Date Archives: January 2022

Proudly known as the "Gateway to the West," Spokane recently earned another accolade when it landed on the list of Top Housing Markets for 2022. Our real estate agents know the area is a great place to call home for many reasons! Below they share the amenities and advantages of living in Spokane that others are discovering.

What Makes Spokane So Great?

• Your dollar goes further in Spokane, where the cost of living is more than seven percent lower than the national average. The state of Washington has no personal income tax, which is another big savings.
  
  
• It's easy to get around Spokane. The average commute is just under 20 minutes, well below the national average of 26 minutes. That means nearly a full hour less spent on the road during the workweek. The downtown area features a network of skywalks, allowing you to walk between buildings in comfort, regardless of the weather.
  
  
• Spokane accommodates any type of lifestyle. The city has a thriving downtown core, rated A- by ranking website Niche for its active nightlife. Comfortable suburbs with well-maintained neighborhoods and above-average schools appeal to families. Residents are just minutes away from scenic outdoor areas with a wide range of activities, from skiing to boating.
  
  
• There's a nice mix of residents in Spokane, making it easy to connect with others. Both families and retirees are drawn to the area for its beautiful setting and affordability. Fairchild Air Force Base is nearby, so there is a large presence of military families. Spokane is also home to Gonzaga University, one of the country's most prestigious schools, attracting a number of academics.

Things to Do and See in Spokane

Another major perk of living in the area is all the things to do nearby. Get to know the Spokane area with these local attractions.

• Riverfront Spokane - 507 N. Howard St., Spokane, WA 99201
  Conveniently located in the heart of downtown, Riverfront Spokane offers year-round fun for all. Lace up a pair of ice skates, ride the carousel, view the sculptures, or take it all in from high in the air on SkyRide. Hours are 6 a.m. - midnight daily.
  
  
• Centennial Trail
  Explore the spectacular scenery of the Northwest along the 63-mile Centennial Trail. The 39 miles of trail contained in Washington state pass through Spokane along with Liberty Lake, Riverside State Park, and Nine Mile Falls. You can also cross into Idaho through Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene. The pet-friendly trail is open to runners, hikers, cyclists, skaters, and horseback riders from 6:30 a.m. until dusk every day.
  
  
• Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture - 2316 W. First Ave., Spokane, WA 99201
  With five underground galleries, a library and archives, an education center, and a store, there's always something different to see at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. The campus includes Campbell House, a stunning English Tudor Revival home that provides a fascinating glimpse into life in Spokane during the early 1900s. Museum hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults and $7 for ages 6-17.
  
  
• Bing Crosby Theater - 901 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane, WA 99201
  Bing Crosby Theater is named for the iconic performer who grew up in Spokane and attended Gonzaga University. The historic theater, which dates back to 1915, hosts a variety of shows, including music, film, and comedy.

Ready to find your ideal home in Spokane? Contact us at Coldwell Banker Tomlinson to get started.

Parks and trails in the Spokane area offer amazing hiking opportunities during the warmer months... but the fun doesn't end when the snow flies. Winter in Spokane means it's time to strap on the snowshoes!

When there's a good base layer of snow on the ground, there's no place quite like Spokane County for an outdoor adventure. Our real estate agents are excited to share their favorite snowshoeing destinations in the Spokane area. 

• Mount Spokane State Park - 26107 N Mt Spokane Park Dr, Mead, WA 99021
  There may be no better place to enjoy the outdoors in the Spokane area than Mount Spokane State Park. In winter, when the park's 12,293 acres and 100 miles of trails are blanketed in snow. The centerpiece of the park is the towering summit of Mount Spokane, which gets upwards of 300 inches of snow each winter and is popular for downhill skiing. Many of the less strenuous trails that meander around the meadows, forests, and foothills at the base of Mount Spokane are perfect for snowshoeing. The park is a short drive from many Mead homes for sale and less than an hour from Spokane. 
  
  
• McKenzie Conservation Area - 15898 N West, NW Newman Lake Dr, Newman Lake, WA 99202
  A beautiful park just 40 minutes from Spokane, McKenzie Conservation Area offers great beginner-friendly snowshoe trails, including some that hug the picturesque shoreline of Newman Lake. The 3.3-mile loop formed by the Bedrock Ridge and Turtle Rock trails is a great place to start. One thing to keep in mind is that the weather can be a bit of a wildcard here. Because of its elevation, McKenzie Conservation may be a winter wonderland, or the ground may be entirely bare. You may or may not end up needing your snowshoes, but either way, it's a beautiful winter hike. 
  
  
• Antoine Peak Conservation Area - 15501 E Brevier Rd, Spokane, WA 99217
  The trails in Antoine Peak Conservation Area traverse rolling meadowlands and forests of Ponderosa pine and juniper around the slopes of the park's namesake peak. Popular among hikers and horseback riders in summer, these trails usually offer excellent snowshoeing in winter. As in McKenzie Conservation Area, snow is likely but not guaranteed. Many routes here follow old roadbeds, while others veer off on their own and cover somewhat more rugged terrain. The moderate Emerald Necklace loop, which begins at the West Trailhead and encircles Antoine Peak over the course of 4.6 miles, is a good choice for snowshoeing near these Spokane homes for sale.
  
  
• Colville National Forest - 475-469 Indian Creek Rd, Newport, WA 99156
  Located north of the city near some lovely Newport homes for sale, the trails up here are more likely to get a decent coat of snow than those at lower elevations in Spokane proper. A highlight of the forest is Geophysical Sno-Park, which has 6.2 miles of trails that are groomed specifically for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Nearby Bead Lake is another popular spot, with a trail that encircles the shoreline through ancient cedar forests.

For more information on snowshoeing in the Spokane area, check out Spokane Parks & Recreation's upcoming guided snowshoe outings. The Parks & Rec department leads guided snowshoe trips throughout the winter months in many of the areas listed above, providing great opportunities for beginners as well as experienced snowshoers. 

Contact us today to learn more about enjoying all the great outdoors have to offer in Spokane. 

View our comprehensive Spokane real estate market report for the month of December!

The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTORS© and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and correct.

Download the December Market Report PDF here.

Want more info about the current real estate market? Contact us today to speak to an agent. 

View our comprehensive Coeur d'Alene real estate market report for the month of December!

The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTORS© and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and correct.

Download the December Market Report PDF here.

Want more info about the current real estate market? Contact us today to speak to an agent.