Dayton Wa Anybody Know About It (Kennewick, Richland: ski resort, crime, hotels)

[LISA IN LONGVIEW]

Dayton Wa is just one of the places my husband and I are looking at to retire. We are trying to compromise, cause he wanted Central Idaho, and I said way too far, we are also considering Colville & Kettle Falls area or even surrounding area's. I have not seen one thread on Dayton Wa. Is that because no one lives there Or is it too close to Oregon. We hate the Gorge weather. My folks are in Hood River, we are very familiar with that kind of weather and want no part of it. We want warm to warmer summers, long growing season, no clouds hanging for days on end. Ok to rain, but the clouds need to go after they finish dumping so we can have sunshine. Snow is alright. I would like to be within an hour of major stores but want the small town atmosphere. Not into Drugs, crime or parties, Simple life with friendly people is what we would like. Can anyone give me info on the towns i have suggested? Thank you, Lisa in Longview

[jabm67]

Dayton is tiny and picturesque. I've driven through it, nothing more. There was a fire in that area a couple of summers ago; I was in the Pullman area at the time, and can testify to the smoke that fire caused. It's a county seat, but the population of the county is only about 4,000.

[StealthRabbit]

It is a nice little town, but pretty devastated with the loss of "The Jolly Green Giant", (Canning Factory was the main economy for this town) probably affordable homes there, It is quite a hike to a large city (with a Costco...). NPR recently did a blurp on it. I've just passed through on my way to Moscow / Lewiston, but had friends who lived there for ~ 10 yrs (worked at a Hydro Dam). There is also a large wind power industry blooming in that area. It weather should be pretty nice (on the warm / dry side). Walla Walla is within striking distance and growing. I like Waitsburg for its classic homes, but Dayton is closer to the Blue Mtns.

[terryandpaul]

i lived 12 minutes from dayton for 18 years. i now live in colville, for retirement. i would not leave my doors unlocked in dayton as i do here. dayton has poor reputation locally. weather: it FEELS colder in winter in dayton. example: one morning in colville it was 28, sunny, still air. I was hiking in just fleece jacket. it warmed up to 34, clouded up and I started to shiver and shake. neighbors said same. most of the time i feel warmer outside in colville than the western wa. i have not worn a raincoat in a year. western wa winters are windy, damp and very cold. summer in colville are WAY too sunny, we spend effort to hide from sun.

[NCWmark]

Dayton is a beautiful area... "The Gateway To The Blue Mountains", I believe is what it says when you drive into town. It's very small, but is only about 60 miles (about an hour drive) from the Tri-Cities (Richland, Kennewick, Pasco), which has all the necessary stuff (movie theaters, mall, costco, restaurants). Summer can be hot, the air conditioner may end up being your best friend, but there is a long growing season and plenty of sun.

[terryandpaul]

Two Dayton Washingtons. Yep, I had to go check it out. The one I lived 12 miles away from is west of Shelton, East of Matlock, in western Washington. My apologies to all in the other Dayton Wa. I'm sure it is beautiful. I would not have guessed there were two towns of the same name in one state. I am not sure how the wet Dayton fared with recent 1000? yr flood. The area does not drain, it's flat and the water has no place to go.

[scirocco22]

Good grief! I've lived in Washington for decades and am a native (born and raised). I didn't know there were two places called Dayton either.

The Dayton in eastern Washington (Columbia county) is the one that I always knew existed. I never knew there was actually a town called Dayton near Shelton until I looked it up on the map just now.

What's the population of Dayton near Shelton, terryandpaul? It has to be less than 100, right? I'm assuming it's not an incorporated town ...nah, can't be.

Interesting.

[julz6769]

Hi, I stumbled across your post re; Dayton, WA. We spent five years living there after moving from the busy coast. You won't find a more picturesque little town and main street. For a small town, it has a little of everything of what you would need. Except the only national fast food there is a Subway. There is a lot of people who grew up there, moved away and now are retiring back there lately. Property is still reasonable and rising yearly. Outdoor recreation is just outside of town with the National Forest, skiing, great steelhead fishing and hunting. Main street has lots of antique shops, art galleries and restaurants. The people are very nice and welcoming. There is plenty of opportunity for small business also. There is a local Hospital with air lift for extreme emergencies and local School. The addition of windmills for electricity brought a lot of income for the county and the closing of the Seneca plant hardly has been felt. You should come stay a while at one of the hotels. I recommend the Winehard or the Purple house. Have fun, check it out and you might find a good fit!

[tinhorn]

Dayton has about 2500 people, and is located in the middle of nowhere. It would be perfect for people who want isolation in the event of social meltdown (and there are more and more people donning tinfoil hats, waiting for SHTF).

It's much like Mayberry RFD, but several churches, a hospital, and it's near hunting, fishing, and skiing. I bought a place there for my kid, but as soon as I closed on it, he moved out of state. I would have sold my place in Walla Walla and moved into it, but I was already committed to move cross-country. (It's on the market if you'd like to take a look. 1030s4th.info.)

If you need bright lights, Dayton isn't the place for you. If you want peace and quiet, with your neighbors knowing (or making up) all your business, then Dayton's awesome, and since the asparagus factory closed, there are many affordable houses on the market.

[BulldogCheerleader08-10]

Dayton, WA is a beautiful place i recommend it for retirement. =) It's a beautiful town. I live in Dayton now and I'm in High School there. I feel so connected to Dayton, the weather is nice, the people are nice, not too far from brand name stores, and so quiet. Of course come holiday time Dayton is BOOMING with activities! You will never find yourself at a loss for activities if you live in Dayton. I enjoy going down to the river and wading in the water with my friends in the summer, and in the winter i love to take that short drive to Bluewood (our local ski resort) and go skiing! It's a wonderful place and i hope you consider it. =)