year. You won’t run out of fun things to do while in Spokane during winter.
Cons of Living In Spokane
Crime
Like housing affordability, crime in Spokane is relative to one’s original City. Everyone asks this because if coming from a place with high crime rates, the difference may be noted; additionally, individuals who have felt its direct impact will also have an opinion on the matter.
Spokane is not one of the worst cities for its crime rate. Unfortunately, homelessness, especially Downtown, is an issue that every City we’ve been to deals with regarding property crime. To reduce homelessness, citizens must take the initiative by becoming informed and participating in solutions. This issue is not simply resolved and impacts every geographic area across the country.
Pollution
Unfortunately, another disadvantage to living in this gorgeous City is the terrible air pollution. Unfortunately, Spokane is ranked highly on the list of major cities in the U.S. with some of the worst pollution levels. This toxic air quality can hurt health and well-being, making it an undesirable place for many people.
Spokane has been listed 15th on the American Lung Association’s report of the most polluted cities in America. This worrying fact has meant that Spokane is one of the only places that need improvement regarding air quality.
Cold Winters
Winter in Spokane is known for its extremely cold temperatures, especially around mount Spokane. A particularly memorable winter began in 2008 and lasted through 2016 – with an annual average of 44 inches of snowfall covering 34 days. This makes it one of the most difficult periods experienced by Spokane.
The winters in Spokane can get dreadfully cold, and Spokane residents are typically well-prepared to brave the harsh, icy temperatures. With their heavy winter coats and hats, scarves, and gloves, they are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at them.
The Job Market Can Be Rough
Although Spokane is an affordable city, its unemployment rate, while comparatively low in comparison to other cities, can still be a cause for concern depending on the type of industry or sector you work in. Even though it is cheaper to live there than in many other places, employment opportunities may not always be readily available. They could prove to be difficult to find within certain sectors.
It is highly recommended that you wait until you or a family member has found employment before relocating to Spokane since certain issues could complicate the transition. Moving without securing a job beforehand could lead to unforeseen circumstances and difficulties settling into the new environment.
Conclusion
Despite the cold winters, Spokane provides many activities to take part in. The lively Downtown makes it easy to find things to do on a night or weekend. While crime rates are gradually increasing, they’re still lower than average for cities of comparable size. There are plenty of parks and trails nearby for those who enjoy being outdoors.
All these factors make Spokane a great place to live for people who enjoy city life and appreciate having access to nature. Are you thinking of moving to Spokane? Weigh the pros and cons before making your decision!