Questions about Spokane (Seattle: property taxes, housing, rent)

[WendyK]

Originally Posted by 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?

The weather this time of year is very changeable. Last weekend was very sunny and up in the low 50's (that calls for shorts around here!). But then on Weds. we got about an inch of snow and temps are back down in the 30's. You should check back the week before you leave to determine what kind of clothes to pack. I'd at least have a sweater or 2 and a jacket, but you shouldn't need snow clothes at that time of year...I would guess that temps will be in the 40's & 50's in early April. Could be even warmer, but we could have a late snow, too. Even if there is a little snow, you will be fine with tennis shoes or just regular winter type shoes, unless you plan on going hiking up Mt. Spokane.

[Mounty]

Can anybody recommend inexpensive cafe/bar with decent food and nice atmosphere to go on a date close to Spokane Community College? If there are none, than at least in/somewhere close to downtown or South Hill.

Thanks...

[metrospokane]

Originally Posted by Mounty

Can anybody recommend inexpensive cafe/bar with decent food and nice atmosphere to go on a date close to Spokane Community College? If there are none, than at least in/somewhere close to downtown or South Hill.

Thanks...

You might consider the Steelhead Bar & Grill, Isabella's Gin Joint, or Northern Lights. All are near downtown. Northern Lights is closest to SCC. Good luck.

[coldswan]

Does Spokane have a Chinese Bakery where you can buy coconut buns? When people talk about lack of diversity, it made me think that maybe I would not be able to have anymore delicious coconut buns from the Asian Bakery. Please tell me I will still be able to buy them?

[WendyK]

There was actually a feature in last week's paper on Asian markets in Spokane. There are at least 5 markets in the area with Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and other oriental specialties. I'm not sure if any of them has a bakery, but they'd be fun to explore and see what type of foods are available. You will be surprised to see how much diversity there really is in Spokane.

[yisroel]

as someone who lived all over the world in very dangerous places such as jerusalem, johannesburg, new york city ( during the 80s).
i think a lot of these statitics are worth less.
it all depends which Neighborhood you live in and if you live in the right place you are really safe.
for example alaxsandria in johannesburg is deadly, but sandton is safe.
eastern jewrusalen and the old city are very dangerous, but western jewrusalem is very safe.
i currently live in brooklyn in a very dangerous Neighborhood in this area 50 people were killed this year alone most of it is not reported for many reasons, but the city as a whole is a lot safer.
so anyone who really wants a good idea about the area and city they are moving to ask the locals meet and talk to someone who isnt working for the city or real estate.
and who is not a pesmist like washington native.

[sourdough]

We moved here because it suites us. FOR LOCALS ONLY, What are you people doing? Do you feel like you want the world to move here? Don't you realize what you are doing to our city. Are you all home owners with property taxes? Have you looked at your poroperty taxes lately? Dummy up already. Do we win something selling our city? NO!

[photogoddess]

Coldswan: what is a coconut bun? They sound awesome! If you eventually find a bakery, please let me know!

wendy: I tried to contact the realtor that mes3 suggested, but i have not gotten a response back yet, maybe I have the wrong address. I am looking for a realtor that specializes in the airway heights, cheney area-do you have any suggestions? I thought I read that you specialize in the north areas of Spokane.

Sourdough: I guess I don't understand your post, it says that you moved to Spokane, but you don't want anyone else to move there? How is that so? We are moving there due to a job offer that my hubby decided to take. I believe that is a valid reason to move, and actually any reason is a good reason. we are all here to gain a little insight from those already there, so we can make informed choices. Telling people false or negative information just to get someone to stay away seems a little self serving and selfish to me. Things change, towns grow, and hopefully with it comes more diversity and open minds.

[mes3fils]

Sourdough brought something up about prop taxes. I didn't quite understand their point about it though. Was it saying that they are high?

I have noticed that the prop taxes in Spokane ARE high. It is disappointing to me. I had an email listing just today for a Spokane home that was priced in the $270's and the tax amt listed was $3681!!! And that is for last year, I think!

My question is this and maybe someone here can help: If we moved there and purchased the above mentioned home with the above mentioned current tax amt, how much would it go up once WE purchased the same home?? Would it go up close to $5000/year??? As now it's almost $4000/year! I just can't see paying that much per year in prop taxes....

[photogoddess]

mes3, we are in the same boat as far as buying is concerned, and you posed an excellent question to which I also would love to know the answer!