What does anyone think of Hermiston area? (Portland, Bend: for sale, rentals)

[kbbhere]

Leaving the "soggy" Southern Oregon coast to find the sun in Eastern Oregon. Don't want to be in Bend area. Looking at Hermiston,Irrigon,Umatilla and over in the Ontario area. Has (or does?) anyone lived in these towns and what do you think for early, active retirement?( we're 45 and 50). Cost of living,services,Wal-Marts or Home Depots,people,weather,politics? We could really use some information from folks who live there. Any other areas we should look? Want smallish town east of the Cascades,lots of sun,a little rain and snow,friendly people (ethnicity of an area is not important), low housing prices and reasonable cost of living.

[icreate]

I was born in Pendleton and we had a goat dairy in Hermiston for awhile. Though this area gets less rain, the winters are drier and colder.
I am presently moving to Christmas Valley area which is basically the same environment. Prepare for winter.
I attended my Aunts' funeral a few years ago, Hermiston has exploded. They have a Walmart and pretty much anything else you might desire. Pendleton and the Roundup are close. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer.
It is always best to take a vacation and spend a week in the area you are thinking of moving to. If you can think of it as home (no matter where it is located) you can be happy there.
Meet people, ask questions. Don't be afraid to initiate conversations about weather and economy. You might even make some valuable new friends.
Went to college in LaGrande. All of these towns are growing. Haven't been back in 20 years (LaGrande).
I was really taken by Burns, it is like a step back in time. Not too many services, but great people, clean cut kids, 4H, very old time country.
Good Luck,
icreate P.S. (Don't forget about Hanford Nuclear plant)

[Nuts4Bolts]

I may be getting a job offer at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. Any advice on a good place to live? We're conservative, no kids, and looking for an area with low crime, friendly people...especially to outsiders. Is Hermiston nice? What about Pendleton? Irrigon...Umatilla...Boardman? Should I forget these towns & live in the Tri-Cities, WA? I have never been to this area...I know it is high desert & no trees.

[Waterlily]

There is a search feature located at the top of the forum. I know some of these towns have been discussed in the past so you might want to look thrrough those threads.

[BBMae]

Originally Posted by Nuts4Bolts

I may be getting a job offer at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. Any advice on a good place to live? We're conservative, no kids, and looking for an area with low crime, friendly people...especially to outsiders. Is Hermiston nice? What about Pendleton? Irrigon...Umatilla...Boardman? Should I forget these towns & live in the Tri-Cities, WA? I have never been to this area...I know it is high desert & no trees.

we are retired in Hermiston. Still a fairly small town but building is going on quite a lot. Homes for sale too with prices not too bad. YET. Check with a local realtor. Mostly a white community but many Mexicans too. Everyone is friendly and helpful. Neighbors look out for one another. Crime is still low. Some meth problems no matter where you life anymore. Hermiston is 7 miles from Columbia River so Wintertime fog is less than if you lived in Irrigon or Umatilla, which is next to the river.
Boardman is 1/2 hr drive from Hermiston--further from the river too. Hermiston has SuperWalmart, Home Depot, Safeway, Super1 Foods, Dollar Store, BigLots, Bi-Mart. Several banks. (Many more stores than other local towns). Restaurants are not fancy but there are several including Mexican ones. No major industry. Dry weather mostly and can get cold in Winter for 2 or 3 months--but dry too. Occasionally a snow flurry or freezing rain but nothing major (maybe once in 5 years do we get slammed with a foot of snow) but it doesn't last long. The sun melts things rather quickly. Some days are overcast but we get more sun than the West side of the state, by far. Our neighbor is military and works at Umatilla Depot.

[BBMae]

Originally Posted by BBMae

we are retired in Hermiston. Still a fairly small town but building is going on quite a lot. Homes for sale too with prices not too bad. YET. Check with a local realtor. Mostly a white community but many Mexicans too. Everyone is friendly and helpful. Neighbors look out for one another. Crime is still low. Some meth problems no matter where you life anymore. Hermiston is 7 miles from Columbia River so Wintertime fog is less than if you lived in Irrigon or Umatilla, which is next to the river.
Boardman is 1/2 hr drive from Hermiston--further from the river too. Hermiston has SuperWalmart, Home Depot, Safeway, Super1 Foods, Dollar Store, BigLots, Bi-Mart. Several banks. (Many more stores than other local towns). Restaurants are not fancy but there are several including Mexican ones. No major industry. Dry weather mostly and can get cold in Winter for 2 or 3 months--but dry too. Occasionally a snow flurry or freezing rain but nothing major (maybe once in 5 years do we get slammed with a foot of snow) but it doesn't last long. The sun melts things rather quickly. Some days are overcast but we get more sun than the West side of the state, by far. Our neighbor is military and works at Umatilla Depot.

Forgot to mention: Tri-Cities (Richland, Kennewick, Pasco Washington) is 35-40 miles from Hermiston. Many more stores there, cost of living, housing is higher. (depends on what you are looking for). I lived there for 30 years and still have kids there so go occasionally and get my TC Fix. Of course, traffic is worse and you need to allow extra time getting around.

[Nuts4Bolts]

BBMae,

Thank you for your great input! I did not get the position, but may still apply for other postions in the area, or retire in the area, so good to know about the area nevertheless. We may travel through the area in late April - early May.

[Daggsinthedesert]

We love Hermiston. The weather is mild.The winter can get cold, but stays sunny most of the time. The summers get hot, but the humidity is low, and we are close to the Columbia river, and our family loves to go to "the beach" when the weather warms up. We moved here from the coast a couple of years ago, and have been very happy here. The town we lived in on the coast was over an hour to the nearest town over 5,000 people in population, and we love being so close to stores now. We used to have to make a trip once a month to the "big city" just to go to Walmart. Tri-cities is only half hour or so away, so when we have a hankering to go to the mall, we head up there. But it isn't often that we need to leave Hermiston. The housing prices here are great! My husband and I are purchasing a brand new four bedroom,1600 square foot home for only 150,000. You can get a really nice home here for your money. We would definitely recommend Hermiston!

[ericandwanda]

Hi there!! My husband and I are pretty sure we are relocating to Hermiston this fall from SLC UT.(can't wait to leave!) Was wondering if there are nice duplexes to rent there, as we really can't purchase a house because we won't be there long.
I heard it is very nice there. But just don't find much on rentals here on the net. Anyone know of any other ways I can find something??? Would really appreciate the comments and help!!

[mdvaden]

My first thought, not knowing recent changes...

It wouldn't be a place I'd move unless I wanted to farm or something.

My dad had a restaurant and motel out the Columbia River gorge, and I drove by that town to get groceries at United Grocers in Pendleton every week. I worked part time in Portland, and commuted to work 3 days for my dad, including the delivery and getting the motel laundry swapped-out.

I still remember holding my breath and pinching my nose for one mile while I hammered the accelerator before I puked my guts out. Maybe it was a huge hog farm.

But I never like the area because of that.

Maybe its totally different, but it left an impression on me for life.