One of the few cities in the agriculture-heavy Palouse Region, Moscow is a college town home to the University of Idaho. The city of 26,000 on the Washington border has a community feel with charming homes and a trendy downtown. “It’s a real up-and-coming community, and it’s got a small-town, artsy vibe,” says Justin Cofer, real estate broker at Beasley Realty. “It’s not a town; it’s a community. People are friendly.” Moscow is nicknamed “Fest City” and “Heart of the Arts” because of its variety of events, museums and the youthful energy from the college. The University of Idaho, or U of I, as locals say, is a major employer; locals can also commute to Pullman to the west for work. Employers in Pullman are Washington State University and Schweitzer Engineering. “There’s growth in Moscow; many people are moving from the Pacific [coast]. It’s become a relocation destination,” Cofer says.
Students in Moscow often attend The University of Idaho.
Locals enjoy walking through the downtown corridor to look through the local shops.
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Vibrant downtown with a variety of cuisines
Downtown Moscow is just outside of campus. It’s a trendier downtown with bike lanes, outdoor seating and paved sidewalks. People can find everything from bars, food trucks, low-key spots with sandwiches and bagels, and New American restaurants with upscale interiors. Additionally, there are several chain restaurants and coffee shops. Downtown also features gift shops, convenience stores and essential services. The Moscow Food Co-op is a natural grocery store, while Rosauers and Safeway are regular grocery chains. The Moscow Farmers Market has provided local produce to the community since 1976. “They have a really cool farmers market, and it’s one of the biggest things in Moscow,” Cofer says. “They have people that sell fresh food, artisan vendors, soaps.” Other shopping is available on the west side of town. The Palouse Place is one such place, and it has Old Navy, Target and Marshalls. Walmart Supercenter is further west of this plaza.
Downtown Moscow features lots of older historical buildings.
Moscow has lots of local restaurants to choose from.
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Tudors and bungalows in the Fort Russell Historic District
Non-student houses are mostly east of Highway 95 or south of the U of I Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Most properties were built after the 1970s, however, one neighborhood, the Fort Russell Historic District, is a designated area because the homes were built before the 1930s. These historic homes include a mixture of bungalows and Tudors. “It’s quaint houses with old-school architecture. As you get outside of Moscow, that’s where you have new construction,” Cofer says. Student housing is just outside U of I’s campus, and homes along the outskirts of town are 21st-century modern apartments and contemporary two-story homes. The median home price is $457,000.
Older historic homes can be found in Moscow's historic district.
New and contemporary homes are often found on the south end of Moscow.
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Nicknamed 'Fest City' for its various events
Moscow earns the nickname of Fest City for its multiple events throughout the year. In February, the Palouse Cult Film Festival brings people together to spend three days watching cult classic movies. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is one of the oldest jazz festivals in the country. The weekend includes performances from University of Idaho students and international jazz artists, plus over 100 workshops. Locals can also spend weekends cheering on the Vandals (University of Idaho) or the Cougars (Washington State University). Both Division I schools have dozens of sports each year.
Downtown Moscow providees amazing views over the nearby mountain ranges.
Moscow provides lots of public amenities in the local library.
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Miles of connected trails between Pullman and Troy
Moscow operates over 30 parks and facilities. East City Park is in the heart of the city, with amenities like athletic courts and a stage for concerts. Mountain View Park has a bike trail and a soccer field, and Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center is popular in the summertime with its lazy river and lap pool. Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center has a basketball and volleyball court for all ages, while Eggan Youth Center offers multiple programs. The Latah Trail stretches over 12 miles across Latah County, connecting Moscow with Troy, 13 miles east. The Latah Trail also connects to the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail, which goes into Pullman, Washington. “The Chipman trail is still popular; many people hike and rollerblade,” Cofer says. The Vandal Golf Course on the University of Idaho campus offers daily rates for nine or 18 holes. Also on campus is the Arboretum and Botanical Garden; here, folks can jog on the paved pathways or explore over 17,000 plants. Moscow is 40 miles from Hells Gate State Park and McCroskey State Park; Hells Gate is popular for its water activities like boating and swimming, while McCroskey State Park has over 32 miles of mountain biking trails.
There are lots of local walking trails that sit near downtown Moscow.
The Latah trail provides miles of walking and biking trails through Moscow.
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Moscow schools ranked third best in the state
Kids can attend Moscow School District, which earns an A-minus grade from Niche and is ranked as the third-best district in the state. The district teaches over 2,100 students across six schools and one alternative school. The University of Idaho has a student body of 12,000 students and offers over 100 undergraduate and nearly 70 graduate programs. U of I specializes in agriculture, engineering and military science, and Washington State University-Pullman campus is 9 miles away.
Moscow high schools sits on the hill overlooking the rest of the city.
The University of Idaho brings a large population of people moving to Moscow.
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Two major highways and flights to Boise and Seattle
Drivers can use Highways 8 and 95 to travel around the city. Highway 8 goes into Pullman, Washington, while Highway 95 goes north and south to Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston. SMART Transit is Moscow’s free public transit system; two fixed bus routes operate on the east and west sides of the city. The West Route goes through the University of Idaho campus, and the East Route heads to downtown. Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport is the nearest option for air travel. Travelers can find two daily flights to Seattle and Boise.
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After tragedy, Moscow is going through a period of healing
Moscow Police Department reported a 54% drop in crime from 2022 to 2023; the most common offense was larceny. The city's crime rate is still significantly lower than the state’s. The Moscow Police Department and the city went through a period of healing after the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, according to a police department report; as a result of the tragedies, the university created a Vandal Healing Garden along MacLean Field. This student-led project includes engraved sculptures with the victims' names and wooden blocks for messages or memories. The campus and community remember the victims with an annual vigil at this site.
Written By
Courtney Murphy
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Wong
Video By
Tyler Belile
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