Whether you’re already living in Spokane or planning to relocate there, you’ll be glad to know that the city was included in Livability’s “2019 Top 100 Best Places to Live.” As the second-largest city in Washington, Spokane has a lot to offer people of all ages and backgrounds. Besides having a rich historical and cultural heritage, it’s also a place of immense natural beauty and provides virtually endless opportunities for outdoor activities. Check out this list of the best things about living in Spokane.
Low Humidity
Similar to other cities in the northern part of the country, Spokane experiences extreme temperatures in winter and summer. However, its climate is more pleasant overall because of its low humidity. Therefore, you won’t find yourself sweating through your clothes during the hot summer months. Other than feeling more comfortable, you’ll also enjoy better air quality, which leads to a healthier life.
Low Traffic Congestion
Despite having a population of over 200,000 people, Spokane is less congested than many other cities of its size partly because of its low urban density. Traffic congestion occurs in only a few places within the city during peak commuting hours. Other than that, driving in Spokane is a relaxing and pleasant experience. With faster commutes, you’ll be able to spend more time on your favorite activities, not to mention getting to work on time.
Affordable Housing
The housing costs in Spokane are significantly lower than the national average. In a less expensive neighborhood, you can rent a one-bedroom apartment for as little as $400. If you’re planning to purchase a house, you can expect your money to go much further than in other cities in Washington. For instance, it’s possible to get a house with three bedrooms and two baths in Spokane for about $300,000. In Seattle, you’ll probably have to pay close to $1 million for the same type of house.
Plenty of Educational Options
Spokane is a major educational hub in the Inland Northwest, attracting students from across the state and beyond. Most elementary and high-school students attend Spokane Public Schools. This district serves more than 29,000 students, making it the largest in eastern Washington. In addition, the city offers many higher education options, including Washington State University, Eastern Washington University at Riverpoint, Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, and the Community Colleges of Spokane system.
Amazing Downtown
Spokane’s downtown area is one of the cleanest and most well-maintained in the nation. The area is a dynamic, vibrant, and walkable urban environment that offers plenty of modern amenities, attractions, activities, and entertainment.
Downtown Spokane is home to numerous mom-and-pop stores selling a wide range of merchandise. Additionally, it has many historical buildings and structures that provide great photo opportunities, including a Davenport Hotel, the Martin Woldson Theater, the Spokane County Courthouse, St. John’s Cathedral, the Steam Plant, and the City Ramp Garage.
Abundance of Green Spaces
When you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of urban life in Spokane, you can find ample parks and green spaces scattered throughout the city. One of the parks you must visit is Riverfront Park, which National Geographic recently ranked America’s third-best park. Besides offering a lot of space for recreational activities, this park also features many waterfalls, the historical Clock Tower, an IMAX theater, and a section of the 37-mile Centennial Trail. Other parks you should check out include Manito Park, Lincoln Park, Liberty Park, and Finch Arboretum.
Vibrant Art Scene
Whether you’re an artist or art enthusiast, you won’t run out of creative inspiration in Spokane. The city has many art museums and galleries displaying a wide variety of artwork in different media. The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture is the largest cultural institution in the Inland Northwest. With a collection of over one million artifacts and rotating exhibits, this museum provides endless education on regional history and arts. Another notable art museum in the city is Jundt Art Museum, which features works of local, national, and international artists, including the old European masters.
Spokane also has a thriving public art scene. You’ll find plenty of public sculptures, installations, painted signal boxes, and other art projects throughout the city as well as murals marking downtown gateways. There’s also an exciting array of art galleries providing opportunities for local and regional artists to showcase their works, such as Chase Gallery, Marmot Art Space, Saranac Art Projects, Terrain Gallery, and Avenue West Gallery.
Many Outdoor Opportunities
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll be happy to know that Spokane is within a short drive of some of the most beautiful natural spots in eastern Washington. Mount Spokane State Park is a popular outdoor destination for locals and tourists alike. It offers over 100 miles of hiking trails and 90 miles of mountain biking trails, as well as many camping sites. If you’re a seasoned hiker, you can take the Upper Trail 140 to the top of Mount Spokane.
Located about 9 miles north of Spokane, you’ll find Riverside State Park. Open year-round, this park offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, white-water rafting, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. There are also dozens of lakes close to Spokane, such as Liberty Lake, Newman Lake, Medical Lake, Chapman Lake, Clear Lake, and Williams Lake.
Great Food Scene
Regardless of your culinary preferences, you can easily find a restaurant in Spokane that suits you perfectly. You can go to Durkin’s for an award-winning burger, Waddell’s Neighborhood Pub & Grill for arguably the best fries in town, The Flying Goat for mouth-watering thin-crust pizza, or Sushi.com for delightful sushi rolls. It’s also worth noting that metro Spokane is home to 28 microbreweries and 26 wineries and wine-tasting rooms.
These are just some of the reasons Spokane is a wonderful place to live, according to the staff at Wendle Ford. If you think there are other great things about our beloved city that we didn’t mention, feel free to let us know, and we’ll definitely add them to our list.
Featured Image via Flickr by Tracy Hunter
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