Is Spokane boring? (Seattle, Bellevue, Yakima: camping, live, cost)

[Deena160]

Originally Posted by Yeledaf

Spokane isn't boring.

It's tragic.

Helluva place to have to live. The only city I can think of where the weather people on TV talk about "good sleeping weather", when they're searching for something positive to report.

Spokane. Great place to sleep. Now there's a ringing endorsement.

You haven't heard the phrase "good sleeping weather" anywhere but in Spokane???
Seriously?
You really do need to get out of there, or at least start watching the weather channel and broaden your horizons a little. :~/ D

[Casportsfan]

Let me confirm your suspicisions, after living in Spokane for 11 years:

Spokane is not a typical "west coast" city. It is politically conservative like the south, and by and large a very homogenous, white community. I believe over 90% of the population in Spokane County was white last time I checked the census.

Most people come to Spokane looking for the opposite of what you seek: a slower pace, cheaper cost of living, close proximity to nature. If this gives you any perspective, my uncle (who is a Spokane resident) was laughing about how the opening of a Lowe's hardware store made the local news for more than a year.

Think about that. A city of oh, about 250,000 people, followed the opening of a Lowes hardware store for nearly a year . . . . that should tell you quite a bit.

There is considerably more to do in Seattle, and that would be my choice if I were you. I love that city, but even among west coasters that city is considered a little "slow" compared to San Francisco or L.A.

Take these posts with a grain of salt, because your own experience is the most valuable of all. I suggest you take a plane trip out for a brief visit if possible, even suggest that the company pay so you can speak with your new potential employer and get a feel for the city before you make such an important decision. You'll probably get a good enough feel in even that short amout of time to see if it is a place you might want to make your new home.

[Casportsfan]

Originally Posted by Yeledaf

Spokane isn't boring.

It's tragic.

Helluva place to have to live. The only city I can think of where the weather people on TV talk about "good sleeping weather", when they're searching for something positive to report.

Spokane. Great place to sleep. Now there's a ringing endorsement.

Lol great post. I agree 100%. Can't tell you how many people I know have said, "I had to get out of that place" . . . .maybe it's the broken down brick buildings?

[Casportsfan]

Originally Posted by skinem

Spring is scheduled for May 2 this year, with summer to immediately follow.

It's all perspective Yeledaf. No place is a "one size fits all" kind of place...Spokane does have 4 seasons compared to many parts of the country. And gain a little elevation and you'll see the sun. After all, it is the PNW, isn't every day there rainy and cloudy?

Sounds like you need to expand your circle of acquaintances for some cultural diversity, if that's important to you. It is there, and probably in some ways that would surprise you. Tapped into any of the Russian, Filipino, Japanese, Hispanic, Chinese, Native American, Thai, Korean, Laotian, Indian groups or activities yet? How about Norewgian or Swede...but I guess they'd be too bland for you.

I'm sure you're right that every single person in Spokane does not want to be there.

I'm not a real estate huckster...although I'm well on the way to real estate mogul-hood with my two rental houses there...one inherited, the other I bought. I expect I'll be owning Riverside Ave just any time now.

Personally, I kinda like people putting out posts like you about places I like...maybe some folks will listen and stay away...I don't like crowds. But any place is a boring or depressing as you allow it to be.

Oh god, give it up man! The city is white, white, WHITE. To tell you how white it is, in my Senior year at Lewis and Clark High in 1994, we had all of ONE asian male in my entire school (a school of about 1,800 students) and I could literally count the number of black kids on one hand, and of course, by default, they were automatically considered the best athletes in the school.

From Wikipedia: The racial makeup of the city was 89.46% White, 2.07% African American, 1.76% Native American, 2.25% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 3.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.99% of the population.

Diversity is important to some people . . . . maybe the OP.

[Grandma(in waiting)]

We just returned home after a visit to Spokane and we were very impressed. The city is clean and absolutely beautiful. The people are incredibly nice (having strangers say hello or strike up conversations just isn't done where we currently live). The drivers are polite. I never felt unsafe. If those are qualities of a "boring" city, bring it on.

I hope that when we retire, we can relocate to Spokane or the surrounding area. Great place, folks. If you want to appreciate it more, we'd be happy to swap our home in the midwest for yours.

[David Aguilar]

Regarding Spokane being "white, white, white", it isn't that way because it's racist or unfriendly to non-whites....it's not diverse because that's just the way it is. There hasn't been anything (historically) to attract a diverse set of people (i.e. industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, technology, etc).

Spokane is the least diverse place in which I have ever lived, and as a person of mixed ethnic background, I have never felt more comfortable, or at ease in a place in my life. I felt like I was more free to be myself (if that makes any sense), and never felt prejudged. I can't say I feel the same way about where I am now.

[Avid Balloonist]

Spokane may not be the epicenter of all things entertaining, however it is centrally located and is within a short driving distance to some fun things to do. The Lewis and Clark Valley, the home of my hot air balloon ride operation, touts excellent weather year round and has been rated in the Top 10 Outdoor Destinations by Outdoor Magazine and a variety of other outdoor adventure related publications. Then there is the Idaho Falls area which has everything from shopping, restaurants, resorts, lake cruises, you name it.

Not a bad place, Spokane, just get a house out of the hustle-bustle and you likely will find yourself at home.


-Jim

[Deena160]

Originally Posted by AdventuristAir Ballooning

Spokane may not be the epicenter of all things entertaining, however it is centrally located and is within a short driving distance to some fun things to do. The Lewis and Clark Valley, the home of my hot air balloon ride operation, touts excellent weather year round and has been rated in the Top 10 Outdoor Destinations by Outdoor Magazine and a variety of other outdoor adventure related publications. Then there is the Idaho Falls area which has everything from shopping, restaurants, resorts, lake cruises, you name it.

Not a bad place, Spokane, just get a house out of the hustle-bustle and you likely will find yourself at home.


-Jim

Nice advertisement! Okay, you'd have to be pretty hard pressed and bored to drive all the way to Idaho Falls from Spokane to find some excitement. If I were headed that direction I'd rather turn right at Missoula and enjoy the Bitterroot. Better yet, save yourself 3 hours drive by heading west to Seattle--heck of a lot more to do and see then in IF! :~) D

[kena]

I don't think it will be a news flash to anyone that Spokane has less entertainment options than Seattle, San Francisco or LA. If anyone was thinking otherwise I would be truly surprised. Of course, not everyone is looking to live in a major metropolitan area and is willing to exchange some of the things you can find in those areas for other things they value. For a city of its size, Spokane does provide a decent variety of entertainment options and is particularly strong with respect to outdoor activities.

I also don't see where anyone here is claiming that Spokane isn't a predominately white town. As evidenced by David's comments and others population statistics are not all encompassing when looking at an area's diversity.

Someone in this thread earlier brought up Lewis and Clark as an example. Although I do not think the cited diversity numbers were totally accurate, the most recent year's numbers show the growing diversity of the school, with a population that is 80% white and 20% non-white. Washington State Report Card. With the total student population it equates to about 340 non-white students.

Boring is in the eye of the beholder. If you need an LA or SF to keep you entertained then you probably will be bored in Spokane. If you don't need cities of that size, you can still be entertained in Spokane and with a lower cost of living, less traffic and other benefits of not living in one of the nation's largest metro areas.

[bitko]

This town is a cultureless, uneducated, crap-filled dung heap. I'd not send my kids to the schools here, public, or private. Fast paced life? Try no-paced life. Any expectation is to high for Skumkane, the dungheap. Spokane Area Economic Data