Spokane Valley

Spokane Valley (aka ‘the valley’) is Spokane’s smaller next-door neighbor. Just east of the big city, if you’re driving on I-90, you really can’t tell where Spokane ends and the valley begins—it’s all sprawl.

A lot of people who live here commute to Spokane, or to the Business and Industrial Park, in northeast Spokane Valley, on highway 290. A good amount are also employed at the Fairchild Air Force Base, west of Spokane.

The valley doesn’t have nearly as much of a downtown area as Spokane, with restaurants instead being strewn down the main roads—Sprague, South Pines/27, and Sullivan. There’s also the mall, just off exit 291A, which is probably the closest thing to a city center.

If you’re looking for a community with a walkable downtown, and community areas, this isn’t it. The valley instead caters to those who prefer owning their own home and being comfortable staying in their neighborhood, and driving to everything they need.

A bonus of living here though is that you’re very close to fantastic outdoor recreation. Dishman Hills park is right in town, with views. On the east side of town is Saltese Uplands, which has a mountain biking loop with sweet singletrack (but there’s NO shade—watch out!). And a few more miles east on I-90 is Liberty Lake, which has camping, swimming, and a gorgeous 8 mile hike through the hills. I’ve seen moose here enjoying the marsh, so stay aware. And you’re less than an hour away from the Coeur d’Alene National Forest, which is a hiking wonderland.