Spokane

Lying along the Spokane River among the Selkirk Mountains in eastern Washington state is the city of Spokane. Founded in 1873, it covers 69.5 square miles, with streets laid out in a grid pattern. Its median age is 36.3 (2022), and its economy is mainly driven by manufacturing, aerospace, logistics, agribusiness, life sciences, education, and research.

Spokane’s residential streets are filled with bungalows, as well as homes in Victorian, Queen Anne, and American Craftsman styles. The typical home value is $408,487, up 10% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). One of its annual events, the Lilac Festival, pays homage to Spokane’s nickname, “Lilac City,” and the fact that lilacs scent the air each spring. Other events include ArtFest, and Spokane Hoopfest, a huge basketball tournament.

I-90, and U.S. Routes 2, 195 and 395, all serve Spokane. South of I-90 is the upscale neighborhood of Manito-Cannon Hill, which offers access to a park filled with paths, gardens, and a conservatory. Peaceful Valley, which lies just north of I-90, contains a wide variety of home styles, and proximity to a park with a baseball diamond and picnic tables. South Perry, meanwhile, is a renewed area that contains houses, bungalows, and hipster shops and restaurants.

Spokane has big-city benefits minus the big-city inconveniences. Residents spend less time commuting and more time living, thanks to an average commute time of just 19 minutes.