Moran Prairie - Spokane, WA

Moran Prairie was a beloved home to Native Americans who treasured the land for its fertile and open meadows, which also appealed to White settlers arriving in the 1850's. A railroad was built in 1908 which ran through the area and caused the Prairie's apples and cherry businesses to boom. The rail line ceased operations in 1939 following national economic crisis.

Today, Moran Prairie is highly residential. Farming is mainly part-time for residents, and raising livestock is usually carried out for non-commercial reasons. Each year the prairie hosts the Strawberry Festival, Vintage and Craft Market, which features activities and a wide variety of vendors selling strawberry lemonade and shortcake, and handcrafted goods.

The South Hill neighborhood offers a diverse menu for residents to savor. Northwest Best named Luna Spokane's #1 restaurant, its quality ingredients and service earning Luna a 3-star rating. A French countryside motif and friendly staff welcome patrons. Luna has an excellent wine list and impressive signature cocktails, including the Ginger Smash and L'Orange Toddy. The menu accommodates everyone including gluten-free folks, making Luna a popular place to eat any time of day. Happy hour takes place from 4 to 6 daily. Try the Ahi Tuna Tartare for a starter, and for an entree, both the succulent seasoned Chicken Breast and the Pear & Pancetta pizza are popular.

Moran Prairie is primarily a quiet residential area, but you can find many options for nightlife nearby. Start off with sipping on one of Spokane's tasty microbrews right where it was made, at Twelve String Brewing Co. or No-Li Brewhouse. Catch live performances several nights each week at The Bartlett, an all-ages venue created with the Spokane community's support through online fundraising. The Bartlett is committed to bringing up and coming acts from across the country to enrich Spokane's music and art scene.

Residents like to walk around the neighborhood, although most errands will require a vehicle. Moran Prairie residents have quick access to Highway 195, which runs into Pullman, Washington, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and and other cities in both states, as well as Interstate 90, a major thorough way connecting Spokane to Seattle and beyond. A major bonus for commuters is that traffic remains fairly light all day.

Two bus lines, 43 and 45, run through Moran Prairie. The neighborhood is good for biking with dedicated bike lanes on several main roads, and additional bike-friendly trails and roads. To use a taxi, you will need to call Spokane 24/7 Taxi Cab or another area cab company. Uber and Lyft are also increasingly popular options in the South Hill area.

The Moran Prairie neighborhood enjoys some smaller parks and close access to Spokane's most spectacular parks. Ben Burr Park is a great place for families to shoot some hoops on the basketball court, and burn off energy at the playground, which serves both tots and older kids, and burn off energy on the large turf area or on one of the trails. Ben Burr also has a shelter available for groups or parties. Like all of Spokane's parks, on-leash dogs are allowed.

Manito Park is the premiere outdoor space for beauty and entertainment. Within Manito you can find rose, lilac and Japanese gardens, among others. Upper and lower playgrounds amuse children, and the Gaiser Conservatory showcases seasonal plants, with an especially exciting lights display during the holidays. After enjoying the sights, visit the Park Bench Café to warm up or cool down with a drink, or have a picnic lunch at one of the many lovely areas throughout the park. Make sure to visit Mirror Pond to see the ducks and other water fowl. Manito Park is completely free, including parking, which makes it a terrific place for all to gather.

Moran Prairie's cost of living is 12 percent higher than Spokane, but 6 percent lower than the Washington average. The average monthly rent is $717. At a pub, domestic beer costs around $3 and you can expect to pay $5 for craft beer.

In terms of getting around, local gas prices are 20 percent higher than the national average. Standard adult bus fare costs $1.50 each way.

Many department stores like Shopko and Target can be found on South Regal Street. The local mall, River Park Square, has a wide variety of retail like The Apple Store, Pottery Barn and the only Nordstrom around. Head to Downtown Spokane for stores such as Lolo Boutique, a home decor shop with other fabulous items for your closet. Pick up bright, bold stationery for gift-giving, or slip into a new jacket to accent your style. The quirky little shop even stocks bath and body products to keep you at your sweetest.

Several grocery stores service Moran Prairie including Rosauers Supermarket, which has small-town feel and is a popular place for meat and seafood, and Fred Meyer One Stop Shopping, which provides groceries, apparel and electronics. Trader Joe's prides itself on offering health and organic food and products for low prices.

Moran Prairie residents will find several farmers markets accessible, in line with the strong agricultural influence of the area. In the South Hill neighborhood you will find the Emerson Garfield Farmers Market, generally running from June until October. Vendors sell top-quality grass-finished beef, terrific artisan truffles and ravioli and much more. Be sure to visit the Scone Ranger's booth for a heavenly seasonal scone.