Moving to Richland and need advice on good schools (Kennewick: rentals, crime)

[MomfromGrantCo]

Hi - I am going to be moving to Richland with my husband and five kids the end of July or beginning of August this year from Grant County. I desperately need advice on where to live so my kids will be in great schools. My husband is going to be working in Richland and doesn't really want to live outside of the Richland School District. My kids are grade school age but I would like to live in the best area for middle school and high school as well as elementary.

We would also like to rent before we buy. How is the rental market there? Are there many 3-4 bedroom rentals? Where should we look? Where should we avoid?

Thanks for your advice!

Mom from Grant County

[Balco9]

Where is Grant County??????

[MomfromGrantCo]

Grant County is one of the counties in Eastern Washington. For example Richland is in Benton County.

[MomfromGrantCo]

To be specific I live in Ephrata about two hours away from Tri-Cities in the middle of the state. It's a desert like Tri-Cities, just a little bit colder in the winter.

[wamamma]

I too came from Grant County (Moses Lake) to Tri-cities 2 years ago. We live in South Richland (That's not an incorporated city, it's just a description of area). We have a Richland zip code, but live in the Kennewick School District. Here's my opinion, take it for what it's worth. (I also have small children, school is a large consideration for me too.):

1. Pasco - Growing like crazy (West Pasco). Different county, different school district. You could get a large house (over 2500 sq. ft.) for $200k. Drawbacks: More crime, growth not yet supported by infrastructure. They are currently building a new high school to accommodate so many children; however, in the meantime, students are on two different school shifts. I have a good friend that purposely moved from Pasco to West Richland because of the schools. There are a larger number of ESL students (English as a second language). This poses a variety of problems for the education system. There is a larger number of subsidized lunches, which comes with other socio-economic issues. They do have a great dual language program at one of the elementary schools there. Your child has to be tested into the program.
2. Kennewick - West Kennewick (closer to South Richland) is also growing. There is a large number of children in Kennewick, forcing education as a priority for law makers and others involved in the area. Great funding for the schools, great programs! Even the early intervention (Birth to 3 program) in both Franklin and Benton counties rely heavily on help from the Kennewick school District. A couple of friends of mine are realtors. They have indicated a large number of their clients want the Kennewick school district. Drawbacks: Housing will cost you more than Pasco. There is a lot of older homes and then newer construction towards the West. Kennewick Park area is a great area. Older homes, but a good value and the elementary school is Sunset View. One of the top rated in the state.
3. Richland. You really have 2 sections of Richland: North/Central Richland and South Richland. They are very different. North Richland is a lot of older homes and an older population. I find less of a focus on education there. South Richland has a lot of young families and good schools. Within the Richland school district Badger Mountain Elementary is tops! Or you could live in Richland and get into Sunset View Elementary (Kennewick School District) if you choose housing on the south end of Leslie towards Badger Canyon.

Long explanation. I hope this helps!

[MomfromGrantCo]

Thanks Wamamma for the info!

Pasco isn't what I'm looking for (due to the crime) but the Kennewick and especially Richland info is great!

By the way, I lived in Moses Lake as a teen and most of my family still lives there. I might know you!

Anyway, thanks again for all the information!

[Ryan]

Don't have too much time to type this out- I've only been here a few months, but I do work law enforcement in the area, and here is what I know. West Pasco is the fastest growing area of the tri-cities. Pasco PD is well funded and constantly hiring new officers. The majority of the force patrols west pasco as opposed to east. The strategy is to keep the eastern element from pushing west by maintaining a larger presence in the west, and it works well. West Pasco has about the same crime per capita as West Richland, often reputed to be the safest area in the tri-cities. Pasco as a whole has significantly less crime per capita than Kennewick. Richland is looked at as the nicer area to live, but the houses are older and the city isn't nearly as kept up (astheticly) as West Richland or West Pasco. Kennewick does have the best schools, but it also has some of the worst schools as well. Both West Pasco and Richland have good schools as well, although Richland is better. East Pasco schools are just dispicable all-around. Benton City to the west is onlty a little better. Wst Pasco and Kennewick have the best shopping in the area. West Richland, W. Kennewick and W. Pasco are the "newest" areas in the tri-cities. Benton City is growing as well. The whole area is appreciating well, with the edge going to (in order) W. Richland, Richland and W. Pasco.

If I could have the same 4br 2ba house in any of the areas (taking into account the total living area +s and -s), I would probably go (in order of preferred to not) S. Richland, W. Pasco, W. Richland, W. Kennewick, Benton City, East Kennewick, South Kennewick (Finley etc.), and East Pasco.

Also even though the tri-cities are "stuck together" each city maintains it's own distinctive style and "feel". You'd really be better off exploring the area for a few days and making a decision for yourself.

[MomfromGrantCo]

Thank you for the information Ryan -

It's great to hear that parts of Pasco are booming and safe. That town has a pretty bad reputation in Grant County. Thank you for making it safer.

Also, thank you for rating the area (best to worst.) I think you are right though. My husband and I just need to take a long weekend and check out each area for ourselves.

Thanks again!

[Ryan]

I actually don't work for Pasco, but your welcome anyways