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[quote=bartonizer;41709553]:-D I simply used Bend and Flagstaff as examples to show how cities from two different regions look alike. But you're right, maybe not the best example of a Sunbelt community, obviously more of a mountain community. Anyway, I'll stick to my observation that some of the lower altitude, desert towns in Eastern Washington that are growing rapidly and filling up with retirees- do bear a resemblance to some Sunbelt areas, despite the fact that many people on C-D haven't visited them. Apparently, many people from other places apparently don't understand that only about 1/3 of OR and WA contain the lush, forested scenery they associate with the Pacific NW. The region encompasses far more than Seattle or Portland.
Again, places like the Tri-Cities are a good example of what I'm referring to- 7 inches of rain annually, 300 days of sunshine (a dubious claim, I realize), and explosive growth. It was the fastest growing metro in the US in 2012, and is still expanding rapidly today. Here's a good article on the subject:
Again, there are a lot of differences, but there are some areas that certainly display similarities to Sunbelt metros.[/QUOTE/
Yes, this post is true. The chamber of commerce likes to boast about the 300 days of sunshine, and while it can indeed be somewhat dubious, it is mostly true when considering the comparison to the westside of Washington State.
And yes, the growth in the Tri is, and has been explosive, but the best part of it is prices are still low! A King or Sno Co. resident could probably sell their suburban home in Lynnwood, Federal Way, Kent, etc. for $500K and find the exact same home for 225K, with a bonus of sunshine.
Yes, there is less culture, less sports teams, less big-city culture. Just as a disclaimer...but what the heck, a nice down-size with little lost. Oh, and Seattle is 3.5 hours away.
Or Southern Utah, locally known as "Dixie". Plenty of palms around St. George.
I agree. Between Washington, County, UT (aka Dixie) and Las Vegas are a lot of smaller towns. Many from Northern states will spend two or three months of winter in Dixie. The Palms, a restaurant, has lots of palm trees. They are elsewhere in the county as well.
Just one word of caution, Cedar City is one hour north of St. George. One would assume a similar climate to St George, Ivins, Mesquite - which is in NV and has Casinos. Mesquite is generally cheaper for houses than St. George and equally warm. Cedar City and Iron County are not. They get snow, and much colder temps just one hour away. There is a ski resort not far from Cedar City. No palm trees. And the entrance to National Parks are in that general area. My favorite drummer, considered # 1 in the world by a majority, likes to hang out in these National Parks. Utah has a lot from both music and acting who travel frequently or own second homes in Utah.
If it's warm and palm trees that you want, stay in lower WA County of UT or in between UT and Vegas.
MSR
Last edited by Mtn. States Resident; 10-29-2015 at 02:52 PM..
:-D I simply used Bend and Flagstaff as examples to show how cities from two different regions look alike. But you're right, maybe not the best example of a Sunbelt community, obviously more of a mountain community. Anyway, I'll stick to my observation that some of the lower altitude, desert towns in Eastern Washington that are growing rapidly and filling up with retirees- do bear a resemblance to some Sunbelt areas, despite the fact that many people on C-D haven't visited them. Apparently, many people from other places apparently don't understand that only about 1/3 of OR and WA contain the lush, forested scenery they associate with the Pacific NW. The region encompasses far more than Seattle or Portland.
Again, places like the Tri-Cities are a good example of what I'm referring to- 7 inches of rain annually, 300 days of sunshine (a dubious claim, I realize), and explosive growth. It was the fastest growing metro in the US in 2012, and is still expanding rapidly today. Here's a good article on the subject:
Again, there are a lot of differences, but there are some areas that certainly display similarities to Sunbelt metros.[/QUOTE/
Yes, this post is true. The chamber of commerce likes to boast about the 300 days of sunshine, and while it can indeed be somewhat dubious, it is mostly true when considering the comparison to the westside of Washington State.
And yes, the growth in the Tri is, and has been explosive, but the best part of it is prices are still low! A King or Sno Co. resident could probably sell their suburban home in Lynnwood, Federal Way, Kent, etc. for $500K and find the exact same home for 225K, with a bonus of sunshine.
Yes, there is less culture, less sports teams, less big-city culture. Just as a disclaimer...but what the heck, a nice down-size with little lost. Oh, and Seattle is 3.5 hours away.
Pnwguy2,
You and I have traveled some of the same roads. I tend to read your posts because I know how accurate you are. You even know exit numbers. This is slightly off topic, but I read the link you posted and I'm a little confused.
If I remember correctly the Tri-Cities are in two counties. Ten percent growth for the Tri ( the article gave different rates for each city) is impressive. It sounds like some come looking for jobs but can't find them and job cration isn't keeping up wits new transplants. I really like the idea about new housing and how extra fees are assessed for the schools. Someone I don't know left a Facebook post about a high school bond in her district and asked the district to stop allowing new building permits. I'm 100% serious.
What I'm confused about is the article stated the census is more in the 215K range. But, the population of three or four smaller cities wasn't included. When I add them all I don't get 300 K. Are there a lot of residents who live in unincorporated areas or any idea how some call the Tri 300K?
I agree with you 1000% about big cities and what one retains or gives up moving to a smaller area. When asking those who live in big cities to which sporting events, arts (like symphony, ballet etc) do they have Season Tickets, very few ever had season tickets to anything. It's not that long to drive to Seattle or Portland for sporting events and specific concerts. Besides, many areas over 25K have their own smaller arts and some sports teams. Not everyone minds *losing* everything that comes with big city culture....the traffic to events, ticket costs for a season, the cost of parking and the crime etc.all factor in. Perhaps it depends on one's life experiences to that point. Smaller areas have their charms too.
I do believe you that south, central WA is warmer than western WA.
MSR
Last edited by Mtn. States Resident; 10-29-2015 at 02:54 PM..
A better question is why a geographic designation that supposedly encompasses Southern California to South Carolina is considered at all coherent or worth discussing.
Oregon is actually a very arid state on the whole. The "rainforest" type vegetation it's famed for covers no more than 25 percent of the state, in the coastal and northwestern areas. Most of Oregon is highlands covered in open pine and juniper woodlands in the higher and less dry areas, and sagebrush and salt flats in the drier and lower areas, or Bay Area-like type oak savanna/chaparral in much of inland southern Oregon.
I'd say a good 60 percent of Oregon and 45 percent of Washington could pass for New Mexico.
The whole "West of the 100th Meridian" meme rings very true and without the orographic effects of the first few mountain ranges the West Coast states would be in even more of a problematic water situation than we already are.
I think it's easy to dismiss the OP's question, and I don't think anyone really thinks that the two states are part of the Sunbelt, but anyone that's spent time in NV, AZ, Southern UT, or NM could definitely see some Southwestern similarities if they cruised through parts of central parts of WA or OR. I agree with an earlier poster that the angle of the winter sunlight is somewhat different, but I think many people would be very surprised at the look the area, and wouldn't be able to correctly identify the region if blindfolded and dropped off. And I think that some places, like Wenatchee, Yakima, and especially the Tri-Cities- have a Sunbelt feel to the growth in the area, as well.
The sunbelt (to me at least) refers to a group of cities that experienced rapid growth simply due to the fact they were located and blessed with warm and sunny weather. Often such cities are particularly attractive for retirees since they don't have to worry about jobs. Two states that exemplify this the best are Florida and Arizona. You can make a case for California, however most of her "sunbelt" development proceeded the coined term. Even now, most growth in California is around the Bay Area, not because of 'great weather and sunshine' but because of the Tech Industry. It seems like California shed her dumb 'fun in the sun' stereotype and transitioned into an intellectual and entrepreneurial powerhouse of the USA. The same cannot be said for Florida or Arizona as of yet, but things may change.
Going back to Seattle and Portland, their development patterns are neither in tune with other sunbelt cities, or for the same reasons. No one moves to Seattle for good weather, not that I heard anyway. On the other hand, there is a strong tech field there, as well as aviation and in general high paying jobs and a recognized high standard of living with the benefit of all the natural surroundings.
There are still plenty of people moving to the Bay Area for "the weather / sunshine." Some of them are willfully worsening their financial condition to do it. Lots of them mention the winters where they came from as the prime motivator.
You and I have traveled some of the same roads. I tend to read your posts because I know how accurate you are. You even know exit numbers. This is slightly off topic, but I read the link you posted and I'm a little confused.
If I remember correctly the Tri-Cities are in two counties. Ten percent growth for the Tri ( the article gave different rates for each city) is impressive. It sounds like some come looking for jobs but can't find them and job cration isn't keeping up wits new transplants. I really like the idea about new housing and how extra fees are assessed for the schools. Someone I don't know left a Facebook post about a high school bond in her district and asked the district to stop allowing new building permits. I'm 100% serious.
What I'm confused about is the article stated the census is more in the 215K range. But, the population of three or four smaller cities wasn't included. When I add them all I don't get 300 K. Are there a lot of residents who live in unincorporated areas or any idea how some call the Tri 300K?
I agree with you 1000% about big cities and what one retains or gives up moving to a smaller area. When asking those who live in big cities to which sporting events, arts (like symphony, ballet etc) do they have Season Tickets, very few ever had season tickets to anything. It's not that long to drive to Seattle or Portland for sporting events and specific concerts. Besides, many areas over 25K have their own smaller arts and some sports teams. Not everyone minds *losing* everything that comes with big city culture....the traffic to events, ticket costs for a season, the cost of parking and the crime etc.all factor in. Perhaps it depends on one's life experiences to that point. Smaller areas have their charms too.
I do believe you that south, central WA is warmer than western WA.
MSR
The latest Tri-Cities metro estimate (2014) was just over 273,000. With about an 8% growth rate, I believe the highest in the Pacific Northwest. Yes, adding up Richland, Pasco, Kennewick does not equal 273,000, so the metro does expand outside those three, including fast-growing West Richland, an incorporated town. The area is indeed essentially two counties, with Richland and Kennewick in Benton, and Pasco in Franklin. Thus we have the clever name Ben Franklin Transit!
As for reasons for the growth, continued research and cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, affordability, good climate, a central location for retail and medical, and a pro-growth attitude come to mind.
The latest Tri-Cities metro estimate (2014) was just over 273,000. With about an 8% growth rate, I believe the highest in the Pacific Northwest. Yes, adding up Richland, Pasco, Kennewick does not equal 273,000, so the metro does expand outside those three, including fast-growing West Richland, an incorporated town. The area is indeed essentially two counties, with Richland and Kennewick in Benton, and Pasco in Franklin. Thus we have the clever name Ben Franklin Transit!
As for reasons for the growth, continued research and cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, affordability, good climate, a central location for retail and medical, and a pro-growth attitude come to mind.
Thanks for the clarification. I personally thought W. Richland at around 15K, I think please correct me if I'm wrong, should have been listed as well. But I guess that would be *Quad Cities* not Tri-Cities. I never knew where the Ben Franklin Transit name came from. Clever.
I'll agree the hospitals are growing. One thing I *argue* for in the WA state forum is Pullman isn't listed anywhere. I know it's small but becoming more important. Besides Waazzu, it has the DVM school for about four states and sponsors the DVM Preliminary program at Utah State University. But for the purposes of this post, WSU will utilize the hospitals in Tri-Cities, along with WSU campus in T-C for the new Medical School at WSU. Between having students and small, but growing residencies from the D.O. school in Yakima, WSU will have a community model medical school. WSU will send students to Spokane, Vancouver, keep a few in Pullman and maybe Ellensburg?(?) and of course Tri-Cities. This will bring additional jobs in support roles for medical education. Consequently, house staff and medical students will be increasing in numbers. That has actually been a problem in Spokane. Growth would be good in some specialties, from what I know about medicine in the T-C. Having the house staff should be a plus for all.
I agree about Hanford and PNNL continuing research. I read somewhere about a re-development project that was a joint effort, I think, between maybe Kennewick and Pasco? Would that be correct? It was highlighted as a model of TID from two or maybe all three cities working together.
Since this is suppose to be about Sunbelts, is Yakima warmer or as warm as T-C?
Thanks for your answers. I'd give you a rep point if I could. I guess I have to rep some others first
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This is slightly off topic, but I read the link you posted and I'm a little confused.
