Should I leave Spokane,if yes what's a better area in Washington? (Seattle: low income, best city)

[Poppygirl]

What should I do, I am so confused
I am a widowed Mother with a 13 yr. old daughter and 8 yr. old son at home.
I am wanting to leave Spokane but I am not sure if it the best choice for my family. Is there better cities in Washington to raise a family? I want to live in an area no smaller than Spokane that has good schools,programs for kids, low crime, good music scene, outdoor activities, good programs for low income families, a good community college, places close to camp,fish,swim and where a 36 yr old women can meet someone. I am on housing program, that will tranfer anywhere, but the rental prices will have to be fairly low to meet the guidelines. I am really looking at Vancouver or somewhere on the outside of Seattle(Auburn,Federal Way,Bothel). Does anyone have any ideas for me? I need to deside soon my lease is coming up!!!
Thank You for any info.

[WendyK]

Do you have any family or close friends in the state that you want to stay close to? How do your kids feel about leaving Spokane? If they've lost their dad, I think the most important thing is to make them feel safe & secure with you. A move to a new place might be traumatic for them if they've lived in Spokane for a while. All the things you are looking for are already here in Spokane and the cost of living will be less than cities on the western side of the state. From other posts I've read on here, you might want to consider Tri-Cities as an affordable alternative. God bless you and take good care of those kids.

[xboxmas]

Tri-cities is a good choice, but you said you wanted a good music scene, and I'm not sure whats there as far as music goes. Bellingham might be a good choice, or the Seattle area.

[pw72]

An area not smaller than Spokane? In Washington, that basically leaves Seattle or Tacoma. Or Vancouver, if you consider Portland as part of your living area.

I didn't quite get why you want to leave Spokane. That would help with any suggestions.

In general, the suburbs of Seattle are variable, depending on where you end up. The south suburbs are less expensive, the north suburbs are somewhat more expensive, and the eastside is the most expensive.

But if you could offer more info on what you are looking for, I might be able to be more specific.

[st33lcas3]

~I want to live in an area no smaller than Spokane that has good schools,programs for kids, low crime, good music scene, outdoor activities, good programs for low income families, a good community college, places close to camp,fish,swim and where a 36 yr old women can meet someone.~

Vancouver fits the bill nicely.
It's about the size of Spokane, especially the way it sprawls east.
Both Vancouver School District and the Evergreen School District are excellent. I work in one and my kids go to the other so I know what I mean. Clark College is our local community college and is a very good one, we also have a WSU campus on the north side of town.
Kids stuff? There is always something going on here for kids. Portland is minutes away and has a nice zoo and a great museum too. Portland also has an excellent music scene. Whatever genre you like, it can be found.
Outdoor activities? Oh yeah, plenty of those too. Rivers, lakes and trails all over town and more just outside of town. The Cascades are less than an hour away, the ocean is about an hour away as well. If your an outdoorsy type, you won't be bored.
Rental prices aren't bad, probably a more than Spokane but not much.

There are plenty of places to meet people too. You say your 36? Me too...

Check out this site. The links on the left should be able to give you anymore info you may need.
Our Community - City of Vancouver, Washington, USA

[Poppygirl]

Since living here I have lost my husband and after that I went into severe depression. That was 6 yrs ago and I have not had any postive things happen in that time. I know that I have to make things happen and I could do that here in Spokane, but my thinking is that a fresh start would be good for us. My 13 yr old has been in a bit of trouble here and has had trouble going to school. I think it would be good for her to have a place to make new friends and find a better school system for her. I have been alone for 6 yrs and I find the dating scene hard here. I hope this gives you a better idea on why I want to leave. Thanks

[pw72]

Sorry to hear about your personal situation. Tri-Cities might be a good new start...smaller than Spokane, but generally good schools, good economic climate, and WARMER weather! Other choices might by Vancouver, although it is has become a sprawling Portland suburb for the most part. You might also check Longview/Kelso, or Bellingham...areas on the westside that still are somewhat affordable. Best of luck...things I'm sure will get better.

[Duane in Redmond]

I'd avoid the Seattle suburbs and Tacoma if I were you. The affordable areas here are typically were the worst schools and gang activity are. Also the commute here can be awful. One thing you may not have thought about is that winters on the west side are long wet and grey even though the temperatures are milder. Have you considered moving to a different part of Spokane for that new start? It seems that you are already in the best city in Washington.

Good luck, Duane

[buffalo head]

I don't know the exact quote but in the movie "Lonesome Dove", Robert Duvall's character, Augustus McCRae, was listening to his prostitute friend tell how she wanted to go to California (I believe-haven't seen the movie in 10 or so years) because it would certainly be so much better there. McCrae replied something along the lines of, "Where ever you go, life is still life."

I don't have an answer for your question but please accept my condolences for the loss of your husband.

[rjcjmom]

Speaking as somebody who has spent most of their life (minus the odd year or three) on the wet side, I can't really think of any place that would be an improvement, or on even terms with what Spokane has to offer for the price. I have been looking to move out of the wet side for some time now and the secondary consideration in that regards, after the weather, is the money. Things are more expensive here in general, and even here in the Longview/Kelso are where I live, and is widely considered to be one of the cheaper areas, the living environment where it is cheap and where most people on HUD and so forth are on, is not a desireable one, if safer than Seattle/Tacoma and Vancouver. I would look at Tri-Cities, as others have suggested, if it were me. Good luck.