Cliff Cannon - Spokane, WA

In the late 1800s, two men opened a brickyard on land that would later be known as the Cliff Cannon neighborhood. By 1900, the area had drawn enough people to become a residential area called Cannon's Addition, after Anthony McCue Cannon. After owners of the brickyard relocated in the early 1900s, developers built even more houses and began calling the area Cannon Hill Park.

The Spokane Valley Heritage Museum contains exhibits exploring why people moved to the area and how they lived once they settled there. The Cliff Cannon Neighborhood Council hosts an annual walking tour of historic homes, culminating at sunset at Cliff Park Lookout. Proceeds fund various area-improvement projects including planting trees in the neighborhood.

Spokane is home to a vast array of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, with American establishments dominating the area. Picabu Neighborhood Bistro puts a spin on common American fare to make its menu even more gourmet. Go for the cactus burger to enjoy bursts of flavor, with peppers, sauces and cheeses exploding from the sandwich. The fire pasta and curry bowl are also touted as customer favorites, with residents coming back for these flavor-intense dishes in particular.

For a more decadent, traditional meal, Churchill's Steakhouse serves quality meat and delicious sides. The service explains the menu thoroughly and makes sure each table has the attention it deserves. Be sure not to fill up on delicious butter rolls or the 24-ounce prime rib; the Chocolate Sack - the restaurant's signature dessert - is as rich as it is delicious for a perfect ending to a fantastic steak dinner.

Nightlife in Spokane ranges from karaoke bars to dance clubs to standard local pubs. The Park Inn gives residents the cozy tavern atmosphere needed in every neighborhood. With cheaper beer prices and good bar food, The Park Inn also pops fresh popcorn for its patrons and gives locals a great place to watch the game with friends.

Bringing a mix of coffee bar and upscale bistro, the Press Lounge on Grand Boulevard serves craft cocktails from morning to night. The large patio makes this bar a fantastic spot for summer evenings; don't forget to hit the Bloody Mary bar every Saturday and Sunday.

Cliff Cannon offers easy access to Interstate 89. It is also served by the ride-share service Uber and more than half a dozen taxicab companies. The Spokane Transit Authority operates buses in the area seven days a week. Parking in the area and throughout Spokane is plentiful and relatively cheap.

The American League of Bicyclists named Spokane a bike-friendly city for its generous number of bike lanes and other accommodations. The City is also generally known for being pedestrian-friendly as well.

There are four small city-owned parks located within Cliff Cannon, all of them free to access. Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on leashes. Cowley Park is tucked into the South Hill Medical Complex where the Spokane Indians maintained their winter living quarters. This small park is perfect for a short stroll or picnic.

The nearby Edwidge Woldson Park, formerly known as Pioneer Park, contains the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens, which were planted and built between 1889 and 1932. The gardens contain a tea house, pond, rose garden and perennial garden.

Cliff Park is perched 2,260 feet above sea level on a volcanic outcrop once used as a lookout by the Spokane Tribe. Views include the City of Spokane and, on a clear day, Mount Spokane. The park features several benches, a drinking fountain and walking paths.

Polly Judd Park is another small park with minimal amenities that offers a quiet space to sit and appreciate nature. The Cliff Cannon neighborhood holds regular fundraising events, such as pancake breakfasts, in hopes of generating enough money for improvement projects.

Cliff Cannon is a relatively affordable place to live. In general, the cost of living in Spokane is 15.1 percent lower than the Washington State average cost and 5.1 percent lower than the national average cost. The cost of gas in Spokane, meanwhile, is 4.5 percent lower than the national average cost.

Here the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom unit is $571 a month, the average cost of a pint of beer is $6 a pint and the cost of a bus ticket from Cliff Cannon to downtown Spokane is $1.50.

Cliff Cannon features many different store types, ranging from smaller locally owned establishments to larger stores. Residents could spend a full day in 2nd Look Books, which has one of the most extensive book selections in Spokane. The knowledgeable staff and comfortable decor make this store one of Cliff Cannon's great hidden gems.

For women's athletic and casual apparel, Title Nine on Perry Street features quality clothing that can take the Cliff Cannon ladies "from workout to weekend with ease." The store also sells a wide selection of accessories to keep the female residents of Cliff Cannon fit and fashion-forward.

When it comes to daily essentials, Rosauers Supermarkets gives the area a great spot for groceries. The store sells quality meat and local seafood, along with some specialty items and an in-house bakery.

The Spokane Farmers' Market operates Saturdays from May through October. In addition to fresh, local vegetables, it offers locally made or raised eggs, honey, cheeses, meats and breads. Cliff Cannon residents pick up many of their groceries and their prescriptions at Rosauers Supermarket, which is located just west of the neighborhood.