Cheney is an unassuming exurb a little over 15 miles southwest of Spokane that offers residents a unique blend of rural charm and university-town sophistication. Home to the main campus of Eastern Washington University, the town has become a popular landing spot for Spokane area homebuyers looking for a bit of extra space or a little peace and quiet. “You definitely get more house for your dollar compared to Spokane,” says Realtor Mike Bass of Century 21 Beutler & Associates, a lifelong area resident. “And it has more of a small-town feel, obviously, which is a real draw. But you still have supermarkets and restaurants and a little bit of culture and sports through EWU, so it’s not like you have to go to Spokane all the time if you don’t want to.” On top of all that, Cheney is next to large Columbia Plateau wilderness areas, which provide extensive opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Eastern Washington University attracts students to Cheney from all over the state.
City Center Spokane offers beautiful views over the Spokane river.
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Historic bungalows and modern subdivisions
Benjamin Pierce Cheney, known for starting the company that became American Express, founded both the city of Cheney and Eastern Washington University in the early 1880s. Over the course of the following century and a half, the city has seen waves of residential and commercial development, many of which are still visible today. Homes in the city range from turn-of-the-century Craftsman bungalows to midcentury ranch-style homes to modern subdivisions. The neighborhoods near the EWU campus are predominantly rental properties, including apartments and older homes converted into student housing. Further from campus, contemporary developments dominate the landscape. The median sale price for a single-family home is a little over $400,000 — similar to Spokane proper. However, houses in Cheney generally offer a bit more square footage as well as a bit more yard space compared to those in the big city. According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, Cheney’s violent crime rate is similar to Washington State’s, while its property crime rate is well below the state average.
Modern subdivisions are starting to become more popular in Cheney.
Small bungalows make up a majority of the historic homes in Cheney.
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Eastern Washington University is the heart of the city
Cheney is served by the Cheney School District, which has a B-minus grade on Niche. Cheney High School has a C-plus grade and offers students the opportunity to take dual enrollment courses at Eastern Washington.
Located in the heart of town, EWU plays an outsize role in Cheney life. While many residents commute to Spokane for work, the university is by far the biggest employer in town. On top of that, its undergraduate population is just a little smaller than Cheney itself. “I think, on the whole, the university is a huge plus for most residents,” says Realtor Steven Silbar of John L. Scott Realty, who has worked in the area for over 8 years. “Even if you don’t work there, everyone goes to the football games in the fall or basketball in the winter.” EWU also hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year, including art installations, concerts and theater productions, almost all of which are open to the public. At the same time, parts of campus, as well as nearby high-rental residential areas, can get a bit noisy on weekends during the school year.
Eastern Washington University provides lots of entertainment for the community.
Cheney High School is located just a few minutes from the university.
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Opportunities to explore the Columbia Plateau
Cheney is home to a number of well-maintained public parks, most of which feature a playground and athletic fields. The scenic EWU Campus is also a popular jogging and walking spot among residents. However, the city’s most impressive outdoor offerings aren’t actually part of town. The Columbia Plateau State Park Trail passes through Cheney, but most of the 130-mile rail trail lies well outside of town. The mostly gravel trail is one of the most popular cycling routes in Eastern Washington — it’s also frequented by hikers and runners — and runs from just north of Cheney all the way down to Pasco and the Tri-cities. Immediately south of Cheney, the trail passes through Turnbull Wildlife Refuge, a 23,000-acre preserve that’s home to elk, moose and a wide variety of migratory birds. Cheney experiences a four-season climate, with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Hiking and biking are popular summer sports, while cross-country skiers groom a number of local trails in the winter.
Cheney is located on the west plains with lots of green space.
Cheney has a couple outdoor laboratories at the Turnbull refuge.
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1st Street eateries
Shopping in Cheney is concentrated along 1st Street, also known as Anderson Memorial Highway, the main road through town. While the bar and restaurant scene in town isn’t huge, many of the town’s eateries have been around long enough to become important parts of the community, including The Mason Jar coffee shop and Farmhouse Cafe. The local Safeway supermarket and a selection of chain restaurants can be found on the north side of town. For most major non-grocery shopping trips, residents will typically need to head out of town, either to Spokane or Airway Heights.
The Mason Jar Coffee is a local favorite to stop by in downtown Cheney.
Many locals come to downtown Cheney to shop or visit one of the local restaurants.
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The Cheney Rodeo and other events
Cheney hosts several community events throughout the year, many of which are tied to Eastern Washington University. The Cheney Rodeo, held annually in July, is a popular event featuring traditional rodeo competitions and family-friendly activities. The city also holds a farmer's market at Veteran's Memorial Park during the warmer months.
The Cheney Rodeo is hosted the second weekend in july every year.
Cheney hosts many events for their students during the summer months.
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Easy to get to Spokane
State route 904 connects the city to Spokane and Airway Heights to the north and Interstate 90 to the south. It’s about 16 miles to Spokane by car and a little less than 15 miles to both Airway Heights and the Spokane International Airport. Buses to and from Spokane run regularly throughout the week and are popular with EWU students, many of whom commute from the city.
The Spokane international airport sits within ten minutes to the Palisades Park neighborhood.
The West Spokane neighborhood features quick access to the interstate.
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