Questions about Spokane (South Hill, Liberty Lake: work, homes, high crime)

[WendyK]

Have you seen anything in the news lately about the US Figure Skating Championship that was just held in Spokane? I think if you'll read some of the articles that were written and feedback from the many people who visited the Spokane area just this past week, you'll get a different perspective on Spokane. The city went above and beyond everyone's expectations for the event with excellent reviews. Did anyone see any of the coverage on TV? I don't think they would have chosen Spokane for an event like this (the selection was made over 2 years ago) if they thought that people would be robbed and attacked while attending the events downtown.

[Dan6200alt]

heres an interesting article from a year or 2 ago http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...6/ai_n14671239
that sorta proves all of our points; according to the article, there is crime in Spokane but its not as bad as what the stats say cuz you need to take other things into consideration, like the reporting of crime.

The data thats been thrown around here says it too, but the article points out that its property crime thats high in Spokane, not violent crime. I personally think that makes a big difference in what I (my opinion) think is 'safe'.

[coldswan]

Does anyone local in Spokane know if there are restrictions on where your kids can go to school based on where you live? Do you have to go to the closest school in your catchment area?

[Tcam]

Coldswan,
yes there are rules about which school your child attends based upon where you live - http://www.spokaneschools.org/BoundaryMaps/. this web site can help you determine which school. There are also opt out rules - so if you are concerned you should contact the district about where your child can go.

[photogoddess]

My family and I will be moving to Spokane, this is a done deal and I have read through this entire thread, so I get it about crime rates etc.
My question is about the schools, in particular the high schools. We have been looking in the SH area-how is Ferris compared to LC? We are also looking into Cheney, does anyone have any comments on the HS there? I understand Mead is a good district, but may be a bit far for us considering my hubby's place of employment will be closer to Airway heights.
We are also looking to rent first, so any info on apt complexes or rental houses that are pet friendly towards cats would be helpful. (also in a good school district) Our plan is to keep in the same place at least until HS graduation.
any information on the schools would be helpful, and I have gone to great schools site, but you can only get so much info there, and I would like a personal opinion from parents who have kids in these schools, or maybe teachers or others that have recent experience with the schools.
TIA
BTW: a violent crime statistic (as all statistics) can be skewed because someone can be charged with a violent crime without actually causing physical harm to another.

[WendyK]

This was just reported in yesterday's Spokesman - I'm summarizing the main points. Spokane car thefts have more than doubled in the past 8 years and became the city's most reported crime in 2006. There were 2348 car thefts reported last year. In the West and East Central areas, drugs were the biggest concern. Police have shut down a lot of houses and boarded them up. A more widespread problem than drugs or auto theft is graffiti. Grafitti has left Spokane looking like a badly tattooed sailor. Volunteers and police are making the rounds with paint to cover up the damage but they are having a hard time keeping up with it.

On a positive note, employment is expected to continue to grow after an increase of 4.5 from the previous year. Best opportunities will be in construction, wholesale & retail trade, finance, insurance, real estate and services. Hotel revenue is up and officials are banking on 2007 as the year that will launch Spokane's reputation as a travel destination. Commercial real estate space vacancy rates are falling as new businesses move into the area. Residential real estate prices are expected to stabilize this year with a predicted appreciation of 4-6% for 2007, compared to 14.5% in 2006. The average home price in Spokane county for 2006 was $195,000. Low to middle income homebuyers struggle to find reasonably priced houses but there's an emerging population of affluent residents spending $500,000 or more to live in condos and upscale housing developments.

Business columnist, Bert Caldwell, reported that the last time Spokane enjoyed the kind of prosperity that has prevailed the last few years, Expo '74 was drawing thousands of visitors to the area, residential construction was booming, and Kaiser Aluminum Corp. was still a manufacturing mainstay. Local high-tech companies like Key Tronic Corp. and ISC Systems Inc. were emerging as major employers. He goes on to talk about the decade of stagnation that Spokane went through from the late 70's into the late 80's. Current stats show that health care has become the region's largest employer. Manufacturing has rebounded. Spokane started 2007 with the US Figure Skating Championships, a second Davenport Hotel opened, groundbreaking for Kendall Yards on the north bank of the Spokane River holds promise for transforming 80 acres of barren dirt into an urban centerpiece.

[mes3fils]

for the info.

I just don't see Spokane as a 'vacation destination', I am sorry. I am unable to envision that. I realize you guys are proud of having the Figure Skating Champs there but, I don't really think this will help in regard to 'tourism' per se.

As for your quote:
Low to middle income homebuyers struggle to find reasonably priced houses but there's an emerging population of affluent residents spending $500,000 or more to live in condos and upscale housing developments.

This might be a good thing for YOU as a Realtor. But, it is NOT a good thing for the Spokane community, and I wouldn't brag about it.

The same exact situation has occurred where I currently live in FL and as a result, we are getting OUT of here asap. We make good $ between us:
>$130k annually. We cannot afford a bigger house than the one we are in at 1440sf. The exaggerated and ridiculously high home prices are driving/have driven out many middle class locals as well as low-mid class locals who also cannot afford to even buy maybe their first home, or upgrade like we need to do what with 3 boys now.

It significantly affects many things in a town when home prices sky-rocket. And, others living in that town, maybe comfortably, will in turn feel the 'crunch' as well. In that these low-mid and middle class locals are the ones who are employed at businesses like McD's, Burger King, pizza deliverers, MD offices-front help, MD assistants, Lawyer assts, hair salons, hospital non-professionals like nurses aides. These people are needed in every town in America and if the cost of living, home prices are sky-rocketing then they get out of dodge and move like we are trying to do. Then what? These jobs are left 'short-handed' as there is now not a diverse local population like before. To get and keep help....these local businesses have to PAY more to these employers so that they can afford to LIVE in this now very high-priced town. Result? Prices of a cheeseburger, fries goes up, prices of health care go up, legal services go up. More $ coming out of everybody's pocket, even yours.

This is Spokane's future if it continues in the path it is headed. For sure.

Also, Spokane property tax prices are quite high to begin with. Another turn off.

As for the graffiti problem, just reaffirms that your town has many dirty and grungy and 'ugly' areas as I have been hearing from locals there, mainly and specifically my one friend in LL.

[washinton native]

Originally Posted by photogoddess

BTW: a violent crime statistic (as all statistics) can be skewed because someone can be charged with a violent crime without actually causing physical harm to another.

ugghhm, it's not a crime until someone is found guilty.

[photogoddess]

BTW: a violent crime statistic (as all statistics) can be skewed because someone can be charged with a violent crime without actually causing physical harm to another.

replace charged with convicted, it still holds true even if you call me on the terminology.

Has no one bothered to read the first part of my post? Everyone seems so consumed by the crime stats that everything else is falling by the side, like actually trying to answer someone's question that doesn't relate to crime stats.

[coldswan]

Boy, this is turning into one ugly forum. Too much negativity! Everyone knows there is crime in every city. Can we just answer the questions that people ask!