Tri-cities Or Boise - Thoughts Anyone? (Seattle, Kennewick: sales, crime, high school)

[LVGAZ]

we are so torn between these 2 areas - we are intringued with the wineries, green of washington, the no sales tax, the water
however Boise has a uniqueness (we think) but aren't sure if they get tourist in that area and it would be culturally effective for our children ...
Washington always seemed to have some culture and arts, cafes, trendy spots as well as the great outdoors- tied into it and of course we may be off on all of this because we have not been to Boise at all
but have been through Washington...

[scirocco22]

Oh good, you've got your own thread going here.

Just a quick comment for now: Washington has no state income tax NOT no sales tax. In other words, it HAS sales taxes and in some counties, especially King, it's quite high. Maybe it was Oregon that you are thinking of pertaining to no sales tax.

Also, it sounds as if you're looking at the central and eastern part of the state and if so, the "green" you were referring to is a lot less than western Washington. It's the difference between night and day when you compare an area like the Tri Cities with places in western Washington. The climate and terrain are totally different. Tri Cities actually has a desert climate and terrain.

Thanks, more later...

--'rocco

[deem]

Interesting we are entertaining the same thoughts - coming from AZ
Boise or Tricities - a bit more green (love to garden) but do not want all the wet and cold.
So scirocco2 - have you ever been to Boise - I understand that is similar to Tricities but a larger city??

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by deem

Interesting we are entertaining the same thoughts - coming from AZ
Boise or Tricities - a bit more green (love to garden) but do not want all the wet and cold.
So scirocco2 - have you ever been to Boise - I understand that is similar to Tricities but a larger city??

Yes, deem, I've been to Boise many times. And I go through there regularly on my way back and forth to Washington.

I guess there is a close similarity in climate and terrain between the two areas. I'm now curious as to the exact stats on the climate now that we're discussing it. I'll research it a bit when I get the chance.

Yes, Boise is a little larger than the Tri Cities but not by much. I think (off the top of my head) the 2006 estimates for the Tri Cites (all three cities combined) is around 160,000 and Boise proper is around 190,000. The only thing is, Boise has lots of bedroom communities which will make the total popultion of the area quite a bit bigger than the Tri Citites ...I'm assuming, anyway.

Wet is something that you won't find much of in either place. Cold? Well that's another story if talking about winter temperatures.

I'm curious about the comparison between these two areas so anybody else who can chime in, please do.


Thanks, more later...

--'rocco

[Houstonjames7]

i hope nobody thinks tri cities is a "wet" place to live. rain is something we rarely experience. i use to spend 2 weeks every summer in boise for football camp and the one thing i remember is that its HOT! it gets hot here in the summers but not like boise. tri cities is spread out over 3 large cities, and 2 smaller towns, so it feels alot smaller than it actually is. boise is one centralized city so it might appear alot bigger than tri cities when in reality they are alot closer in size. in my opinion tri cities is a much more unique place to live, both geographically and culturally. the people in idaho seem to be alot more...redneck than most. i would recommend visiting both areas before choosing where to live. let me know if you will be in tri cities and ill take you on a tour of everything you need to see! but for now i have some great pictures of the area i can send to you if you would like.

[Houstonjames7]

tri cities is 230,000 total, including the surrounding area like west richland, finley, badger canyon, kahlotus.

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by Houstonjames7

tri cities is 230,000 total, including the surrounding area like west richland, finley, badger canyon, kahlotus.

Ok, my figures above are quite out of date. As I'm hunting around for current information, it seems that metropolitan Boise is now estimated to be over 600,000! ...with Boise proper about 210,000+ That's incredible to me. It's the third largest metro area in the northwest behind Seattle and Portland.


Thanks, more later...

--'rocco

[bb0905]

I have lived in Richland and Kennewick (Tri Cities) and I have lived right outside of Boise in Mountain Home; if I had to make this decision I would definately choose the Tri-Cities! First the people in the Tri-cities are generally more intelligent, they have great schools, good sports programs, and the area is layed out better - downtown Boise around the mall is too busy because that is all there really is to do there. Granted, if you like skiing and camping and are willing to drive a little bit then Boise may be your choice. (But the Columbia River also has good fishing too!) I just remember there being a lot of crime per capita in Boise. In the Tri-Cities there is crime but mostly on the Pasco side of the river; if you stay in Kennewick and most of Richland you will be safe. I hope this helps. P.S. If you are picturing mountains and evergreens right in Boise your mistaken (I thought that too before I moved there.) They do have them but North of town a ways.

[matthews028]

Originally Posted by LVGAZ

we are so torn between these 2 areas - we are intringued with the wineries, green of washington, the no sales tax, the water
however Boise has a uniqueness (we think) but aren't sure if they get tourist in that area and it would be culturally effective for our children ...
Washington always seemed to have some culture and arts, cafes, trendy spots as well as the great outdoors- tied into it and of course we may be off on all of this because we have not been to Boise at all
but have been through Washington...

I fear you've been misinformed about the Tri-Cities. GREAT place to live, work, raise kids, etc... but "cultured" is not exactly the best word for it. I mean there's a culture there, but the biggest two things in town are the annual boat races and high school football games, and then it's hard to say what #3 could be (the local hockey team, I guess). I'm not sure you have the right idea of Eastern Washington, either... the Tri-Cities are in a desert. As for trendy cafes, there aren't really very many places like that, unless you mean Starbucks.

Overall, if you're more into the culture, Boise's probably better for you. If you want location, sunshine, no income tax, and rivers, the Tri-Cities would be great. But they're both good places to live.

[mustang34]

Originally Posted by bb0905

In the Tri-Cities there is crime but mostly on the Pasco side of the river.

I live in Pasco and although we do have crime, Kennewick has more overall.
Of course i live in West Pasco and it's a lot different from East Pasco, which is the worse area.
Just don't want people to be misinformed.