I love Spokane (Seattle, South Hill, Deer Park: crime, home, transfer)

[jessysunshine]

I love Spokane and the surrounding area. I just love it. I look so forward to our moving back and us raising our children there.

I'd love to hear what you love about Spokane and the surrounding area. Here are some of the things I love...

My friends
The mountains and pine trees
Riverfront Park
Riverside State Park
Big city, yet "small"
Green Bluff
Lakes
Proximity to northern Idaho
Gondolas
Lilac Parade
Bloomsday
Mt. Spokane
It's just home to me

[ArcticPhoenix]

Okay, what I love about Spokane...

The summers. They may be short, but boy are they beautiful
Manito Park!
South Hill
The airport is not too big but not too small
Seattle is only about 4-6 hours away, and Canada is only about 2-3.
The Cougs
The Zags

[RetiredChef]

Adding to the list:
4 Mild but very distinct seasons
Fertile soil
Clean air
Clean Water
Affordable Land and housing
Being able to live in the ‘country’ on acreage but be at the big box stores in under 10 minutes.
Horses
Blue skies
No Crime (compared to other cities of its size)
Good Schools
Hardly any Traffic
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars
Bowl and Pitcher
Suction Goat
World’s Largest Radio Flyer Wagon
First Night
Pig Out at the Park
4th of July fireworks at Riverfront Park.
Spokane falls in the spring
Kayaking Little Spokane River
Snow Shoeing Mt. Spokane
River Centennial Trail
The Spokane Symphony (a little town that has a great symphony – go figure)
Spokane is getting some good restaurants so just a few to get a special shout out:
Mizuna’s
Sante’s
Gordy’s
Vin Rouge
Ambrosia

Not in Spokane but close enough for a day trip and worth a special mention
Hiawatha trail

We could have moved anywhere but choose Spokane, no place is perfect but Spokane is great. PS I’ve lived in Europe, New York, Florida, Tennessee, Hawaii, California, and now here.

[Deena160]

Ummm...I'm almost afraid to ask...What's "Suction Goat?" :~/ D

[WendyK]

Originally Posted by Deena160

Ummm...I'm almost afraid to ask...What's "Suction Goat?" :~/ D

That's the goat at Riverfront Park that lets you put trash in his mouth and he sucks it up. You haven't seen him yet?? That is a must for you this spring/summer!

[Deena160]

Originally Posted by WendyK

That's the goat at Riverfront Park that lets you put trash in his mouth and he sucks it up. You haven't seen him yet?? That is a must for you this spring/summer!

Got it! Well, it actually looks like our transfer might be in the works so hopefully we'll be there.

What I like about Spokane having only visited a couple of times?
The streets are so wide(okay, I know you need room for the excess snow...)
Almost everyone's lawn looks great
In the suburbs, people actually park in their garages/driveways instead of on the street
Almost all of "my" stores are there except Trader Joe's (sniff...)
Rolling pined hills and mountain views
Total change of scenery in a short drive
Cool rock outcroppings (is it volcanic?) :~) D

[jessysunshine]

These are all great things! Thank you for sharing your "loves" of Spokane!

I want to "second" a few of them...
Manito Park
Airport -- I think it is a perfect size and so easy to get around
4 mild but distinct seasons
Able to live in the country on acreage, but still be so close to the big stores
Pig Out at the Park
Spokane Falls in the Spring

And I'd also like to add...
the community colleges are great
the number of quality 4-year colleges in the area is great
Rocket Bakery
the skywalks
old, neat buildings
the Garland Theater
Safeway
Franz Family Bakeries
Oroweat Bakeries
the Clock Tower
the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Riverfront Park
the general feeling of people being friendly and down-to-earth

Deena160, I miss Trader Joe's, too! Even though my hubby and I are from Deer Park/Elk/Spokane, Washington, we lived a few years in our 20's in SoCal, and I LOVE Trader Joe's and Whole Foods and miss those here in Boise where we are now. Spokane WAS going to get a Trader Joe's, but TJ's held off on it for some reason (there are different ideas as to why). I hope they still get one! I love that place. And congratulations on getting transferred to Spokane, a city (and surrounding area) I LOVE.

[WX_Watcher]

I have been "lurking" the forum for a couple months and am looking for a nice place to retire to eventually. After some of the negative posts regarding various locations, it's VERY refresing to read this thread. Makes me want to move to the Spokane area!
Even though this one is not peculiar to Spokane specifically, I'm surprised no one has mentioned the absense of state income taxes. That's pretty appealing to me.
Second the Trader Joe's comment. I just recently discovered the TJ's in Annapolis. Great bread & butter pickles!
...Wx Watcher

[caseyandmelody]

I talked to a manager at one of the Trader Joe's in Seattle and I told him that they NEED to put one in Spokane!!! He said that it has come up in meetings several times. He also said Couer d' Alene looks like the most probable location if it happens. I think if we banded together and started shooting the corporate office some emails, it would happen!! We all know that there is a huge market for one here, we just have to let them know. Here's a link! Just click on the drop down box and choose "Location requests". C'mon people!! Let's make it happen.

Welcome to Trader Joe's - Your Neighborhood Grocery Store - Contact Us

[Deena160]

Originally Posted by WX_Watcher

Even though this one is not peculiar to Spokane specifically, I'm surprised no one has mentioned the absense of state income taxes. That's pretty appealing to me.

...Wx Watcher

I don't want to put a damper on all of the happy comments here, but I wouldn't be surprised if our lovely legislature/govenor fixed that little "problem" by the end of this year. It's too good to last. :~/ D