Best area in Spokane to raise a family (Federal Way, South Hill: house, rent)

[kena]

Originally Posted by Deena160

Talked to someone today who used to live in Spokane. She said South Hill totally closes down when it snows. True or False?

In general I would say false. Yes, in a very heavy snowfall or in very icy conditions getting from the south hill into downtown can be tricky (east/west is flat so no different than anywhere else). Overy the past few years however, such conditions only happen less than a handful of times per year (and only then for a short time as arterials and hills are high on the priority plowing/deicing list). At least that has been my experience living on the south side of town. Of course, if you're on a very steep hill or out of the city a bit things will be more challenging. This winter has been far worse than usual but people on the south hill seem to be managing.

[agradstudent77]

I'm late to this party but I did want to say....I grew up in spokane but I've lived in Atlanta for the last ten years. And I have to say...people in spokane don't seem to know what the word crime means. or police corruption. really. There are some issues. Meth is a bigger problem in the pacific northwest than it is in the south--as much as issue for portland as for spokane--but we do have meth here, increasingly. And while I do think that north idaho is a bit of a haven for sex offenders, in terms of violent crime, Spokane's problems pale by comparison with a city like Atlanta. There are neighborhoods here where the police won't even go after dark. So my reaction to tales of the crime-ridden streets of Spokane is an eyeroll. It could be so very much worse. And you know I don't even think Atlanta is a bad place if you stick to the right neighborhoods. Just saying.

We're looking to relocate now and while there is no work for me now in spokane, if there were, i would definitely consider it. I have lived all over spokane but if I were moving back, I'd be looking to move to the south hill or possibly to one of the newly gentrified areas downtown.

[Deena160]

WendyK, I just noticed that you live in Nine Mile Falls. I've seen some nice houses between there and 5 mile. How hard would you say it is to get from that area down to the airport and how long would you say it would take you? On the map it looks like it would be a mess to get there through city and side streets. :~) D

[WendyK]

Originally Posted by Deena160

WendyK, I just noticed that you live in Nine Mile Falls. I've seen some nice houses between there and 5 mile. How hard would you say it is to get from that area down to the airport and how long would you say it would take you? On the map it looks like it would be a mess to get there through city and side streets. :~) D

I just had to go to the airport yesterday and it took me 35 minutes from the Stevens County side of Nine Mile Falls near Suncrest. I take Nine Mile Rd. down towards town - it turns into Assembly and then into Northwest Blvd. Then I take TJ Meenach/Ft. George Wright over to Government Way. Take a right on Govt. Way and follow it down to Sunset Hwy., turn right and it goes over to the airport.

There is a back way to go, too - Seven Mile Rd. to Inland Rd. (which turns into Old Trails Rd), then you turn rt. on Trails Rd. (which turns into Hayford) and follow Hayford to MacFarlane and you can cut back over to the airport. The only bad part about this was is that Inland Rd. is a dirt road and in the winter it's got a lot of pot holes and in the very dry summer it gets very bumpy unless it's freshly graded.

It seems like a lot of roads but it's actually a pretty quick trip and you don't need to get on I-90, Maple/Ash or Division.

[sarah j.]

Hi Wendy,
If my husband were to work around Milwood and we lived on the South Hill, would he have to go down to town using the North/South streets before he could get to Milwood or is there a way to get towards the valley using East/West streets off of the South HIll?
Also, one draw for us for the valley is that is seems there are lots of evangelical Christian churches on and around Sullivan. Also, the YMCA there seems very nice and family friendly. Would you say there are less churches (or at least more modern churches) around the South Hill and downtown?
And one more question: Are there lots of restaurants in the valley? Are they mostly fast food and chain? It seems that downtown boasts the good restaurants.
Thanks!

[sarah j.]

Oh and by the way, please ANYBODY feel free to answer and help
I can use all the help I can get! LOL

[sarah j.]

Hi Deena 160,
That was really interesting... Which ones of your post were lower South Hill, and middle and upper? Moran Prairie, Comstock?

[sarah j.]

Hello Dawpick,
Living in Eagle Ridge, where do you have to go to do grocery shopping, go to church, work out, etc.? you said it's 10 mins from downtown?
What's your take on churches in the area?
Thanks for any help! And once again, anybody please feel free to answer

[sarah j.]

Sorry for so many questions but I'm really trying to get a feel for the valley- especially Veradale area. Are there any areas that would be similar to a "town" type of atmosphere in the valley? LIke little coffee shops and/or boutiques? Or is it more like strip malls and chain restaurants?

ALSO, how pet friendly is Spokane? Are people out walking their dogs and chatting with each other? As I can tell there is only one dog park in the area... does anyone know if it's successful??

[mkeller]

The fastest and most efficient way 12 minutes from way up on 59th & Regal is to go down to the freeway using Freya, turn off at Argonne. Some may say take Glenrose to Carnahan, but getting to the freeway at the bottom of Carnahan is a bugger...tooo much time wasted.

You can drive from the south hill to Sullivan and any church as fast as you can say from Northwood in the Valley.

Most of the better restaurants are downtown with fast foods dominating the north and Valley.

The south hill is the only part of the city that has "neighborhoods". It is the only part of Spokane that is not dominated by arterials that count into the dozens like in the Valley and Northside. It is the only part of Spokane that is not contain industry...some parts of North and East you can have a $400,000 house and the guy next door is raising donkey's.

What ever this is worth...everyone is different obviously.