What area in the Tri-cities is best for a family (Seattle: sick, new home)

[sodapopinski]

Each of the 3 cities has their good parts and bad. Don't listen to anybody who tells you that Pasco is bad. Pasco, from the railroad tracks and east has a lot of lower-income houses- thus crime, but the West side is one of cleanest, fastest growing areas in WA. Kennewick and Richland has its bad parts scattered in different areas. Best places to live I'd say is West/North Pasco, Rancho Reata Kennewick, and the Richland area that is close to Columbia Center Mall, but there are several good spots.

In response to the post about latin culture, this area as well as most of the south east WA has alot of good agriculture which attracts alot of hispanic population. Pasco, which is where i grew up, has near equal portions of hispanics to white. Most of the hispanics live in the east, and most of the whites live in the west. For the most part racism isn't too bad, but it does occur- nothing serious though. In East Pasco there were times when I felt I wasn't being dealt with fairly, but I'm sure hispanics get it similarly. Because of the equal portions I feel the blend is fine though.

[mustang34]

Just wondering, where is Rancho Reata Kennewick?
I have never heard of the place, is it in South Kennewick?

[Bo Knows]

No comercial pasenger flights out of Moses Lake (Grant County Int. Airport)
Longest runway west of the Mississippi

[wamamma]

Originally Posted by mustang34

Just wondering, where is Rancho Reata Kennewick?
I have never heard of the place, is it in South Kennewick?

Rancho Reata includes the area off of the south part of Leslie Road. Reata road and other surrounding streets/ neighborhoods. It's right near I-82 with easy access to Clearwater and Badger canyon. It's a great area!

[mustang34]

Oh I see!
Thanks for the info.

[apexadam]

I have lived and have relatives that still live all over Oregon and Washington, east and west, north and south. Tri Cities is bar none the best location in Washington State. That is if you like 300+ of sunshine, short hours to the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest, and every medium city amenity possible. Oh yeah, and three rivers with miles of uncrowded recreation spots is a plus too. No, Yakima is nothing like or near the Tri-Cities. The Tri-Cities airport is small but is the 2nd largest airport in Eastern Washington outside of Spokane.

Yakima Population = 60k
Tri-Cities = 170k (big difference)

The downside is that you should land a job before arriving. Good jobs are usually a result of high quality transfers from large national and international companies.

It isn't a good place for night life for the college crowd and is a bit week (although they try hard to make it better) on the traditional arts.

South Richland, South Kennewick, West Pasco, and South "west richland", are the locations of choice, offering top schools.

I hope I never have to leave the Tri-Cities. Why didn't I move here sooner? Oh ya, I got paid more in Seattle...the trade off was well worth the climate and social change.

Adam

[nickel5]

"Tri Cities Regional Airport just outside of Pasco is the local airport. I'm sure it still has just local flights flying in and out."

My husband and I are moving to the area in May, so we purchase plane tickets last October to visit in March to research the area more and look for an apartment. We are flying from Tulsa, OK right into the Tri Cities airport and it was actually more affordable to fly this route than into Seattle or Spokane, where we would have had to travel to get into the Tri Cities area. We paid $330 a ticket, which isn't bad, especially for the convenience. It was more than we wanted to pay, but we couldn't find anything cheaper in WA.

Also, i have been reading about all the wind and dust. I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life, and am wondering if the wind is anything like it is out here, with gust up to 50mph not being a huge deal (annoying, but not anything out of the ordinary). My husband and I are trying to leave the wind behind. Are we moving to the same thing? I appreciate any replies.
Thanks,
Nickel5

[M3 Mitch]

The wind varies. Sometimes, particularly in spring and fall, there are dust storms. Either La Nina or El Nino years are worse, I forget which.

Just guessing, probably 5 to 15 really good dust storms per year.

If you want a non-windy place, this ain't it.

That said, the windy/dusty days are not that common, and are about the only truly inclement weather here.

[vette-dude]

Originally Posted by Balco9

Thank you for the good information. I've been to Yakima a few times, is that considered the Tri-Cities area? I did not care for Yakima. Does Richland or Kennewick look like Yakima or Boise, ID? My wife would be seeking employment in finance, as for me i work from home. How is the traffic? My two son's are 3 years old and 3 months old, so it would be nice to live a good school district. Are ther homes in the 300k price range in a decent area for a family or should i be looking in the 400k range for better schools and area overall? Is there a military base in the area, just use for shopping purposes. I heard there are marmots in the Tri-Cities? They are fun to watch and also cute. Is there any builders that i should stay away from? How far is it from Tacoma. That is where i live for now. Rain-rain...........................

No Yakima is not considered the Tricities,it's approximately an hour or more due west on I-82. Tricities is Richland, Pasco and Kennewick...along with West Richland...

[46rudolph]

Do yourself a favor, and just move to Walla Walla!