Spokane: what do you know about it ? is it better for most than Olympia ? (Seattle: appointed, real estate)

[opinionswanted]

media says there are no jobs and city is laying people off . crime is high........is it meth ? is it a better place to live than boise, id or reno, nv ? what jobs in spokane ? any tech ? how is it compared to olympia ?

[allie]

Originally Posted by opinionswanted

media says there are no jobs and city is laying people off . crime is high........is it meth ? is it a better place to live than boise, id or reno, nv ? what jobs in spokane ? any tech ? how is it compared to olympia ?

YES IT IS PRETTY BAD OVER THERE. I JUST RECENTLY CHEKED IT OUT AND HAVE SPENT QUITE ABIT OF TIME THERE ALSO.

[Ryan]

Wow; let me tell you, you can't even begin to compare the 2. Olympia is a beautiful booming city. More rain, trees, rivers etc. and less pollution, crime and general nastiness than Spokane. Olympia is a 20 min. dive to Tacoma and a 45 min drive from Seattle. If you're looking for a real deal on real estate and don't mind commuting to Oly. (we have no traffic over here; another plus), look towards Shelton or Aberdeen. Aberdeen is still the best value in the state. It's less than 45 min. from Olympia and is the business hub of the WA coast. Nicer homes start at $135k. The huge homes, mansions and estates start at $275. The homes are appreciating at 20%. Most are in the hills and have great views. It's just down the way from the state salmon hatchery, so fishing is the best. It's bordered by a bunch of state forests, wildlife preserves, recreation areas, the Oympic Nat. Forest is just north and the beach is a 20 min. drive. There's lots of outdoor recreational activities. Best seafood in WA. Lots of parks (including a new skate park) and shopping (a mall and a few large shopping centers), but also small country town feel. Has a nice little old town area and a junior college. Schools are average, but improving. 3/4 blue collar population, very down to earth and friendly people. I honestly feel it's the best buy in WA. Another nice city in this area but 10 miles closer to Olympia is Montesano. Less features than Aberdeen, but nicer overall community (still can't beat the Aberdeen Hills IMO). Shelton is similar to Aberdeen but the homes are slightly more expensive and the commute to Olympia is shorter. Both are booming off of huge economic rebounds. If want to live in Olympia, look towards the City Center and W. Olympia areas. The nicest properties are located there. The W. Olympia area has the lowest crime in the city, but is more suburban than City Center. Lacey is nice also; similar to the W. Olympia area and right next door.

[Roxie77]

Don't live in reno, the city government there is horrible. they take years to impliment substandard ideas at best.

[author4life]

I lived in Western Washington and now I live in the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area. There is crime everywhere... what you won't find here is rush hour traffic, constant clouds, and gangs.

We are growing and traffic has increased some, and I think there is a gang or two in town, but overall, it is a great place to live.

The tech jobs are increasing, and more businesses are moving here every year. The pay is lower, but so are housing costs.

I am a real estate agent and a house that would cost 429,00 in Olympia is about 250,000 here. The area is treed and beautiful, with breaks in the clouds at least once a week in the winter. We do get snow, however.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions about the area.

[Gforce]

Don't do it. The area is way overrated. Data in general is skewed purposefuly to get people out here. Prices are higher (yes including real estate, gas, utilities, etc.) than you are led to believe. Most services we associate with first world civilizations are struggling under the growth in the areas like Spokane. Even supposedly great places to live like Walla Walla are much more an image than a reality.

Yes the meth problem is all over, though Washington gets much spillage from Oregon and Idaho on this problem. Real estate in places like Walla Walla is quite high actually often 150 $ sq ft and more, and that is used with little quality compared to better built homes in big urban areas.

Spokane does have some cheaper housing but then so does the Tri-Cities. Most new homes in Spokane are not going to be the quality you get in more competitive markets. I looked at this for three years. If gangs are a problem in big cities (they are) then move on out to the 'inland empire' and experience pedophiles, extremist groups, and meth problems in quantities not even the inner cities can match. Really.

Most of all though, cross check your data. Temperatures, costs, etc. are usually way underestimated out here. The Tri-Cities and Walla Walla area are often above 100 and close to 105 degrees for six or more hours each day during June, July, and August. About 3 of every 5 days are that way. But you will not find that listed on most websites. Daily lows in the winter can be extremely cold if your not used to them in Spokane. It is about 2500 feet or so and has significant moisture air in the winter to be bone chilling at times. Check out those heating and water costs too. Oh and you will be disappointed with big city services like cable, plumbing, etc. Higher out here, lower quality, and customer service is not much even compared to big cities.

Please, please, seek multiple sources of data that are independent of the region before you decide to come out here. The worldview is very different and you should visit before coming in. However prices for new housing in the Tri-Cities and used housing in Spokane are indeed lower than most big urban areas.

About the traffic, we sat for two hours in a jam between Spokane and the Idaho border. It's here allright. Usually has more to do with inept city planning than with number of people. Be prepared to drive 55 and 35 and 25 everywere or learn to love tickets. Things take a long time around here. Spokane airport is fairly good since update and that is plus.

best of luck

[nmpaggett]

I grew up in Spokane. I am 21. I have lived here, Alaska, Honolulu, Kahului, Seattle, San Francisco, Eugene, and Maryland. And guess what? I came back to Spokane. The real estate IS cheap here. The pay (for professionals) is decent, actually pretty good compared to cost of living. Yes there is crime, but most is petty crime. There IS a meth problem, but that is everywhere. The big issue, for me, is the pedophiles, but even that does not compare to Alaska.

One thing to know: Spokane is QUITE conservative. We recalled (not impeached, we actually decided we DIDNT vote for him) our mayor when we discovered he was gay. We can't manage money. Our city council bickers and throws things. We are beautiful and genuinly friendly. Jump on a bus and tell the first person you see that you are new. They will probably tell you everythign you need to know. Plus tell you Jesus loves you (I'm not kidding...).

Come here, enjoy the great summers, hate the freezing winters, and just know that we are a city of under 200,000 and are happy to stay that way!

[Symi81]

While Meth is indeed a problem, its primarly a problem for the user and the friends/family of the user... contrary to the hysteria you see on this board, Spokane is NOT overrun with meth-heads, rapists or racists and its a perfectly safe city to live in. Downtown is actually quite nice, and has been on the up&up the last couple years. Of you are interested in Spokane, I reccomend the neighborhoods close-in to downtown like Brown's Addition, South Hill, West Central, etc. I would advise against living out in Spokane Valley or other suburban areas. The thing I love most about Spokane is its possible to have urban living with outdoor recreation just minutes away!

While I agree it has a conservative bent, Spokane is becoming an increasinly moderate city, see that last election for details. If you want conservative, move to a place like Tri-Cities which is totally overun with ignorant, fear-mongering Republicans.

[aullori]

If you do move to Spokane move to the south hill. (ask that specifically from the real estate agent) and you'll be okay. No meth heads... just interesting articles in the newsprint to discuss over coffee.

[tedore]

lots of crime.. the place scares me..