Spokane Valley

Located on the Washington-Idaho border, nearly equidistant from Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, the secluded Otis Orchards-East Farms neighborhood is a semi-rural semi-suburban enclave that’s close to both shopping and the great outdoors. "This is a great location for buyers looking to commute to either Spokane or Coeur d'Alene. Most of the homes here have bigger lots and are close to open areas, so you have a lot of comfort and privacy," says Realtor Travis Litras with Exit Realty. Residential development in the area began in earnest in the 60s and 70s, a fact which is visible in its housing styles. Ranch-style homes and split-levels are common throughout the neighborhood. There are also a fair number of more recently built new traditional homes, though not as many as there are in more densely developed areas in Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley. Most single-family homes in Otis Orchards-East Farms sell for between $450,000 and $700,000, and prices often depend as much on lot size as square footage. Multi-acre plots are common here, as are backyard stables. Most students in the neighborhood attend local public schools, which are overseen by the East Valley School District. East Farms Elementary and East Valley Middle School both have a C-plus grade on Niche. East Valley High School has a B-minus grade and is known for its rivalry with West Valley High, which is maintained via multiple annual competitions between the schools, including the Golden Plunger wrestling tournament. While Otis Orchards-East Farms itself is mostly a mixture of farmland and homes, the community is bordered to the north and south by the foothills of the Selkirk range, which feature nearly endless opportunities for hiking and horseback riding. Antoine Peak, Saltese Uplands and Cedar Grove conservation areas are all within a 5-mile drive of the neighborhood, offering a diverse array of mixed-use trails, as well as some of the prettiest views in Greater Spokane. The Spokane River runs along the southern edge of the neighborhood, and the segment of the river bordering Otis Orchards is known for its excellent fishing. Spokane’s famous Centennial Bike Trail runs along the river for 37 miles, offering cycling enthusiasts a direct route to Spokane Valley and Central Spokane. As its agriculturally-infused name suggests, Otis Orchards-East Farms itself doesn’t have much in the way of shopping or dining. That said, the neighboring towns of Liberty Lake, Washington and Stateline, Idaho offer plenty of both. Locals can pick up groceries at the Liberty Lake Safeway or visit one of the growing suburb’s popular bars or restaurants, like Tailbreaker Cider or Versalia Pizza. Stateline, meanwhile, is home to a number of retailers, including Cabela’s and Walmart. It’s virtually impossible to live in Otis Orchards-East Farms without relying heavily on a personal vehicle, as there is no public transportation in the area. The community does have easy access to State Route 290 and Interstate 90, which run along the north and south sides of the neighborhood, respectively. It’s about 17 miles to Coeur d’Alene via I-90, and 19 miles to Downtown Spokane. The smaller but still bustling cities of Spokane Valley and Post Falls Idaho are both a little less than 10 miles away.

Teetering on the edge of rural and suburban living, Spokane’s southeastern community of Chester is occupied by city commuters and families looking for more land without giving up the conveniences of the city. Larger lots and quieter lanes set Chester apart from its northern neighbors, and with more space comes higher price tags. The average home value here is $550,000, around $100,000 higher than the Spokane average. Bi-level houses with five bedrooms, quarter-acre lots and around 2,000 square feet make up the market’s lower end, with listing prices of around $450,000. Properties increase in size in the neighborhood’s south end, as they get closer to the Iller Creek Conservation Area, with a 10-acre mountainside property with a pristine 3-bedroom modern home fixed with large windows, high ceilings and a two-car garage listed for $1.2 million. Towering pine trees allow residents to enjoy a sense of privacy from their neighbors, even on the area’s smaller half-acre lots. While most of the homes in Chester were built in the 1970s and ‘80s, a new subdivision, Elk Meadows Estates, is in development, with craftsman-style homes featuring a variety of floor plans that range from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet. Local learners are served by the Central Valley School district, with each of Chester’s designated public schools earning B and B-plus overall grades from Niche. Chester Elementary School serves 450 prekindergarten through fifth grade students and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 14-1. Horizon Middle School, home of the Hawks, is the fifth-best public middle school in Spokane County, according to Niche. After graduating from the eighth grade, students can head to University High School. Over 40 fine arts courses are offered at University High, with unique options including calligraphy, game development and directing. The neighborhood is popular among those looking to escape the active atmosphere of downtown while being just 10 miles from Spokane’s city center. Outdoor enthusiasts can head south on Holman Road to Iller Creek Conservation Area. This 1,000-acre preserve is popular among local hikers and bird watchers, with 5 miles of trails and 120 feathered species. Browns Park is home to 16 sand volleyball courts, a skate park and a playground. After burning some energy, park visitors can sit at a picnic table under the shade of one of the mature maple trees. Harvest Foods and Safeway are the local go-to spots for stocking up on groceries and everyday goods. Sharing a parking lot with Harvest Foods, The Ponderosa Bar and Grill is open seven days a week, for three meals a day. At breakfast time, patrons can enjoy the southwestern breakfast skillet, served with chorizo, peppers and jack cheese. Lunch and dinner guests can peruse the menu and order dishes like the Cajun chicken fettuccini and ginger wasabi salmon. TT’s Old Iron Brewery and Barbecue is a few doors down at the corner of Bowdish and Dishman Mica roads. Here, folks can be found savoring slow-smoked ribs and juicy burgers alongside a pint of craft beer. Locals can hop on Route 27 and head north to Interstate-90 to head to downtown Spokane. After a day out and about, take the pine-lined streets toward home to unwind for the evening.

Budget-friendly homes, engaging schools and proximity to a scenic nature preserve await in Dishman Hills. “It’s smack in the middle of Spokane and Spokane Valley, which is incredibly convenient for families that need to commute to both places,” says local Realtor Steven Silbar with John L. Scott Real Estate, who has worked in the area for over a decade. “It’s ten minutes to Downtown and ten minutes to the Spokane Valley Mall and all the businesses out there. And Dishman Hills Park is great if you like hiking or mountain biking.” This suburban neighborhood is home to a wide variety of housing styles, including early 20th-century bungalows and more recently built new traditional homes. That said, midcentury ranches make up most of the housing inventory in the neighborhood. Prices here can run from as low as $150,000 for a fixer-upper ranch up to $500,000 for a more spacious new traditional two-story, making it one of the of the more budget-friendly neighborhoods in the area. Schools in Dishman Hills are overseen by the West Valley School District, including highly rated Ness Elementary School, which has an 8-out-of-10 rating on GreatSchools. At Centennial Middle School, which has a C-plus grade on Niche, students benefit from a notable library media center with resources for various digital activities, including animation, graphic design and zine creation. Nearby Spokane Valley High has a B rating on Niche and uses a project-based learning model with workshops and collaborative learning to help deepen students' critical thinking and collaboration skills. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is the Dishman Hills Natural Area. This extensive preserve offers over 530 acres of conservation area that is a haven for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and families. The natural area features a network of trails that wind through rocky outcroppings, forested areas, and open meadows. Popular among locals for its wildlife viewing opportunities and its picturesque landscapes, it provides a perfect setting for educational field trips and leisurely weekend hikes alike. In addition to the natural area, the neighborhood is home to a number of well-maintained city parks offering everything from playgrounds to public pools. The neighborhood is also just a 5-mile drive from Iller Creek Conservation Area, which is nearly twice the size of Dishman Hills Conservation Area and is home to the locally beloved Rocks of Sharon, a granite outcropping with stunning valley views. Most retail in the area is concentrated along Sprague Avenue, which connects Spokane and Spokane Valley and neatly bisects the Dishman Hills neighborhood. While far from the prettiest stretch of retail in Spokane, Sprague’s central location in the neighborhood does make it easy for locals to pick up groceries and other necessities. The street is home to multiple supermarkets, including WinCo Foods and Rosauers, as well as a few smaller shops. Dishman Hills is home to a variety of restaurants and eateries, ranging from fast food joints to family-owned diners and casual restaurants. Jenny’s Cafe is a homey, cozily decorated brunch spot is known for its massive portions. Nearby, highly-rated La Plaza de Mexico is a go-to for authentic Mexican cuisine. In addition to its proximity to lively Downtown Spokane, the neighborhood is close to entertainment like Roller Valley Skate Center, the Spokane County Fairgrounds and wineries like Arbor Crest Wine Cellars. Perched on a bluff, this historic winery offers tastings, events, live music and wine workshops. "The community is close to major highways, so commuting to Spokane's city center is easy," says Realtor Haydn Halsted with Halsted Hometeam. Interstate 90 connects Dishman Hills to both Spokane and Spokane Valley. Spokane International Airport is just a 12-mile drive from the neighborhood via I-90 and offers direct connections to over 30 locations. A number of bus routes overseen by the Spokane Transit Authority serve the neighborhood, most of them connecting to Downtown Spokane via Sprague Avenue.

Between the southern banks of the Spokane River and the Saltese Uplands Conservation Area is a modern suburbia intermixed with open fields, parks and quaint local eateries. Located 15 miles east of Spokane’s city center, the Greenacres neighborhood is home to a diverse housing market and suburban amenities without the bustling atmosphere found closer to downtown. The Greenacres settlement was developed at the beginning of the 20th century as a fruit farming community, and these rural roots are still seen in the small agricultural pockets that dot the area. However, these days the neighborhood is primarily residential, featuring a growing inventory of modern homes. “There’s a lot of development going on in the area, especially on the north side,” says Mike Bass, managing broker of Century 21 Beutler & Associates. “The homes are a bit bigger than in most of Spokane Valley, and the yards are bigger than Spokane. And you’re right next to some great wilderness areas.” Newer housing developments are common in the area, featuring spacious modern homes with contemporary amenities. These homes typically come with landscaped yards, community playgrounds and homeowner associations. Older sections of Greenacres showcase mid-20th-century homes that echo the neighborhood’s more modest beginnings, providing a historical contrast to the newer subdivisions. Most homes in the neighborhood sell for between $400,000 and $600,000 and offer between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet. There are a few manufactured homes on the north side of the neighborhood that typically sell for $150,000 to $250,000. The neighborhood’s schools are overseen by the Central Valley School District. Greenacres Elementary School has a B grade on Niche, while Greenacres Middle has an A-minus and is rated by the site as the fourth-best public middle school in Spokane County. Central Valley High School has a B-plus. The high school’s Running Start program lets students take classes at Spokane Community College, Eastern Washington University and Spokane Falls Community College while earning both high school and college credit. Interstate 90 cuts through the center of Greenacres and serves as the main commuting route for locals. It’s a 15-mile drive from the community to Downtown Spokane via I-90 to the west, and Coeur d’Alene is 20 miles away to the east. While a single bus route does run along Mission Avenue in the neighborhood, nearly everyone in the area relies primarily on private transportation. Greenacres is home to a picturesque segment of the Spokane River and the Centennial Trail, popular with fishing enthusiasts and cyclists. The 37-mile Centennial Bike Trail runs along the river, following it from Nine Mile Falls to the Washington-Idaho state line. Local parents can take their kids to use the playground at Greenacres Park, which is also home to a picnic pavilion, multiuse play fields and a paved walking path. The 700-acre Saltese Uplands Conservation Area can be found just east of the neighborhood. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are popular along the Uplands’ seven miles of trails, and outdoorspeople enjoy views of the wetlands below. There are a number of other large conservation areas within 5 to 10 miles of the neighborhood, including Antoine Peak Conservation Area and Cedar Grove Conservation Area, offering additional outdoor opportunities. Most of the area's retail is concentrated in Liberty Lake and Vera, which border Greenacres to the east and west, respectively. Both areas feature a number of major chain retailers: the shopping centers in Vera are anchored by Walmart and Fred Meyer, while Liberty Lake is home to Safeway and popular organic grocer Yoke’s Fresh Market. While retail options within Greenacres itself are limited, there’s a surprising variety of popular cafes and restaurants in the neighborhood, including Bake My Day, where pastries are made fresh from scratch daily, and beloved old-school diner The Stupid Cow Cafe. Versalia Pizza has been serving up hand-crafted, wood-fired pizza since it first opened in 2009, and has developed a reputation as one of the best pizza joints in the region.