Top 5 Things to Expect When Moving to Spokane: Your Relocation Guide!

  Whether you're moving to Spokane for work, family, or just for a change of scenery, there are a few things you should expect. Here are the top 5 things to expect when moving to Spokane.   1. Which Area/Neighborhood Is Perfect For You Spokane is a city with a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. Some neighborhoods are family-friendly, while others are better suited for young professionals or retirees. Do your research and figure out which neighborhood is the best fit for your lifestyle and needs. Consider factors such as proximity to work, schools, and amenities.   2. Finding the Right House For You Once you've figured out which neighborhood you want to live in, it's time to start looking for a house. Spokane has a variety of housing options, from single-family homes to apartments and condos. Determine your budget and what features you need in a home, such as a yard or a garage. Be prepared to spend some time house hunting and don't settle for a place that doesn't meet your needs.   3. Finding Schools That You Like If you have kids, finding a good school is likely at the top of your priority list. Spokane has a number of excellent public and private schools to choose from. Research the schools in your desired neighborhood and determine which one is the best fit for your child's needs.   4. Be Prepared for the Weather Spokane experiences all four seasons, with usually mild hot summers and cold winters. If you're coming from a place with no snow, be prepared for the winter weather. Invest in warm clothing and learn how to drive in the snow. The good news is that Spokane is a winter wonderland, with plenty of opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter activities.   5. Plenty of Available Outdoor Activities Spokane is a city that embraces the outdoors. With miles of hiking and biking trails, numerous parks, and several lakes, there is no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy. Take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and explore all that Spokane has to offer.   In conclusion, moving to Spokane can be an exciting adventure. Just be sure to do your research, find the right neighborhood and home, and be prepared for the weather. With plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, Spokane is a great place to call home.

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Is Your Home No Longer Meeting Your Needs?

As life changes, so do our housing needs. While owning a home provides a sense of stability and security, it's important to reassess whether it still meets your needs. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average person lives in their current house for ten years, but if you find yourself in a situation where your current home no longer suits you, it may be time to consider a move.   If you're thinking about selling your home in 2023, you're not alone. Realtor.com reports that one in three potential sellers are considering a move because their current home no longer meets their needs. The top reasons for selling, according to NAR, include moving closer to friends or family, retirement, changes in family situations, job relocation, and homes that are either too small or too large.   Fortunately, it's still a great time to sell, as we're currently experiencing a strong sellers' market. Homes listed at market value and in good condition are attracting buyers and selling quickly. With expert advice from a local real estate agent, you can ensure that your home is ready for the market and priced appropriately.   Moreover, if you've been in your home for a while, there's a good chance you have a significant amount of equity built up. This can be used to power your next move, whether you're downsizing, upsizing, or relocating. In fact, NAR's report indicates that 38% of recent buyers used the money from the sale of their previous home to cover the down payment on their next one.   To make the most of your equity and find your dream home, work with a real estate professional who can guide you through your options in today's housing market. Don't settle for a home that no longer meets your needs when there are so many opportunities available to you.

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How Does Spokane Compare to Other Similar Cities?

  Today we review an article written by the Inlander, a local newspaper here in Spokane comparing the Spokane Metro area to other similarly sized metros and our surrounding major cities. How does Spokane stack up in these twenty different categories, let's find out! METRO POPULATION Ask anyone what being a Spokanite means, and you'll get as many different answers as there are people. But the numbers don't lie: We are whiter, poorer and less educated than many of our peer cities.     SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau"> SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau PERCENTAGE OF WHITE RESIDENTS AND FOREIGN-BORN RESIDENTS    SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau"> SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau PERCENTAGE OF RESIDENTS 25 AND OLDER WITH A COLLEGE DEGREE    SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau"> SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE    SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau"> SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME    SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau"> SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau PERCENTAGE POPULATION CHANGE Everyone knows it: We're growing. In some ways, that's good. Our city is strengthened by new people, not to mention the taxes they pay. And while it's become more difficult to buy a house or afford rent, we avoided the biggest growth seen in Boise and, perhaps better, the recent shrinkage of Seattle and Portland.    SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau"> SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN HOME VALUE Exactly zero people will be surprised to see that our home values outpaced nearly every other city in our list over the past five years, except Boise. But look at the last year and you'll see a cooldown of sorts, putting Spokane on par with all of our peer cities, except again for Boise, which saw its red-hot market go ice cold.     SOURCE: Federal Housing Finance Agency"> SOURCE: Federal Housing Finance Agency MEDIAN RENT FOR ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT    SOURCE: Zillow"> SOURCE: Zillow ANNUAL DEATHS INVOLVING FENTANYL Overdose death data isn't reported the same across the country, with some jurisdictions still finalizing recent data, and others lumping fentanyl-involved deaths with those involving other opioids. In some cases, suspected overdose deaths aren't differentiated by drug at all. The data below is an annual estimation using the most recent data we could find (data for Durham-Chapel Hill was not available.)    SOURCES: Local health departments, medical examiners, health data websites"> SOURCES: Local health departments, medical examiners, health data websites CLOSEST SKI AREA TO CITY CENTER    "> TALLEST BUILDING It seems like every year a developer files plans with the city to build a new skyscraper downtown. (The barren lots on the edge of the University District are a popular spot for these.) But our tallest building was built more than 40 years ago. Of course, that doesn't count the fictional 78-story GNB Tower that was built in Spokane in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother.    "> PRICE OF A BUS TICKET Like every other transit agency, STA was hit hard by COVID. Yet transit officials say ridership has bounced back to 80 percent of pre-pandemic performance, and its City Line system is on pace to begin operating this summer. Still, the cost of a two-hour fare knocks on the upper range of fares. Unless, that is, you're under 18; then riding a bus in Spokane is free.     SOURCES: Local transit agencies"> SOURCES: Local transit agencies MAJOR POTENTIAL NATURAL DISASTERS    "> NUMBER OF MAJOR HOSPITALS (300 beds or more)    "> NUMBER OF UNIVERSITIES (more than 1,000 students)    "> CAR THEFTS REPORTED IN 2021    SOURCE: FBI"> SOURCE: FBI NUMBER OF COPS    ">     PEOPLE KILLED BY POLICE SINCE 2015    Source: Washington Post police shootings database"> Source: Washington Post police shootings database HOMICIDES IN 2021, INCLUDING PEOPLE KILLED BY POLICE    SOURCE: Police annual reports, news reports, health data"> SOURCE: Police annual reports, news reports, health data

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