Ebrug vs Wenatchee!! (Yakima, Ellensburg, Chelan: school, living, shop)

[Olivyaroz]

Hi, I am thinking of moving to Ellensburg, but I'm wondering how it compares to Wenatchee and how long the drive is between them? Wenatchee is a bit bigger, and perhaps has more of an econommy, but Eburg has CWU...Is one hotter and drier than the other? I'm wondering why they grow apples in Wenatchee, but just hay in Eburg? Would you say that one town or the other has better mountain access? Is one more conservative/liberal than the other?
Thanks for any comments/insights!

[chris]

it's about an hour and 15 mins. It goes by quickly though as it's a nice scenic drive IMO. My wife attended CWU and said it's kind of in the middle politically, leaning conservative (not surprised considering the area). She says she really loved it though.

Wenatchee is definitely bigger and way more conservative. Feels like typical middle America to me. There's probably more to do there since Leavenworth (mountains) and Lake Chelan are close by in terms of outdoor recreation.

Ellensburg is more flat and has bigtime winds. Seems drier there. Maybe too dry for mass apple production?

[Olivyaroz]

Chris, thanks for your comments. I've heard Ellensburg is windy, but the graphs on the detailed profile website don't seem to show it. I currently
live near Denver, and the average wind speeds look much higher for this area on the graphs than in Ellensburg...anyway, what did your wife like about Eburg?
-Olivyaroz

[chris]

comments from the wife:

The school was awesome because there were no frat/sorority life.

Everyone was very friendly.

It's a cow town (?) being a city girl, she didn't mind.

Living there and *not* attending CWU might not be very much fun.

Weather is really cold and windy in the winter.

There's not a lot else to say (she said), it's Ellensburg.

[scirocco22]

Hi Olivyaroz. Let me start out by saying "I love Ellensburg!" I've said it more than once here on this forum, it's the most ideal place in the state, IMO.

As a lot know here on this forum, I'm not a fan of the weather on the west side of the Cascades. But Ellensburg is dry, has seasons, and yes, windy but I personally like the wind.

I don't quite know why you don't think they don't grow apples in Ellensburg. There are some orchards there ...or there used to be, anyway. I know because I once picked them to earn some extra money. It's just that Wenatchee is known --very well known-- for apples! The Yakima area has some great apple orchards too so as you can see, Ellensburg is sandwiched right inbetween and also has potential to have some great apples coming from the immediate area.

Here's an interesting history of Ellensburg that I've had bookmarked. I think it mentions apple orchards in several places ...or orchards, anyway.

HistoryLink Essay: Ellensburg -- Thumbnail History

You can't go wrong with either Wenatchee or Ellensburg. You've already said you know that Wenatchee is larger so if you like a "smaller" town atmosphere, then Ellensburg may just fit. If you need a bit more hustle and bustle, then then perhaps Wenatchee. Oh, remember, Yakima is just a little over a half hour away from E-burg so if you're worried about shopping or other amenities, don't.

Good luck.

--'rocco

[Olivyaroz]

'rocco-
Thanks so much for the info! I loved the thumbnail history of Ellensburg. What a great place! Maybe it's one of the few western towns that haven't been over-developed or glitz-ified yet. I'm looking forward to exploring it more.
Olivyaroz

[scirocco22]

Where are you coming from, Olivyaroz? Do you have a job lined up? ...or are you still looking?


--'rocco

[Olivyaroz]

Hi 'rocco,
I'm coming from Colorado, and I have an opportunity to work at the hospital.
How about yourself? Is there a reason you didn't stay in Eburg?
-O

[scirocco22]

Hah, sorry... now I notice you said Denver!

Ah okay, I remember the hospital, KVCH. Back then, it was just a glorified clinic. Now, I hear, it's a beautifully laid-out, comprehensive complex. I think you'll like working there!

I had always planned to retire to Ellensburg. As I've said so many times on these boards, I think it's the most ideal spot in the state. I had the chance to relocate to the desert SW and decided it would be nice to be in a warmer place during the winter. I remember several brutal winters in eastern Washington, plus I don't like the fog which prevails during the winter in much of the eastern part of the state. So I ruled central Washington out for the time being. If I were to ever move back to Washington, it would most likely be to Ellensburg. I have some fond memories from there too. *sighs*

--'rocco

[Earniefan]

"As a lot know here on this forum, I'm not a fan of the weather on the west side of the Cascades. But Ellensburg is dry, has seasons, and yes, windy but I personally like the wind."


When you say wind what are you calling windy?? I've lived in Cheyenne and Laramie Wyoming, extremely windy and often. And now on the western end of the state where people that are from here think it's windy, it's not. So everyone has a different idea of wind. Could you tell me more? Thanx