College? The public colleges in the area include Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College, WSU (main campus is in Pullman about 2 hours from Spokane, but they have a branch campus in Spokane) EWU (in Cheney about a half-hour from Spokane) and private universities include Gonzaga and Whitworth-Jobs? The economy is down like everywhere else. I don t know if it is better or worse than most other places-Good Apartments? As well as costs?Lots of apartments in all different price ranges. Look on Spokane s Craig s List to get an idea of how much apartments in the size and area that you want are going for.-Best area to live in the city?Depends on what you like. If you intend to go to school, it would probably be best to try to find a place in a neighborhood not too far from the school you want to attend.-Good restaurants?Spokane has lots of restaurants in every price range. Most of the major chains and numerous locally owned independent ones.-Things to do for fun? It depends on what you like to do to have fun, but I would think that you could find something compatible with your interests. Spokane is the second largest city in the state (after Seattle), so it has the usual amenities that you would find in any medium to large size US city.They have theaters, concerts, western league hockey team, a minor league baseball team, ice skating shows, etc.There is a lot of outdoor recreation available year round. There are areas to ski, snowmobile or snowshoe within an hour or so drive in the winter, lots of lakes and rivers in the area for fishing, swimming, waterskiing or boating in the summer. The Centennial Trail extends for 37 miles along the Spokane River and is used for hiking and biking and access to the river.There are lots of recreational sports leagues - softball, soccer, bowling, etc.In the spring there is the annual Bloomsday Run and every summer there is the Hoopfest and at the end of summer the Pig Out in the Park.The climate is NOT rainy. It is a totally different climate from Seattle. It is much sunnier, but more extreme with 4 distinct seasons. Hot in the summer and cold in the winter with mostly snow - not rain.
It s very nice but unbelievably wet it rains about 290 days a year, nothing wrong with little rock though
Sorry i dont know a ton about spokane but i can offer a few things.I think the community college (i think its called spokane valley community college) is pretty good. The best school in the area is Washington State University but that is a couple hours away, you wouldnt want to commute to that. If you do plan to go there it would still be closer to your family than you are now and the rent is really cheap in the college town (Pullman) you can get a couple bedroom apartment for like $500 a month.I remember there isnt much to do there compared to Western Washington so i was complaining, but i m sure you can find some clubs and bars. I know they have a good mall. In the summer there are always lakes to boat and swim and stuff. I think theres laser tag and stuff but you can just discover the stuff on your own.Sorry i ve only been there a few times but i thought i d offer what i know. I m from the west side of the mountains but i ve been there for conferences and my aunt lives there