Seriously considering returning to Tri-Cities (Seattle, Kennewick: best towns, for sale, real estate) - Kennewick - Pasco - Richland area - City-Data Forum

pw72 · 04-16-2012, 08:48 PM

I lived in the Tri-Cities from 1990 to 1996. I am seriously considering returning to the area, without a job, but near retirement and enough money to hold me over for awhile. I guess my question is has the cost of living increased greatly since the 90's, and does someone in their 50's have any real job prospects in the area? Not real picky, prefer transportation and/or service jobs. I like that WA state has some areas that are sunnier and more affordable than Seattle, (my hometown), no income or social security tax, and all my research shows Tri-Cities as one of the best choices.

M3 Mitch · 04-17-2012, 06:54 PM

There are some Hanford related layoffs going on, I have been here 20 years and the only cost I notice moving up and down is gas.

If you have a job where you are, it may make more sense to stay put until you have an offer from somewhere around here. "Transportation and Service" jobs covers a lot of real estate - what kind of work do you have experience with, what do you want to do here?

A guy in his 50's with no current job is a tough sell in the job market nationally, really.

pw72 · 04-17-2012, 07:08 PM

Thanks, M3 Mitch. You are probably right. I have a nice cushion to live off, but still need to work, not only for financial reasons, but to keep myself busy. I appreciate your thoughts.

M3 Mitch · 04-23-2012, 06:52 PM

Maybe you can "grin and bear it" till you actually retire from your current job, retire early but at least get your medical plan, then you could do contract work, whatever, not needing benefits.

If you come out here and get bored, I have a lot of stuff around the "ranch" that you can entertain yourself with - irrigation pumps and lines, fence to mend, old vehicles that need this and that...DM me and I can fix you up...

pw72 · 04-23-2012, 10:31 PM

Thanks again, M3. I am actually highly skilled in one area, but prefer not to share that here. Unfortunately, my area of expertise is not highly regarded right now. Thanks for your genuine interest in my situation. I may still move back to Tri-Cities, as I really liked the area in the early mid 90's. Farm work is not my expertise, but thanks!

M3 Mitch · 04-25-2012, 07:43 PM

Well I was mostly joking about offering you some "busy work" although if you come out here, if you can do something I need done for a reasonable price, we could quit BS-ing and get serious.

Your situation is similar to mine except that I am here already and still working.

It ain't fair, and it ain't right, but it's quite a bit harder to get a job when you are not currently working.

Something to think about is that the small towns around here - Benton City, Finley, etc. - have lower real estate prices, if you like a rural setting. There are still plenty of "letter" houses in Richland that can be bought relatively cheaply. Of course if you buy the cheapest letter house on the market, it will probably be in bad shape, they were only intended to last the duration of WWII, I'm sure you know that.

pw72 · 04-26-2012, 08:03 PM

Yeah. I agree with all you are saying. I will probably stay put in my current job, even though I dislike the area that I am in. It makes sense at the end of the day, especially with the benefits (health, being most important). Thanks again.

suzannewright · 05-05-2012, 02:11 PM

We moved away about a year ago and can't wait to move back!! My hubs works at Hanford, so since his work is still there...it would be an easy transition back.

wldgrdnr · 05-05-2012, 08:39 PM

Tri-Cities is one of the areas I am thinking about relocating to. Can anyone there give me the "skinny" on what it is like re weather, scenery, best towns to live that are reasonably priced. I have been searching as much as I can, but you can only find out so much from stats and demographic info.

I need to move to a low humidity area due to severe arthritis, but also like nice scenery and at least some deciduous trees around.

I'll be looking for a one story home as I just cannot do stairs anymore. I don't care for planned communities and neighborhoods where you are 10 feet away from your neighbors.

I am looking for a "nicer" area though, but one where I can get a 2500 (give or take) home for about 300K...

I see Kennewick has the most to choose from as far as what is for sale, but a lot of the single story homes I see are older...from the 70's and I am looking for a home no more than 10 years old (been there, done it with fixer uppers and not going there again).

Any advice as far as the most attractive areas, with low crime, and where the nicer, but affordable areas are would be appreciated. I'll be taking a trip out there in the next few months but it would help a lot if I know what areas to look at. Thank you.

M3 Mitch · 05-07-2012, 02:19 PM

The older part of Richland has some relatively good values on old "letter" homes, there are some trees, Richland seems to have the least crime, although, except for parts of East Kennewick and East Pasco, there is not any "rough" part of town here.

If you are not working, you could save some money by going to a smaller town nearby - Benton City for example.

I was not aware that humidity had any effect on arthritis. It is generally warm here in summer, winters are usually not too rough, but it will get below 0 and/or snow (generally not both at the same time) some winters. Neither one lasts more than a few days, generally.