Diversity in Spokane...does it exist? (Seattle, Airway Heights: fit in, transplants, theater)

[freetohope]

Hi!

We are looking at relocating to Spokane because we heard it's a beautiful city, with parks, restaurants, theaters, symphony, waterfalls etc. etc. We hear the weather is mild with 4 season, which we like.

Some of the posts rave about the city and a few are overly negative saying how it doesn't really have a city feel, nothing to do, white trashy, uneducated people who are not accepting of people moving to the area.

I read somewhere that people who live there have lived there their entire life and are cliquy. One of the reasons I wanted to move, was so I could be in a place that has more diversity than NE WI where we are now.I want a place where people are welcoming of people form all over. i would hate to have to worry about the fact that some one will discriminate against us, just because we moved from a different state.

Can someone confirm this? Are there communities in Spokane of Eastern Europeans or Italians or god, I don't know, any people moving from other areas of the country or other countries?

Thank you!

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by freetohope

Hi!

We are looking at relocating to Spokane because we heard it's a beautiful city, with parks, restaurants, theaters, symphony, waterfalls etc. etc. We hear the weather is mild with 4 season, which we like.

Some of the posts rave about the city and a few are overly negative saying how it doesn't really have a city feel, nothing to do, white trashy, uneducated people who are not accepting of people moving to the area.

I read somewhere that people who live there have lived there their entire life and are cliquy. One of the reasons I wanted to move, was so I could be in a place that has more diversity than NE WI where we are now.I want a place where people are welcoming of people form all over. i would hate to have to worry about the fact that some one will discriminate against us, just because we moved from a different state.

Can someone confirm this? Are there communities in Spokane of Eastern Europeans or Italians or god, I don't know, any people moving from other areas of the country or other countries?

Thank you!

I'm a Spokane noob, but I will give you the truths I've experienced so far in 1.5 months.

Some people say that Spokane has four seasons, whereas others will say it has two (summer/winter). I've only seen May and June so far, but thus far the weather seems pretty seasonal overall. I don't think winters here would be considered mild by most people.

Spokane is definitely a city, and feels like one too, but not on the scale of NYC/LA/CHI. Think metro Madison, WI's size, but a little smaller.

Diversity doesn't exist in Spokane when speaking of racial, cultural and/or international diversity. But, there is plenty of social and economic diversity here, and there isn't one dominant type of people. I would think anybody from most any socioeconomic background would fit in fine here.

As for racism/ethnic prejudice, which I've been dying to mention since I've been here -- IMO none exists. I've lived in Southern California, Seattle (as a kid, summers only), the CA High Desert, Denver, and now Spokane. SPOKANE IS BY FAR THE LEAST RACIST PLACE I'VE EVER LIVED IN.

I'm of mixed European/Mexican ancestry, with a Spanish last name, dark hair and a year round tan. At times, when I start to get acquainted with people, my background occasionally becomes a topic of interest, with it occasionally leading to racist or insensitive comments, or an excuse to call me names. That has yet to happen to me in Spokane, and I haven't seen much evidence of any kind of racial/ethnic prejudice here either.

I was a little concerned about the racial climate before moving here, mostly because of the stereotypes often heard about North Idaho. So far, I've seen little evidence of the stereotypes being true -- I just think Spokane/CDA just happen to be really really white, and haven't done much to attract other races and/or immigrants.

I know it's just a line, but I find Spokanians to be far more accepting, welcoming and nice than North Idahoans. Which I find ironic, because more Spokanians seem to be more entrenched in the area, (you meet a lot of people that have lived here their whole lives) whereas many North Idahoans seem more like fairly recent transplants (read: Californians), and are occasionally quite rude, like they don't want any more of themselves moving there.

Overall, I've been pleasantly surprised by Spokane. I loved where I moved from (Denver), so yes, I will say Spokane is no Denver, but Spokane is Spokane and is just fine. It's a pretty cool place if you can take it for what it is and throw all preconceived notions out the window, and is a place where people can totally be themselves.

Come out for a look-see, you just might like what you see.

[WendyK]

I think it's because of the preconceived notions that there is little diversity here, that the many different cultures of people who do live here have an annual "Unity in the Community" celebration. This info is from last year's event -- this year it will be held on August 15th at Riverfront Park.

AHANA Business Education & Training Program - Unity in the Community

You would be surprised at just how many different types of people live in Spokane!

[Jey K]

David, that's good to hear. In 2 days we'll be making the drive ourselves from Chicago to Spokane - our 4-day marathon. Wish us luck.

[skinem]

While Spokane is predominantly, ok, mostly white, there is diversity. There is more American Indian presence than in most US cities.
Don't forget that Fairchild AFB has been there for around 60 years and this brings in all kinds of folks. Much of the "diversity" in Spokane comes from Fairchild and the thousands of Air Force families that over the years have retired in the Spokane area.
And, by the way, much of that "whiteness" is diverse. I grew up in Spokane and moved away. But during the time I've been gone, there has been a large (for the size of the city) influx of Russian and eastern European people.

[Siguna]

What you do have to watch out for, though, is the Spokanite insistence on always "being right."

You will also find a great deal of "obey the law as written in the books or else."

In addition, you will find a peculiar inability to comprehend any other modes of existence other than those already practiced by Spokaners.

There is also a peculiar dichotomy in the mind of the average Spokanian, expressed by the desire to preserve the past, yet embrace the future, as in "let us tear down this expensive-to-maintain classic building, and let us instead put in another little-used surface parking lot.

Kidding a bit, actually Spokane is a lovely place overall, and lots of different spots. North of the Spokane River from Airway Heights is easily accessible through Hayford Road, and not may places are over twenty minutes away.

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by Siguna

What you do have to watch out for, though, is the Spokanite insistence on always "being right."

You will also find a great deal of "obey the law as written in the books or else."

In addition, you will find a peculiar inability to comprehend any other modes of existence other than those already practiced by Spokaners.

There is also a peculiar dichotomy in the mind of the average Spokanian, expressed by the desire to preserve the past, yet embrace the future, as in "let us tear down this expensive-to-maintain classic building, and let us instead put in another little-used surface parking lot.

Kidding a bit, actually Spokane is a lovely place overall, and lots of different spots. North of the Spokane River from Airway Heights is easily accessible through Hayford Road, and not may places are over twenty minutes away.

I could say that I agree with this also.