Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
Whether you’re exploring the idea of moving to LGBT Spokane Washington (or have already chosen to make this city your next home), you will find a lot to love about living here. If you’d like to know a little more about this zestful city and its diverse communities – you have come to the right place!
If you’re thinking of moving to Spokane, you should know that it’s one of the best decisions you will ever make. Spokane is Washington’s second-largest city and you will get to enjoy the city’s small-town feel and big-city amenities. Spokane is an LGBTQ-welcoming city with great neighborhoods to live in and explore. You are sure to enjoy the slow-paced quality of life, the great outdoors and the variety of places to explore.
Spokane is also not only a destination for nature lovers, but a city that welcomes all who love love and are looking for a progressive and inclusive place for work, play, and to call home. If you’re thinking of moving to LGBT Spokane, you are likely to find the accepting environment that you or your family need to thrive in.
Like St. Petersburg, Syracuse, Sedona Westchester and other small to mid-sized cities in the USA, there is also a queer scene here but it is much more low-key than say, New York or Seattle. This is why a gay realtor in Spokane is worth their weight in gold as they can help you unearth your new perfect home here in the most queer-friendly neighborhood.
Despite the rather hidden LGBT culture, you certainly should not have any apprehension about moving to LGBT Spokane. The majority of people are accepting of the LGBTQ community, and you will discover businesses, shops, and services to proudly you – and a plethora of Pride flags fluttering around the city.
Consider this article to be an LGBT Spokane relocation guide that will help you know what to expect when relocating to this very queer-friendly city. Leave all of your preconceived notions at the door because moving to LGBT Spokane is not what you think it is.
In this article we will cover...
- Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Spokane
- Does Spokane Embrace The LGBT Community?
- Is Spokane An Expensive City to Move To?
- The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Spokane
- Regular LGBT Events In Spokane
- LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Spokane
- LGBT-Owned Businesses In Spokane
- Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Spokane
- Finding Gay Realtors In Spokane Washington
Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Spokane
Washington’s second-biggest population center (just beating out Tacoma by about 5000 people) is Spokane is situated at the heart of the Pacific Northwest’s ‘Inland Empire,’ hugging the banks of the Spokane River. Not only is Spokane one of the country’s best places to live, but it also has excellent skiing and universities and many outdoor pursuits.
Known as The Lilac City, the city has vibrant neighborhoods with much to offer – though Spokane residents are well aware that their city is also full of both tourist traps and hidden gems. Once you will live here, you will discover there is plenty of places away from the tourist trail and that Spokane is still brimming with culture and surprising beauty just waiting to be discovered.
Securing a relocation here will also allow you to meet others with similar interests, thanks to a quirky yet highly involved LGBT culture, which includes a few fantastic queer spots of interest in the city’s most popular neighborhoods.
Almost anything that your heart desires can be found here. There are plenty of things to look forwards to when moving to LGBT Spokane, be it outdoor adventures, charming coffee shops, or boozy brunch haunts.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the aspects that make up this incredible city before we get into the details.
Destination Central
if quick getaways and road trips are tantamount to your way of life, Spokane has much to offer. Silverwood theme park is only an hour away. The city is home to a plethora of wineries, the Colville National Forest, the Hiawatha trail, and much more. Moving to “The Lilac City” offers a multitude of opportunities for exciting weekend excursions and incredible day trips.
The Great Outdoors
It bears repeating but Spokane is just such a gorgeous city! One of the things you will enjoy about living here is the wilderness trails running through it. No matter where you are going, there’s an opportunity to enjoy gorgeous walks.
Skiing
If you love the outdoors, one major park you will enjoy here is skiing. There are 5 ski resorts within an hour and a half of downtown. So you heard that the winters are mild? Well, the mountains don’t care!
Land of Lakes
Just because Michigan and Wisconsin have the most number of lakes doesn’t mean Spokane has been left behind. The city has many beautiful bodies of water too! Boating is a popular activity in the city so make sure you bring ALL your bathing suits. You will be spoilt for choice because there are many lakes within a two-hour drive from Spokane’s downtown area.
Does Spokane Embrace The LGBT Community?
Spokane’s downtown has recently gone through a facelift thanks to a University District being developed downtown. The new projects have attracted many open-minded and LGBT people that are making the city home and helping to change the area’s conservative reputation.
Even though there’s no specific Gay District in the city, Spokane has an active community of resources, services, and organizations to prove support. Some of the organizations you can find in the city include the LGBT business chamber, LGBT community and social groups, an LGBT Book Club, gay-affirming churches, and a gay-straight alliance in high schools, colleges, and universities.
The city has had an openly gay councilman and an LGBT film festival. Councilman Zach Zappone won the District 3 seat after winning against Mike Lish, a businessman. Upon winning, Zappone made history as Spokane City Council’s first openly gay elected candidate. There are various resources and community organizations in the city that support, advocate for and enhance life for the LGBT community. In addition to that,
Spokane hosts the Spokane Pride and Rainbow Parade, the Spokane GLBT Film Festival, and various other events targeted toward the LGBT community all year round. What’s more, the city has a number of gay/gay-friendly neighborhoods such as Browne’s Addition and Downtown Spokane where the LGBT community can settle and feel at home.
All this is to say that while it is certainly no Provincetown or Palm Springs, Spokane is frequently listed as one of the most gay-friendly cities in America and one to which you should feel comfortable about moving!
Is Spokane An Expensive City to Move To?
Spokane’s overall cost of living index is 97.1, significantly lower than Washington State’s index of 131.1. Housing and transportation, both with index values over 100, are two of the more expensive expenses in Spokane. Health and utilities are the least expensive costs, at 81 and 78.1, respectively.
Housing
The median home value for a home in Spokane is $220,600 while the median rental price is $1,300.
Utilities
The cost of utilities in the city is below the country’s average with an index of 78.2. Spokane residents spend around 6.4% of their monthly salary on utilities. Expect to pay around $141 per month for utilities like cooling, garbage, water, heating, and electricity for a 915 sq. ft. apartment.
Food and groceries
Food costs have risen in Spokane in recent years, but they remain lower than the national average. With a score of 98.7, Spokane’s grocery costs are slightly lower than the national average. A four-person Spokane household can plan on spending about $1,200 a month on food. This includes groceries and a restaurant meal once in a while.
The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Spokane
There are many places to reside in Spokane for those who are looking for a calmer yet still queer-friendly environment. After all, not all LGBT people will want to stay in the lively Downtown Spokane (also known as Riverside).
When moving to LGBTQ Spokane, bear in mind that some areas are more conveniently located for all the fun queer events and activities. By being aware of them in advance, you can arrive at your new residence in the gay-friendly neighborhood that best suits your needs.
Discover your delightfully ideal new home in one of these prominent gay and LGBT-friendly communities in Spokane. Each one has its own distinct personality, a friendly neighborhood, and facilities you’ll love. Give yourself lots of time to get to know the many different and diverse areas of Spokane, and bare in mind that this city has plenty to offer everyone – queer or otherwise!
Now let’s take a look at where the handful of marvelous gay areas in Spokane are and talk about the Spokane gayborhood where you might feel most at home! Or speak to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today.
Browne’s Addition
When it comes to the best areas of the city in Spokane, Browne’s Addition tops many lists. It’s perfectly understandable. Apartment complexes, historic homes, shops, restaurants, and museums, as well as Spokane’s first park, Coeur d’Alene Park, can all be found here.
Since its development in 1883, Browne’s Addition has changed in many ways. The first settlers constructed beautiful Queen Anne-style and Victorian homes. Successful business people in the region’s mining and lumber industries built homes in the Tudor Revival, Colonial, Craftsman, Mission Revival, and Neoclassical styles in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
However, from the Depression all the way to the 1980s, the neighborhood suffered as homes were torn down for smaller homes and commercial businesses. The neighborhood deteriorated and experienced a lot of crime. In the 1990s, some residents established a steering committee that was able to turn the district around with the help of city and federal funding.
In 2009, the American Planning Association recognized the area as one of the top ten in the United States. Several historic buildings and homes have been restored to their brilliance and the neighborhood association is also active.
Downtown Spokane
Downtown Spokane is part of a larger district called Riverside. Its official boundaries include South Division Street to the east, H 2 on the south, W Boone Ave on the north, and some of N Cedar Ave, N. Monroe, W Main Ave, and N Maple St linking to the BNSF Railroad line on the west.
The neighborhood has a city center that’s been revived to attract the types of businesses that homeowners seek. Newly renovated condos and apartment buildings exist harmoniously with upmarket shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. River Park Square, an entertainment and shopping complex, was renovated in 1999 and has become a popular destination for residents and visitors.
Riverfront Park is a huge 100-acre park at the center of the Spokane River which was redeveloped for the 1974 World’s Fair. After that, it was renamed Riverfront Park and is now the site of many celebrations in the city, including Lilac Bloomsday Run, a major annual sporting event. The Looff Carrousel, Spokane Falls, the Centennial Trail, and the Expo are some of the attractions in the neighborhood.
If it’s a concert you’re looking for, head to the Martin Woldson Theater to hear the Bing Cosby Theater or Spokane Symphony and see famous acts perform. The real estate in this area is extremely hot. The average price for a home in the neighborhood is around $375,000.
South Perry
South Perry is a neighborhood in Spokane neighborhood that had a bad reputation in the past. However, gentrification has taken over rundown stores and replaced them with trendy shops and restaurants. Most of the revitalization has occurred along S Perry St, which is the area’s main street.
Vintage stores, baked goods, spas, and other businesses, can be found here. Wisconsinburger, a cute cafe with knotty paneling that serves craft beers and specialty burgers, is located on the neighborhood’s southwest corner. The neighborhood is home to two playground areas, a shelter, a baseball field, tennis and basketball courts, a splash pad, and a community garden set on the nearly 13-acre property. There is also a restroom on the premises.
The majority of the residences here are small bungalows with porches, with a few Victorian, craftsman, and ranch-style homes.
Regular LGBT Events In Spokane
After moving to a new city, you will likely want to create new connections, meet new people, and network. Thankfully, LGBT Spokane plays host to a variety of annual events for lesbians, transgender persons, gays, and anyone else who wants to have a good time.
While there are many queer events in the city, the ones listed here are the largest and greatest and are all worth marking in your calendar as you won’t want to miss them.
Spokane Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival
Every year, multitudes of people flock to Lilac City to celebrate Spokane Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival. Spokane Pride, a local nonprofit, hosts this pleasant event to commemorate LGBTQIA+ communities locally and globally. Spokane Pride was established in the 1990s to carry on this crucial Eastern Washington custom. Each year, the event is one of the most anticipated events in the region. It provides a dedicated space for the LGBTQIA+ community to commemorate in a beautiful location.
The Spokane GLBT Film Festival has been running for more than 16 years, starting in November 1998. The festival exhibits gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer films. If films don’t fit this category, they’re never shown here. The Spokane GLBT Film Festival is led by a team of volunteers who meet on a regular basis to plan an amazing festival for Washington’s second-largest city.
The Spokane Queer Art Walk, the first of its kind in Washington, brings art, color, and celebration to downtown Spokane. The Saranac Art Projects, Chase Gallery, and the Kolva-Sullivan Gallery are among the nine venues that host exhibits featuring only LGBTQ artists. Spoken-word, dance, paintings, ceramics, and textiles are among the artists featured across different venues. The Queer Art Walk takes place in conjunction with Spokane’s regular First Friday celebrations.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Spokane
To progress the LGBTQ agenda, the queer community commonly has to rely on donor organizations or non-profits.
Wherever you live, it is imperative that you assist such organizations in any manner you can in order for them to reach out and aid others in the neighborhood. These Spokane LGBT community organizations are some of the best. Every LGBT person has benefited from their tireless labor to secure the advancement and rights we enjoy now being aware of them is good whether you need their help now or potentially in the future.
These are wonderful places to start if you’re looking for LGBTQ groups to join, seek support from, meet new people with or volunteer for a cause you care about.
The work of the Pride Foundation is based on the simple but radical belief that everyone should be capable of living safely, freely, and authentically in each and every place they call home. For more than three decades, the organization’s visionary leaders have been guided by this conviction. The Pride Foundation was established in 1985, during the HIV/AIDS crisis, by a brave bunch of people who united to offer a source of hope and light amidst darkness.
Spokane Pride is dedicated to creating inclusive, accessible, and engaging Pride experiences to people of all backgrounds and identities. The organization believes in the combined strength of all LGBTQIA+ identities. They believe that trans and Black trans, lives are important. They also believe that people of all gender and sexual identities deserve the opportunity to be who they want to be represented in Pride, and have their experiences validated through Pride.
Inland Northwest Business Alliance
Spokane’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, the Inland Northwest Business Alliance (INBA), has members from North Idaho and Eastern Washington. INBA was founded in 1994 as a non-profit with a charter of 25 members to socialize and network in a safe environment. Through inspiring conversations, social events, and interrelations with progressive partners, the group promises to unite, enhance, and educate the local LGBTQIA+ community.
INBA now has more than 300 business members, representing roughly 500 people, all of who are LGBT or ally businesspersons, professionals, and companies who support their mission.
LGBT-Owned Businesses In Spokane
After moving to LGBT Spokane, it’s only natural to want to support queer businesses. One strategy for establishing a safer and more inclusive society is to create a secure environment where people may rest, buy, dine, and connect without fear, and this is exactly what LGBT companies should strive for.
To safeguard the queer community’s survival and success, it is critical to support these initiatives wherever you are. When you shop locally, you put in a personal investment in your city and community. Here’s a short list of LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Spokane you can invest in with your pink dollars…
Since 2010, this Spokane favorite is widely recognized for its ambiance and Italian-inspired menu. Italia Trattoria is located in the center of the city’s historic Browne’s Addition neighborhood. Chef Anna Vogel’s European culture and global travels have inspired the menu, which includes fresh seafood, house-made pasta, and naturally reared meats with almost daily changes to the menu. Italia Trattoria stands out from other restaurants in the Inland Northwest because of its commitment to cooking with fresh, local produce and high-quality Italian product. The restaurant is operated and owned by Bethe Bowman and Chef Anna Vogel.
The Glow Co. is a Spokane-based shop that produces soy wax candles and ships them in reusable or biodegradable packaging. This shop’s products are a worthy investment if you’re searching for unique candles to try, with scents like kitchen garden, lilac, and blood orange sangria.
Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Spokane
Moving anywhere can be pretty nerve-wracking, but you best believe that this city is going to be worth the hassle. Spokane is an excellent city with awesome people and comes with stunning landscapes and a multitude of recreation options. Whether it’s skiing, meeting new people, or enjoying a refreshing walk, there’s much to see and do in Spokane.
Remember that life is what you make it, and wherever (or if ever) you decide to start your new chapter in LGBT Spokane, we wish you the freedom and security you deserve. Living in a gay-friendly area, visiting nearby LGBT businesses and events, and joining queer community groups and sports teams are always the best methods to discover more about LGBT Spokane.
We guarantee that if you follow these recommendations, moving to LGBT Spokane will be less difficult for you and that you’ll quickly find like-minded individuals with whom to establish your new chosen family.
Finding Gay Realtors In Spokane Washington
When searching for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are numerous reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Spokane is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when undertaking one of life’s most important transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes. Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) continue to believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often express feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt. Everyone deserves a gratifying, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being sufficiently represented, and this is why we feel you should engage a gay realtor to help you in finding your perfect future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be knowledgeable about the diverse communities in their area and understand which ones may be best suited to you when searching for a home. That’s not to say heterosexual realtors are not competent, but they’ve probably never had to handle many of the issues LGBT people face. Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors perform extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to uncover professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Spokane – and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral. Thankfully, you no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Spokane to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradesmen, and more. Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then select the one who is right for you. It’s essential that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exhilarating occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
