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Relocating to the Spokane area

Moving to Spokane? Start here.

The areas, the seasons, the practical details and how a long-distance move works, from someone who lives here and handles both the home and the loan. My relocation guide is free to read right here.

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Spokane Relocation Guide cover: everything you need to know before making your move to the Spokane area
No-stress questions

Tap the one that sounds like you

Each one opens a short note to me with your question already written. Add your name and send. I answer these myself.

We’re moving to Spokane. Where do we start?Ask JulieWhich area fits the way we live?Ask JulieWhat would a payment look like here?Ask JulieWe need to sell before we moveAsk JulieCan we tour homes by video first?Ask Julie
Discover the Spokane area, from the relocation guide
Why people are making the move

What they are moving toward

  • More home for the money than the west side of the state.
  • Lakes, rivers, trails and golf close enough for a weeknight.
  • Four real seasons, with skiing, hiking and boating all within reach.
  • Shorter commutes. Most cross-town drives are 15 to 25 minutes.
  • Walkable downtowns and town centers, farmers’ markets and events year-round.
  • An airport 10 to 15 minutes from downtown, and I-90 running straight through.

At a glance: Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington, with roughly 230,000 people in the city and more than 560,000 across the county. It sits about 20 minutes from the Idaho border and 30 to 40 minutes from Coeur d’Alene.

Where it all sits

The Spokane area, on a map

Tap a pin for the area and its guide. Where you land shapes your whole day, so start with the drive you are willing to make.

Areas and towns

Twelve places people ask me about

About 10 min to downtown

South Hill

Spokane’s classic neighborhood: Craftsman and older homes, mature trees, Manito Park and the Perry District, with the hospitals close by. Spokane Public Schools.

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In the center

Downtown and Kendall Yards

Condos and lofts by Riverfront Park and the falls, and newer homes on the river gorge with restaurants and the Centennial Trail at the door.

Ask me about this area
About 15 to 20 min

North Side and Five Mile

A wide range of homes north of downtown, from mid-century neighborhoods to Five Mile and Indian Trail, many with larger yards.

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About 20 to 25 min

Mead

North of the city, with new construction including the MeadWorks community, Wandermere shopping and golf, and Mt. Spokane up the road. Mead School District.

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About 15 min

Spokane Valley

A city of its own east of Spokane: shopping along Sprague, Mirabeau Point Park, the river and trail, and quick I-90 access. Many price points.

Ask me about this area
About 20 to 25 min

Greenacres

The east edge of Spokane Valley, with newer subdivisions, larger yards and the Centennial Trail nearby. Central Valley School District.

Ask me about this area
About 20 min

Liberty Lake

A lake with a regional park, two golf courses, Pavillion Park events and the newer River District, just off I-90. Central Valley School District.

Ask me about this area
About 10 to 15 min

Eagle Ridge and Latah Valley

A planned community of newer homes in southwest Spokane, inside city limits. Spokane Public Schools.

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About 15 min

Airway Heights

On US-2 next to Fairchild AFB and the airport. Newer construction, a growing set of shops and restaurants, and Northern Quest Resort.

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About 15 to 20 min

Four Lakes and the West Plains

The pocket along I-90 with Cheney addresses and the 99004 ZIP: acreage, open space and newer homes, with the lakes and Turnbull refuge nearby.

Ask me about this area
About 20 to 25 min

Cheney

A college town, home to Eastern Washington University, with a small downtown, parks and Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Cheney School District.

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About 25 min

Medical Lake

A small lake town with Waterfront Park and a trail around the lake, close to Fairchild. Medical Lake School District.

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Drive times are estimates to downtown Spokane outside rush hour. School assignment depends on the exact address; confirm with the district. For prices, ask me for a current snapshot of the area you are considering, because they change every week.

All neighborhood guidesSearch homes for sale
“But what’s it like in the winter?”

Seasons in Spokane

The most common question I hear. Life here doesn’t pause when summer ends. It changes its rhythm.

Summer

Warm, sunny days at the lakes and rivers, patios, farmers’ markets and Hoopfest.

Fall

Golden larches, crisp hikes, harvest markets on Green Bluff and football weather.

Winter

Snowy, with skiing at Mt. Spokane and 49° North nearby. Main roads are generally cleared quickly, and some winter-driving experience helps.

Spring

Blossoms, longer days, Bloomsday, and the first warm walk on the Centennial Trail.

The practical side

Healthcare, schools and everyday life

HealthcareThe medical hub of the Inland Northwest

Providence Sacred Heart downtown, including a children’s hospital; MultiCare Deaconess and Valley hospitals; Providence Holy Family in north Spokane; and the VA Medical Center.

SchoolsSeveral districts, by address

Spokane Public Schools, Central Valley, Mead, Cheney, Medical Lake, West Valley, East Valley and others. Boundaries can change from one block to the next. Spokane Public Schools has an address lookup.

CollegesFive within reach

Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Whitworth University, WSU Spokane for health sciences, and the Community Colleges of Spokane.

WorkWhat drives the economy

Healthcare, education, aerospace and defense, and distribution. Large employers include Providence, MultiCare, Fairchild Air Force Base and the universities.

Getting aroundAirport, I-90 and the trail

Spokane International Airport is west of downtown. I-90 runs east to west. The Centennial Trail runs about 40 miles for walking and biking.

EverydayShopping and errands

River Park Square downtown, NorthTown on the north side and the Valley Mall corridor, with grocery and pharmacy options in every area on the map.

Washington has no state tax on wages. Property tax bills vary by address; I look up the actual figure for any home you are considering.

Buying from somewhere else

How a long-distance move works with me

I am both your REALTOR® and your mortgage broker, so the home search and the financing are one plan with one person.

A first conversationBy phone or video. Your timeline, your budget, what your days look like, and what you are leaving behind.
Your numbersI run a pre-approval so you know your buying power here before you fall for a house.
Video toursI walk homes for you on camera and tell you what the listing photos leave out: the street, the noise, the drive.
Your visitA short list, mapped into one efficient trip, with the neighborhoods in between.
A remote closeInspection, appraisal and signing coordinated from a distance, so the keys are ready when you arrive.

Financing through me is available but never required to buy a home with me.

Start the conversationRun my numbersMoving here on military orders?
Once you have keys

Your new-to-Spokane checklist

  1. Transfer utilities: Avista for gas and electric, plus your city’s water, sewer and garbage.
  2. Update your driver’s license and registration with the Washington Department of Licensing.
  3. Set up internet before moving day; providers vary by address.
  4. Register children for school in your new district. Confirm the assigned schools by address.
  5. Get an insurance quote on the address early.
  6. Find your nearest urgent care and pharmacy.
  7. If you are buying acreage, ask me about the well, the septic and the road.
  8. Buy a snow shovel and good tires before November.
  9. Save your local go-tos: grocery, coffee, hardware.
  10. Explore: Riverfront Park, the Centennial Trail and a Saturday on Green Bluff.
Read more

Questions people ask before they move

The full written guide
Mortgage basicsHow much house can I afford in Spokane?ReadSell and buyCan I buy my next home before I sell this one?ReadMortgage basicsWhat does it cost to close on a home in Washington?ReadCheneyMoving to Cheney, WA: five things to know before you buyReadSell and buyWhy having one person as your agent and your lender changes the timelineReadFairchild PCSWhere to live near Fairchild AFB, by drive time to the gateRead
The booklet

The Spokane Relocation Guide, page by page

Download the PDF

Tap any page to open it full size. In the PDF, the area names and school districts are links. Want it in your inbox? Ask me and I will email it.

Spokane Relocation Guide, page 1Spokane Relocation Guide, page 2Spokane Relocation Guide, page 3Spokane Relocation Guide, page 4Spokane Relocation Guide, page 5Spokane Relocation Guide, page 6Spokane Relocation Guide, page 7Spokane Relocation Guide, page 8Spokane Relocation Guide, page 9Spokane Relocation Guide, page 10Spokane Relocation Guide, page 11Spokane Relocation Guide, page 12Spokane Relocation Guide, page 13Spokane Relocation Guide, page 14Spokane Relocation Guide, page 15Spokane Relocation Guide, page 16

Price ranges and figures inside the booklet were current when it was made and change over time. Ask me for today’s numbers.

Next step

Want to see it in person?

Tell me what you are looking for and I will line up homes, run the payment on each one and answer the questions a listing can’t.

Call (509) 359-1056Email meRun my numbers