Welcome to Spokane

Welcome to Spokane! Spokane is the second largest city in Washington State and the third largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. With a population of 450,000, Spokane is a medium-sized city with a great location for the outdoor enthusiast. It is the metropolitan and cultural hub for the entire Inland Northwest region, and 270 miles (4 hour drive) from Seattle. It is also only 20 miles west of the Idaho border. The location and size of the city offer a quiet place to get a great education.

Cost of Living

Living in Spokane is an incredible value, and the city in general is a great place to live. Some homestay programs offer three meals a day and interaction with an American family, which is a great way to practice English. Most homestay houses are within 200-300 meters of a bus stop. Living on your own is also easy, as there are apartment buildings within a five minute walk to campus. Lastly, Spokane is an inexpensive city to live in. Financial experts believe that the cost of living in Spokane is 25% less than living in Seattle. Spokane has many big-city amenities at a small-city price. This value plus the great environment and temperate climate make Spokane a great place to live.

Nature/Outdoor Activities

Spokane experiences a four-season climate. Spring in Spokane is beautiful, with many flowers blooming and the sun shining. Spokane is known as the lilac city, and a short spring walk about one of the many parks proves it. Summers are hot during the day but cool at night. Rainy days during the summer are almost unheard of, which means plenty of time to enjoy one of the many lakes and rivers in the area. Fall is usually still nice, with a little more rain. Apples, pumpkins, squash and other autumn fruits and vegetables make it a season to enjoy. Winter brings snow, which means ample opportunity to check out some of the great skiing in the area. Every season brings something different to the Spokane area. The sky is the limit for sports and recreation in Spokane. During their leisure time, students can participate in any number of activities, from down-hill skiing to great hiking to whitewater rafting. Students also play a lot of sports together, from soccer on the weekends to tennis, basketball and swimming on campus during the week. Great shopping and dining can also be found in downtown Spokane.