moving to Yakima

[jjjmr02]

Just wanted to let you know there are Montessori schools here in Yakima, Montessori School of Yakima, off Summitview, and Oakridge Montessori School, on Orchard Ave. I have heard good things about them. Riverside Christian is a very good school. As far as gyms, I did a lot of research earlier this year, and settled on West Valley fitness. I've really enjoyed it there and I don't have to drive clear across town to get to it, lol. Good luck and I hope you enjoy Yakima.

[rimigo]

Thanks jjjmr02.

I am in a holding pattern with the job until we get details worked out, but I have not researched WV fitness. I think I did pass by it when I visited a shopping center; will check it out. Thanks for the notes on the Montessori. I looked into Riverside but it seemed a bit too focussed on religion for us (not that were agnostic, we just want a balance with a focus on education).

thanks again!

[stevetogo]

I went for my quick trip and interview as well. Although the interview went well, the job is not definite since they are still interviewing.

I received a quick car tour of the general area. It appeared quite a bit nicer than I expected based upon things I read here. I guess I was expecting gangs stationed on every corner.

No doubt abouth 40th Ave being the cutoff point although Terrace Heights seemed very nice as well. I drove up to Selah for a quick visit and liked it there too.

I'm just not too keen on living with unsafe areas so close by. Especially for my wife. It will be a constant challenge for me to second guess every trip she makes in her car-- where are you going, which street will you take, don't go that way go this way -- etc.

It's a shame that there can be areas in a city such as Yakima -- beautiful geographic location -- where you must avoid certain areas at night. I heard people mention that they only experienced a car break in or two as if it were commonplace.

I must remain open to Yakima since the job opportunity is very nice and those are unfortunately, quite limited currently.

[missyM]

You won't have to 2nd guess the trips your wife makes after she knows her way around. Drive around during the day and look at the neighborhoods. Are the yards mowed? Are there any boarded up houses? Graffiti? Probably still fine to drive through at night. The only places I would actively avoid are the night clubs.

I work graveyard shift, smack dab between two of the worst neighborhoods in town. I have no qualms about going outside for a smoke break, alone. I've heard zero gunfire. I've never been approached.
What I have seen/heard is one passed-out vagrant in front of our workplace. (My in-laws live 20 miles out of town, and they have encountered passed-out vagrants out their way). Two drunks walking by. The mini-mart next door has been robbed after closing. A carload of teenagers whooping it up. Typical weekend stuff.

I've been robbed twice in my life. Once in Vegas, the other in Yakima when I left my car in a nightclub parking lot.

[rimigo]

Stevetogo,

Interesting... probably same Co.(?) Are you moving from CA? I am doing as much research as I can and there are a bunch of positives, but I can't say whether I would do it yet, based on a whole bunch of negatives. The information from this forum has been helpful thus far, but still not convincing. Yes, jobs are limited all the way around, but I am debating the next step given things change in 5-10 years and whether there will be enough economic development there would support additional jobs at the same level (assumptions made of course). This would be fairly far down the line, but safety is still key. Either way you slice it, though, crime is still high for a town this size and, they need more retail.
Good luck!

[stevetogo]

Thanks Missy. I'm sure you're right.

Rimigo,
I'm in Idaho now for the last two years or so and Florida for 30 something years before that. I researched different areas for approximately 5 years before pulling the trigger and moving to the Boise area. What I am now learning the hard way is that researching and actually living in an area are two different things. It's taken 2 years to realize that Boise may not right for us. Of course the complete drop in the economy did not help the situation either.

I don't have the solution though. It's important to do your basic research and yet you'll never really know until you live in a place. So maybe the hard way is the only way?

[rimigo]

Agreed; you may be miserable for a few years, but at least you get some personal growth out of it.

Good luck.

Thanks to everyone for the good info.