I may be a bit biased because I live here, but I think the South Hill is one of Spokane’s best neighborhoods! It’s got everything: convenience, beauty, history, charm, and great shops and restaurants.
Thinking of moving here or just coming for a visit? Here’s what you need to know about the South Hill:
WHERE IS THE SOUTH HILL IN SPOKANE, WA?
The South Hill in Spokane is just South and Southeast of downtown Spokane and includes a variety of diverse neighborhoods, including Cliff-Cannon, Manito/Cannon Hill, Rockwood, Lincoln Heights, Perry District, Comstock, Southgate, Latah/Hangman and Grandview/Thorpe.
The convenience of the South Hill is one of my favorite aspects of it. Just a few minutes from the I-90, less than 10 minutes to downtown, and it contains the majority of things you’d need to access on a daily/weekly basis — grocery stores (Trader Joe’s!), coffee shops, drug stores, hardware stores, nail salons, hair salons, shopping (Target!), restaurants and fast food eateries.
There is minimal traffic and running errands is a breeze. You really don’t have to leave the South Hill unless you want to!
WHAT IS THE SOUTH HILL LIKE?
The South Hill is one of the oldest residential areas in Spokane and is largely characterized by historic homes and beautiful, tree-lined streets, especially in the Rockwood, Cliff-Cannon and Manito neighborhoods. But each neighborhood within the South Hill has it’s own feel and flare, largely depending on when it was developed.
ARE THERE PARKS IN THE SOUTH HILL?
You’ll find plenty of lovely, spacious parks in the South Hill, perfect for a picnic, an outing for your kiddos, or just a leisurely stroll. (One of the things that amazed me most when we moved from Seattle was how many amazing, uncrowded parks Spokane has, especially in the South Hill!).
One of Spokane’s most popular parks is Manito Park, a public park covering 90 acres, complete with playgrounds, walking paths, five different gardens, a greenhouse conservatory and a cafe in the summer. This is a must-visit!
Some of my other favorite parks are: Lincoln Park (walking trails and playground), Grant Park (picnics and playground), and High Drive Bluff Park (walking trails and views).
ARE THERE GOOD RESTAURANTS AND COFFEE SHOPS IN THE SOUTH HILL?
Yes and yes! Some of my favorites include:
- The Shop: great coffee, breakfast and lunch on-the-go (including many gluten-free and vegan options)
- Meeting House Cafe: nice place to work from or enjoy a coffee on the patio
- Rockwood Bakery: delicious baked goods and nice atmosphere to meet a friend for coffee (but no wi-fi)
- Luna: a bit more expensive dinner option but great food and ambience
- Manito Tap House: great happy hour spot with outdoor seating (try the buffalo cauliflower!)
- South Perry Pizza: amazing pizza! More gourmet, interesting pizza than your usual spot but in a casual environment
- Perry Street Brewing: nice spot to sit and have a beer and some light snacks
DO YOU NEED A CAR IN THE SOUTH HILL?
For the most part, yes. The Perry District is one very walkable area of the South Hill, where you can walk to parks, restaurants, coffee shops and a convenience store, but most other areas will require a car to get around.
WHAT ARE THE CONS OF THE SOUTH HILL?
- Trees. The South Hill has huge, mature Evergreen trees which pose a few problems: they block out the sun, which can make dark Spokane winters feel extra dark; they can cause house and car damage during winter windstorms; they can wreak havoc on sewer lines.
- HILLS! True to its name, the South Hill is hilly! This can become a bit hairy during the winter months with snow and ice, especially if you’re not comfortable or used to driving in these conditions.
- More Expensive Housing. The South Hill is more expensive than many of the other neighborhoods in Spokane for both home purchases and rentals.
- Older Homes. You won’t find much new construction in the South Hill, and many of the older, albeit charming, homes will need some updates and TLC.
- Smaller Lots. You’ll definitely get to know your neighbors because the houses in the South Hill tend to be very close together!
So that’s the South Hill of Spokane in a nutshell! Have additional questions about the South Hill or any other Spokane neighborhood? Send me a message or comment below — I’d love to chat!
