Spokane or Seattle move from the Southwest? (Vancouver, Bellevue: houses, buy)

[jeahfoo]

I'm considering a good job in both Spokane and Seattle (Bellevue). They have similar pay (Seattle job is more interesting overall, but Spokane's gives me more family time/less stress).

I'm moving from Phoenix, and have lived in the Salt Lake City area, Oahu Hawaii, and Dallas TX. Those are all relatively (or very) sunny and have longer daylight hours in winter. My favorite places were SLC and Hawaii. I've lived in the snow (SLC), so that is not a major issue, especially if the roads are cleared quickly.

For those familiar with both Seattle and Spokane and their climate and/or culture compared to SLC and Hawaii, which location would likely be an easier transition?

(I posted this in the Spokane forum as well)

[homesinseattle]

I'm in Seattle and love it here but I think Spokane would be a better fit for you. It's sunnier and you would get more for your housing dollar, especially if you'ld be making the same amount.

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by jeahfoo

I'm considering a good job in both Spokane and Seattle (Bellevue). They have similar pay (Seattle job is more interesting overall, but Spokane's gives me more family time/less stress).

I'm moving from Phoenix, and have lived in the Salt Lake City area, Oahu Hawaii, and Dallas TX. Those are all relatively (or very) sunny and have longer daylight hours in winter. My favorite places were SLC and Hawaii. I've lived in the snow (SLC), so that is not a major issue, especially if the roads are cleared quickly.

For those familiar with both Seattle and Spokane and their climate and/or culture compared to SLC and Hawaii, which location would likely be an easier transition?

(I posted this in the Spokane forum as well)

I'll take another angle: are you more ambitious or younger, needing growth and challenge in this firm and elsewhere in your future? Choose Seattle. It is a dog eat dog, New York-style place in technology, I don't know your field, but the rewards are equally lucrative. The losers who complain can't handle it and flee, which is a flaw of their personality since thousands of irritable, irritating, ogreish, yet demonstrably highly competent w/stack of degrees and certs a foot high (and modest, too ) bastards like me thrive here and make really good money.

Spokane has less opportunity. That's all.

[509]

Spokane.

If your into the outdoors Spokane is by far the best location in the US. I would just plan on taking long winter vacations. You would probably want to do that ANYWHERE you live in Washington state. Even more important if you chose Seattle.

[Seacove]

Spokane.

[StealthRabbit]

Depends

Young and restless and carefree (no / few cost constraints) and want an international airport + Seafront / water access (from the sky and the ground) and relatively ez access to Victoria, and Vancouver, BC and Portland ... = Seattle

Like (VERY small) mtns, gray winters with snow / warmer summers and a 5 hr drive to Puget sound and are OK with a 'regional airport'... (but good access to ID and MT, BC and ALB (mtn centric))... = Spokane

37 yrs ago I had a similar choice; Portland (Vancouver, WA) or Spokane. Same offer, same company, slightly less wages in Spokane. I would have MUCH rather moved to Spokane (coming from Colorado), but... I chose Vancouver due to slightly better job growth. Subsequently (<5 yrs) the Spokane operation (liberty lake) was closed down, and I would have had to relocate to find an equivalent position. So... my choice of Vancouver (WA) appears to have won by default. I still would LIKE to live in eastern WA, BUT... have 'endured' western WA and am the better for it and LOTS of variety opportunities for my family (of which was non-existent when I made the choice).

If with family (as you infer) ... go with the LEAST commute and MOST time with family. You can always get the BEST j-o-b AFTER the family leaves home.

[bergun]

If you're rich and without worries.... Seattle

If you're middle class... Spokane

Just remember that all the silliness from the Wet Side will effect the Dry Side since most of the State's population is on the Wet Side.

Good luck!!!

[Flightoficarus87]

In a nutshell...

Spokane

- MUCH lower cost of living (You can buy 3 Spokane houses for the price of one Seattle (city limits) house these days. Not an exaggeration).
- Sunnier/drier climate (You still have the short days during winter [and colder night temps], though).
- Superior access to outdoors activities. Has some decent entertainment/other activity options for a city of it's size.
- Less crowded
- More moderate pace of life

Seattle

- Far greater economic opportunities.
- Much more activity/culture/entertainment options (i.e - major sports teams, major live music events, famous restaurants, etc).
- Better summers (Spokane can get pretty hot...though that may be to your liking!), but winters might take some getting used to for you (short winter days w/grey skies)
- Better access to other major cities (Vancouver to the north, Portland and beyond to the south).

Overall, I'm tempted to say Spokane sounds like a better fit for you, based on what you've shared thus far.

[Botev1912]

How does Spokane have superior access to outdoor activities? Seattle is close to three national parks, volcano, waterfalls, mountain sports, all kinds of hikes, ocean, lakes, islands...

[Flightoficarus87]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

How does Spokane have better access to outdoor activities? Seattle is close to three national parks, volcano, waterfalls, mountain sports, all kinds of hikes, ocean, lakes, islands.

Spokane still offers pretty much all of those, minus the islands/ocean.

I should probably have clarified in the post. "better access" meaning it still has most of the same outdoor activities, and it's going to be less crowded to get to them (Seattle traffic is no joke).