Spokane, what's it like? (school district, colleges, move)

[Raelyn28]

Wow! For those of you who had a bad experience in Spokane have you ever lived in Southern Cal before? I dare you to go to Buena Park Ca for a few months and you would think of Spokane as paradise.

Spokane is a really great place to raise a family. It isn't perfect but it is nice especially the Northside. Mead School district has a great reputation and some of the colleges in and around Spokane are awesome. There is so much to do within a few hours. Smog, have you ever been to LA? I doubt it because if you had ever been there you wouldn't be making such ridiculous statements. Please do not get me started on smog..

Mountainhigh is absolutely correct in what he/she says and I can tell he has lived in a few states.. People that dislike the beauty of this area are very spoiled and are obviously very sheltered.. I would suggest that you go take a year trip around the US and then come back and post about Spokane. I bet your perspective will have changed...

You have your right to not like a certain area but please don't take away from those who like it and think it is beautiful.. Please go move or take your negativity elsewhere...

Originally Posted by mountainhigh

I have lived in a number of states such as Florida, California, Oregon and now Washington both Western and Eastern Washington and Western Washington is too depressing day after day to see another day of rain or overcast skys. We moved north of Spokane but have to shop in Spokane and in fact we are currently looking to buy in Spokane due to this past winter and its snowfall up here.

I suggest those who do not like Spokane to go take a look in California and see what you think. Dry in the summer, thick fog in the Winter (mid California) and we always left work saying "lets go sit in the parking lot" meaning the freeway and housing so high you have to live a couple hours away from work just to afford to live and work there. I honestly think you cannot appreciate Spokane unless you have lived in other places. If those who do not like it, I do not understand why continue living here and being miserable? Just move. Spokane is no different with the good, better, and best sections just like every other city. If you think you can find a city with no drugs, no bad sections, perfect weather you are living in a fantasy world.

As far as the haze for Spokane, at least it isn't smog like California or another overcast day like Western Washington. The haze is from the farmers and the crop fields around. Most of the time it is blue skies.

Best thing to do for those who do not like it here and are just complaining is to leave and stop wasting your life being unhappy.

[Raelyn28]

You are making statements that I find interesting and I just want to know. Where is it dirty? In a neighborhood? On certain streets? Downtown?? Or at the Northside Transfer Station on Hwy 2?

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Spokane does appear dirty, if you only go to the northern half of town. Not quite Los Angeles dirty, but kind of old, unkempt, and rundown in parts. Especially the eastern side of the northern half.

Now, South Hill is an entirely different story. I think the area around Manito Park just might be one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the country.

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by Raelyn28

You are making statements that I find interesting and I just want to know. Where is it dirty? In a neighborhood? On certain streets? Downtown?? Or at the Northside Transfer Station on Hwy 2?

I wouldn't call it the literal form of "dirty" per se, but I would say parts of town don't look as nice as they could, like they are suffering from disrepair, and even slight abandonment.

Many, but not all of the older neighborhoods suffer from this look, places like West and East Central, Hillyard, Nevada/Lidgerwood, Logan, Minnehaha, Peaceful Valley, and parts of Emerson/Garfield, etc (refer to the map on the link below). I wouldn't think anywhere north of Francis would fall into this category, nor would any places near Grand or Southeast Blvds.

I literally just got back to Spokane from Denver (was only there for two days), and I noticed even the poorer to lower-class neighborhoods there appeared much more well-kept than the ones here, not that I'm trying to compare or criticize, but it gives me hope for Spokane's potential.

Neighborhood Services

[Raelyn28]

You know except for the occasional baseball game that I attend in other parts of the city or a trip to downtown, I really don't venture far from North Spokane. I will have to take a look next time I am in those places LOL. I never really thought of Spokane as being dirty. I did notice that after the snow melted there was a ton of trash everywhere but it was quickly taken care of.

Interesting that you would notice Spokane being worse than Denver. My sister lives in Aurora which is a suburb of Denver and she thinks it is beautiful here in comparison to the Denver area.

I respect your opinion and now you will have me looking.

Thanks for answering my question. Many people on these threads don't explain what they mean and when you ask them they don't answer or they get offended. It is nice to discuss this and find out your view point.

Anyway, your name sounds really familiar to me. I am sure it isn't the Christina Aguilera thing either. Ha, I bet you get that all the time don't you???

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

I wouldn't call it the literal form of "dirty" per se, but I would say parts of town don't look as nice as they could, like they are suffering from disrepair, and even slight abandonment.

Many, but not all of the older neighborhoods suffer from this look, places like West and East Central, Hillyard, Nevada/Lidgerwood, Logan, Minnehaha, Peaceful Valley, and parts of Emerson/Garfield, etc (refer to the map on the link below). I wouldn't think anywhere north of Francis would fall into this category, nor would any places near Grand or Southeast Blvds.

I literally just got back to Spokane from Denver (was only there for two days), and I noticed even the poorer to lower-class neighborhoods there appeared much more well-kept than the ones here, not that I'm trying to compare or criticize, but it gives me hope for Spokane's potential.

Neighborhood Services

[Deena160]

Originally Posted by Raelyn28

Wow! For those of you who had a bad experience in Spokane have you ever lived in Southern Cal before? I dare you to go to Buena Park Ca for a few months and you would think of Spokane as paradise.

Spokane is a really great place to raise a family. It isn't perfect but it is nice especially the Northside. Mead School district has a great reputation and some of the colleges in and around Spokane are awesome. There is so much to do within a few hours. Smog, have you ever been to LA? I doubt it because if you had ever been there you wouldn't be making such ridiculous statements. Please do not get me started on smog..

Mountainhigh is absolutely correct in what he/she says and I can tell he has lived in a few states.. People that dislike the beauty of this area are very spoiled and are obviously very sheltered.. I would suggest that you go take a year trip around the US and then come back and post about Spokane. I bet your perspective will have changed...

You have your right to not like a certain area but please don't take away from those who like it and think it is beautiful.. Please go move or take your negativity elsewhere...

"There needs be opposition in all things..." At least the negatives make us Spokane-Lookieloos do our homework to make sure we really want to consider moving. Unfortunately, there's negative and then there's NEGATIVE! I hate the really mean, angry posts. Of course, I prefer the positive, helpful posts done with humor and fair play.
Kudos to all the nice posters! :~) D

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by Raelyn28

Interesting that you would notice Spokane being worse than Denver. My sister lives in Aurora which is a suburb of Denver and she thinks it is beautiful here in comparison to the Denver area.

I respect your opinion and now you will have me looking.

Thanks for answering my question. Many people on these threads don't explain what they mean and when you ask them they don't answer or they get offended. It is nice to discuss this and find out your view point.

Anyway, your name sounds really familiar to me. I am sure it isn't the Christina Aguilera thing either. Ha, I bet you get that all the time don't you???

I spent the last two years living in Aurora. I didn't live in one of the "nicer" parts of town, but I liked it there.

I don't think Spokane is worse than Denver, I'm not going to outright compare the two side-by-side until I've been here for a long while. So far, I've noticed there are things that Spokane is better at, and there are things I miss about Denver. I'm going to give Spokane a fair shake, and I like it well enough so far.

The trees alone make the natural/man-made landscape here in Spokane much more beautiful than Denver. Denver looks completely planned out, with trees purposely placed in places. Here in Spokane, trees are completely random, thanks to Mother Nature, and gives the area a true, more natural look, which I like.

I only get offended if a remark is personal and baseless, it takes a lot to make me mad.

I get called Christina all the time, even though I am male, and Aguilera isn't even my last name.

The only semi-famous American 'Aguilar' is the woman who won The Biggest Loser a year or so ago. All the other famous ones are Mexican singers. Perhaps you've known someone with my last name?

[Raelyn28]

Could be but I think I have heard your name here in the area. It just sounds familiar to me. Anyway, thanks for the nice post. Hopefully you can get around the area to some of the beautiful spots. Have you been to Couer d alene yet? (I always have trouble with the spelling of that one). I was really surprised the first time I went there. It seemed like a California resort town to me. Very pretty? And Mt. Spokane is awesome in the winter for skiing/snowboarding. Probably there are other spots that are better (I haven't ventured very far in that arena as yet) but others have told me of several snow places.

Anyway... have a great weekend...

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

I spent the last two years living in Aurora. I didn't live in one of the "nicer" parts of town, but I liked it there.

I don't think Spokane is worse than Denver, I'm not going to outright compare the two side-by-side until I've been here for a long while. So far, I've noticed there are things that Spokane is better at, and there are things I miss about Denver. I'm going to give Spokane a fair shake, and I like it well enough so far.

The trees alone make the natural/man-made landscape here in Spokane much more beautiful than Denver. Denver looks completely planned out, with trees purposely placed in places. Here in Spokane, trees are completely random, thanks to Mother Nature, and gives the area a true, more natural look, which I like.

I only get offended if a remark is personal and baseless, it takes a lot to make me mad.

I get called Christina all the time, even though I am male, and Aguilera isn't even my last name.

The only semi-famous American 'Aguilar' is the woman who won The Biggest Loser a year or so ago. All the other famous ones are Mexican singers. Perhaps you've known someone with my last name?

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by Raelyn28

Could be but I think I have heard your name here in the area. It just sounds familiar to me. Anyway, thanks for the nice post. Hopefully you can get around the area to some of the beautiful spots. Have you been to Couer d alene yet? (I always have trouble with the spelling of that one). I was really surprised the first time I went there. It seemed like a California resort town to me. Very pretty? And Mt. Spokane is awesome in the winter for skiing/snowboarding. Probably there are other spots that are better (I haven't ventured very far in that arena as yet) but others have told me of several snow places.

Anyway... have a great weekend...

In this area? I've yet to hear it yet here, and don't really expect to hear it much here either. My family is from Orange County, CA if that helps.

Yeah, I've seen some of the local things, but still have tons to see.

Yes, I've been to Coeur d'Alene, but haven't had the opportunity to do anything there yet. Yes, very pretty.

I probably will make a trip up to Mt. Spokane some time, for sure come winter.

Thanks, I'll see you around the forum.

[Raelyn28]

Since you lived in Aurora maybe you knew my sister? Seems like you and I have similar links to places!! Hmmm The name still sounds like I know it from somewhere... I am from Southern Cal myself.. Interesting...

Originally Posted by Raelyn28

Could be but I think I have heard your name here in the area. It just sounds familiar to me. Anyway, thanks for the nice post. Hopefully you can get around the area to some of the beautiful spots. Have you been to Couer d alene yet? (I always have trouble with the spelling of that one). I was really surprised the first time I went there. It seemed like a California resort town to me. Very pretty? And Mt. Spokane is awesome in the winter for skiing/snowboarding. Probably there are other spots that are better (I haven't ventured very far in that arena as yet) but others have told me of several snow places.

Anyway... have a great weekend...

[fiveftfirecracker]

What is with you people bashing Spokane? Happiness is within ones self. I get the feeling you would hate it any where you lived. I don't want to go on and on but Spokane is a GREAT place. The best of everything.