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How about moving to Spokane WA in 2021? The getaway to the American west, Spokane is a city situated amidst scenic beauty. A vibrant city with a plethora of outdoor opportunities, Spokane still retains the authentic feel of inland Northwest culture.
But ..
Is moving to Spokane WA right for you in 2021?
With the booming economy, pleasant climate, vibrant nightlife, and entertainment scene, and amazing food culture – the city has everything for you to call it home.
Yes, like any city in the US, there are pros and cons of moving to Spokane WA and we are going to analyze them here.
Let’s see if moving to Spokane WA is a wise decision in 2021.
Spokane – City Facts
- Spokane City Population: 204,400 Residents
- Metro Area Population: 450,000 Residents
- Elevation: 2,000 feet
- Average High Temperature in July: 82.8 °F
- Average High Temperature in December: 35.2 °F
- Annual Rainfall: 18.8 Inches
- Sunny Weather: 174 Days Per Year
- Average Relative Humidity: 65%
12 Reasons to Relocate to Spokane – The Pros
- The downtown is dope
- A house here costs $300,000
- Prime commercial space is only around $23 per square foot
- Low cost of living
- There are plenty of trail tracks
- There’s no shortage of ski resorts
- There are a dozen lakes around the city
- There’s a waterfall amidst the city center
- Five universities, two med schools, and about 15,000 students – all huddled in one city
- 28 microbreweries make Spokane the wine capital of Washington
- 26 wine tasting rooms and wineries within the Metro Spokane
- The wildlife is amazing
Spokane’s downtown is dope
Spokane is no more a neglected urban land with surface parking lots and tattoo parlors.
Its downtown is a happening area with plenty of mom-and-pops thriving in an active, walkable, mixed-use, and dynamic urban environment. Several big shots like Apple and Nordstrom operate here.
You can get a house under $300,000
Do you know that owning a home is so cheap here?
You can find a great 3-bedroom 2 baths house for around $300,000 here.. Of course, this depends upon the neighborhood but still, it is affordable in comparison to many other cities in the US.
Primo commercial space is only around $23 per square foot
Have you ever wondered why many startups open offices in Spokane?
The reason is the low commercial space cost. It may sound unbelievable to you that in Spokane, the commercial space costs just around $23 per square foot.
In comparison, commercial space rates in neighboring cities are a little higher.
- Vancouver: $60/sq ft
- Seattle: $65/sq ft
- Portland: $50/sq ft
- Bay Area: $70/sq ft
Low cost of living is another factor that attracts people
Spokane’s cost of living is 4% lesser than the national average.
The city’s job sector is robust and you’ll have great opportunities to grow career-wise. Apart from that, health and education are also much affordable here.
Even the cost of groceries, public transport, and gas is less in comparison to other cities in Washington.
There are plenty of trail tracks
One of the major pros of moving to Spokane WA is that you will feel close to nature. For fitness freaks, there are plenty of trails where you can spend your weekends.
The Centennial Trail through downtown Spokane is one of the best running, biking, and strolling destinations.
Some of the major trailing spots in Spokane are:
- Riverside State Park
- Liberty Lake
- Little Spokane River Natural Area
- Iller Creek Conservation area
There’s no shortage of ski resorts
Are you passionate about skiing?
Then you can confidently call Spokane your home. The city has 5 ski resorts, all within a 1.5-hour driving distance. Every weekend, take a short drive with your family to celebrate skiing.
There are a dozen lakes around
There are a lot of lakes in Spokane. By a lot, I mean more than a dozen water bodies within and around the city. Fishing, boating, swimming – you’ll have tons of options available for activities once you are in Spokane. And if you are willing to drive for two hours, another hundred lakes are waiting for you.
There’s a waterfall amidst the city center
Imagine this – you are at a meeting in the office and suddenly feel like escaping to a natural retreat. Looking outside, you see a waterfall through the glass window and you are relaxed. This is the magic of Spokane Falls.
Spokane Falls is a waterfall and dam on the Spokane River, located in the central business district in downtown Spokane, Washington.
Is there any other city in the US that can claim a waterfall in the city center?
I doubt so. And do not assume it to be a small one but Spokane Falls is almost the same size as Niagara Falls.
Five universities, two med schools, and about 15,000 students – all huddled in one city
Spokane is the educational hub of Washington State. The city has 15,000 students studying across its five universities, two medical schools, and several other educational institutions. And this makes the evenings of Spokane vibrant, lively, and young. Do you need another reason to know why Spokane is energetic?
28 microbreweries make Spokane the beer capital of Washington
It is no secret that Spokane is the most beerish in Washington State. And the reason is the presence of 28 microbreweries. Moving to Spokane WA, beer will replace your other booze choices.
There are 26 wine-tasting-rooms and wineries in metro Spokane
Washington is second only to California in wine harvesting and Spokane is the wine capital of the state. There are over 900 wineries in the state and a majority of them are near Spokane. The 26 wine tasting rooms in Spokane speak about the city’s passion for wine.
Spokane’s wildlife is amazing
Are you a wildlife enthusiast?
If so, you will never regret moving to Spokane WA.
The wildlands of the city are packed with a wide range of wildlife including cougar, elk, deer, bear, wolves, and moose. Every weekend, date with the animals in their habitats and capture those moments on your camera.
You can also go for a hunting spree if that is what your passion is.
There are about a dozen museums that preserve history
Are you a history buff?
Come to Spokane as there are about a dozen museums in the city. Some of them are related to arts, while some are dedicated to science and technology.
If you are moving to Spokane with the family, these museums will help your children learn more about the rich past of the US.
Some of the best museums is Spokane:
- Spokane Valley Heritage Museum
- Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture
- The Campbell House
- Armed Forces and Aerospace Museum
Some Cons about living in Spokane
Crime is a serious concern here
One of the biggest cons of moving to Spokane WA is the high crime rate.
Spokane crime rates are 205% higher than the national average. And moving to Spokane, you have a 1 in 13 chance of becoming a victim of crime.
Though the crime rate is a big concern in Spokane, the city is still safer than 3% of the cities in the United States.
Air is one of the worst in the US here
Unfortunately Spokane ranks among the worst in air pollution. The increase in forest fire in recent years and man-made climate changes will only make it worse in the coming years.
Things probably you didn’t know about Spokane
- More than half of the buildings in downtown Spokane are on the Historic Register, including the Art Deco Fox Theater.
- Spokane Lake is the 2nd Largest Urban Waterfall in the United States.
- Spokane holds the world’s largest timed footrace, Lilac Bloomsday Run
- Spokane hosts the Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.
- Spokane is home to the famed Kirtland Cutter designed Davenport Hotel.
- Spokane is the birthplace of Father’s Day.
- In the last twenty years, more than two dozen movies have been filmed in or around this city. Spokane was used to shoot some famous movies such as The Postman, Dante’s Peak, Toys, and more recently End Game.
Now that you’ve learned about the pros and cons of moving to Spokane, let’s take a look at where in Spokane should you consider living.
Some neighborhoods in Spokane you should consider
Each neighborhood in Spokane is different.
Small neighborhoods have obvious benefits – less crime, a slower pace of life, and a lower cost of living. But bigger, more busier neighbroohood can offer a lot too besides some of the cons. A buzzing lifestyle, more chances to make friends and acquaintances, more business opportunities etc.
To help you get a deeper understanding of different neighborhoods, we’ve compiled a list with stats on each neighborhood in spokane.
Browne’s Addition
- Hipster rating (out of 10): 10
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: Around $450,000 but with much variance
- Rentals: Around $1,000 but with much variance
- Housing Density: Moderate
- Mixed-Use Rating: Perfect
University District
- Hipster rating (out of 10): 9
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: About $250,000
- Rentals: About $900
- Housing Density: Moderate in most places
- Mixed-Use Rating: Good
Peaceful Valley
- Hipster rating (out of 10): 10
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: About $225,000
- Rentals: About $1,000
- Housing Density: Light to moderate
- Mixed-Use Rating: Good, due to its proximity to downtown
Vinegar Flats
- Hipster rating (out of 10): 8
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: Around $200,000
- Rental: Around $1,000
- Housing Density: Mostly Single-Family
- Mixed-Use Rating: Fair
West Central / Kendall Yards
- Hipster rating (out of 10): 9
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: About $150,000 to $650,000
- Rentals: About $700 to $2,000
- Housing Density: Moderate in most places
- Mixed-Use Rating: Good
South Perry Neighborhood
- Hipster rating (out of 10): 10
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: Around $275,000
- Rentals: Around $1,100
- Housing Density: Moderate
- Mixed-Use Rating: Good
Audubon / Downriver
- Hipster rating (out of 10): 6
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: About $300,000
- Rentals: About $1,000
- Housing Density: Single-Family
- Mixed-Use Rating: Above Average
North Bank
- Hipster Rating (out of 10): 8
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: $200,000+ with lots of variance
- Rental: $700+ with lots of variances
- Housing Density: Mostly multi-family units, be them condos or rentals
- Mixed-Use Rating: Pretty good
Medical District
- Hipster Rating (out of 10): 9
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: Around $350,000 (mostly condos)
- Rentals: Around $1,300
- Housing Density: High
- Mixed-Use Rating: Good
Emerson / Garfield Neighborhood
- Hipster Rating (out of 10): 10
- Predominant Housing Prices:
- Ownership: $175,000 – $400,000
- Rental: $650+
- Housing Density: A healthy mix of single and multi-family
- Mixed-Use Rating: Pretty good
Like every city, moving to Spokane WA too has its pros and cons. However, when we analyze both, the merits of the city overshadow the demerits and confirm that the second-largest city in Washington is worth calling your home.
