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Washington Real Estate & Relocation Guide
Spokane, Washington
Population: 195,629
Located in Spokane County
Residents consider Spokane an ideal place to raise a family. Quiet neighborhoods, tree-lined boulevards and year-round recreation provide a quality of life that is unmatched. Spokane's housing market has experienced steady growth for the past several years, and we continue to be one of the most economical places to live in the nation. There are homes in every style and price range imaginable, from contemporary to historic brick homes dating back to the early 1900s. Whether your ideal home is near schools and shopping, in a retirement area, or on one of Spokane's many golf courses, our housing market can accommodate your needs.
Education is important to our community, and we have been named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by the America's Promise program. In March 2009, in the midst of a dramatic national recession, voters approved a new levy and $288 million construction bond for Spokane Public Schools, demonstrating our support for education. This strong K-12 system leads to an equally strong higher education system. Spokane is served by Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, Eastern Washington University, the Community Colleges of Spokane, and Washington State University-Spokane. We are building a University District on the east end of our downtown, where Eastern Washington University and Washington State University have placed a variety of health sciences, architecture, and master's level programs. We also have added first-year medical and dental student education in Spokane, as part of the University of Washington medical school.
Spokane is the perfect base for all sorts of activities, with an amazing number of outdoor recreational opportunities just a short drive away. You’ll find mountains for skiing, hiking and biking, lakes and rivers for swimming, boating and fishing, and golf courses with challenging holes and unmatched scenery. Our indoors will stir your senses as well, with Broadway performances, art galleries, world-class museums, and one of the largest WiFi Hot Zones in the U.S. We also offer fabulous food, and shopping in sparkling new malls, renovated historic buildings, unique boutiques and well-known department stores.
In 1907, Spokane's board of park commissioners retained the services of the influential and nationally renown landscape design firm owned by John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., to design a magnificent park system that Spokane's citizens still use today. Today, our commitment to excellent parks and recreational facilities continues. Our Parks and Recreation Department cares for more than 4,100 acres of developed parks and conservation land, including the beautiful Riverfront Park right in our downtown with its 100-year-old Looff Carrousel and Skyride over the spectacular Spokane River Falls. The community recently overwhelmingly approved a bond issue to replace six outdoor pools, 11 splash pads, and an outdoor sports and recreation complex that will include new softball fields, soccer fields, a BMX bike track, skateboard park, and nature trails. We're also working on the addition of a kayak park in the Spokane River just east of downtown and the completion of the Fish Lake Trail to connect Spokane to nearby Cheney, Washington.
Spokane is a wonderful place to live, with four distinct seasons, lots of sunshine, and a tremendous community spirit. Our slogan is "Near Nature-Near Perfect." With all the big city amenities you could wish for, natural beauty, four seasons and 260 sunny days each year, Spokane is a special place. We promote healthy lifestyle choices and are continuing to look for ways to enhance our community. We are a community that is planning for a bright and prosperous future.
