I hope I'm not putting the cart before the horse here, but prospects look good that we may be moving to the Spokane area summer of 22. From the research I have done, it looks like a really nice place. But I'd love some real world experience for anyone who has been there. I know how WA leans politically, but how is that area? Looks like it's a heavily outdoors friendly place, but any wheeling?

As a side note, that is only 14hrs from the Rubicon!

Having grown up in Spokane I think I can offer some insight. I left in 2006 but still go back on occasion to visit family and business trips.

Eastern WA is far different than western WA. In fact, eastern WA, north Idaho, and western MT have actually tried to create a new state on multiple occasions.

Not knowing where you would actually have to work (Fairchild AFB?) I would suggest you look at Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Newman Lake, Otis Orchards area which are east of Spokane before you get to Idaho. Spokane to CoeurDAlene Idaho is 30 minute drive. North Idaho would also be a great place to live.

Lots of opportunities for snow skiing, lake life, hunting and fishing, off-roading etc in the area.

If I could live anywhere in the world it would be Flathead Lake in NW MT near Missoula. But Spokane / N Idaho would make top 5.

Great info!! Thanks Jeff. It is unknown yet whether we will be required to live on base or not, but I know we'd want to live within 20+/- min of the base. That probably puts us somewhere surrounding the base, or western Spokane. I'd much prefer to live on the outskirts or a small town.

We are excited at the potential to live back in a mountainess area.

I'm with Jeff Flate head lake is awesome.

I'll second what Rox said. Eastern WA is a whole different world from Western WA, and closer in culture to Wyoming or Idaho.

Appears that orders are going through to Fairchild. So Spokane it is! Likely for 2 years, unless the AF does something silly (which is a higher probability than I'd like).

That being said, any of you know a realtor who we could bounce some questions off of? I'm not sure 2 years is enough to make it worth our while to buy, and I don't know that we can afford anything either with our current "get out of debt" trajectory we are on.

I don't love the idea of living on base again either. Kids will likely attend a private school in town, so I'd love to find someplace 20 min to and from base. What is Medicine Lake or Cheney like?

Thanks!

We are here. We were looking for houses to buy since Jan, and couldn't find anything that fit our parameters and then the interest rates sky rocketed, so we're living on base.

Been exploring a bit. Enjoyed Coeur D'Alene on a Saturday, Took the inlaws to Leavenworth and it was pretty neat having lived in Germany before. We also explored Bayview and Sand Point. Both beautiful places.

Got to meet some of the fellas and got plugged in....now to find time to go play!

Hi JM -

I just saw this thread. I do not get to log into the forum that often these days. I am now in Bend Oregon, we are practically neighbors. If you are ever in this neck of the woods, let me know! Also - you should look into the NW Bronco Roundup next month. northwestbroncoroundup.com is the web site and they have a facebook page as well. It is in Florence OR but will have a couple hundred broncos show up and play on the sand dunes there. We will be there.

Greg

Hey Greg! Glad to hear from you!! Yeah, look like we are a little over 6hrs apart.

The event looks cool! I think I remember reading about it in an issue of BD! But we have camping reservations that weekend. Thanks for the invite.

I attended a local bronco clubs event at Moses Lake Sand dunes. Was pretty fun, but very hot! Might try again in the winter, but I much prefer sand!
https://youtu.be/ExQcDqikhac

We are headed out for some rock crawling this weekend!

I'll reach out if we head that way. I know Crater Lake and the Redwoods are on my bucket list of items to do while stationed here.