Spokane is a mid-sized, affordable inland city with a revitalized downtown, a lively arts-and-brewery scene, Riverfront Park and year-round outdoor access — hiking and mountain biking on many trails, river kayaking, and nearby skiing at Mount Spokane.
About 30–35 miles east, Coeur d’Alene offers lake beaches, boating and a resort downtown for easy weekend escapes, and Spokane International Airport keeps travel simple so multi-week contracts feel like living somewhere with real variety.