Spokane is the gateway to the Inland Pacific Northwest. It is located 18 miles west of the Idaho state line and 110 miles south of British Columbia, Canada. As the county seat, Spokane serves as the hub of the Inland Northwest. This is a region of 36 counties, encompassing parts of Montana, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia, Alberta, as well as Washington. Over 1.7 million people reside within this trade zone. Spokane is the second most populous northern city in the United States, including Alaska. The topography of this land varies from rolling wheat fields to snow-capped mountains, from lush forests to desert areas, and from pristine lakes to raging rivers.

Outdoor/Wildlife:
Spokane is the center of an area which contains more varieties of wildlife than any other region in the contiguous United States. The Inland Northwest’s veritable wildlife zoo provides challenge, recreation, and adventure for all.

Parks:
Spokane has countless qualities which set it apart as the gem of the Inland Northwest. One of these qualities is its parks. The City and County operate over 60 parks. The City’s showcase is Manito Park, noted for its 18th century styled Duncan Gardens, Conservatory, Rose Gardens and Japanese Gardens. Riverfront Park, former site of EXPO ’74, is over 50 acres of greenery, entertainment and community activities. Riverside State Park has over 1000 acres of scenic beauty with camping, horseback riding and hiking trails available. Add this to 12 national parks within a day’s drive and one finds that year ‘round enjoyment greets the resident and visitor.

Sports:
Spokane has a variety of sporting events and entertainment to attend. The Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena is the new home of the Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club. Seafirst Stadium is home to The Spokane Indians Baseball Club. Recreational sports include golfing, (the city and county maintain numerous courses), boating, hiking, cycling, skiing and fishing. Spokane is home to Hoopfest, the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world, and Bloomsday, the second largest timed road race in America. The Spokane Mountaineers offer a stellar array of outdoor pursuits, training courses and lectures that will entice weekend athletes and seasoned experts. Trips are scheduled for activities such as kayaking, rafting, hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking.

Education:
Education plays a vital role in Spokane. Both public and private, primary and secondary schools produce students who are consistently ranked in the upper range of national scholastic ratings. Four universities and two community colleges offer graduate and undergraduate degrees as well as continuing education classes.

Climate:
Spokane is four-season country, each contributing to the resident’s unique lifestyle. Situated between the Rocky and Cascade mountain ranges, Spokane is protected from damp coastal weather, as well as continental type winters. During the winter months, alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snow mobiling are popular activities. The spring and summer also offer a wide range of recreational activities.

Lifestyle:
Comfortable and affordable housing is available within walking distance of either hospital. Crime is remarkably low.