Would you choose to move to Northern Nevada or Eastern Washington? (Spokane: for sale, high crime)

[wilkermoo]

If you had to choose to live somewhere and your only two choices were Northern Nevada (Reno, Sparks, Fernley, etc.) or Eastern Washington (Spokane, Kennewick, Tri-Cities etc) You could choose any town within this area. What would you choose and why?

The areas seem similar to me, but I have never spent a great amount of time in either. Can anybody who has lived in either of these places give me their perspective of the differences. Thanks!

[jank]

I can give you some information. I currently live in Northern Nevada (Elko), and I grew up near Spokane, WA. The biggest difference I can think of is the Reno/Sparks/Fernley area, like Elko, is dry. The landscape is brown in the summer and the area is hot and dry. Spokane, on the other hand, is closer to water and seems less arid to me. The winters in each area are similar; however, the Reno winters are probably a bit shorter than Spokane areas.

Another big difference is in Nevada you will be surrounded by the influence of gambling, especially in Reno. Lots of big casinos, lights, and the drunkeness that accompanies the lifestyle. You will run into it in grocery stores and laundry mats; it is everywhere. When I was in Spokane years ago, there was no obvious gambling.

I don't know what is happening in the Spokane housing market, but the Reno market bottomed out over the last year. The prices got absurdly high for a couple of years and then suddenly, nothing was selling. It is still like that. Overpriced and very little movement right now.

That is about all I can think to tell you. Hope it helps.

[compltlyme]

Originally Posted by wilkermoo

If you had to choose to live somewhere and your only two choices were Northern Nevada (Reno, Sparks, Fernley, etc.) or Eastern Washington (Spokane, Kennewick, Tri-Cities etc) You could choose any town within this area. What would you choose and why?

The areas seem similar to me, but I have never spent a great amount of time in either. Can anybody who has lived in either of these places give me their perspective of the differences. Thanks!

I can say I would choose WA with out a doubt. My brother lived in Reno and have a cousin in Sparks. Both say the same thing. They don't like it or the cold but more so Reno is such a dirty city. And with pretty high crime. (from what I am told.)

I have spent time there and personally didn't care for it. I can't speak about Spokane I have not been there in years, but the tri-city area is nice. Quiet, the temps are not extreme one way or the other. Very affordable.

[wilkermoo]

compltlyme and jank, thank you so much for your posts. The information was very helpful. I guess that I had some of the same ideas about Reno/Sparks area already but I just wanted it to be different.

[triselmore]

Tri Cities-definitely. Want to know why, just check out my responses via my username, I just can't say enough about it!

[bb0905]

I have lived in the Tri Cities and I think this is one of the best places to raise kids. Their Schools and sports programs are well supported and funded, the population is highly intelligent due to Hanford being there, as a whole it is a pretty Conservative (politically) area and the housing costs are lower than almost all other parts of Washington. We are Air Force so I've seen a lot of areas of the US - I'd move back to Tri-cities (except parts of Pasco but that's another post) in a heartbeat.

[mustang34]

I agree with bb0905 the Tri-Cities is very nice.
Oh and Kennewick is part of the Tri-Cities, just in case you didn't know.

[NCWmark]

All of Eastern Washington is beautiful and would be a great choice to live in. I live near Wenatchee and it's gorgeous and a safe place for kids.


Pictures of North Central Washington can be found at: http://www.ncwpics.com and they may help you in your decision.

[centurion]

My wife and I lived in a small town near Reno. I decided to retire earlier than originally anticipated, so cost of living was a big factor in where we decided to retire.

We picked Tri Cities, partly for climate, which does seem to be more temperate than the Reno area, but also for the affordability of housing. There are tons of very nice properties for sale in the Tri Cities area for under $150,000. Reno does have the mountains close by, but that wasn't much of a factor for us.

WE really like the Tri Cities area so far. We bought out of town. We have an affordable home, rural atmosphere, with great shopping and other big city amenities close by. We are happy with our decision.

[Idgy]

Originally Posted by centurion

My wife and I lived in a small town near Reno. I decided to retire earlier than originally anticipated, so cost of living was a big factor in where we decided to retire.

We picked Tri Cities, partly for climate, which does seem to be more temperate than the Reno area, but also for the affordability of housing. There are tons of very nice properties for sale in the Tri Cities area for under $150,000. Reno does have the mountains close by, but that wasn't much of a factor for us.

WE really like the Tri Cities area so far. We bought out of town. We have an affordable home, rural atmosphere, with great shopping and other big city amenities close by. We are happy with our decision.

Can you tell me what it is like in the Tri cities during the winter months of Jan, Feb, March? Thanks