Why Spokane, WA Is Listed as Great Place To See
Spokane is a great place to see, but it is also less expensive than Seattle by about 100%. The good news is that it’s just as beautiful. If your next nursing assignment takes you to the Spokane region, you may want to take some time to explore the natural beauty of the area and consider the possibility of ultimately settling down in Spokane permanently.
Why Is Spokane Such a Great Place to Live?
The Western United States, especially parts of California and the Pacific Northwest, are notoriously expensive places to live. The Seattle area is especially demanding, and 2019 housing data shows that Seattle is more than 100% more expensive to live in than Spokane. Housing costs alone are almost 300% more expensive, with a median home cost in Seattle of about $730,000 compared to about $200,000 in Spokane.
Financial benefits aside, Spokane is a great place to visit for its natural beauty and some of the unique aspects of the area that set it apart from other common stops in the Northwest. If you love the outdoors, Spokane is well-known for being “near nature, near perfect.”
Spend Time Outside in Spokane
The Spokane River runs through the heart of downtown Spokane, where you will find a tremendous variety of restaurants, shops, breweries, performance venues, and much more. A few busy districts have a lot to see and experience, but the area overall is very quiet and serene. The option to take a stroll through the natural beauty of the area is always only a short distance away in Spokane.
Some of the outdoor activities you can enjoy in Spokane include:
- Hiking through the local mountain ranges and many hiking trails. The Pacific Northwest is one of the most popular regions of the country for hiking, rock climbing, camping, and wilderness exploration.
- Biking, on the road or off of it. The Spokane region has some of the most temperate year-round temperatures, allowing cyclists more time out of the year to get out and pedal to their hearts’ content. The city is calm enough for many residents to bike to and from work.
- Boating and watersports at any of the many lakes and rivers in the area. The water may be icy, but there is lots to explore along the Spokane River. The Riverside State Park and Newman Lake are only short trips outside the city.
- Skiing and snowboarding. You’ll find fantastic ski resorts very close to Spokane, like the Spokane Alpine Haus, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, and Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.
Whether you’re visiting Spokane for your next nursing assignment or you’re scouting potential places to settle down, there is lots to see and do in Spokane so be sure to spend some of your free time getting to know the area.
Spokane’s Local Culture
Every month, community assemblies meet to discuss ways to make Spokane an even better place to live. The local government strives to bolster community unity by hosting open house meetings where residents can voice their concerns and ideas for improving life in Spokane. You might even have the chance to sit in on one of these town hall meetings to get a feel for life as a Spokane resident.
Travel nurses have the unique opportunity to catch glimpses of life in different areas of the country. If you visit Spokane, a short stay as a traveling nurse is a great way to experience the area. You might discover that it’s the perfect place for you to settle down. If you have the opportunity to take a nursing assignment in or around Spokane, make the most of your free time between shifts to get out and explore.