Spokane: Is the Economy really that Bad? (Liberty Lake: insurance, house)

[hspjan]

I've heard some comments that Spokane's economy is going downhill.
We are considering relocating to the Spokane area (probably suburbs) and want to know what locals have to say. I was born in Spokane about 45 years ago and have not lived there for about 40 years since. I have great memories of the place!
My husband is a Chiropractor and we are considering relocating to this area from a small rural town. So, what is the economy like there for this type of business? I also have teenage girls who need more social opportunities than a small town can offer.
I'd love to hear lots of opinions !!

[RodFarlee]

(I'm not local, but my mom is, so I'm over there several times a year.)
Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene are rapidly becoming one long extended city. There's now only about 2 miles of fields separating them. Health care in general is a rapidly growing field in all these towns; there are many new clinics in all specialties and they all seem to be busy. So I'd think prospects should be good.
(A side note that might not affect you, just as general background: malpractice insurance is said to be much higher in WA than in ID, and the major Spokane hospitals have apparently been hit hard by reductions in reimbursements. So many docs have moved to ID, Kootenai Medical Center in Cd'A has grown to roughly the size of Valley Hospital, there are now many new practices in that area and in Post Falls. There's even more growth on the ID side of the state line than on the WA side.)

[hspjan]

Thanks Rod. Good info.

I hope some locals will also give me opinions.

[RodFarlee]

Originally Posted by hspjan

I've heard some comments that Spokane's economy is going downhill...

I was curious about this (as it sure isn't apparent from my visits there), so I googled "Spokane economy 2006". The unemployment rate has fallen steadily since 2002 and is now 4.7%, which is the same as the national average. Construction, although down from last year, continues to be strong. There are worries for the future (interest rates, inflation, debt) which apply to the entire U.S. economy, nothing particular to Spokane. All the stats I read look good. Superficially, Spokane seemed to languish for years after Expo '74, but at long last is now beginning to look better. So I just dunno what those comments were based on.

[hspjan]

That's great information and good news.
I think the rumors were about the City officials and mismanagment, etc. Also, I had a friend who coudn't find a job there a couple of years ago.

We plan of visiting soon to check it out ourselves.

Thanks again.

[Mendiolas]

Hello,

I lived in Spokane most of my life and I still go back to visit every three weeks. The economy really isn't that bad. I see "now hiring" signs everywhere I look everytime I'm there. As far as Chiropractors go, I don't know that there are a whole lot there right now, at least in the Valley. You might just want to search the yellow pages and see how many results you get. Hope this helps. I personally think Spokane is a beautiful place.

Sincerely,
Elly

Originally Posted by hspjan

I've heard some comments that Spokane's economy is going downhill.
We are considering relocating to the Spokane area (probably suburbs) and want to know what locals have to say. I was born in Spokane about 45 years ago and have not lived there for about 40 years since. I have great memories of the place!
My husband is a Chiropractor and we are considering relocating to this area from a small rural town. So, what is the economy like there for this type of business? I also have teenage girls who need more social opportunities than a small town can offer.
I'd love to hear lots of opinions !!

[morden190]

The economy is alright. However, I would line up a job before moving to Spokane. Some jobs, (e.g., Teaching in district 81) can be highly political and difficulty to obtain without knowing someone. Once you have a job then Spokane is a great place to live. One of the few cities in Washington where you can find a house for $200,000 and not live in a crackville.

[mitchmountain]

Can someone please tell me what areas outside Spokane have homes with horse acreage that is immediately adjacent to the National Forest for riding? In an area that would not be considered 'depressed' or shanty-town. Thanks

[chris]

how close do you need to be to Spokane? Anything 10 miles and out up 395 should have areas like that. A lot of it's fields and farm land but that's changing (developments creeping out further and further).

[mitchmountain]

Thank you!
Actually I would need to be against the treeline, I want to ride in the woods. Also need to be upwind of any agriculture, I am dealthy allergic to persicides. Does the prevailing wind there, blow basically west to east or to the south due to mountains etc?