Need Info on Area to Live Outside of Fairchild AFB (Spokane: low crime, houses)

[justpeachy2006]

Looking to relocate to the Spokane area in 2 years and am looking for info of possible places to live within 30 min of Fairchild AFB yet still in good proximity to Spokane. Have kids so low crime & great schools a must. Looking for housing in $250-300k range. Anyone have any suggestions? I've done a little of research on Cheney... any comments good and bad please.

We're coming from S. Georgia where humidity, heat and bugs are abundant. Besides a cold and snowy winter any other things we should be on the look out for?

We really want to do our "homework" as this is our last move. Thanks for your suggestions!

[WendyK]

You have lots of choices to be within 30 mins. of the base. Many of the homes on the western side of Spokane county tend to be on acreage, although there are some newer style housing developments in Cheney & Medical Lake. You could look at homes on the South Hill - probably staying more towards the west for an easier commute. You could also consider the Spokane county side of Nine Mile Falls, and there are a lot of folks who live on the Stevens county side who work at Fairchild, too. There are good neighborhoods off of Indian Trail Rd. in NW Spokane - Woodridge Elementary area. Homes here tend to be on 10,000 sq. ft. lots or more. You probably don't want to live right in Airway Heights where the base is located. It's not the prettiest area, although it is booming with new businesses and houses - they tend to be smaller, close together type homes, less expensive.

[justpeachy2006]

Thanks for the info Wendy. I will check out the Woodridge area like you mentioned. Any other specific areas you can reccomend? I have one in elementary and one in junior high.

[WendyK]

It will really depend on what type of neighborhood/house you are seeking. There are many good schools, but in different types of areas. Do you like more of a rural/country feel or do you want to be in a traditional neighborhood? Do you like older or newer style homes? There are some private feeling neighborhoods on the South Hill with older (early 1900's) homes that are very quaint. Northside neighborhoods tend to be newer style homes (1970's and newer).

[justpeachy2006]

I just got a map of Spoakne in the mail today so I'll email you with more specifics - thanks for your help.