Moving to Airway Heights (Spokane, South Hill: rentals, home, school)

[Jenny360]

My fiance and I are moving to the Spokane area to start our life together after several years in the Moscow-Pullman area for school. We found what seems to be almost a perfect option in terms of a starter home for rent in Airway Heights: nice, new quality home, close to the base, out of the main city. HOWEVER...we then zoom out of the map and notice the correctional facility, race track, casino, etc. etc.

Anyone live around this area and have an opinion on living within the general vicinity? Do you notice any of these things in the long run?

[Yeledaf]

Jenny --- NO.

Why do you want to be near the base? You have so many better options in the Spokane area than Airway Heights. Please reconsider.

[ShadoAngel]

I wouldn't live in Airway Heights. It's not so much IMO, that AH is atrocious, but that other areas are more appealing and similarly priced. If you want to be 'out of the main city', I'd look at Medical Lake or see if there were any rentals available in rural areas east of the base. Reardan is only 15 minutes or so away from the base. I'd rather live in one of those places.

Although if it were me I'd just live in Spokane. 15-25 minutes isn't that long of a commute. I'd easily drive another 20-30 minutes every day to have better/closer access to non-work activities - shopping, restaurants, parks, etc. in Spokane vs living in AH and driving to Spokane on a regular basis.

[Jenny360]

So glad to hear your opinions!! Locals always know best. It originally seemed like an awesome idea, as we are a military family who could utilize the base for free gym, the commissary, etc.

From afar, I guess I always just thought it was a good place to be since you're kind of tucked away, in a sense. Thank you for your honest answers, my fiance just got some job offers in the Post Falls area. So onto the next!!

[Upthewazzu]

Depending on your age and child situation, there are much better options in the city. The South Hill is nice, the South Perry district is nice, or if the 'burbs are your cup of tea, then check out Liberty Lake.

I would avoid Post Fall for obvious reasons (it sucks) but also tax reason. Unless both of you plan on working there, I'd choose to live on the WA side so you don't both end up paying Idaho income tax.

[Boxkicker]

Even if you live on one side and work on the other, Idaho still will get some tax.

[AK76]

Originally Posted by Boxkicker

Even if you live on one side and work on the other, Idaho still will get some tax.

If one is a Washington resident working in Idaho, how can/does Idaho have a claim on tax?

[Boxkicker]

Originally Posted by AK76

If one is a Washington resident working in Idaho, how can/does Idaho have a claim on tax?

Idaho taxes income earned by non-residents.

So if you live in Washington, but work in Idaho, you pay state income taxes on your income you make in Idaho. You would file a non-resident return for the state of Idaho and they would tax the income.

[AK76]

Originally Posted by Boxkicker

Idaho taxes income earned by non-residents.

So if you live in Washington, but work in Idaho, you pay state income taxes on your income you make in Idaho. You would file a non-resident return for the state of Idaho and they would tax the income.

And upon filing a return, one would get a refund from the state of Idaho, no?

[Boxkicker]

No, you earned the income in their state....they would want their money!

You would not get a refund.