Tri-cities wind? (Seattle, Vancouver, Bellingham: transplants, homes, living)

[southcalhell]

Hello everyone, me and my wife are thinking of relocating to the Tri-Cities area, and don't really know much about it. Right now we live in Southern California (Im originally from Oregon), but have a chance at a job up there that will pay almost the same. I have a few questions about the area if anyone would like to respond:

1. Is crime a big problem there? I read in another thread that there were parts of town to stay away from, and that there were gangs. Thats the kinda stuff I was trying to get away from down here in the metro area.

2. From the looks of it housing is affordable. If your looking for something sorda in the country, is Benton City ok? Or something on the river somewhere? Does the river ever rise threatening houses?

Thanks for who ever responds...

[WazzuCoop21]

Okay guys, I was born and raised in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick) and have lived there for over 20 years. DO NOT move to this area if you already have allergy problems! Dust and wind are not a great mix for that (not always windy, but there is usually some sort of light breeze). Otherwise, it is a wonderful place to raise a family.

Is there a mosquito problem? Absolutely not. I've maybe seen 3 mosquitoes in the Tri-Cities in my entire life. I think they spray as a precautionary measure, and it seems to work. I currently live in Michigan for graduate school and believe me, it was an eye opener having to spray every day for mosquitoes just to walk outside. Yuck!

Does the TC have good schools? Some of the best in the state--at least in Kennewick and Richland (not so much Pasco, due to the high immigrant population). As a Kamiakin graduate, I've been told that HS has always been one of the top academically in the state for years.

Crime? Yeah some, it's gotten worse over the years, but in reality you never see it where most of the population lives. It really is happening on the east side of Kennewick and Pasco, but this is due 90% to the illegal immigrants living over there (the gangs mentioned, drugs). Trust me, I lived there my whole life, we never locked our doors and roamed my neighborhoods freely without ever thinking twice about it. Aside from having my stereo stolen at school, I've never witness any type of crime in the TC. None.

Sorry for the long post--just wanted to provide some clarity.

[WazzuCoop21]

southcalhell-- If you live in the 3 main cities, you should never have an issue with water level, since the river is dammed up every 30 miles its not an issue. Benton City may be another story, but honestly I wouldn't recommend living out there unless you want a country lifestyle and crappy schools. I don't mean to knock Benton City, cause I know some great people from there and it's not all bad. Admittedly, there are some upscale houses being built, but there are also a lot of trailers and rednecks. Just my 2-cents.

[WazzuCoop21]

Oh and if you didn't already know, the Tri-Cities has over 320 days of sunshine a year (no clouds!). Very hot, very fun summers down on the river.

[meejmom]

I worked for Benton County Mosquito Control for three summers. You don't need to worry about the nasty buggers b/c BCMC destroys them before they get a chance to get you. The only places they were even a big challenge was in a few ranch/ag areas outside of the cities. WNV, despite what you may have heard, isn't a threat to most healthy people, and as far as I know, it hasn't been found anywhere near TC. I used to take the blood of test chickens, and they never found anything. Take that for what it's worth. Good luck. Enjoy the wind.

[mark6052]

just south of kenniwick they have put up a bunch of wind generators. 30 miles south east of tri-cities they have about 350 generators, windy? think about it. crime? lets say pasco is often called el pasco. you want to be free of crime? the mexican gangs beat you here. but its like that alot everywhere. they just want a piece of the american pie, yours!

[meejmom]

Originally Posted by silverfox

Just came from Kennewick, Pasco area where we spent three days looking around. Yes, the wind was blowing all the time we were there, except it did slow down a little in the late evening. Was told that they can occasionaly have some hefty winds and dust storms when conditions are right. Didn't bother us to much as it was warm, but it is probably not comfortable in the winter.

Silverfox

The wind can be cold, but when I think of winter wind in TC, it is usually with a smile because the Chinook winds are very warm and pleasant. Almost w/o fail, after a snow storm, a day or two later, the wind comes and all the snow melts, and it's shorts and tee weather for a couple or more days. I love TC weather. It's the absence of trees that makes it a little less desirable for me.

[jjones]

Its not the wind that will bug you.. its the foggy cold wet winters, and humid summers...take a look at these webcams.. UGH!!

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/default.aspx?cam=8031

as apposed to walla walla 30 miles east of TC which is sunny today anyway.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/default.aspx?cam=1340

[jjones]

No way! there are at least 80 days of foggy cloudy weather there especially in the winter and gets cloudy alot in the spring. I dont know where these statistics say that.
These webcams say it all and it starts in mid november and doesn't end till first part of february.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/secam.aspx?cam=8082

[WazzuCoop21]

While wikipedia is not an authority when it comes to data, it still is fairly accurate on most things. Here is an exerpt regarding the TC:

"...The Tri-Cities are in a desert climate, receiving on average of 7 to 8 inches (175 to 200 mm) of rain every year. Winds periodically exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) when Chinook wind conditions exist. There are over 300 days of sunshine every year. Temperatures range from as low as 10 °F (-12 °C) in the winter to as high as 110 (43 °C) in the summer. The region receives occasional snow most years..."