As cities grow and more and more people adopt condo living in downtown areas, the need for fresh food and healthy living is ever present.

Most downtown areas have a large Farmers Market, Spokane Has a Farmers Market, and lots of local healthy eating, organic food shops within a short walk of most Downtown Spokane Condos. For those more independent condo dwellers, a do it yourself balcony garden can be just the answer someone is looking for. Using a little creativity and technology, one can mass produce healthy nutrient rich food from the balcony of their downtown condo!

Check out these great techniques:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIVJj_yajrU

I get a lot of phone calls from people wanting to rent downtown Spokane Condos, most are unsure whether they want to actually live downtown and want to rent before making the plunge.

With a shortage of “rentable” condos in downtown Spokane, demand is huge, and many sellers hold out for a downtown buyer.

Investopedia’s article “Does Condo Life Suit You?” could not have said it better, those of you on the fence wondering the true costs and what living downtown is like should check this out.

For all of you who want to live in Downtown Spokane, we officially have unit 7 on the market.  Starting price is $218,000 for this WONDERFUL Downtown Spokane Condominium.

The property located at 401 W. 1st Avenue in Spokane Washington features 24×7 monitored security, elevator access and much more.

To see the full features on unit 7, visit our information page on Downtown Spokane Condo #7

When it comes to living in Downtown Spokane, nothing beats the condos at 401 W 1st Avenue. 

We’re so confident in that statement, that we are giving away a weekend stay at these luxurious condominiums with a full weekend getaway package.  Package includes:

A weekend stay at the 401 W 1st Condominiums - experience the true Downtown Spokane Life in this luxurious, ultra modern condos furnished to the max. 

A $50.00 Gift Certificate  to Sante Restaurant and Charcuterie -- enjoy fine dining a quick walk walk from the 401 W 1st Avenue condos.  Experience the thrill of living downtown. 

A $25.00 Gift Certificat to the Left Bank Wine Bar for Dessert -- One of Downtown Spokane’s best locations.  Enjoy wine by the glass from one of the largest selections of wine you’ll find.  A great night cap to any evening.

A $50.00 Gift Card to Concept Home Furniture -- Spokane’s Premier furniture store. 

How do I enter to win?

An evening of entertainment

Downstairs, in the Concept Home Furniture store, the September release party for Spokane CDA Living Magazine will be raging.  Enjoy delicious appetizers, wine bar & live DJ in the perfect setting of Concept Home’s downtown Spokane location.

Featured Artist is this month is the multi-talented Rachelle Tiner.
“Brush or bronze? That is often the question multi-talented artist Rachelle Tiner must ask herself when moved to… create. Her brilliance lies in her gift for finding and expressing, passion with color, the movement of the figure, and the beauty of the moment. Born and raised in Walla Walla Valley, Rachelle’s artistic love affair began as soon as she could grasp a crayon. Since then she’s traveled the world, and studied fine art, striving continually to understand her world through the eyes of an artist. Largely self taught, Rachelle uses many mediums and techniques, including the lost wax process of bronze sculpting to create works that give voice to her hopes, experiences and imagination. ” www.rachellegallery.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP2nZ_BbrZI

When I read this article, all I saw was “White House Grill” on the South Hill and I was hooked.

You had me at hello.

Not that I mind driving to Post Falls for their Garlicy Goodness, but having one on the South Hill means I can enjoy it more often.   The White House Grill, on the hill (if you will), is just one of the many new dining establishments opening across the area for locals to enjoy. 

What’s your favorite place to eat?

Despite a national decline in most residential sales, in many areas condominium sales are seeing a rise.

Steve Mort profiles a group of investors who are cashing in on the increased demand for condominium sales in Florida.   Looking local, how are Downtown Spokane Condo Sales fairing?

Surprisingly well.

Despite a short lull in demand for high end Downtown Condos and an increase in Bank Owned Downtown Condos, we are seeing an increase in high end pending sales in the Downtown Spokane Grid.  This is great news.

Downtown Spokane has made a statment: it’s ready for your business and we’re thriving.

The downtown grid is currently sporting 71 active listings ranging from $69,000 on the west side in Brown’s Addition to a posh 4-level downtown condominum starting at 1.45 million dollars.  The good news is most are very affordable – averaging in the mid-to-high 300-400k range.

If you’ve ever heard the saying, “Get it while the gettin’s good.”  The gettin’ cant be gettin’ any better than it is right now.  With demand increasing, I belive the Downtown Condo market has turned the corner and will stabilize over the next 2-3 quarters.  With great priced condos like the ones at 401 West 1st Avenue you can get a luxury condo at a price that rivals most in the city for amenities, location and design.

What are your thoughts?  Would you ever live downtown? Why or why not?

There are alot of great Downtown Spokane adventures; most know the popular ones, but everyone’s got their favorite “hole in the wall.” 

We sought out those locations with an informal survey of many of our Facebook and social networking followers.  The results were entertaining to say the least.

To the untrained eye, the large glitzy venues can easily steal one’s attention – but there is a HUGE mass of largely unknown eateries scattered around the Downtown Spokane landscape.  Don’t believe me? Check out the inlander’s “Eating Cheap in Downtown Spokane” article from February, 2010.  My favorites from the list being the Far West Billiards,  The Globe, and Soulful Soups and Sprits.  I have to admit, there are a half-dozen I’ve not heard of, but plan to try.

Fun downtown doesn’t always have to be eating Downtown (although I wouldn’t have it any other way…), as one participant in our informal survey pointed out, playing frisbee in the park was his favorite activity. It’s hard to miss River Front Park’s towering pavilion or it’s spread of 100 acres along the Spokane River.   There’s fun for everyone there…

But what else?

Surprisingly, not everyone enjoyed my love for food in Downtown Spokane, there were many healthier alternatives presented to me – frisbee in the park being the tip of the iceberg.  Some, however, brought back memories of being a kid in the park – things I’d long forgotten existed that I may revisit now that I’m an adult.

So without any further ado, I present to you the official, unofficial list of Things To Do In Downtown Spokane, as submitted by our Facebook Fans!

A visit to the Spokane Garbage Goat - I have not seen the garbage goat in over 10 years, not sure why, me and the old goat haven’t crossed paths in a while.  Don’t forget to bring some trash to feed him, or he’ll get rather angry with you.  Some great information on the garbage goat and other statues and monumnents in Spokane can be found here.

Feeding the ducks – Another thing I’ve not done in a decade or more.  I used to love to do this as a kid, but it seems Parks and Recreation frowns upon this activity now, so toss the bread at your own risk!

The Centennial Trail – This trail is 37 miles of fun that spans from State Line Idaho through downtown Spokane up into Nine Mile Falls Washington.  The Centennial Trail is great for biking, running and walking the trails. 

The little playground by the old YMCA – as a kid I played here myself.  A great kid destination while walking around Downtown Spokane.

Polka Dot Pottery in River Park Square – I’ve actually wanted to visit this venue for a long time.  I have this crazy idea for a giant food bowl for my father in law… long story… it has come highly recommended.  Could be paired with a great meal at Twigs just up the way!

Martinis and a Movie Downtown – by far my wife’s favorite thing to do downtown.  Our venues of choice, Bistango Martini Bar and the Peacock Lounge in the Davenport Hotel (the enthusiasm was shared amongst several other informal survey participants…).  Nothing beats a stroll around downtown with a few Martini Pit Stops finalized with a movie at the AMC Theaters.

The Satellite Diner – Moments after last call the masses converge upon this diner (which is open almost all day).  The coffee is hot the food is good an the atmosphere is welcoming.  Many starting their next day or ending a night of fun with a ‘sobering’ meal.  I haven’t found a meal there I didn’t like.

It’s clear that there are dozens more activities in Downtown Spokane that aren’t on this list.  Everyday new fun activities are added to the Downtown Scene, if I’ve missed your favorite activity – sound off in the comments below!   There’s no excuse for being bored in Downtown Spokane!

When you think of the word downtown what comes to mind?

I think restaurants, wine bars, live music and most of all — walking.   One major benefits to living downtown is not only being in the middle of the current entertainment scene, but a proximity to those things that are important to you. 

Statistics show that in the downtown Zip Code that more than 1 in 10 individuals walk to work and 19% of them have a commute time of 9 minutes or less.  People move downtown to not only be near the things that are fun for them, but to be near work.

Further narrowing the statistics to just the ”Downtown Neighborhood [see source information below]”  I found that people who lived downtown on average owned .7 (yeh that’s seven-tenths) fewer cars than those in the rest of Spokane.  Presumably they favor walking or public transit for their transportation needs.  One condo owner downtown boasts “it’s quicker for me to walk to work than it is to drive…”

My Downtown Spokane (and Coeur d’Alene) condo buyers’ criteria has been pretty straight forward with regard to location - “I want to live somewhere that I can walk to [Insert Pub, Wine bar, restaurant, occupation, park etc... HERE!]

But there are many unsuspecting buyers who are aboslutely thrilled with condo living, but just don’t know it yet…

When most picture their dream home they picture… green grass, a white picket fence (the list goes on…) It’s what we’re trained to think, right? 

Maybe.

What they don’t picture (but arguably should), is:

• Walk/Bike/Bus to work
• Nightly entertainment (most times in the form of live music, a wine tasting or an art walk)
• Stone’s throw from multple parks
• close to shopping
• 100 year old exposed brick walls
• spacious floor plans
• state of the art heating/cooling systems
• surround sound systems
• central vacuum
• 24×7 monitored secure doors
• covered parking
• elevator
• Click here for the full list.

Living downtown, especially in Spokane, is unlike living downtown anywhere else in the country.  The beauty and location is unlike any other location you will find, compare the affordability and function, and you’ll find it’s a no-brainer.

 (information from city-data.com).

If you missed us last month, or want to come see us again, we’ll be open for the First Friday Event in Downtown Spokane this Friday, June 4th 2010.  These stylish condos are located just above the Concept Home Furniture store on the corner of 1st and Washington (401 W 1st Ave). 

Come and join us for a glass of wine and some featured art work from Neicy Fry and the Launch of the June issue of the Spokane CDA Living Magazine!

Make sure to RSVP on the Concept Home Facebook Page here.

For more information on available downtown condos, please hit the “Available condos” tab above or call (509) 990-7653

Looking for something exciting to do on Earth Day 2010?  Check out Downtown Spokane’s Main Market Coop.  Just blocks away from the 401 W. 1st condominium project and part of the wonderful Downtown Spokane culture that so many enjoy. 

More information here!