Spokane, what's it like? (Seattle, South Hill: rent, amusement parks, school)

[fracturedman]

When it comes to respect, I dont care if you have never met me, everyone is entitled to a level of respect. This level isnt earned, it is manditory. However, this level can go up or down based on interactions with people.

I am not going to personally attack anyone here like I have been for sharing MY OPINION.

How bout this...I will give a sugar coated view and point out the good things in spokane.

Spokane in part is a great community. With events like Hoopfest, bloomsday, and pig out in the park it truely becomes something uncompareable. During such events the city comes to life with all the citizens of spokane looking for some excitement. When these events arent taking place they are replaced by the adventure that comes from being close to nature, which is unlike most cities. Spokane offers, Camping, fishing, hiking, and hunting to the outdoorsman in all of us. If you like sports, it has that too. Every week you can find either the Shock areana football team, Chiefs Hockey team, Shadow Soccer, or Indians baseball. This is all topped of by the local college sports. In spokane you dont have to worry about long seasons, for it offers up all four season at perfect lenght. With each season comes a multitude of events like river rafting and innertubbing the spokane river in the spring and summer to skiing and snowboarding in the winter. The roads in spokane are fairly clean for a larger city and the layout of the roads makes it easy to navigate, hard to get lost here.

If you come to spokane make sure to visit some great historical area like Browns Addition, Garland, Market street and riverfront park. If you can try to take a tour of the review building (spokesman review newspaper) Being one of spokanes oldest building it gives a great outlook to what spokane is about. Spokane truely does have it all, from tubing and skiing, hicking and shopping one cant go wrong with a visit to spokane. While your here check out one of our three malls each offering various selections from Pottery Barn, Mobius Kids, Kohls, Hot Topic and even Buckle.

The educational system is questionable, but diverse. Offering a great athletics program from kindergarden through college. A nursing and teaching program that can't be beat.

Spokane has the privlidge of having Fairchild Airforce base at its boarders in Airway Heights. The base provides some great events like the annual airshow. Aside from the base, other shows/expos that grace spokane are the fishing/hunting expo, auto/boat and speed show, a craft show almost every weekend, and even a tattoo expo.

For not being a port city spokane does have its own unique culture making spokane uncompareable. So, if you can come visit us in Spokane, we would love to have you.

Near Nature Near Perfect.

See I too can see some good in spokane even without looking at a brochure. However, you cant come here expecting complete happyness. Eventually, you will find something that urks you, just like any other city. I have lived here for 16 years and compared to where I was living before in MN, the people here are rude. But, you can't really compare spokane to any other city it is truly unique.

I am one of those people that don't just do what he is told, I will do what is right over anything, no matter the consequence. I am not the type of person that does what society tells him/her to do just to fit in. I am my own person and you wont find any other like me. For this reason I have lost a few jobs and friends. It is also the reason why Spokane has rejected me and I have rejected it in return. To live here you must fit a certain mold, but that is anywhere you go. I dont fit into Spokanes mold. Spokane is a great city to retire, or go to college depending on your major.

[Casportsfan]

Originally Posted by jessysunshine

I LOVE this picture! Beauty really is all in the eye of the beholder, isn't it?

(Oh, it won't show the picture in the quote. Hmmm. Well, it's from the first page of this thread if anyone wants to look at it. )

I actually agree with you on most aspects aside from the people. Sure, there are different culteral norms, but by and large I thought the people were alright . . . . a little conservative and uptight for my taste, but that's just me. It's a very family oriented city, and most that live there have been there a long, long time, so it' also provincial in some respects as well.

I'm not sure how anyone looks at that city and sees beauty. The roads are abysmal in most parts of the city and are a mess. It has the feel of a town that is built around manufacturing, and there are broken down buildings downtown and on the East side to prove that. There are pockets of the city that are nice with cobble stone roads and hills (South hill), but the ugly areas more than overshaddow the nice ones IMO. Sure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but when it is grey up there and you are looking at these delapidated brick buildings, tell me that looks nice?? Well, that's a good 4-5 months out of the year.

The scenery, weather, and lack of nightlife is what would keep me away from Spokane now. If you are a nature person, like all 4 seasons, and have a steady career that is by and large immune from economic cycles, you might like Spokane.

Personally, you couldn't pay me enough to go back to that place. Spokanes' downtown has the feel of an economically depressed area, and it is. That's not debateable. And that is the very first thing you see coming down the valley when you drive into the city. It doesn't set a good tone IMO.

[kena]

I think downtown doesn't have the feel of an economically depressed area so I suppose it is debatable though I can understand where opinions would differ. I think it also depends on how one defines 'downtown.' If you're including close-in east Sprague and the old grain elevators then sure, it leaves something to be desired in terms of looks. Downtown proper, however, is, in my opinion, very nice for a city the size of Spokane. Sure, there is still room for improvement but there are many positives.

Check out the map here showing the billions that have been spent or a planned for downtown http://www.downtownspokane.org/uploa...lopmentMap.pdf

Someone mentioned smoke stacks as a negative above but I like them and the interior is one of the coolest urban re-use projects I know of: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mx60GcAFWZ4/SI...lant+Grill.JPG

Picture from: picasaweb.google.com/.../kh89j1pqijGJtIWyYylBJA


The recently restored Fox Theater is amazing: http://www.martinwoldsontheater.com/...ads/House4.jpg picture from: Martin Woldson Theater at the FOX - Spokane, Washington

As someone said above, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[RetiredChef]

Originally Posted by fracturedman

When it comes to respect, I dont care if you have never met me, everyone is entitled to a level of respect. This level isnt earned, it is manditory. However, this level can go up or down based on interactions with people.

I think we agree on this point - I give a very basic level of respect but everything else you must earn IMHO.

Originally Posted by fracturedman

To live here you must fit a certain mold, but that is anywhere you go. I dont fit into Spokanes mold. Spokane is a great city to retire, or go to college depending on your major.

WOW - In America I have lived in Hawaii, NYC, Nashville, Miami, Los Angeles and now Spokane.

I would consider Spokane the most laid back of all of these places. People here are very non-judgmental and have that 'live-and-let-live' mentality.

I have had many visitors from other parts of the country stay with us and one of the universal comments is how easy going people are up here. One of my business associates wife's remark was that she enjoyed how everybody just accepted who you were up here. There is no pretentiousness.

I'm not putting you down or attacking you, just commenting on how radically different our experiences have been. I have yet to see any sort of mold that people in Spokane could be lumped into.

[RetiredChef]

Originally Posted by Casportsfan

It's a very family oriented city, and most that live there have been there a long, long time, so it' also provincial in some respects as well.

Maybe it is because we are transplants but most of the people we meet and know have lived in Spokane less then 10 years. We are always excited to meet natives.

Originally Posted by Casportsfan

Spokanes' downtown has the feel of an economically depressed area, and it is. That's not debateable. And that is the very first thing you see coming down the valley when you drive into the city. It doesn't set a good tone IMO.

Downtown seems to be growing and thriving even in this economy, most visitors that we pick up from the airport remark at how small Spokane actually is and then when we take the downtown are impressed at it's cleanliness, safety and historicity.

You can walk around downtown at night and be safe, riverfront park is amazing and name another city that has a river with fantastic falls that runs right by downtown

Compared to NYC and LA I'll take the beauty of Spokane any day.

[Casportsfan]

Originally Posted by RetiredChef

Maybe it is because we are transplants but most of the people we meet and know have lived in Spokane less then 10 years. We are always excited to meet natives.



Downtown seems to be growing and thriving even in this economy, most visitors that we pick up from the airport remark at how small Spokane actually is and then when we take the downtown are impressed at it's cleanliness, safety and historicity.

You can walk around downtown at night and be safe, riverfront park is amazing and name another city that has a river with fantastic falls that runs right by downtown

Compared to NYC and LA I'll take the beauty of Spokane any day.

Yes, I think the safety of downtown and the Riverfront Park area fall under the categories of "Slower pace" and "nature", and can be considered virtues, depending on your point of view.

My "economically depressed" comment was not directed at ones perspective, but rather the economic reality. Downtown IS an economically depressed area of the city, and that is what I was stating is not debateable. Bringing business/people into downtown has been a problem for years. This was a problem while I lived up there, and has continued to be a problem since I left.

What you can say is that the city appears to be attempting to revitalize the area with the renovation of the Davenport, and is attempting to pour more money into downtown through local bonds (I believe that is the source of the money). The growth, if any, is not spurred by investors or business, but rather is a plan by local government to reviatlize by making it a more attractive area to to business. Right now it is not.

In my opinion, I the major problem with downtown is not only the lack of industry, but the lack of affordable living options. The city shot down a high rise complex (The Vox) that would have brought people AND vendors into downtown to accomodate their needs. This would have been great for Spokane, but the building exceeded the height limits that the city planning commission allows. That is a shame. That complex would have done wonders for downtown and the image of the city as a whole.

Beauty is in fact in the eye of the beholder, so no one can really objectively say that downtown is ugly or has eyesores. But on my last trip there just 3 years ago, I did not see even a marginal improvement in downtown. I give the city credit on one hand for finally addressing these problems and making some attempts, but on the other the "let's keep this our small town" attitude of the city also holds it back.

[fracturedman]

One thing I think we could all agree with is that Spokane, just like any other city, isn't for everyone.

Yes, there is a mold that is needed to live in spokane, That is a love of Northwest nature. If you like pine trees, rivers that run through town and falls to be gazed at. One must also be laid back, because that is the only type of adventure your going to find here. You wont find the x games, or other extreme sports in large quantities. If you like to relax and fish, hike, camp, or take in the view of what the pacific northwest has to offer then you fit the mold that is spokane. If you want adrenaline gushing, heart pumping, thrill seeking adventure...get out and stay out. Spokane will have none of that.

If you want constant weather Spokane isnt for you either, there is a saying here, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes!"

Spokane also has another down side, Seattle, Your probably thinking how is Seattle a downside. because every dollar that you give to taxes goes there first and the rest gets spread out to the other towns in Washington including Spokane. Which leaves spokane with a budget to laugh at. Spokane need to inact a beautification project to spruce up the area. A walk along the river will soon turn to disgust with the piles of garbage along the shore. Hikes are a danger not due to wildlife or cliffs but the the broken glass and even sometimes a strung out junkie looking for a fix.

[kena]

Originally Posted by Casportsfan

My "economically depressed" comment was not directed at ones perspective, but rather the economic reality. Downtown IS an economically depressed area of the city, and that is what I was stating is not debateable. Bringing business/people into downtown has been a problem for years.

I suppose I'm not sure what the definition of economic reality is. Downtown is home to the core of professional services in Spokane (banks, law firms, investment firms, etc.) as well as a healthy retail presence (including high-end retailers not present in other parts of the city) and although the pace slowed with the housing bust, an increasing amount of higher end condominums and lofts. On a per-capita basis the data might suggest economic depression because there is also a very low end earning spectrum represented on downtown's fringes. But if you include those you also have to include the WSU-Eastern u-district campus, the hospitals and Gonzaga when looking at the businesses and professionals working in the downtown area.

Originally Posted by Casportsfan

What you can say is that the city appears to be attempting to revitalize the area with the renovation of the Davenport, and is attempting to pour more money into downtown through local bonds (I believe that is the source of the money). The growth, if any, is not spurred by investors or business, but rather is a plan by local government to reviatlize by making it a more attractive area to to business. Right now it is not.

The Davenport was done through private investment. Walt Worthy took a huge risk and invested over 30M of his own money doing the restoration and then used his own money to build the new tower across the street. If you look at the development map I linked, a significant portion of the $3.4 billion in downtown investment is private funds. Sure, the city has done some work on street beautification, etc. but much of the growth is being spurred by private investors and businesses.

Originally Posted by Casportsfan

In my opinion, I the major problem with downtown is not only the lack of industry, but the lack of affordable living options. The city shot down a high rise complex (The Vox) that would have brought people AND vendors into downtown to accomodate their needs. This would have been great for Spokane, but the building exceeded the height limits that the city planning commission allows. That is a shame. That complex would have done wonders for downtown and the image of the city as a whole.

I agree downtown could use more market rate housing, particularly on the lower to middle class specturm. That said, almost all cities of any size have that same problem since downtown property tends to be expensive (as does new construction or extensive rehab) making it difficult to keep rents on the lower end. The VOX tower was an exciting project but it was not killed by the city. The developer never had the money to make it happen or if he did he decided to spend it elsewhere. Yes, the proposed building was above the height limit but the city was never formally asked for a variance, which they very, very likely would have granted since the project would have been a tax generator and given the city an iconic new building. I'm not even sure if the original rehab apartments on that site have ever been completed, which is a shame because it would have been a great development.

[Casportsfan]

Kena;

I believe we are both right here . . . check out this link, it provides an in depth history of the attempts to transform downtown http://www.spokaneparking.com/RPS_Summation(2).pdf.

It appears that the renovation of downtown was organized by the city in a public/private partnership, through issuance of bonds, which is basically how I understood the transition. Apparently, new investments have been proposed . . . . are these businesses moving in and developing, or had they prior to the recent recession? (meaning prior to 2008) . . . I'd be interested to know.

I currently live in Sacramento, and many of these proposals came about and were either shot down, rejected for one reason or another by the planning commission, or the developer underestimated the costs. For instance, there was a 60 story condo building slated for downtown here that was expected to bring residents back to downtown and revitalize the area. The planning commission approved the proposal, preliminary development began, and a block long area of downtown was unearthed, with foundation poles driven into the ground. As the costs of construction rose beyond what was expected, the developer ultimately had to abandon the project. Now there is just a giant crater in the ground, and CalPers (government pension fund manager) has apparently assumed the land.

It's easy to get excited about these type of things (I am usually the first one to do so), but in places like this I find that you can look all over the net on places like Skyscraper.com, or do your research on potential projects, but in areas like Sacramento and Spokane it seems only a small handful, if any ever get off the ground.

I find the same general attitude in Sacramento as I did in Spokane when I lived there. Many people were glad that project failed and didn't want to see it and others similar to it get off the ground. They'd like to keep the city midsized and long for the days when Sac was not mentioned in the same breath as other major California cities. Maybe Spokane has changed with some since I left around 95' with gentrification and growth influx from Ca. and other areas, I'm not sure. It didn't appear much different to me when I visited 3 years ago though.

I think it's great that they are trying to fix downtown and investors are interested. Hopefully, most of these projects go through. That type of investment could change the entire feel of the city, and Spokane has needed that type of energy for a long, long time.

[pw72]

Spokane seems to bring out some real emotions in people. Maybe because it is Washington's 2nd city, maybe because it is somewhat isolated, who knows?

I remember when I was a kid my dad took us through the railyard to get one last look at it before they brought in the World's Fair. If you think downtown is ugly and depressing today, imagine it without Riverfront Park. Railyards. That is what was there. Today, the legacy of the fair is a beautiful park right next to downtown. On the negative side, I don't think a large new building has gone up downtown the past 25 years or so. Atleast it's been that long since the skyline changed much.

When I was at Washington State University in the late 70's the line was if it is 1977, it is 1972 in Spokane. Always about five years behind.

Like many have said in this thread, Spokane has its good and bad. I won't rehash all that. Most cities have good and bad.