Spokane quality of life (Seattle: crime rate, homes, neighborhood)

[HomesickforWV]

We are in the process of relocating to Spokane area or Post Falls Idaho area. We are 6 months from making the move. I am exhausted with comparing the two area's. We have visited the area and both are beautiful. I am concerned over the high crime in the Spokane area. I would so appreciate it if someone or many people from that area would tell me about the quality of life and why one area would be preferred over the other.

I need the truth. So many articles are written by people that stand to make money by painting a pretty picture. Moving across the country is a big expensive undertaking. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[tickyul]

Like anywhere else, good and bad.

Washington State has some of the most lax punishments for property crime in the nation. So yeah, auto-theft, shoplifting, burglary and similar crimes are pretty high in WA.

Spokane, like a lot of other cities, has quiet a significant druggy/vagrant/homeless population......tweak is popular in this city.

I came out of a grocery store today, at about 9am and was walking to my car. I noticed a young man, scraggly and disheveled, most likely homeless, walking around in broad daylight, carefully peering into cars, with what appeared to be burglary-tools in his hands.....pretty obvious that he was looking to boost something out of a car. And this is in a parking-lot with people around, during the daytime.

There is nice things about Spokane.......the weather and cost of living are to my liking. But overall, I would say this city is dumpy, trashy and has a lot of petty criminals.

[jem22]

Originally Posted by HomesickforWV

I need the truth. So many articles are written by people that stand to make money by painting a pretty picture. Moving across the country is a big expensive undertaking. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your candid question!

These are the FACTS:

Spokane's crime rate is "higher for both violent and property crime than in 98% of communities in the U.S", per Neighborhood Scout and City Data:
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not ok
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not ok

If you're on Facebook, check out Spokane News for real time reports on our chronic crime problem.

Statistics are hard to ignore (unless you're trying to $ell the area). I've personally been the victim of two property crimes involving vehicles....and I didn't even live in Spokane at the time, just visiting. The first vehicle was completely totaled and the second never ran the same after.

There are some revitalization efforts in play but Spokane is very much a work in progress. If you don't want to be part of the experiment then Post Falls may be your safer bet. If you're retired and seeking a sunnier climate and lower cost of living, look into the Tri-Cities area. Spokane winters are pretty gloomy and N. Idaho's even worse. Spokane is 70% gray, dark and gloomy in Winter.

[HomesickforWV]

Thank you for the responses. It truly helps!

Hope to get more on responses on Idaho.

[jem22]

Originally Posted by HomesickforWV

Thank you for the responses. It truly helps!
Hope to get more on responses on Idaho.

You're quite welcome, HomesickforWV! Be on guard for $profiteers (realtors, property managers, developers, etc) attempting to pose as legitimate members on the Idaho boards as well. They're pretty easy to spot despite their best efforts to appear "fair and balanced." They become hostile, launch personal attacks, build straw men, and gang up on individuals whose candid commentary threatens their bottom line.

Best of luck to you!

[Boxkicker]

I have been here a year after moving from the Seattle area.

I reside in the eastern part of Spokane County and work in downtown Spokane.

I haven't seen any crime nor been a victim of such (unlike my 5 years in Seattle). In my opinion, if you are smart about your belongings and don't have things out in the open, you won't set yourself up to be a victim.

I feel safe here, and don't worry about the crime in my day to day life. I take the precautions I need and go on about my day.

I have enjoyed my year here and visit other places just to get the reasons why!

Also....be wary of those who dislike the Spokane area and make it known to the extreme....even posting nothing for 9 months and then suddenly hitting multiple threads with nothing but negativity towards Spokane.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by jem22

Be on guard for $profiteers (realtors, property managers, developers, etc) attempting to pose as legitimate members on the Idaho boards as well. They're pretty easy to spot despite their best efforts to appear "fair and balanced." They become hostile, launch personal attacks, build straw men, and gang up on individuals whose candid commentary threatens their bottom line.

Best of luck to you!

Well obviously, you can never believe any positive posts are written about Spokane, because there is an underlying agenda based on some Realtor conspiracy; but all negative posts should be believed without reservation, since then they can only be written by fair, honest, unbiased people who only care about the welfare of others and World Peace.

[Yeledaf]

Originally Posted by PS90

Well obviously, you can never believe any positive posts are written about Spokane, because there is an underlying agenda based on some Realtor conspiracy; but all negative posts should be believed without reservation, since then they can only be written by fair, honest, unbiased people who only care about the welfare of others and World Peace.

Thank you for describing me so accurately.

Let's all join hands, shall we?


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cPN3Fv2aJhE

[elkotronics]

That Alvin picture sorta really gets ya in the mood, don't it?

[ScottPlake]

Jem's back!


Quick everyone, quit shilling for realtor companies. And what's this! Now she's outed the rest of you too? So many property managers and developers cruising the ol' Spokane CD forums.


You huckster have got a lot of nerve.