Best area to live for a piano teacher? We're moving to Spokane next month! (South Hill: renting)

[vistahills]

Hi, I am a pianist/piano teacher, and my husband is going to start his master's program at Gonzaga University in January. We are learning about different areas in Spokane. We thought about renting a house near the university, but I am thinking that it might not be the best area for me to build my piano studio.

From what I have read, the areas recommended by most people are:
South Hill, Audubon Park/Downriver area, Emerson-Garfield area

The areas to avoid are:
Hillyard, West Central

Good school districts are:
Mead, Central Valley district

We are a newly married couple and don't have kids. My husband will be going to school everyday and probably getting a part time job on campus. I will hopefully find a job as an accompanist but also have to teach at home, so living in a good school district may be good to find students...?

Any advice will be appreciated.
Thank you!

[spotown11]

Your analysis seems spot on.

South Hill and Audobon feed into the better schools within Spokane School district (probably on par with CV and a notch below Mead), so you would probably find enough students. Emerson Garfield would be within walking distance from Gonzaga, although it's a bit more of a transitional area with all that implies (I personally really like it, but it's not for everybody). I would probably nix Mead and the Central Valley if you don't have children, as they are a ways from GU.

[vistahills]

Thank you, spotown11.

I was thinking Mead and Central Valley might be too far too. We will be looking in South Hill and Aubodon areas. We can keep Emerson Garfield in mind and when we actually go there we can see if we like it or not.

We are moving from Oregon coast and have no experience with living in the really cold area. Are there anything we should be aware of when we are looking for a house? I am hoping to get a place with a fireplace so we can save electricity. Do we need an air conditioner in the summer?

[Count David]

Originally Posted by vistahills

Do we need an air conditioner in the summer?

YES.

[Yeledaf]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

YES.

But only for a week or two.

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by vistahills

Hi, I am a pianist/piano teacher, and my husband is going to start his master's program at Gonzaga University in January. We are learning about different areas in Spokane. We thought about renting a house near the university, but I am thinking that it might not be the best area for me to build my piano studio.

From what I have read, the areas recommended by most people are:
South Hill, Audubon Park/Downriver area, Emerson-Garfield area

The areas to avoid are:
Hillyard, West Central

Good school districts are:
Mead, Central Valley district

We are a newly married couple and don't have kids. My husband will be going to school everyday and probably getting a part time job on campus. I will hopefully find a job as an accompanist but also have to teach at home, so living in a good school district may be good to find students...?

Any advice will be appreciated.
Thank you!

I would also avoid East Spokane north of 14th Avenue up until Havana Street.

[vistahills]

Thank you, David Aquilar, Yeledaf, and Mopac1980.

Going back to South Hill and Audubon areas, from where to where exactly do you call "South Hill" and "Audubon"? I am guessing that Audubon is around Audubon park, but it seems like a pretty small area compare to South Hill. I also read that "lower South Hill" isn't as good. Is it true?

I found a house across the street from Audubon park, and another house near Manito park. My husband thinks that houses near a park may not be very safe. What do you think?

Another question is this: how important is it to have a garage? Some of the houses I found don't have a garage. Is it a big minus considering how cold it gets at night?

[spotown11]

South Hill would be anything within the city limits South of I90. The lower south hill has more property crime, but is close to downtown/Gonzaga and has a lot of nice urban amenities. The rougher areas would be within a few blocks of I90 in general. The Perry District (Perry St. between bout 8th and 12th and surrounding neighborhoods) is a very cool, up and coming area on the lower South Hill. Reminds me of a more low key and less weird East Portland neighborhood.

Audobon Park is the residential neighborhoods surrounding the park, which has great access to Downtown, Gonzaga, and Riverside State Park. You should be fine near most parks. The only issue is that more foot traffic could increase the chances of theft if you are not careful with your belongings.

Garages are super nice in winter. Scraping ice off the windshield every day gets old, and it gets below freezing most nights from November-March, sometimes longer...

[Yeledaf]

What spotown said.

[vistahills]

Thank you again, spotown.
Hopefully we will find a house with a garage in Audubon or South Hill neighborhood!