need demographic info and personal experience stories on spokane (Seattle: crime, neighborhoods)

[l0llyatsc]

I need info on spokane before I move. just how religious are the residents of Spokane? I'm a scientist and an atheist living in the south, surrounded by incredibly nice people, but I just can't take hearing people insist that homosexuality is a sin and evolution is only a theory. I realize that Spokane is conservative, but there have to be SOME liberals somewhere! Somebody voted for Obama there(49%). I enjoy the outdoors, and as long as Spokane is on the national theatre loop, it should have enough culture to see me through.
I work in the medical industry and it seems that is the one industry in Spokane that is growing.
I also need to know how dog-friendly is Spokane? I don't mind the snowy winters, but I can't take day after day of rain which is why Portland and Seattle are out.
Are there any progressive liberals in Spokane who can tell me of their experiences?thanks

[WendyK]

Maybe it's just the people I meet, but I think of Spokane as kind of tree-hugger, hippy-ish types with a sense of conservativeness. They're very open and tolerant of others but won't be in your face trying to get you to go along with them. There are many dog lovers here, openly gay couples and singles in public, and plenty of culture. People here are generally very polite and Spokane is known for being one of the top philanthropic communities in America as far as giving to charities and causes of all types. There is also a slightly seedy side of Spokane that you'll encounter -- I think it's like that in every medium-large city with a broad spectrum of economic diversity. I have found it very easy to get along with people here - you can find people you'll have things in common with if you jump in and start meeting them. You may have to make the first move but you shouldn't have any trouble finding like-minded folks.

[l0llyatsc]

Thanks for the input, wendyk. I'm very live and let live. I've lived in bigger cities, so i'm used to the crime level that comes with them. I've been looking online for decent neighborhoods that are affordable. Can you tell me which areas to stay away from and which you'd recommend?

[WendyK]

in general, you should stay away from some of the more rundown areas of lower NW Spokane, NE Spokane, lower south hill. You'll be able to tell when you're driving through the neighborhoods whether or not you'd want to live there. It can vary from block to block and there are some nice areas within these areas - you just need to pay attention to what's going on with the residents around you. You can also pull crime stats on the local police dept. website to see where their calls have been over the past months, and for what types of crime. My daughter lived in Browne's Addition very close to downtown and I really liked that area for lower cost of living and a very eclectic group of residents. It's walkable for shopping, restaurants, parks, etc. and she felt very safe living there. She and my older son are now living in a lower south hill neighborhood that's kind of on the edge of the better south hill neighborhoods. They have experienced car break ins there but overall it's pretty quiet and also close to downtown, lots of parks and on the bus route.

[l0llyatsc]

Thanks again. I understand South hill and Lincoln Park are a bit "hilly." I've rarely driven in snow, so that worries me a little. My car has awd, but I have so little experience driving in the snow, I'd feel more comfortable close to a bus route. I understand Spokane has a pretty good bus system. Hospital work hours can be pretty variable, so I hope they run very early and very late. Thanks again for the tips.

[cozzy]

I would personally stay away from living in a hilly area as the winters tend to get bad sometimes.

I think Wendyk summed up Spokane very well. I haven't lived there for a few years, but spent 23 years growing up in the area before moving and I miss it all the time. I travel back a couple times a year and have noticed there seems to be more thugs hanging around Northtown, but all in all I still love Spokane.

[tickyul]

Maybe Seattle is a better choice, even with the rain?? Libs on the wacko scale of Sf in Seattle.

[Clyde Kneejerk]

"I was barked at by numerous dogs who are earning their food guarding ignorance and superstition for the benefit of those who profit from it. Then there are the fanatical atheists whose intolerance is of the same kind as the intolerance of the religious fanatics and comes from the same source. They are like slaves who are still feeling the weight of their chains which they have thrown off after hard struggle. They are creatures who—in their grudge against the traditional "opium of the people"—cannot bear the music of the spheres. The Wonder of nature does not become smaller because one cannot measure it by the standards of human moral and human aims."

— Einstein to an unidentified adressee, Aug.7, 1941. Einstein Archive, reel 54-927, quoted in Jammer, p. 97

[Clyde Kneejerk]

"I need..."

"I just can't take hearing people..."

"as long as Spokane is..."

"but there have to be..."

"it should have enough..."

"I don't mind..."

"I can't take..."

"Are there any progressive liberals in Spokane"

PLEASE, don't come here.

[aplcr0331]

I really like Spokane. I have liberal and conservative friends. Other than trying to master the political discussion trick of out snark-ing each other with ad hom's and strawmen arguements both sides of the politic spectrum have a lot in common up here. Outdoor rec, plenty of culture, good family places, sporting events, outdoor rec again (yes it's that good), distaste for winters and absolute love of Spring. It's not as bad as the whiners say and it's probably not as good as the cheerleaders say.

Hate to say it but a lot depends on who you are as a person.

What you might find disarming is the complete lack of interest in anyones self-selected moral indignation. As in, hardly anyone up here cares about your race, religion, or sexual orientation. Talk about shared interests and we can all get along.

Good luck and we'll talk to you soon.