we want to avoid culture and climate shock, in the good way!! (Seattle)

Hello everyone! my name is Karen, and my bf's name is Nathan, and we will be moving to spokane in february, maybe march, from santa rosa, ca. We will be transfering from the starbucks we work at here in santa rosa, to a starbucks somewhere in spokane. we're mature young adults wanting to start a new life together in a new city.

we are curious about lots of things including: where are the good neighborhoods to begin searching for an apartment or house to rent? are there lots of nice places to rent that are below $700 a month? how reliable is the public transportation in spokane? what is the best kind of vehicle to own in a city that experiences all 4 seasons? medicinal marijuana is legal in washington, are there dispensaries in spokane (karen uses medical marijuana for her fibromyalgia)? are there any health food stores in spokane? what is the pagan community like there? how easy is it to live an environmentally friendly organic vegetarian lifestyle there? what is the alternative scene (bdsm, bohemian, etc) like there?

we have so many questions....lol. we'd like to make some friends online who live in spokane, so when we do relocate we already have a friend base in place, and possible "tour guides".

hope to hear from some of you!

*Karen and Nathan~