Gay Spokane? (Seattle, South Hill, Cheney: crime, lawyer, home)

[zumamusher]

My partner, my three children, and I are considering a move to Spokane. One of my children is full A/A. I am a lawyer and my partner is an elementary music teacher.

Good or bad idea? I am from near Spokane but haven't been home for twenty years. I know I love the climate, the outdoor activities, the lack of rain, the warm weather.

But we are liberal, gay, and diverse. Will we make it?

[kena]

Being drawn to the climate and natural setting is certainly a step in the right direction. I would hope that none of the factors you listed would make Spokane the wrong fit for you.

Regarding the political climate, Spokane is a pretty evenly balanced community. The city proper tends to be more liberal and the suburbs/outlying areas tend to be more conservative but there are certainly exceptions both ways. The most recent elections saw Spokane County split almost exactly evenly between Obama and McCain while the county went for the D candidate for govenor by a few percentage points. If you want to live somewhere where liberals are more of a clear majority you'd have to look at Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, etc. At the same time, there are plenty of liberals in Spokane, it is just more of an even blance.

Spokane has a small but present gay community. If you were single and looking for a large gay scene Spokane might not be your first choice but Spokane is a great place to raise a family (IMHO). You might want to check the following and see if you can gleen more information from those in the community. OutSpokane

The Inland Northwest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center – Spokane, WA LGBT Center

Odyssey Youth - Empowering LGBTQ Youth - Spokane, WA

Regarding diversity, if you search through the Spokane threads you'll find no shortage of discussion on the topic with a wide range of views. I will refer you to those for now rather than attempt to re-hash all that has been said.

Finally, you'll have to forgive me on the A/A shorthand. I'm assuming it deals with autism and, if that is the case, there are multiple threads and posters here who have done extensive research on schools/programs/etc. in Spokane regarding a potential move. There should be a good deal of info in older posts and I'm sure some posters would be happy to share their research. If I'm wrong about the A/A designation please padon my ignorance.

Good luck with your decision.

[zumamusher]

Thanks for your response! A/A is "African American." We are still on the fence on what to do, we can always stay put (Alaska).

[kena]

Originally Posted by zumamusher

Thanks for your response! A/A is "African American." We are still on the fence on what to do, we can always stay put (Alaska).

Got it. If possible it would be ideal if you could visit for a few days to get the feel of the city, check out different neighborhoods, schools, etc. Spokane is a pretty family oriented city and is generally blessed with good schools. Spokane, like any place, is not be perfect but it has changed for the better and I would think that you would be able to make it as a family.

[GIbornNBred]

My partner and I came her a year ago and regret every day of it. I'm from back East of loving , giving people. You will not find that here. Too find good caring Christian people here is hard. I know Spokane offers allot in scenery and a fairly nice size city and low in crime but in my honest opinion in order too find the right place I put friendly people first. And I am not the only one that feels this way about Spokane. We have met allot who are either stuck here or got out that agree that Spokane area is a very self absorbed and self centered people that know of no other way in life.
As far as your child, forget it. Trying too get our son diagnosed properly here with Ausbergers is almost impossible and the schools will not give him the speech therapy the doctor ordered. The crime with kids in the city itself is out of this world and I refuse as a parent too put them back in with those kids. Alot of bad parents as a resault. In one district by us I pulled my oldest son out of and a kid he knew attack another on the bus with a hammer too the chest, In another district a kid was busted with his mothers pain pills. The list goes on.
Stay out in My Honest opinion. Because we never we really accepted as a alternative family.

[Deena160]

Can you be more specific as to which district and what schools, please? Thanks. :~) D

[GIbornNBred]

Originally Posted by Deena160

Can you be more specific as to which district and what schools, please? Thanks. :~) D

Spokane County, Cheney Esp , Great Northern Elementery nice teachers but NO funding at all our desire too help special needs kids.

[Poolwa]

Just north of Spokane is Colbert Wa “Greenbluff Area” stay in the 99005 zip. I have lived all over the country looking for the spot Sarasota Fl, Lake Arrowhead Ca, Tucson Az and now Wa for the last 2 years and love it. Colbert is out of the city about 5-10 minutes to all the big boxes. Quite with the chance of no crime and no need for private schools to boot "mead district". We both work out of the home "internet biz" “Day Trade” live next to a doc, Pham’s and a percher. You should not move here with out a job in place. If you have kids I would stay out of Spokane city area. It’s a little more expensive in Colbert but worth every bit. Large fields, horses, just a great place to raise my 2 princess. We have a great arts music plays…. PS. People are 90+% white but I have a mixed race marriage and never have had a problem so maybe any social issue could be ok... Good Luck.

[chopperimpala]

I don't have info for you on the sexual oriention request, me, personally doesn't bother me, as I do have a family member who is gay, and it doesn't seem to make an impact on any of our other family members. As for the racial concern, I wouldn't worry about it!! I am White, my wife is Hispanic, and I have a Black brother-in-law. There are several multi racial kids obviously in our family, and I honestly have not seen or experienced anything negative about it. There are the "few red-necks" or ariyan nation followers around but it isn't that bad, mostly "posers" who's bark is bigger than their bite. Any questions feel free to ask me..... I will be honest though, that although it is a great place to raise kids, I personally HATE Spokane, I am from San Diego, and do not like the cold, rain, snow, ice, etc. but that is a personal thing for me. I am kinda "stuck" here It may not rain as much as Seattle, but it rains more than you may remember??? Again this is just MY opinion!! Others feel that hate towards So. Cal. which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE and grew up at!!!!! Ken

[Godfrey01]

Spokane has a larger gay community than you may expect. In fact--no lie--the city recently went out of its way to actually designate a gay district downtown, just to show everyone how progressive we are! Funny, but it does show sincerity.

Schools do vary here, as in any city; this is no small town. The poorer urban schools are shutting down while the better suburban districts and the private schools are thriving. The suburban Mead district north of town is renowned for its schools. The older, leafier, denser South Hill neighborhood has fine schools. The Central Valley district east of town is also good.

The gay acceptance level probably varies a good deal from neighborhood to neighborhood. Spokane is not Seattle. South Hill/Brown's addition is the city's most liberal neighborhood--some might say its ONLY liberal neighborhood--although social attitudes are changing across the area. Generally, the most conservative areas are outlying rural districts, especially as you move east into Idaho.

Good luck to you. I think you'll do fine here if you choose to come.