Tri-cities area vs. Walla Walla? (Kennewick, Richland: renting, crime, buying a home)

[meridien90]

My husband and I are considering a move to either Walla Walla or the Tri-cities area and were wondering if someone could compare them regarding weather, quality of life, shopping, cost of living, housing, etc. We are both retired, so do not seek any job information. WE love the outdoors, movies and great places to eat. Any info you can give us would be great.
Thanks.

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by meridien90

My husband and I are considering a move to either Walla Walla or the Tri-cities area and were wondering if someone could compare them regarding weather, quality of life, shopping, cost of living, housing, etc. We are both retired, so do not seek any job information. WE love the outdoors, movies and great places to eat. Any info you can give us would be great.
Thanks.

Walla Walla costs more to live if you're buying a house but the Tri-Cities costs more to live if you're gonna be renting a place, IMO overall I prefer the Tri-Cities over Walla Walla cause of the shopping, restaurants and there are more things to do in the Tri-Cities than Walla Walla, the only thing what I like about Walla Walla over the Tri-Cities is there are alot less crime and traffic and people tend to drive more safely in the Walla Walla area, the weather in the Tri-Cities area area slightly warmer in the summers but both areas seem to have the same weather overall, the nights tend to be cooler in the Tri-Cities than Walla Walla due to them being in the desert

[skinem]

To me, WW has more of a "hometown" feel than Tri-Cities. It is smaller with fewer shopping and dining choices.

I, too, am an outdoor enthusiast and love the mountains. The "mountain type" activities are move convenient to WW than Tri-Cities, while sun, desert and some water activities are more convenient to TC. Personally, I find the WW area prettier.

[meridien90]

Thanks to you both. I live in a desert right now and definitely want something different - more mountains and greenery. But I also like dining and shopping options. WE plan to visit both areas next month to get a feel. Of the three cities in the Tri-cities area, any one that is preferred?

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by meridien90

Thanks to you both. I live in a desert right now and definitely want something different - more mountains and greenery. But I also like dining and shopping options. WE plan to visit both areas next month to get a feel. Of the three cities in the Tri-cities area, any one that is preferred?

You'd probably prefer Richland. It's easier there (because it has less topography) to convince yourself you aren't living in a desert, and there are fewer chain restaurants proportionate to independents. Most of the chain places are in Kennewick, especially near the mall, which is convenient to Richland (actually just about borders the part of Richland south of the rivers). Numerous wineries.

[M3 Mitch]

I think you need to spend a week in each area, they have a completely different "vibe" to me anyway. Walla Walla is more of a college town. If you like a small town Benton City is not far from the Tri-City area (~10 miles) and it's worth mentioning that the "Tri-City" area includes not only Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, but West Richland as well.

Your preference between the 3 "true" Tri-Cities is going to depend on your personal preferences. If you wander around the 3, or 4, you will see what I am saying.

[StealthRabbit]

I would also check out Moscow, ID while you're in the area (If you truly desire mtn area or something radically different than the desert, and in SE WA area)

[meridien90]

Thanks to all who've replied. Can't wait to take a trip up there in mid-November. It will give us a chance to see what the (almost) winters are like.

[hannahsmom]

So what about a young family with a daughter....who will be actually buying a home? Schools, crime rate, etc are very important. Right now I live "close to" a bad area...actually drive there to work, but I live in a small suburb outside of it. How does that compare to your area?

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by hannahsmom

So what about a young family with a daughter....who will be actually buying a home? Schools, crime rate, etc are very important. Right now I live "close to" a bad area...actually drive there to work, but I live in a small suburb outside of it. How does that compare to your area?

Offhand, if you can find a job close by, Richland is probably worth you taking a look. Lowest crime as far as I know in the Tri-City area.