West Valley vs. Terrace Heights vs. Selah (Everett, Yakima: crime, cheap home)

[mustang34]

So my parents are thinking about moving to the Yakima area. As far as climate and culture goes, its no big deal because they're originally from the Tri-Cities (specifically Pasco) though they're moving from the Everett.

My main concern is crime. They're leaning towards Terrace Heights. I looked at a couple crime maps and one showed quite a bit of crime in Terrace Heights and the other showed hardly any. Both showed little in West Valley. Both showed some in Selah.

Their budget is less than 200k so it needs to be affordable. They're looking for a newer home, doesn't have to be big (3 bed, 2 ba., and less than 1400 sq ft) Just curious how West Valley, Selah, and Terrace Heights compare in these categories.

[NWbyNW]

Selah has very little crime. Far below the national and state average. Compared to Yakima's crime rate, Selah is a safe haven. West Valley has little crime too. It is one of the more affluent areas of Yakima, as is Brace and Summitview. They also have among the lowest crime levels in Yakima. The warehouse/industrial area of Terrace Heights, closest to the river and tracks, is where the most crime will be. Though homes in that area can still be targeted, but in comparison with other districts of Yakima, it is still a really safe neighborhood. The further west you go in Yakima, towards the mountains, the safer the neighborhoods.

The highest crime and least desirable areas are in downtown, and the area clustered around it. Gang problems tend to stay in those areas of the city.

Selah is more of the small town America feel to it, but you are also close to the shopping in Yakima and Union Gap. Union Gap has cheap homes, but it isn't that desirable of a town.

[CarlB328]

I have been living in Terrace Heights for 3 years now and I like it as far as Yakima goes. It is mostly retiree's and middle aged people for the most part, so it's fairly quiet and peaceful though it seems to have grown a lot in recent years. Selah is more rural and dare I say redneck, especially if you live outside of Selah in the country. One of my coworkers lives next to a mobile home there full of drug dealing delinquents that have threatened to shoot people, etc.

West Valley is nice and you probably have the best shot at finding available/affordable homes there.

[bad apples]

If you can afford it, live in Selah. It is still close to downtown Yakima at least within driving distance and less crowded. It is more like living in a rural agricultural area.

[mustang34]

Thanks for the input everyone. My parents bought a house and didn't tell me until two days later! No big deal. They're living in the southern part of the West Valley area. It's pretty isolated, and they seem to like it