Spokane or Seattle move from SW? (Bellevue: 2015, rental, violent crime)

[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?

[ShadoAngel]

SLC and Hawaii aren't really similar at all in demographics, climate, or culture... not sure that you could compare transitions between the two vs Seattle or Spokane.

Seattle has much milder weather overall. Being on the coast, the temperatures are generally not as extreme. January and July average high/low for Seattle is 47/37 and 76/56. Spokane is 34/25 and 83/56. Not a huge difference, but it's going to hotter in the daytime during the summer in Spokane vs Seattle. Again, on average. The west side can get some pretty intense heat waves on occasion as well. The main difference is precipitation - there are a lot of gray days in the winter time in both cities, but Seattle has a lot of drizzly/rainy days and Spokane has much higher snowfall. I think the averages are 45 inches in Spokane vs 6-7 in Seattle. Snow never sticks around Seattle for very long, but during colder/snowier winters snow stays in the ground for months in Spokane.

Culturally, I don't know enough about Hawaiian culture to compare it. Spokane is going to have a bit of that blue-dot in a red region feel to it that SLC proper has vs the suburbs and outlying cities. Although it's tough to separate any part of Utah from the dominant LDS factor that simply isn't present in Washington.

Politically, I think Spokane is fairly middle-of-the-road. A lot of my family is from Eastern Washington and it just seems more moderate compared to ultra-conservative religious areas or super liberal areas. The city proper leans blue team and Spokane Valley and the suburbs lean red team. Seattle on the other hand is pretty extreme. The region itself is strongly Democratic but Seattle proper seems to be in a contest with San Francisco (and others) for the most socialist/progressive policies it can come up with, so if that's up your alley you'd be right at home there. Actually if you've ever been to SF, there's a ton of parallels with Seattle - strong tech culture, beautiful natural surroundings, crazy home/rental properties (coupled with lots of NIMBY local politics) and cool mild weather.

It's difficult to make a recommendation without you lying out your priorities more, but unless you're really into progressive politics, love larger cities/urban environments, like being near the ocean, etc... I'd move to Spokane. If the pay is similar you'll get to keep *way* more of it in Spokane due to the much lower cost of living. Traffic is much less. Weather is better, in my opinion, as I'd rather it be dry vs humid and I don't mind snow too much. Others disagree and love the weather there. It's tough to beat those mountain views (when you can see them) in the Seattle area, but the area around Spokane is beautiful too - tons of mountains, rivers, and lakes and fewer people at the trailheads.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by ShadoAngel

SLC and Hawaii aren't really similar at all in demographics, climate, or culture... not sure that you could compare transitions between the two vs Seattle or Spokane.

Seattle has much milder weather overall. Being on the coast, the temperatures are generally not as extreme. January and July average high/low for Seattle is 47/37 and 76/56. Spokane is 34/25 and 83/56. Not a huge difference, but it's going to hotter in the daytime during the summer in Spokane vs Seattle. Again, on average. The west side can get some pretty intense heat waves on occasion as well. The main difference is precipitation - there are a lot of gray days in the winter time in both cities, but Seattle has a lot of drizzly/rainy days and Spokane has much higher snowfall. I think the averages are 45 inches in Spokane vs 6-7 in Seattle. Snow never sticks around Seattle for very long, but during colder/snowier winters snow stays in the ground for months in Spokane.

Culturally, I don't know enough about Hawaiian culture to compare it. Spokane is going to have a bit of that blue-dot in a red region feel to it that SLC proper has vs the suburbs and outlying cities. Although it's tough to separate any part of Utah from the dominant LDS factor that simply isn't present in Washington.

Politically, I think Spokane is fairly middle-of-the-road. A lot of my family is from Eastern Washington and it just seems more moderate compared to ultra-conservative religious areas or super liberal areas. The city proper leans blue team and Spokane Valley and the suburbs lean red team. Seattle on the other hand is pretty extreme. The region itself is strongly Democratic but Seattle proper seems to be in a contest with San Francisco (and others) for the most socialist/progressive policies it can come up with, so if that's up your alley you'd be right at home there. Actually if you've ever been to SF, there's a ton of parallels with Seattle - strong tech culture, beautiful natural surroundings, crazy home/rental properties (coupled with lots of NIMBY local politics) and cool mild weather.

It's difficult to make a recommendation without you lying out your priorities more, but unless you're really into progressive politics, love larger cities/urban environments, like being near the ocean, etc... I'd move to Spokane. If the pay is similar you'll get to keep *way* more of it in Spokane due to the much lower cost of living. Traffic is much less. Weather is better, in my opinion, as I'd rather it be dry vs humid and I don't mind snow too much. Others disagree and love the weather there. It's tough to beat those mountain views (when you can see them) in the Seattle area, but the area around Spokane is beautiful too - tons of mountains, rivers, and lakes and fewer people at the trailheads.

I would completely agree with this. Good post.

However, OP, since you posted in the Spokane sub-forum here, you will predictably get responses that are pro-Spokane, compared to posting in the Seattle sub-forum or the Washington forum.

[Upthewazzu]

If the jobs have similar pay, your dollar will stretch infinitely further in Spokane. That also goes for your commute time.

[ShadoAngel]

Originally Posted by PS90

However, OP, since you posted in the Spokane sub-forum here, you will predictably get responses that are pro-Spokane, compared to posting in the Seattle sub-forum or the Washington forum.

HEY!... yeah, that's probably fair...

[Boxkicker]

Having worked in both places, I don't miss the hustle and bustle of Seattle.

I moved here for a promotion and make more money here with less cost of living.

I don't miss my 1987 built $350K house I bought in 2011 and sold in 2015 for $415K (that Zillow says is worth $600K now). I really enjoy my brand new 2016 built house that I bought for $245K here.

I don't miss my 3 hour R/T day commute via transit to downtown Seattle. I really enjoy my 45 R/T commute to downtown Spokane.

All in all, Seattle is fun to visit, but don't miss living there. Spokane is a nice place!

[spider99]

I have lived in both cities and currently live outside of Spokane.

If you like the big city feel, Seattle will be a better fit. If you enjoy the outdoors and like a medium city feel, you'll probably like Spokane better. These days with online shopping, there really isn't too much that you could get in Seattle that you couldn't get in Spokane, but Seattle has far more big city type entertainment.

Seattle is more overcast but has milder winters. Spokane has really great Spring and fall weather, and the summers are nothing like where you are from. I've lived all over the country, and Spokane has some of the best summer weather you will find. It rarely gets blistering hot, and the humidity is low. Seattle summers are too mild for me, as I enjoy being on the water in the summer, but some people really like Seattle summers or lack of summer if you will.

The cost of living in Seattle is pretty stupid these days, but if you can afford it, more power to you. My wife and I where both in the 60K range when we lived there, and buying anything decent that wasn't a horrible commute wasn't possible on our income. We both earn slightly more in Spokane (because we're further in our careers) and we live like royalty here. Instead of trying to figure put how we can afford to buy a house without commuting an hour and a half every day, we own our home outright and we're now buying rental properties.


Crime is pretty equal. Spokane probably has more property crime because of the meth problem, but the bad parts of Seattle have more violent Crime. Neither place is anything like Phoenix if you stay out of the bad parts.

Politics are super left-wing in Seattle, while Spokane is much closer to the center. Spokane tends to be slightly more republicans but not the crazy right. There are a lot of socially liberal/fiscally conservative libertarian types in Spokane. It's not an overly religious place. As far as demographics go, both places have LOTS of white people, but Seattle is definitely more diverse.

We left Seattle mostly because of the traffic and cost of housing. It was a good move for us, as we'll probably retire 15 years sooner and we no longer worry about our finances. Some people can't do Spokane because of the smaller feel. I would suggest checking out both before you move.

[PS90]

Re: Traffic - I grew up in Eastern Washington, watching the local Spokane network TV channels for most of my life. I moved to Western Washington right after grad school - I had never seen a "traffic report" in my life. I was utterly astounded that the local news would spend 10-15 minutes on every morning news broadcast just talking about cars on the highway. Until I tried to drive in it.

Since I've moved back here, I've noticed that the Spokane stations now do have about a 45-second segment on the morning news to mention any accidents on I-90, but that's about it. That's the extent of Spokane's traffic issues.

There is nothing on this earth that could make me drive a Seattle commute on a daily basis again...

[Upthewazzu]

Originally Posted by PS90

Re: Traffic - I grew up in Eastern Washington, watching the local Spokane network TV channels for most of my life. I moved to Western Washington right after grad school - I had never seen a "traffic report" in my life. I was utterly astounded that the local news would spend 10-15 minutes on every morning news broadcast just talking about cars on the highway. Until I tried to drive in it.

Since I've moved back here, I've noticed that the Spokane stations now do have about a 45-second segment on the morning news to mention any accidents on I-90, but that's about it. That's the extent of Spokane's traffic issues.

There is nothing on this earth that could make me drive a Seattle commute on a daily basis again...

KHQ recently (past couple months?) started a "traffic and weather" segment on the morning news, and it cracks me up. The poor weather lady really has to stretch some pretty mundane "slowdowns" into the traffic report.

[paredown]

Originally Posted by Boxkicker

<snip>
I don't miss my 1987 built $350K house I bought in 2011 and sold in 2015 for $415K (that Zillow says is worth $600K now). I really enjoy my brand new 2016 built house that I bought for $245K here.
<snip>

I've been lurking, since Spokane is on our list of possible places to retire to--but this comment made me check our old house in Seattle that we sold for just under $500,000 in 2001.


The current Zillow estimate is just under $1.5 million!!!!

Could have just stayed put, and sold out about now with a nice nest egg to retire to Spokane with...