Questions about Central Washington (Seattle, Spokane: homes, buy, school districts)

[Gear3ful]

Hello everyone, I'm new here. I currently live in Spokane and I'm looking to get out of here soon, Spokane is turning into a mini L.A. and suffering from BCS (Big City Syndrome). I really want to move somewhere more rural. The central Washington area has caught my eye recently, especially the town of Twisp. I've lived in Spokane for a long time and I've really never been anywhere else outside of Spokane, so there are some things I would like to know about the central Washington area. Is central Washington conservative or conservative friendly? what are the racial demographics? how are the jobs? Any info on the area will be a great help. Thanks in advance!

[Harrier]

It is Harrier's impression that the Cascade range separates the liberal western part of the state from the conservative eastern area.

Central Washington would be mostly the far western area east of the Cascades.

That doesn't necessarily mean that there are no liberals in Eastern Washington or no conservatives in Western Washington, but that generally the political climate can be predicted in these geographical entities.

Washington is somewhat purple - Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi lost an extremely close election in 2004, by less than 200 votes.

[Jay F]

You asked about racial demographics. Much of Central Washington is heavily Hispanic.

[Gear3ful]

Originally Posted by Jay F

You asked about racial demographics. Much of Central Washington is heavily Hispanic.

So as a white person would I be discriminated against? I read about Yakima and how Hispanics treat white people there and it has me very worried. I hope not all of central Washington is like this

[Hemlock140]

We've stayed in both Winthrop and Twisp, and they are both fairly conservative, very small towns. Winthrop has more of a western, almost cowboy-like feel and seems very tourist based in summer, dead in winter. Twisp is similar but to a lesser extent. I didn't see many hispanics or any other minorities there or in Twisp. What I find the oddest is the number of deer running across the road at dusk, almost like playing a video game trying to dodge them. City-Data (not the forum) has the demographics, if you want to get more info.

[xboxmas]

Twisp and Winthrop are nice areas but there's not much to offer as far as jobs. The central part of the state is even more conservative than Spokane and the Hispanics are the majority in many of these towns. It's mostly agricultural based, but there's other things of course like healthcare or the school districts.

[Gear3ful]

Thank you everyone for all your help, I appreciate it.

[Boxkicker]

I would think twice about Twisp.....

Not going to be much left after the fire torched 80-100 homes in that area.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by Harrier

It is Harrier's impression that the Cascade range separates the liberal western part of the state from the conservative eastern area.

Central Washington would be mostly the far western area east of the Cascades.

That doesn't necessarily mean that there are no liberals in Eastern Washington or no conservatives in Western Washington, but that generally the political climate can be predicted in these geographical entities.

Washington is somewhat purple - Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi lost an extremely close election in 2004, by less than 200 votes.

Yes, but Twisp is kind of like Leavenworth - there has been enough influx of Coastie retirees that the political views of the area are beginning to shift. Twisp definitely has a yuppie/artsy-fartsy vibe now. Depends on your point-of-view as to whether that's a good thing or not. There is still a large continent of the "old guard" in the Methow Valley, but their percentages are dwindling all the time as more and more rich Coasties move over there or buy weekend homes.

Originally Posted by Jay F

You asked about racial demographics. Much of Central Washington is heavily Hispanic.

Yes, but the Methow Valley (in which Twisp lies) is almost completely white.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

What I find the oddest is the number of deer running across the road at dusk, almost like playing a video game trying to dodge them.

LOL! I guess everyone's experiences are different. IMO, this isn't odd, this is normal life. Watching for deer crossing the road is second nature.

What is odd to me is taking an hour to drive three miles in Seattle, because you're sitting in traffic. In my neck of the woods, the time it takes to get from point A to point B is the speed limit.