No doubt about it, part of the appeal of working at lee&hayes is our location. The Pacific Northwest is an absolutely fantastic place to live.

Geography
Located in eastern Washington State (the sunny-side of the state), our city lies at the westward end of a valley that is about 50 miles long and ten miles wide, bordered by mountains on the north and south. The Spokane River flows through the valley from beautiful Coeur d’Alene Lake in northern Idaho. This clear and fast-flowing river winds its way through Post Falls in Idaho and then through the Spokane Valley and the City of Spokane where it thunders over the majestic Spokane Falls–right in the heart of downtown.

The Region
Known as the Lilac City for its profusion of colorful Spring foliage, Spokane offers its citizens a rich and diverse lifestyle. We enjoy a true four-season climate and are surrounded by numerous lakes and ski slopes. Spokane is the hub of a 2-million person, 36-county playground that takes in Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, Western Montana and Northeastern Oregon. Wilderness lakes, rolling wheat fields, spectacular mountain ranges and desert wild flowers are an easy drive away. We experience the benefits of Northwest city life, with the added benefits of being able to mountain bike, fly fish, kayak, rock climb, or golf within 15 minutes of our office.

Golf, Sports and Recreation
If you like golf, it is hard to find a better (or more affordable) place to play than in Spokane. Our seven city and county courses have hosted U.S.G.A. tour and P.G.A. sanctioned events and have been judged among the top 25 public courses in the U.S. Greens fees start at only $13.00 for nine holes, and don't exceed $25.00 for 18 holes on any public course (2003 rates.) From the rolling fairways of MeadowWood to the challenging gorges of Indian Canyon, there is enough variety for every player.

To experience the best golf has to offer, take short drive to the Couer d'Alene Resort course. The signature hole is the 14th–a par 3 where your tee shot must carry over the lake and onto a floating green. Putting access is provided by a boat that shuttles your group to and from the green. The course has been awarded a 5-star rating from Golf Digest and a gold medal from Golf Magazine.

Away from the fairways, major league home teams in the region include the Seattle Mariners, Super Sonics, and Seahawks and the Portland Trailblazers. Local sports include minor league baseball with the Spokane Indians (farm club of the Kansas City Royals), USL soccer with the Spokane Shadow and aggressive WHL hockey with the Spokane Chiefs. Pac-10 games are 90 minutes away at Washington State University and The Kennel at Gonzaga University hosts Bulldog basketball in the WAC. Eastern Washington University and Whitworth College home games round out the collegiate sports schedule.

Home to four public and private colleges and universities and two community colleges, Spokane has a youthful spirit. Nationwide claims to fame include Bloomsday, the world’s largest timed running race with over 50,000 runners pounding down a 12k course around and through the city. Hoopfest is the world’s largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament with 5,425 teams (21,330 players) playing for two days on 341 courts in downtown Spokane.

No Lack of Culture
In addition to a great variety of outdoor activities, you can enjoy a concert from our local symphony in our river side Opera House, experience a touring Broadway performance, or shop at some of the most unique stores in the country. For even more variety, Seattle is an inexpensive hour away by air, or a pleasant half-day drive through farm fields, sagebrush steppe and beautiful Cascade mountain passes.

Housing Benefits
A big draw for Spokane is our incredible standard of living. You can purchase a nice 2,000 sq. ft. home in Spokane for $180,000 (for a home that would run you over $500,000 in Cupertino, CA). With great real estate options and no state income tax, you spend less and get to keep more of what you make.

Facts from the Spokane Chamber of Commerce

• 260 days of sunshine per year and less than 19 inches of annual precipitation.
  
• The second-best summer weather in the nation, according to CustomWeather.
  
• Surrounded by 76 lakes, four major rivers, 13 ski areas, and 32 golf courses.
  
• Over 80,000 students attending higher education facilities including Community Colleges of Spokane, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, North Idaho College, University of Idaho, Washington State University and Whitworth College.
  
• A world-class telecommunications infrastructure with more miles of fiber per capita than any metropolitan area in the world.
  
• Average 19-minute commute.
  
• The 2nd and 3rd largest hospitals in Washington state.
  
• Energy rates among the lowest in the nation.
  

Welcome Home
Come to Spokane and find out why Outside Magazine and Reader’s Digest (talk about diverse readership) both rate Spokane as one of the best places to live in the country.