Pasco, Wa. area (Vancouver, Kennewick, Richland: how much, house, asbestos)

[Judy & Randy]

We are seriously considering moving to the tri-cities area right now. We are retired and can sell a paid for house here in Yuba City, Ca. I still have a few concerns I'd like to know more about.

1. Exactly what is the reference to high winds some talk about ? Is there always wind or just some times/season ? Are we talking sand blowing too ?

2. Also, how much does water cost per month for a typical house ?

3. What are utility monthly costs ? Can you get just all electric or is there gas available some places too ?

Thanks

[VinceW]

We lived in Richland from 2000 to 2005. It can get very windy in the tri cities, but it is not windy all the time. The water and utilities costs are not extra ordinarily high. Also, it does actually snow there frequently in the winter and there is accumulation, so keep that in mind. The summers can get VERY hot as well. Overall, I would say this is a great place to live though.

[Judy & Randy]

Thaks, Vince. Here in YC we get 105 deg. heat in summer and down to 31 deg. in winter. I lived in the Portland/Vancouver area for 11 years, so know what a little snow(6") is like.

Because of Hanford, I have concerns about drinking water too. Do most Pasco residents drink bottled water ?

[mustang34]

This seems to be a frequent concern of people moving to the Tri-Cities.
But it shouldn't be, the water is perfectly safe.
You will just glow a little green...just kidding!

[Judy & Randy]

Our local Yuba City paper had a big article about Pasco today. It was saying 56% of the population is hispanic, but most of them are farm workers and leave in the off season October-March, so then stores lose a lot of business after April-September. So this sounds like traffic is light when the farm workers are gone. Is this true ?

[mustang34]

Traffic is never really an issue in the area, aside from road construction.
Some do leave, but most are actually permanent residents.
I don't know the exact numbers though.
Businesses don't do much worse during the off-season.
Oh and by the way, look into West Pasco.
Much safer and more central to get to other parts of the Tri-Cities, a bit more expensive, but definitely worth it.

[Balco9]

Aren't the schools in Richland and Kennewick much better and safer than west Pasco???

[KidBlue]

Hi Judy and Randy,

Just had to tell you that I thought maybe you were friends of mine, Judy and Randy from Cameron Park. Guess not, but you're pretty close to Shingle Springs.

[mustang34]

The schools in West Pasco are perfectly safe. They appear to be worse because of students who do not have the resources to do well in school. The level of actual education is as good as any other Tri-Cities schools.

[Judy & Randy]

Hi KidBlue, we are not the same J&R that you referred to..........but we aren't that far apart miles wise(60) either. OTOH, we'd have a lower standard of living there if we were them.

`Course we could always claim we didn't live in Cameron Park because we didn't want to have to deal with the asbestos in the dirt. So instead we hold our breath every spring hoping we don't get flooded out.