Known as the Lilac City for the nonnative flowering shrub that can now be seen all over town, Spokane is the economic and cultural epicenter of Eastern Washington and the Idaho panhandle region. The city was named after the local Native American Tribe — Spokane means "sun people" in the Salish-Spokane-Kalispel Language — and has its beginnings as a fur trading post in the early 19th century.
Modern Spokane bears little resemblance to its 1900s-era incarnation. Today, it's a regional center for culture, commerce and healthcare. The city's hospitals provide care for a wide swathe of east and north Washington, and its location in the flatlands between the Rockies and the coast makes it an important rail shipping location. Spokane's biotech and medical sectors have grown significantly in recent years — a growth that's reflected by the establishment of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in the city in 2017. The city's massive convention center draws thousands of visitors each year, as do the city's many major festivals, annual events and the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team. "My favorite thing about Spokane is that it feels like a small town, but you still have a lot of things to do," says local Realtor Shane Bangle with the Manna Group. "It's big enough that you can live there and enjoy life, but it doesn't have some big city drawbacks: traffic is a nonissue, and housing is more affordable than Portland or Seattle. On top of that, the city and the surrounding area are just full of natural beauty. There are rivers, there's hiking, there's skiing and lakes, all within a short drive."
Spokanes attracts lots of large businesses to Eastern Washington.
The Sacred Heart hospital is the nearest level 2 trauma center servicing Eastern Washington.
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An assortment of 20th century home styles
As the largest economic center in Eastern Washington, Spokane is home to over 220,000 people and continues to grow — and its housing market is growing with it. The city's 29 official neighborhoods feature a variety of housing styles, ranging from modern apartments and contemporary developments to midcentury ranch-style homes and split-levels to bungalows and Tudor-style homes dating back to the early 1900s. Home prices in the city rose significantly during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, as thousands of remote workers from Seattle, Portland and San Francisco relocated to the area, drawn by its comparatively low cost of living. However, home prices in the city have since stabilized, and while prices on average remain significantly higher than they were at the start of 2020, the city still offers a wide range of housing options at significantly lower prices than the nearest coastal cities. Historic Craftsman and colonial-style homes around Manito Park in South Hill typically go for between $450,000 and $800,000, while the midcentury ranch-style homes and bungalows in the city's northern neighborhoods like North Hill tend to sell for between $250,000 and $450,000. The median housing price in Spokane is just under $400,000. There is also a growing stock of upscale condos and townhomes found in new developments along the Spokane River, where massive redevelopment has occurred over the past couple of decades.
Spokane offers a wide variety of homes often multiple stories with small yards.
Many homes in Spokane have quick access to the outdoors.
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Suburban shopping and downtown Spokane attractions
Downtown Spokane is bursting with unique, locally owned coffee shops, bars and restaurants. Centrally located River Park Square is home to highly rated eateries and high-end boutiques, while Venues like the Knitting Factory and Fox Theater bring in national performers throughout the year. "The city's really booming," says local Realtor and Spokane native Haydn Halsted of Real Broker. "I hardly recognize downtown these days; there's been so much renovation, and there's been tons of development around the rest of Spokane as well. It kind of feels like the city is growing up."
There are also extensive shopping and dining options in the commercial districts on the north and south sides of the city, so most homes are relatively close to a supermarket or shopping center. Popular options include the Manito Shopping Center in south Spokane and Northtown Mall in north Spokane, which feature an array of department stores, supermarkets and restaurants. There are also a number of historic main street shopping areas in neighborhoods like Hillyard and Garland, where residents can browse local shops ranging from pharmacies to thrift shops to bookstores, along with a variety of bars and restaurants.
The Spokane Velocity attracts lots of people to downtown Spokane.
The Fox theatre attracts people from all over to the city of Spokane.
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Spokane Falls and other excellent views
Spokane's numerous woodland parks and preserves and thriving downtown area offer a ton of options when it comes to recreation and entertainment. Within the city limits, Riverfront Park is a sprawling green space on the Spokane River that was once the site of the 1974 World's Fair. There are winding walkways, trails, a carousel and a cable car that ferries visitors over scenic Spokane Falls. Carefully maintained Manito Park in south Spokane is known for the fabulous flowers found at Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden. Those looking for nature walks and stunning views of the skyline can visit more spacious spots just outside of the city, like Palisades Park and Riverside State Park, which both feature miles of mixed-use trails. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the ample kayaking, climbing and mountain biking opportunities found at these parks and sprinkled liberally throughout the region. Cross-country skiers can find dozens of miles of groomed track in the foothills of the Selkirk Mountains just east of town, while downhill enthusiasts can visit Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, located a little over 30 miles to the north.
Locals enjoy the conservatory at Manito Park.
Spokane Falls attracts many people to downtown Spokane.
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Education from Prairie View Elementary to Gonzaga University
Spokane Public Schools is the second largest school district in the state, overseeing 30,000 students and operating 34 elementary schools, six middle schools, five high schools, and six alternative learning facilities. Standouts include North Central High School, which has an A rating on Niche and is well known for its Institute of Science and Technology and popular theater department, and Prairie View Elementary, which also boasts an A grade on Niche, as well as a popular dual immersion program. There are also several top-rated private schools in the area, like St. George's School and Gonzaga Prep. Spokane is home to Gonzaga University, Spokane Community College and the University of Washington Spokane, the latter of which offers programs for medicine, nursing, pharmaceutical sciences, education and more. Despite having just 7,000 students, Gonzaga's powerhouse men's basketball team has regularly sold out its 6,000-seat stadium weeks in advance. Tickets have been at a particular premium in recent years, as the team has made a record nine straight Sweet Sixteen appearances since 2015.
Gonzaga brings lots of students to the Spokane area and brings in lots of revenue.
The Gonzaga Preparatory school offers excellent private education close to downtown.
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Crime and fire risk
Spokane is the largest provider of addiction treatment and homelessness services for hundreds of miles in any direction. This, along with other factors, has placed Spokane at the center of various addiction crises that have hit the Inland Northwest over previous decades. Spokane's property crime and violent crime rates are both above state and national averages. However, crime rates can vary dramatically between neighborhoods, and the city's property crime rate has dropped consistently over the last decade.
Twenty years ago, Spokane was rarely impacted by wildfire smoke; these days, it's a more or less annual occurrence. Smoke from forest fires in Western Washington and Oregon usually buffets the city for at least a few days in summer or fall, causing the local Air Quality Index to rise to unhealthy levels and drive residents indoors. Fires can also impact the city more directly. A large number of homes in the greater Spokane area, particularly on the north and west sides of town, are at moderate-to-severe wildfire risk, which can significantly impact home insurance prices for residents.
Hoopfest and Bloomsday
Spokane hosts a variety of annual events and offers numerous entertainment opportunities that reflect its diverse community and cultural heritage. Held on the first Sunday in May since 1977, Bloomsday is one of the largest timed road races in the world, with thousands of runners and walkers taking to the streets of Spokane for a 12-kilometer race. Billed as the largest 3-on-3 outdoor basketball tournament on Earth — drawing over 250,000 players and spectators in 2023, according to organizers — Spokane Hoopfest takes place every June. It attracts players of all ages and skill levels and includes streetball courts spread throughout downtown Spokane. Flower lovers will enjoy the annual May Lilac Festival, which includes a parade, royalty and various community events.
The Spokane Symphony Orchestra performs semiregularly at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, while the Spokane Civic Theatre, one of the oldest community theaters in the country, hosts a range of plays and musicals every year.
Hoopfest is the largest three on three basketball tournament in the world hosted in Spokane.
Locals come downtown to run in the Annual Bloomsday race.
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Interstate 90 and other transportation options
Interstate 90 cuts right through the city from east to west, connecting to state highways 2 and 195, which run north and south, respectively. It's roughly 10 miles from downtown Spokane to neighboring Spokane Valley and about 35 miles to Coeur d'Alene, just across the Idaho border. While traffic on 90 rarely gets too congested, winter storms can slow things down a bit. Within the city, Ruby Street, Division Street and Browne Street are just three of the major surface streets that ferry residents throughout the city. Downtown Spokane is extremely walkable, and there's a good portion of bike-friendly infrastructure to cater to cyclists. The Centennial Bike Trail runs 40 miles along the Spokane River, all the way to Idaho, and is popular with both recreational cyclists and commuters. Spokane International Airport is just a six-mile drive from downtown and offers direct flights to over a dozen locations, including major hubs like Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago and LA. The Spokane Transit Authority also offers the community public transit options, which include an advanced network of fixed-route buses around the city. The Spokane Train Station is on Amtrak's Empire Builder route, which connects to both Seattle and Portland. However, it's worth noting that the once-a-day eastbound train stops at the station around 12:30 a.m., while the once-a-day westbound train leaves a little after 3:30 a.m.
Life is an incredible journey and has blessed me in so many ways. I was raised with a traditional Southern upbringing in Texas and then served in the Navy, ultimately bringing me to the Pacific Northwest where we chose to raise our beautiful family.
I have faced many hardships and challenges in life and have learned that life, like business requires quick, responsible solutions and a determined effort to resolve them. My upbringing and military service have engrained in me that honesty, clear communication and an exceptional work ethic are the best tools I can use to help my clients. These are foundational elements and the reason we started Vantage Point Brokers.
I am blessed to be considered one of the top Realtors in Oregon and SW Washington for both properties sold and sales volume and know that my clients are key to receiving these accolades. I know that if we communicate our goals and form a plan and path clearly and up front, there is nothing that will stop us from getting you to your final Vantage Point.
None of this would be possible without my incredible wife and our 4 wonderful kiddos. We love spending our time outside in nature and enjoy camping trips as often as possible. We also love working as a family in our garden and with our animals.
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