I would agree with the other commenter. Spokane may have "high crime" objectively but they actually have lower violent crime and gang activity compared to other cities like Tacoma or Yakima. Most of the "crime" in Spokane can be chalked up to vehicular crime - that's what I would watch out for. The Police Department actually provides free steering wheel locks for the top 10 car models that are the most broken into in the city.
I've moved from Seattle to Spokane, and after living in Spokane for a few years, I feel like it's a lot more of a family town and I feel very safe here. With Spokane, it's more tweakers in the middle of the night (it's rural) who might break into your car in a ****ty neighborhood, so be smart, park in safe areas, and don't leave your valuables in your car. I've actually never had any friends or family during my time in Spokane have any issues with their cars whatsoever, though. Never had any issues myself.
As for Liberty Lake, that's in/around Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley is a little "out of the way" in my opinion. You would have to commute and it's far from some of the cooler activities going on in the city. To echo the previous commenter, there is some amazing housing in the South Hill area and really cute up-and-coming communities and shopping centers there. The only warning with the South Hill is that you have to get comfortable driving on un-plowed, steep hills in the ice and snow if you live in that part of town. If you're not comfortable driving in the snow, you should live north of the river where things are flatter, at least while you get used to the conditions.
I've personally lived in the Nevada/Lidgerwood area and loved it. The apartments are mad cheap and you get a garage, which is a live-saver in the winter. Only one major street that leads you straight to downtown. Northtown, Town and Country, anyplace near Whitworth is nice and homely. You might find more modern/urban (expensive but nice) places the closer you get to downtown and to the river.
