where to move in eastern wash or oregon? (Boise, Lewiston: real estate, housing)

[cleanairkids]

We are looking to relocate to a town in central to eastern Washington or central to eastern Oregon. We're trying to avoid the big cities along the coast. So far we have done research on the Walla Walla, tri cities, Pullman, and La Grande, Oregon areas. We were really interested in the tri cities area until we found out there is an expired nuclear waste dumpsite in the Hanford Reach area. Contamination is a concern. Does anyone have any info on this? Pullman sounds great because it has the university there. Also, Moscow? Don't know much about Pendleton, Ore.

We have 3 children ages 6 and under and another baby on the way. My husband is an avid hunter and fisherman and the closer he is to the wilderness, the better. I, on the other hand, will be having to cart 4 kids around to run errands so I need to be close to civilization (Target and/or Costco or something similar are really all I need ). My parents are originally from Lewiston and Boise and we would like to find something somewhat close to their original homes where they might feel more at home.

Here are the things that are most important to us, in this order: clean air, good schools, opportunities/activities for our kids, low crime and fair housing prices.

Any information anyone has would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

[Idaho]

The Redmond/Madras/Sisters area of Oregon is growing and real estate prices remain relatively reasonable.
Lots of land available, and schools seem good, from what I have been told by folks who moved there from the San Francisco Bay area of CA,
for similar reasons as you - They've been there about 5 years and love it.
Good luck in your research & ultimate move, wherever that turns out to be!
removed

[Tarl_Cabot]

I hope I don't offend any Tri Cities residents, but I think that area is a dump.

I've heard good things about Moscow and Pullman but I don't have much firsthand experience there.

[pjjujo37]

Hi, we live just inside the WA line about 20 miles from both Spokane Wa and CDA Idaho. You husband would love this area. We are SE of Spokane, off of Hiway 27. This is a rural area, mostly farms, wheat and grass growers. The feilds are surrounded by mountains and timber perhaps back off the road 2-3 miles. but close enough to town to satisfy most people. There are several small towns out our way--Rockford,Fairfeild,&Plummer,Worley, Tekoa a bit farther out or CDA. The school in our area is Freeman, considered one of the best ( a consolidated district ).
Drawbacks might be considered the weather which means at the higher elevations ( back in around the mtns. )more snow, requiring 4-wheel drive.
County roads, that are maintained but perhaps not always the first thing -- tho bus routs are plowed. You need to be of a more independent nature.
Lots of lakes and recreational area including well-known golf courses. The CDA Casino is close by and offers Hotel, good restaraunts, a golf course and is supposed to eventually have a park that is similar to Disnyland ( I'm not sure that it will compare in size but on that order ). It has provided a lot of employment in this area.
If i were choosing a place to live again, it would be the same general area but in Idaho. So far we have not experienced Tornadoes, earthquakes & the like but do get some good snowstorms, occasional power outages. If your planning to live out , its a good idea to have a back-up generator, something to plow your drive-way.
Planning to build? prepare to spend a bundle on your Septic System. Any thing you do that requires permits/ buying or selling land-- be Sure to follow up on things that the County should have on record--- it may be lost, irretreivable, unheard ,of down the road when you need it to sell your home or land. Spk. County RE records are a mess. I don't know about Idaho.
Believe taxes in WA., overall, end up being the higher of the two states.
WE are seeing significant growth, as are many areas in ID. and WA. so things are changing and not always for the good --- its better living out a ways, especially for your kids.
pj

[downtownCDA]

We went to Walla Walla a few weekends ago. I love it there. It is definitely worth checking out. Our friends in the Tri-Cities are very happy there. I find it to be an extremely unattractive area, but they are having a great time and are sticking around.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Originally Posted by pjjujo37

The CDA Casino is close by and offers Hotel, good restaraunts, a golf course and is supposed to eventually have a park that is similar to Disnyland ( I'm not sure that it will compare in size but on that order ). It has provided a lot of employment in this area.

CDA is getting a new amusement park? Or are you referring to Silverwood?

[kukla1]

Originally Posted by Tarl_Cabot

I hope I don't offend any Tri Cities residents, but I think that area is a dump.

I've heard good things about Moscow and Pullman but I don't have much firsthand experience there.

We were going to look around in that area this summer (tri-cities), so I am curious why you call it a dump. Can you give an example of "dump-iness?"

[Tarl_Cabot]

Originally Posted by kukla1

We were going to look around in that area this summer (tri-cities), so I am curious why you call it a dump. Can you give an example of "dump-iness?"

Sure. It's agricultural country, so unless you're right on the Columbia river the terrain is pretty uninteresting.

There is not much in the way of culture.

Homes in the area didn't seem to be well kept. The whole place has a run-down feel to it.

Because it's a farming area, it has a very high migrant population. Many of them are illegals, with the problems that come along with that like an increase in crime and increased poverty.

If you're going to be in the area, it's still worth checking out. To me it has the feel of central California (Bakersfield, Fresno) so if you like those areas you might like the Tri-Cities.

[kukla1]

Ha ha ha how funny! I AM in Bakersfield! Looking for some place DIFFERENT!!! I did find some pictures of the area and I swear it looks so much like Bakersfield it's uncanny.

However, I'll bet the air is a heck of a lot cleaner. Did you know that Bakersfield actually has worse air than Los Angeles? We are at the south end of a valley where the prevailing wind is from the north, so we get every one else's dirty air, and it just sits here because the mountains prevent it from moving on.

[ssouina]

I am in Seattle but, have gone to the Tri-Cities several times in order to attend conferences. I feel really depressed whenever I go there. The landscape is VERY boring. I can't think of a place in Oregon or Washington I would want to live less than the Tri-Cities.