Relocating- Spokane Pros & Cons Please (Seattle, Vancouver: crime, hotel, homes)

[IowanNatureWoman]

Relocating from Iowa to Spokane. I erroneously made a post asking for rants and raves about Spokane via Spokane.craigslist, and was made to believe that the locals are not very welcoming... Especially of Iowans. I will not even post what was said, the responses were so crass and hateful, but I am now under the impression that I will need to change my plates the minute I arrive, then never even think of mentioning that I am from Iowa once we're settled in if we want to be accepted. Lol.

Can any Spokane, WA residents- current, past, or life-long, give me advice on what areas to stay away from as far as living is concerned, what the locals are like in a nutshell, as well as pros and cons? Is Spokane more liberal, conservative, or centrist? Where are the best schools? I would greatly appreciate any info you are able/willing to give. We have a toddler, so safety is supreme.

Thank-you for your time!

[Arquebus]

My family & I moved to Spokane from the Seattle area last spring. The people here are quite friendly, especially when they hear you're a recent move-in. We live in Spokane Valley, which is just east of Spokane proper, we like the area & our kids seem to like their schools (Elementary & High) & have settled in well. Politically, I think you'll find the city of Spokane to be pretty middle of the road possibly leaning a little to the left, whereas the outer area (including the Valley) are a bit more conservative. I'm surprised at the reaction you received regarding Iowa & Iowans.....I frankly doubt if it was legitimate as I have seen or heard little in the way of negativity regarding people moving to the area, with the possible exception of the occasional (good natured?) jibe at Californians!

[Bakergirl]

My family moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've had no problem with people being rude to me because I wasn't a local. I live in far north Spokane (Mead school district) and am very happy here. I'm a Republican and have no idea what my neighbors are. It's kind of live and let live politically. Perhaps I'm biased, but I think very highly of Mead schools. I've heard the schools near the top of the South Hill (spokane school district) are very good but the schools closer to the inner city are not as desirable. I've heard Central Valley schools are overcrowded. East Valley and West Valley, I don't really know much. I've heard the 9 Mile District while small, is good. I live in the Wandermere area and feel safe. Not alot of police activity or sketchy looking people wandering the streets. It seems like most police activity that's reported on the news occurs in the Hillyard area, West Central area and East Central area.

[Ken Wendland]

Jacque and I moved here a year and a half ago. We really enjoy living on the South Hill. Lots of Victorian homes, great neighborhoods, good schools, good mix of families and and seniors.

Many people really like a more rural setting which you can find surrounding the “city”. Medical Lake or Cheney to the West, Deer Park to the North, and a little more upscale to the East.

I agree with Bakergirl about Hillyard, West Central and East Central. I would add Brown's Addition, and Cannon's addition. Stay South of 14th Street on the South Hill (up the hill)


I just depends on what kind of setting that you really like. What attributes are you looking for outside of safe and secure?

Ken

PS It sounds like there should be a Seattle Expatriot Club here! Favorite things for us include Wild Sage; Ginger Asian Bistro; Rockwood Bakery; Manito Park; The Davenport Hotel.

[IowanNatureWoman]

Thank-you all for your responses!

Just a little background-
My partner, daughter, and I visited last spring on the recommendation of family who live near Kettle Falls, and ended up leaving with your area having made a great impression. I've at least driven through most of the U.S., with exception of the far corners, such as California, Maine/New York, and Florida, but have received feedback f/family currently residing in all three of those areas, so that is saying a lot.

While we will one day be on the hunt for an acreage, (I'd like to have a couple of horses and a larger dog) for now, finishing/revitalizing my education is the main priority.
We are in our late 20's, enjoy the nightlife, love the arts and entertainment, and will want to join a social club in order to more quickly make new friends, but the highest ranking residences (Rent only) are in areas close to good schools and children's/family activities, so having to go 20 or more minutes to get to the heart of the city or near the late-night scene isn't a big deal.

Specific things we love about your city and state include the variety of topography, the number of outdoor activities, your climate (We usually get more snow in our current, life-long state, and while we hate the humidity of our own state, and the horrible winters, having less than four seasons is something we're loathe to go without.), and your city seems to have many amenities, without being "too large," and being 4 hours from the coast, Seattle, and Vancouver should we crave a big city or coastal experience.

Note- Though Iowa isn't fitting for us personally, it does have its positive aspects, and our capital city has greatly improved over the last several years.
Thanks again for all previous and future input.

[IowanNatureWoman]

Originally Posted by Bakergirl

My family moved here 3 years ago from Seattle. I've had no problem with people being rude to me because I wasn't a local. I live in far north Spokane (Mead school district) and am very happy here. I'm a Republican and have no idea what my neighbors are. It's kind of live and let live politically. Perhaps I'm biased, but I think very highly of Mead schools. I've heard the schools near the top of the South Hill (spokane school district) are very good but the schools closer to the inner city are not as desirable. I've heard Central Valley schools are overcrowded. East Valley and West Valley, I don't really know much. I've heard the 9 Mile District while small, is good. I live in the Wandermere area and feel safe. Not alot of police activity or sketchy looking people wandering the streets. It seems like most police activity that's reported on the news occurs in the Hillyard area, West Central area and East Central area.

Extremely informative. As to your response on politics, that is exactly what we are looking for. We lean left of center, but respect as well as enjoy listening to the views of others when they care to share them, and prefer a majority that can do the same, whichever way they lean.
Thank-you!

[CTC]

Originally Posted by IowanNatureWoman

Relocating from Iowa to Spokane. I erroneously made a post asking for rants and raves about Spokane via Spokane.craigslist, and was made to believe that the locals are not very welcoming... Especially of Iowans. I will not even post what was said, the responses were so crass and hateful, but I am now under the impression that I will need to change my plates the minute I arrive, then never even think of mentioning that I am from Iowa once we're settled in if we want to be accepted. Lol.

Can any Spokane, WA residents- current, past, or life-long, give me advice on what areas to stay away from as far as living is concerned, what the locals are like in a nutshell, as well as pros and cons? Is Spokane more liberal, conservative, or centrist? Where are the best schools? I would greatly appreciate any info you are able/willing to give. We have a toddler, so safety is supreme.

Thank-you for your time!

I grew up in Pullman (near Spokane) and never met a person from Iowa or saw an Iowan plate until I moved to CO. The Midwest does not even register on Spokane folks-I wouldn't worry

Spokane is very nice-you will enjoy it

[redhead]

Spokane is a great city with very nice people, I can't imagine that anyone would give an outsider any problems. This is a very "real" city with down to earth working class people who are poliite and easy going, imo. Good luck on your choice, I don't think you'd be sorry if you came to Spokane to live.

[Jey K]

The majority of discriminatory comments I've witnessed mainly pertain to the "Russian" (or rather Ukrainian) contingent here in Eastern WA. Culturally, the Eastern Europeans tend to exhibit behaviors Americans find crass, impolite, ethically questionable and/or socially and economically exploitive of "the system." Although many of the same comments are likewise directed towards the self-selected unemployed in our city as well.

I find most people quite friendly, especially when I first moved here, from a larger metropolitan midwest city. The scenery, outdoor activities and weather (seasons) have been a plus. I tend to find the political atmosphere here more right-leaning than left-of-center. I made a crack once about "right-wing conspiracy," as at the time, it had been an overused cliche in the news; One colleague turned to me and said, "Jay.... we're the right wing." "Oh."

The city is fairly well situated with shopping venues, grocery stores aplenty, at the bare minimum one decent option each of museums, popular and classical music venues and theater. It is fairly mono-cultural though, and certainly not eclectic in the least. New American dining is fair, but certainly no destination venues; Ethnic choices are either poor representations or in any "mixed" demographic city the lower end of decent.

The city makes an effort to hold festivals and certain events such as HoopFest and Bloomsday are big semi-"national" draws. NorthernQuest Casino draws aged/aging entertainment talent.

For a city with such a large proximity of university and college institutions though, I'm surprised at the relative lack of dining, shopping and entertainment venues. You'd think we'd have more going on.

If you've a decent income/stable job, you'll find Spokane to be a nice place to live and raise your toddler for the most part. Though not to the degree of larger cities, you'll still want to keep a healthy level of vigilance as the city is rife with petty crime (ie: theft, vandalism, etc) and has it's share of homeless, vagrants, substance-abusers (meth and marijuana are big) and thieves.

Welcome to Spokane.

[Yeledaf]

As long as you are prepared to stay inside pretty much from late October until mid-June, and don't have a hang-up about going weeks without seeing the sun, Spokane will rock for you.

99% of the people in Spokane wouldn't have any idea what an Iowa license plate looks like, where Iowa is, or why anyone from Iowa would either a) be concerned about what others think of them, or b) want to move to Spokane, anyway.

As a self-described left-of-center person, you'll love the Spokane media, which never met a Democrat it didn't like or a Republican who shouldn't be put into a re-education camp. There are plenty of basically knee-jerk progressives about. Have no fear. You'll be able to isolate yourself among the other lefties and insulate yourself from those who differ from you, unwashed and ignorant fools that they are. You'll hate the local election results, though.

A prediction? You'll be ready for Seattle in a couple of years -- three, tops. Just plan on being wealthy enough to make the move....