Suncrest is a riverside suburb with abundant outdoor amenities
Suncrest is a quiet suburb on the Spokane River, about 10 miles north of Spokane. With just under 5,500 residents, it’s the largest community in Stevens County. The area was first settled in the early 19th century, but modern Suncrest began taking shape in the mid-1960s when developers laid out suburban tracts atop the river bluff. In the decades since, residential construction has continued steadily. “People generally move up there for the peace and quiet,” says local Realtor Steven Silbar of John L. Scott Realty. “That and the river views and the outdoors.”
Midcentury ranch-style homes and modern Craftsmans
Local housing options range from midcentury ranch homes to modern Craftsman-style houses. Single-family homes make up virtually all the residences in the community, and nearly all of them are owner-occupied. Most homes sell for between $300,000 and $750,000, but properties along the water are more likely to sell for about $850,000 to $1.7 million. While some properties have direct views of the river, nearly all the land in the area features significant coverage from old-growth pine trees that run throughout Suncrest.
Local parks, boat launches and trails along the river
Recreational opportunities in Suncrest generally revolve around the local portion of the Spokane River, known as Lake Spokane or Long Lake. “The river is a big draw for a lot of residents,” Silbar says. “If you like fishing or boating, it’s hard to beat.” This relatively wide and placid stretch of river was created by the completion of the Long Lake Dam in 1915. Multiple parks, swimming spots and boat launches can be found along the river. There’s also a large network of multi-use trails that run through the local bluffs and nearby hills and canyons. These are popular with hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders — all popular pastimes in the community. It’s also just a short drive from Suncrest to the northern entrance of Riverside State Park and the north end of the paved Centennial Trail, which follows the river all the way to Idaho.
Nine Mile Falls public schools
The community’s public schools are part of the Nine Mile Falls School District, which has an A-minus rating on Niche. Lake Spokane Elementary School has a B, while Lakeside Middle School has an A-minus. Lakeside High School also has an A-minus rating and offers dual enrollment options through Eastern Washington University.
Limited retail and restaurants along SR 291
State Route 291 is the area’s only real commercial corridor. The road is home to a couple of small shopping centers — Suncrest Outpost and the Plaza at Suncrest — as well as a Rosauers supermarket. There are nearly a dozen dining options in town, including highly rated spots like 291 Brewhouse, Chill Out Ice Creamery and Hot Toddy’s Coffee. Locals looking for additional shopping generally head to the malls and big-box stores in north Spokane.
Locals head to Spokane for events
Community gatherings tend to be small-scale. The Lakeside branch of the Stevens County Rural Library District hosts monthly story times and adult book clubs and also serves as a hub for local meetings. Locals looking for major events can always go down to Spokane for Bloomsday or Hoppfest.
State Route 291 makes for easy commuting to Spokane
State Route 291 connects Suncrest to Spokane and beyond. Spokane’s bus services stop at the county border, a few miles to the south, so Suncrest residents generally rely on cars to get around. It’s about 16 miles to both Downtown Spokane and Interstate 90, while Spokane International Airport is a little less than 20 miles away.
