Tri cities various questions. Possible relocation from Las Vegas (Seattle: 2015, HOA fees)

[Positiveone]

Hi there everyone!

My family & I are considering a move to the Tri-cities area. Please help me out with relocation info.

How similar is the Tri-cities climate to Las Vegas Nevada?
Is it so dry that Keeping up on grass( lawn) is time & using tons of water?
Is it tough to grow plants, vegetables and all?

Where is the closest farm where we can get fruits & veggies?


Which areas Are unsafe? Crime wise. Any gang issues?


Is it possible to find a 4 bedroom home in a good school district ( high school) for under 315,000?


What would the property taxes average on a 315,000 home?


How is the quality of doctors & hospitals in the Tri cities area? Is there many specialists to pick from?


Is it very windy in the Tri cities area?

How is the current job market in the Tri cities? Is it a booming area? Future job growth look good?

Is car insurance high/Average?

How are the utility prices?


Thank you 😊 any info helps

Have a safe & wonderful night!!

[509]

see my answer in the Washington forum...

[Positiveone]

Originally Posted by 509

see my answer in the Washington forum...

Thank you so much! I just read it. I appreciate that!

If anyone else has additional info then please chime in

Thanks again
😊

[Grumpy_Cat]

My car insurance dropped $700 a year compared to Bellevue, WA area.

[pnwguy2]

Climate: Both are dry, but Vegas is hotter in the summer. The Tri-Cities does get over 100 every summer, usually between 8-20 days. Winter would be colder and cloudier/foggier in the Tri, but usually not much snow. The Tri-Cites does not experience the monsoon season that Vegas does in late summer. Unlike some other desert areas, grass is still a strong feature in the Tri-Cites. Yes, it can be windy especially in the Spring.

There are farmers markets scattered about, but nothing huge in this department.

Crime is average for a metro area around 300K. For the most part, the area is safe. Pasco has been indicted for more crime than Kennewick or Richland, but I'm not sure the stats back this up completely.

Housing prices are still moderate compared to the Seattle and Portland areas. Under 315K would provide a nice, newer home in a good middle class neighborhood, though probably your standard suburban 3-BR, 2-BA. Property taxes on a home valued at this level would be about $3,000 per year.

Medical care is excellent, as the Tri is a medical hub for many rural areas in Eastern WA. There are three major providers, Kadlec, Trios, and Lourdes.

Car insurance is average for the region. However, rates tend to be going up due to the explosive growth of the area creating more traffic and claims.

Utility prices are moderate. And AC costs can add up in the summer. Simple conservation can reduce this hardship. For example I have not turned on my AC for atleast three weeks, but then again, we are having a rather cool late Summer.

[Positiveone]

Thank you very much.

How is the job market & mainly job growth? Are many companies moving to that area( Tri cities)? Does the future job growth look promising?

Do the neighborhoods there have HOA fees?

Where is the closest airport I can fly into? Does Tri cities have one? Or do I need to fly from Las Vegas to Seattle?

No trader Joe’s huh? I’m surprised.

Thank you again

Have a great day
😊


QUOTE=pnwguy2;53105849]Climate: Both are dry, but Vegas is hotter in the summer. The Tri-Cities does get over 100 every summer, usually between 8-20 days. Winter would be colder and cloudier/foggier in the Tri, but usually not much snow. The Tri-Cites does not experience the monsoon season that Vegas does in late summer. Unlike some other desert areas, grass is still a strong feature in the Tri-Cites. Yes, it can be windy especially in the Spring.

There are farmers markets scattered about, but nothing huge in this department.

Crime is average for a metro area around 300K. For the most part, the area is safe. Pasco has been indicted for more crime than Kennewick or Richland, but I'm not sure the stats back this up completely.

Housing prices are still moderate compared to the Seattle and Portland areas. Under 315K would provide a nice, newer home in a good middle class neighborhood, though probably your standard suburban 3-BR, 2-BA. Property taxes on a home valued at this level would be about $3,000 per year.

Medical care is excellent, as the Tri is a medical hub for many rural areas in Eastern WA. There are three major providers, Kadlec, Trios, and Lourdes.

Car insurance is average for the region. However, rates tend to be going up due to the explosive growth of the area creating more traffic and claims.

Utility prices are moderate. And AC costs can add up in the summer. Simple conservation can reduce this hardship. For example I have not turned on my AC for atleast three weeks, but then again, we are having a rather cool late Summer.[/quote]

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by Positiveone

Thank you very much.

How is the job market & mainly job growth? Are many companies moving to that area( Tri cities)? Does the future job growth look promising?

Do the neighborhoods there have HOA fees?

Where is the closest airport I can fly into? Does Tri cities have one? Or do I need to fly from Las Vegas to Seattle?

No trader Joe’s huh? I’m surprised.

Thank you again

Have a great day
��


QUOTE=pnwguy2;53105849]Climate: Both are dry, but Vegas is hotter in the summer. The Tri-Cities does get over 100 every summer, usually between 8-20 days. Winter would be colder and cloudier/foggier in the Tri, but usually not much snow. The Tri-Cites does not experience the monsoon season that Vegas does in late summer. Unlike some other desert areas, grass is still a strong feature in the Tri-Cites. Yes, it can be windy especially in the Spring.

There are farmers markets scattered about, but nothing huge in this department.

Crime is average for a metro area around 300K. For the most part, the area is safe. Pasco has been indicted for more crime than Kennewick or Richland, but I'm not sure the stats back this up completely.

Housing prices are still moderate compared to the Seattle and Portland areas. Under 315K would provide a nice, newer home in a good middle class neighborhood, though probably your standard suburban 3-BR, 2-BA. Property taxes on a home valued at this level would be about $3,000 per year.

Medical care is excellent, as the Tri is a medical hub for many rural areas in Eastern WA. There are three major providers, Kadlec, Trios, and Lourdes.

Car insurance is average for the region. However, rates tend to be going up due to the explosive growth of the area creating more traffic and claims.

Utility prices are moderate. And AC costs can add up in the summer. Simple conservation can reduce this hardship. For example I have not turned on my AC for atleast three weeks, but then again, we are having a rather cool late Summer.

[/quote]

The job market and job growth are in very good shape in the Tri-Cities. The construction industry is so strong both in housing and commercial, it attracts workers from all over the US. The economy continues to revolve around the Hanford cleanup, Agriculture, The tourism and wine industry, The Health Industry, and the Science hub the area has attained over the decades.

With a healthy job market, comes population growth. The Tri-Cities metro is at or near the top of significant metros in the Pacific Northwest. Here is a sampling of the growth rate from 2010 to 2017:

Tri-Cities +14.9%
Seattle +12.42%
Portland +10.20%
Spokane +6.91%
Eugene +6.55%
Yakima +2.86%

HOA's certainly are part of the condo market in the Tri. And the condo market is actually pretty large for a metro of its size, mainly due to a lot of retirees. I live in a condo that I bought in early 2015 and it has gone up in value 22-24% since. I would guess there are single family HOA's coming on line here, but doesn't seem to be a huge trend as much as some parts of the country.

Tri-Cities airport in Pasco has grown tremendously in the past few years, both in number of flights and terminal expansion. There are non-stop flights to Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake, San Francisco, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Airlines include Alaska, Delta, United Express, Allegiant.

There has been some chatter for years about Trader Joe's moving into the market. I personally think the area would be a great fit for a Joe's, probably just a matter of time. (The old ToysRUs location at Columbia Center would be an ideal location!)

[Positiveone]

Thank you again!

If I need health insurance for 3-4 months when my family & I move there. Who should I go through to get decent health insurance for the Tri cities area?

Thank you 😊




QUOTE=pnwguy2;53114202][/quote]

The job market and job growth are in very good shape in the Tri-Cities. The construction industry is so strong both in housing and commercial, it attracts workers from all over the US. The economy continues to revolve around the Hanford cleanup, Agriculture, The tourism and wine industry, The Health Industry, and the Science hub the area has attained over the decades.

With a healthy job market, comes population growth. The Tri-Cities metro is at or near the top of significant metros in the Pacific Northwest. Here is a sampling of the growth rate from 2010 to 2017:

Tri-Cities +14.9%
Seattle +12.42%
Portland +10.20%
Spokane +6.91%
Eugene +6.55%
Yakima +2.86%

HOA's certainly are part of the condo market in the Tri. And the condo market is actually pretty large for a metro of its size, mainly due to a lot of retirees. I live in a condo that I bought in early 2015 and it has gone up in value 22-24% since. I would guess there are single family HOA's coming on line here, but doesn't seem to be a huge trend as much as some parts of the country.

Tri-Cities airport in Pasco has grown tremendously in the past few years, both in number of flights and terminal expansion. There are non-stop flights to Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake, San Francisco, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Airlines include Alaska, Delta, United Express, Allegiant.

There has been some chatter for years about Trader Joe's moving into the market. I personally think the area would be a great fit for a Joe's, probably just a matter of time. (The old ToysRUs location at Columbia Center would be an ideal location!)[/quote]

[pnwguy2]

Washington State will provide low cost or even free health coverage as long as you meet certain maximum income requirements. You can find the info here:

https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/_...52FHBEWeb%252F

[Positiveone]

Great! Thank you so much for your help.

Who would you advise for car insurance? How are the car insurance rates in the Tri cities anyway?

Which grocery stores are there as well?

Banks?

Thank you 😊




QUOTE=pnwguy2;53126251]Washington State will provide low cost or even free health coverage as long as you meet certain maximum income requirements. You can find the info here:

https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/_...52FHBEWeb%252F[/quote]