Time For A Pop Quiz, Spokane

Fri., Jan. 14, 2000

By Paul Turner srpaulturner@gmail.com

They are the key questions.

Is Spokane big enough to offer most of the advantages of a city without presenting the drawbacks of urban life?

Or is Spokane just big enough to inflict classic city hassles on its residents without offering commensurate cultural amenities?

It’s all a matter of opinion, of course. This tends to be subjective stuff.

But The Slice’s quick Lifestyle Satisfaction Quiz could help you come up with your answer.

(Score five points for each of the following statements with which you definitely agree.)

1. I’m satisfied with the local commitment to protect the environment.

2. For the most part, I don’t think traffic in Spokane is bad at all.

3. Compared to other places I’ve lived, I don’t really worry about crime here.

4. The local opportunities for four-seasons outdoor recreation are important to my happiness.

5. Sure it’s a cliche. But I honestly do believe this is a great place to raise a family.

6. I really can’t complain about the lineup of concerts, plays, movies and gallery events available to me here.

7. I like the people one encounters on a daily basis in the Inland Northwest.

8. I find it entertaining to hear snobs complain about the Inland Northwest’s real or imagined cultural shortcomings.

9. The lineup of flights at Spokane International Airport meets my needs.

10. I’m satisfied with the schools and medical care available in Spokane.

11. Truth is, I wouldn’t make much more money in a larger city.

12. I’m more or less happy with the housing I can afford here.

13. I like the way public policy issues are debated here.

14. There’s nothing about Spokane that makes me feel that I need to conceal my sexual orientation.

15. My spiritual side has every opportunity to flourish here.

EVALUATE YOUR SCORE

75 65: You work for the Chamber of Commerce.

60 50: You see the glass as half full.

45 35: You’re one of the many grumblers.

30 20: Delta is ready when you are.

15 5: Run, don’t walk, to the nearest exit.

Zero: You’ve fallen and can’t get up.

* Today’s Slice question: If North Idaho seceded from the rest of the Gem State, how would its politics differ from those of the old intact Idaho?

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