Outdoor amenities and a laid-back feel in Mead
Mead is a quiet, mostly residential suburb with strong schools in north Spokane. Development took off in the mid-20th century, when subdivisions crept northward out of Spokane and began replacing local farms. Today, the community is split between forests to the north and prairie to the south, where there are still a few swathes of old-growth pine. “Mead has more of a country feel to it compared to north Spokane,” says local Realtor Steven Silbar of John L. Scott Realty, who has lived in the area for over a decade. “It’s close to the base of Mount Spokane, so there are lots of great views and lots of hiking.”
Home to a variety of housing styles
Mead’s housing market is as varied as any community in greater Spokane. Inventory includes manufactured homes, cabins, farmhouses, midcentury ranch-style homes and modern subdivisions. Many properties in the area either back up to woodlands or offer views of nearby hills and forests. Lot sizes are often significantly larger than elsewhere in the region. Manufactured homes usually sell for $100,000 to $150,000, while most stick-built homes go for $400,000 to $700,000.
Highly rated schools in the Mead School District
The Mead School District receives an A-minus grade from Niche, the highest rating of any district in the Spokane area. Meadow Ridge Elementary School receives an A-minus, while both Mountainside Middle School and Mount Spokane High receive a B-plus. The high school offers college credit through its Running Start program, which partners with nearby colleges in Spokane.
Easy access to Mt. Spokane and other outdoor areas
Mead doesn’t have much in the way of traditional city parks, but the community is surrounded by nature. Feryn Conservation Area and Haynes Estate Conservation Area are both popular with hikers. The private Wandermere Golf Course offers 18 holes surrounded by scenic views of rolling, pine-covered hills. Horseback riding is also a popular pastime in the area, and multiple stables and equestrian centers offer lessons and boarding in Mead. The community is also notably near Mount Spokane and the Selkirk Mountains. It’s less than 20 miles from Mount Spokane State Park, which offers hiking in the summer and both downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter, along with amazing views year-round. “Proximity to Mount Spokane is definitely a big draw for a lot of people,” says Silbar. “It’s arguably the best hiking and definitely the best skiing you can find in the area.”
Close to North Spokane's extensive retail options
The two main commercial corridors are Newport Highway on the north side and Market Street on the south, both lined with retailers and restaurants. Yoke’s Fresh Market, the local grocery store, is near the center of the community at the intersection of the two roads. Mead is also just 5 miles away from the large shopping centers and big-box stores of North Division Street in Spokane. While the area isn’t known for its dining, there are a few popular eateries, including The Lariat Inn and Hop Mountain Taproom & Grill.
Easy access to Spokane entertainment and events
As an unincorporated community, Mead doesn’t have much in the way of a local events calendar. Locals looking for big-ticket events generally head to central Spokane, which is home to multiple event venues and hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, including Bloomsday in May and Hoopfest in June.
Commuting to the Greater Spokane Area
U.S. routes 2 and 395 are the main roads in and out of Mead, and both connect to the Greater Spokane Area. Bus service doesn’t currently extend to Mead, but plans for a new Bus Rapid Transit line are underway. It’s a 10-mile drive from the community to downtown Spokane and Interstate 90. Spokane International Airport is a little over 15 miles.
