Is Spokane a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Spokane is a great place to raise a family. With its lesser traffic, low rents, schools, and other amenities, more people are moving in. It also has a unique balance between venues and the great outdoors that families value in teaching and entertaining kids.

Some residents don't even realize that Spokane is the second largest city in Washington due to its many big city perks with fewer of its downsides.

Lesser Traffic

The Spokane experience in driving and commuting is that you get to places in 15 minutes or less. Spokane has lesser traffic than other major cities because its traffic causes are few: rush hour for people working traditional hours (especially downtown Spokane), street maintenance, and stop lights. If your driving app claims you can get there in 9 minutes, it will take 9 minutes with rarely any setbacks or multi-hour traffic jams.

The only downsides to the Spokane commute are the lack of subways and the bus system only covers some city routes. 

Low Rent

As of August 2023, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,095 in Spokane. It has remained flat when compared to last year.

For families looking for a 3-bedroom apartment (with an average of 1,285 square feet), the average rent is $1,748 monthly as of July 2023.

Above-Average Schools

As of 2023, 82% of Spokane K-12 students are educated in public schools, less than the Washington state average of 91%. The city has 123 public schools with 50,936 students and 45 private schools with 11,156 students. 

The majority of the minority enrollment is Hispanic, which makes up 29% of the student body. It is less diverse than the average Washington public school of 50% (Hispanic majority).

The public schools of Spokane have a 55% average math proficiency score higher than the 50% WA state average. They also have a 62% reading proficiency score, higher than the 59% statewide average.

There are also accredited daycare centers in Spokane. Please visit their websites to know which accreditations they have. 

Great Outdoors

Spokane is ranked #34 of 228 best cities for outdoor activities. It has five national parks (within a 10-hour drive) and 76 lakes -allowing hiking and camping trips in summer. 

People also do not need to leave the city to see waterfalls because two dams were built in the central business district in 1890 -making it the longest-running hydroelectric power in Washington.

Venues

There are 87 city parks in Spokane for families to enjoy. There are also many coffee shops, downtown stores, and restaurants to visit when taking their kids out. 

Downtown Spokane becomes livelier on First Fridays. During the first Friday of each month, shops and restaurants feature artists and musicians. They also use the opportunity to launch specialty food, new products, and exclusive activities.

Child-Friendly Accommodations to Look for In Apartment Buildings

Even if apartments are family-friendly, seeing them yourself is essential. Family-friendly apartments must have safety measures and accommodations to make raising children easier.

Here are things to look out for when choosing an apartment for your family:

Hallway Space and Elevators

When touring the apartment, check the hallways to see if it has enough space to push a stroller through. If the family includes a person in a wheelchair, are the hallways wide enough? 

While stairs are a great way to expend a child's boundless energy, elevators are also crucial for convenience. Going on day outs with a stroller or a cane or returning home ladened with groceries is easier when the elevators don't often break down. 

Security

In 2020, Spokane's crime rate was 1.8 times higher than the national average. 

Determine how easy it is for a stranger to walk inside the building. If there is a security guard, are they stationed 24/7? Does the apartment have controlled access? If yes, is it controlled by a key or a card? What types of locks are installed in doors and windows?

Safety

While families can child-proof the apartment, included safety measures help improve the safety of children. 

Windows and balconies with locks can prevent children from falling. Well-lit stairs and hallways prevent tripping and other accidents. 

Are the parking areas well-lit? Drivers can have difficulty looking where they're going in dim parking areas. They may not even be able to see if children are present -increasing the risks of accidents. 

Lastly, check for how well smoke alarms, fire alarms, and fire exits are maintained. 

Spaciousness and Storage Space

The term "your child is bouncing off the walls" will not exist if children are low-energy. A spacious apartment is needed as a family accumulates furniture and appliances for their needs, such as cribs, playpens, study tables, and more. 

Storage space is also essential for the increasing number of toys, clothes, and items to be used occasionally. High shelves keep dangerous objects away from children's reach. Pantries also allow dry and canned grocery products to be stored. Closets and drawers let clothes be organized and kept neatly. 

Flooring

A carpeted flooring gives cushions for crawling babies still learning to take their first step. However, it is also challenging to remove stains from carpets. Wooden floors have the possibility of getting scratches and dents. It can also stain from spills. Ceramic, luxury vinyl and laminate flooring are the easiest to clean. 

Washer and Dryer

Children, especially toddlers, and infants, require changing clothes daily due to accidents and messes. Ensure that there is a clean space with the unit washer and dryer. Or that you are near a laundromat. 

Bathrooms and Bathtub

If you have more than three people in a family, having a single bathroom can be a nightmare. Look for apartments with at least 1.5 bathrooms to accommodate everyone. Bathtubs are essential for those with children as it makes it easier to bathe them. 

Maintenance Services

Many people often forget to ask about maintenance services until they need one. Ask whom to contact for maintenance services and their available hours to come to the apartment to fix things. For example, a flickering light bulb in the kitchen can make cooking dinner difficult. It is essential to know when maintenance can come to set expectations on what to do and when it can be resolved for things to go back to normal. 

Wi-Fi Access

Phones, laptops, and tablets are now part of children's lives. They use it to watch Youtube children's channels, study in Zoom classes or play gaming apps or video games. Wi-Fi access allows them to occupy their time when needed to stay inside or sit still. 

Extra Costs

What does the monthly rent include? Are there any extra costs that you might miss? Parking, utility bills, trash removal, and internet access may be separate from your rent expenses.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations 

Children may one day ask if they can get a pet. A pet can be a great companion for kids. If a family one day plans to have enough time, energy, and affordability to train, socialize, or accommodate a pet, then it makes sense to ask for a pet-friendly apartment when browsing for one. 

Some apartments charge extra for pets. Ensure to check your rental agreement for any pet deposits and their rules regarding pets.  

Look for Spokane Family-Friendly Apartments with Goodale and Barbieri

Spokane is one of the top cities people want to move to with their families. Due to its big city perks with few big-city drawbacks, it has good schools and venues and is closer to nature.

Touring an apartment is essential to see for yourself if an apartment is genuinely family-friendly. Armed with what to look for above, why not search for an apartment in Spokane with us?