Any members from or familiar with the Spokane area?
 

I ask because I am considering a position in Spokane. As usual, prior to submitting any paperwork, negotiations start at home. First step after discussion is to do a broad property search of the area. Wifey and I spent a few hours today looking at properties via the net and saw some nice homes with acreage, and a bunch of tract housing.

What are the nicer areas around Spokane in y'alls opinion. Also, what are the summers/winters like? I notice very few of the homes are equipped with central A/C and fewer still with gas heat - that makes it seem like very moderate weather. Obviously has snow rather than the rain of the coast, but what temps are we looking at? Also, is there a State income tax in WA (or ID for that matter).

I have almost two weeks before I have to submit anything, let me know if you can.

Thanks

Mike:

I have some friends that live in Liberty Lake, half way between Spokane and Coeur d Alene. If you want I can give you there number. http://www.riversidestatepark.org/weather.htm has the general year round climate conditions.

I've never lived there but have family in the area and I've visited many times during my life. It is interesting that so few homes have central A/C as summer temps can be in the 90's for long stretches and triple digits are not uncommon.

The climate I think is what you would call 'Continental'. It is dry, with hot summers and cold winters (though not midwest cold). Funny that I don't know much about which neighborhoods are nice or not. We normally drive on through town to my grandparents place about an hour's drive North.

I don't know what arts/culture could offer these days. For a long time, Spokane was known as a 'big town, full of small-town people' which could be good or bad depending on your tastes/lifestyle. Compared to the metropolitan areas of Western Washington State, the east is definitely a more rural, agriculture lifestyle, less cosmopolitan but it is a nice area nonetheless.

I would think that housing prices are very favorable to your area of Cali, though I'm don't know the housing market where you live.

Regards,
- Ryan

Thanks for the answers so far.

John, the link to the Riverside Park had good info on the year round climate, still can't understand the lack of central A/C. Also noticed the park is located in the Nine Mile Falls area, one of the areas that had several properties that tickled our interest.

BTW John, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Thanks for the B'day wishes, Mike!

You really get around, Mike. Spokane and area is very nice.
There is no state income tax in WA, (don't know about Idaho).
Since there is no income tax, other taxes, fees and charges
are higher. It is a good tradeoff, but it hamstrings the gov
a bit. (This may be a good thing, however).
Spokane is much drier than Seattle, as mentioned, it can be
hot but it also gets cold. Zero overnight is likely common.
Way below zero is possible. It isn't Texas. On the big
positive side, there is hardly any humidity. That may be why
homes seldom have A/C. Once the sun sets, the temp usually
starts dropping instantly.
Good luck in your pursuits. (Double meaning for you, eh?)

Mike,

We’d love to have you in the ‘hood. I don’t know much about Spokane but have been there and it’s a nice place. Many years ago, I looked at buying a place just outside of Spokane in a place called Spraig. There was a former Nike missile site for sale. They wanted about $100K for it. It had about 20 acres, a landing strip (gravel) a HUGE mostly buried building that was the missile silo and prep area, complete with pop-top roof. There was enough room inside to make a U turn with a dual tractor trailer combo, and a ramp of equal proportions. The “Front” doors were about 30‘ wide by about 50’ tall. It was entirely cool.

Spokane gets a fair amount of snow in the winters, and is a gateway neighborhood to some of the best skiing and beautiful areas in Canada – Banff, Revelstoke, Big White, and many others are a few hours drive away. While Washington doesn’t have sales tax, many of the other taxes are amongst the highest in the nation. BTW, do you like wheet fields????