Questions about Spokane (South Hill: real estate, property taxes, hotel)

[WendyK]

Originally Posted by mes3fils

Would you recommend that one contemplating visiting Spokane-or any city for that matter-that they may move to, should visit many different neighborhoods as well?

Hi Mes - The drive I recommended would take a visitor through some neighborhoods, too - there are houses all over Spokane. If someone were visiting here for one day just to look at homes, my recommended stops would have been different, depending on what type of house they were seeking and the area(s) where they wanted to focus on living. The original poster asked what he/she should see if they were visiting Spokane for just one day, and I was trying to point out some of the highlights of the whole town that would give a feel for what there is to do here and what the entire area is like. Driving through the South Hill along High Dr. and up Grand Blvd. will expose you to many architectural styles of homes that make up the character of South Hill. There are also homes and neighorhoods along and on all the major arterials in Spokane, so you would see plenty of houses as you explore the area. The elevation changes here allow you to see many different areas as you are driving, so even while driving east on Bigelow Gulch Rd. or north on Indian Trail Rd. for example, you can look out and see many homes and neighborhoods that are set in outlying areas, as well as the homes that are on the road you're driving.

[washinton native]

Originally Posted by WendyK

Hi Mes - The drive I recommended would take a visitor through some neighborhoods, too - there are houses all over Spokane. If someone were visiting here for one day just to look at homes, my recommended stops would have been different, depending on what type of house they were seeking and the area(s) where they wanted to focus on living. The original poster asked what he/she should see if they were visiting Spokane for just one day, and I was trying to point out some of the highlights of the whole town that would give a feel for what there is to do here and what the entire area is like. Driving through the South Hill along High Dr. and up Grand Blvd. will expose you to many architectural styles of homes that make up the character of South Hill. There are also homes and neighorhoods along and on all the major arterials in Spokane, so you would see plenty of houses as you explore the area. The elevation changes here allow you to see many different areas as you are driving, so even while driving east on Bigelow Gulch Rd. or north on Indian Trail Rd. for example, you can look out and see many homes and neighborhoods that are set in outlying areas, as well as the homes that are on the road you're driving.

you are a realtor aren't you?

[WendyK]

Originally Posted by washinton native

you are a realtor aren't you?

Yes, you didn't realize that prior to this? It's on my profile.

[Tcam]

The mimi-tour by Wendy does take one into almost every neighborhood in town - the places she mentions to visit are in neighborhoods and I also added that one should visit the historic parts of town, which are the homes, buildings and businesses on the historic register that are in traditional neighborhoods.

[coldswan]

Wow washington native, give it a rest! Every single thing you say is negative. Do you actually read your own postings? I haven't been here for a few days but the few added pages are making me sick. Can we please get back to the questions that are being asked and all others just go away! Yes, everyone is concerned with crime, health issues, education,etc when moving to a new place, but this is not a place to bash each other. Thank you TCam for your pleasant input about Spokane and WendyK for giving some informative guidance to others who may have only a short time to check things out in Spokane. I personally enjoy hearing about what the weather is like there today, and whether you are able to go jogging at this time of year. Can you really grow fruit trees in your backyard? Does the neighborhood hold block parties in the summer? Are there parades? Summer concerts? Can I cross country ski out of my backyard in the winter? While raising a familly it is interesting to know if this is all possible. To others it might seem mundane but to bash each other because of our own interests is ridiculous. Please, if you don't live in Spokane anymore or never have and you are only here to trash it, is it really necessary for you to bring others down with you in all your negativity? Growing tired of a forum so filled with hate and anger.

[photogoddess]

A big round of applause for coldswan!

[mes3fils]

We are considering staying at the Days Inn in LL. Does anyone know about the niceness, cleanliness, surrounding area of the hotel? Is it in a scenic area? FYI-it's on N. Madsen.

Also, what about the 'Solar World Hotel', one in the northside and another in the westside. My problem is...we don't want to stay anywhere that is in an ugly, industrial-like area which when I call other hotels and ask about the surrounding area, the receptionists frequently describe an industrial-sounding locale.

Please give some input! Our visit is 9days (minus 2 for travel) so we want a nice/r place to stay! Our trip is coming up soon.

Also, to Wendy, do most of the homes have 'radon mitigation' systems in their basements? If my older son is going to remain with us and live in our basement while going to college, I don't want him breathing in radon 24/7! Same with the other scenario, he doesn't stay w/us thruout college, so it may be a 'play area' for my little ones....don't want them breathing it in either!!! Go ahead soupguru and mock me for that one. Won't phase me one bit.

Thanks for your help.

[WendyK]

Originally Posted by mes3fils

We are considering staying at the Days Inn in LL. Does anyone know about the niceness, cleanliness, surrounding area of the hotel? Is it in a scenic area? FYI-it's on N. Madsen.

Also, what about the 'Solar World Hotel', one in the northside and another in the westside. My problem is...we don't want to stay anywhere that is in an ugly, industrial-like area which when I call other hotels and ask about the surrounding area, the receptionists frequently describe an industrial-sounding locale.

Please give some input! Our visit is 9days (minus 2 for travel) so we want a nice/r place to stay! Our trip is coming up soon.

Also, to Wendy, do most of the homes have 'radon mitigation' systems in their basements? If my older son is going to remain with us and live in our basement while going to college, I don't want him breathing in radon 24/7! Same with the other scenario, he doesn't stay w/us thruout college, so it may be a 'play area' for my little ones....don't want them breathing it in either!!! Go ahead soupguru and mock me for that one. Won't phase me one bit.

Thanks for your help.

Mes - Radon systems were required in new construction in Spokane in about 1990, so any homes built after that time should have a radon system installed. I have worked with people who bought older homes, had radon tests done that showed limits higher than EPA allows, and then had new radon mitigation systems installed. The cost to put in a new system into an older home is about $3000-$4000, depending on how the basement is situated.

As far as hotels, I'm not familiar with the LL Days Inn. I had some clients stay at the north side Solar World and they were not impressed, so skip that one. The Quality Inn Oakwood on the north side is nice, as is the Doubletree downtown. If you want to be closer to your friend in LL, you might want to stick with the Days Inn there. Another good valley hotel is the Marriott Residence Inn on E. Indiana. The same people who stayed at Solar World switched to the Marriott Residence Inn in the Valley and were very pleased with the room & service.

[photogoddess]

Thanks mes3!!
that will help out alot! We are planning on buying in about a year and it will be nice to have someone on the lookout for us, and to answer any questions we might have!!

[mes3fils]

What type clothing, outerwear should we pack/bring for our first week in April trip?

The receptionist at the hotel we are staying, told me the other day that your weather has been 'gray' for over 3wks with no sun! Is that the weather that we can/should expect?