Spokane Utilities? (South Hill, Millwood: budget, apartments, condos)

[Katy81]

I'm moving to Spokane in a few months, and I'm trying to figure out my budget. Anyone know the cost of utilities for a 1-2 bedroom apartment, on average? Also, what cable company is out there, and for basic cable and high speed internet, what is the average cost? I keep seeing condos and apartments on Craigslist for 475-550, which would be perfect for me, except I don't know if those prices are just "ghetto pricing". A lot of them are on lower south hill. Can anyone suggest a couple good neighborhoods for a single 27 year old female and a cat? I think that's all my questions for now! Thanks! Oh, my job is going to be in Spokane Valley, if that helps. Thanks!

[kena]

The cable provider here is Comcast (also provide high speed internet) and their prices are simlar everywhere (you can get more specifics on their website). I'm not sure about the utilities estimate although the provider is Avista so you may check to see if there is info on their website. As far as apartments go you can find something decent in that price range in fairly nice areas. As for where to live it depends on what you value.

For instance, you can live in the Valley to be close to your work but the Valley tends to be pretty car based (even for Spokane) with more of a lean to chain stores and restaurants (though there are some very pretty areas in the Valley and some good non-chain food as well). Browne's Addition, just west of downtown is pretty popular with younger singles. Its got a nice little neighborhood center with a cool pub, restaurant, coffee shop, pizza place, etc. It also has a grocery store (and downtown) both within walking distance.

I'm guessing downtown proper wouldn't work unless your cat is an indoor only cat. Rents will be a little higher but there are some cool apts. downtown. Other areas could be the lower south hill, the upper southill (cluster of nicer apts. b/w 37th and 60th generally along Regal), and the Logan neighborhood around Gonzaga if you want the student vibe. If you have more specific qualities your looking for I'm sure others can help point you in the right direction. Good luck.

[sarah j.]

Hi Katy 81,
I am 28 and we are moving to spokane valley in the summer and I had the same questions as you did. If you find out about the cost of utilities in general, could you please let me know?? My email is sjackson@apu.edu
Where are you moving from?
If you need it, I have a whole list of apartments in the valley that are pet friendly, as we have two small dogs!
Let me know if you'd like the list!
Sarah

[sylvanarrow]

Originally Posted by Katy81

I'm moving to Spokane in a few months, and I'm trying to figure out my budget. Anyone know the cost of utilities for a 1-2 bedroom apartment, on average? Also, what cable company is out there, and for basic cable and high speed internet, what is the average cost? I keep seeing condos and apartments on Craigslist for 475-550, which would be perfect for me, except I don't know if those prices are just "ghetto pricing". A lot of them are on lower south hill. Can anyone suggest a couple good neighborhoods for a single 27 year old female and a cat? I think that's all my questions for now! Thanks! Oh, my job is going to be in Spokane Valley, if that helps. Thanks!

Sure, I'm in a 2-bedroom condo. Water is paid for with my homeowner's dues but electric runs around $75/month in the winter and was less in the summer (but I didn't have a working AC unit last summer or it might have been comparable--I'm getting one this year, hah). Comcast is the cable company, and you can get high speed internet through them (about $50/mo), and I'm not sure on TV since I don't have it but, I think another $30-$40 for basic cable.

Ghetto pricing, well, maybe, hehe. Lower South Hill near downtown and the freeway trends to be sketchy. Perry District has been in transition and isn't too bad. The stuff around Huckleberry's will be decent.

Although if you're going to be in the Spokane Valley, you might just want to get an apartment there. I don't know the neighborhoods as well there, but there are some affordable apartments in the Mirabeau Park area, and with the river and bike trail right there, that's a pretty sweet spot.

Also, to keep costs down, you may consider getting a roommate or two and renting a nice house.

[Katy81]

Thank you guys so much! And Sarah, I'd love that list of apartments , you can e-mail me at katy.kellogg@wsfp.us It looks like I'll be heading out Mid-May, wish me luck!
Does anyone know anything about any apartments in Millwood? Is that a safe enough area? I saw that they're by the railroad tracks (where I come from that is SO not the place to be) and while noise from that doesn't bother me, the vegabond issue might. (I've got some old 1920's style train jumper picture in my head, I know)
I've been told that below 15th on South Hill is not a good area, but after driving through it, it didn't really seem all THAT bad... can anyone direct me to a good crimemap? The ones I've found are really confusing.
Thanks!

[kena]

I can't help you too much with Millwood but I wouldn't say that the area below 15th on the south hill is bad. That actually includes quite a few neighborhoods as you go from west to east. While there are some areas not as nice as others there are also some very decent options there. Metrospokane.typepad.com, a great site for the region, recently posted about this apartment finding site that you might want to try: Zilpy - Apartments & Houses Rent Comparison, Neighborhood Rental Maps, Rent Trends

I'm not sure which map you've been looking at for crime but this one is pretty decent. You can search by area or by address.

http://www.spokanegis.org/crimemap/default.asp