Clarkston vs. Palouse vs. Pullman (Spokane: rental, house, college)

[30somethings]

I would really appreciate some opinions and info on life in these areas. Thanks in advance, I greatly appreciate it!

[pw72]

Isolated, small town feel, relatively low cost of living. Cold, snowy winters (although Clarkston is a bit warmer), warm sunny summers. Pullman obviously a college atmosphere, Clarkston is just a small town, but right across the river to somewhat larger Lewiston, Idaho. If need to be close to a larger town, keep in my mind Spokane is about two hours away.

[Prple]

I love the Palouse area! You should also check out Moscow, ID which is about 8 miles east of Pullman. It has a cute downtown, tree lined streets and shopping/mall.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Prple

I love the Palouse area! You should also check out Moscow, ID which is about 8 miles east of Pullman. It has a cute downtown, tree lined streets and shopping/mall.

Ditto -- my Fav

I like Onecho

To keep peace in the family... it will probably have to be Moscow area for me, but I would have to get to Kendrick often (time warp to 1950's)

Palouse (town) is getting into the pine trees and has mini - mtns nearby (probably the coolest temp wise, and definately the smallest town)

Pullman.... (I would do Moscow, UNLESS I needed WA income tax shelter, tho Property taxes may be worse then the entire ID tax package)

Clarkston, warm, (HOT) dry, bit desert-y, BUT... big river if you are in need of that!! (So if you have a power boat passion, live there!)

[jertheber]

Lewiston Idaho and Clarkston Washington, two towns that run together at the confluence of two rivers. Very hot in summer, very cold in winter, dry, river valley surrounded by steep rising hills to about 600 feet, laid back, small town feel. My brother spent a few years in those two towns, he worked on motorcycles and could afford a nice rental house in town. The two towns make for one large metro area spread along the Snake and Clearwater rivers, jobs will be easier to find here than in any towns within 2 hours from here. The "valley aroma" is courtesy of the pulp mill at the east end of Lewiston, some say this has changed their mind on living there, with the large population there I'd venture a guess that many more can live with it easily. Agriculture is the dominant business in the valley, there are other types of business, but big Ag brings in the money. The wealth, is at the very least, more evenly distributed than say lumber towns or mining and fishing burgs. That fact makes for a better life for those who want a good working class town to raise their kids. The tendency to have extreme weather temps seems to be the curse of the region, most of the east portion of Washington will tend toward this high and low temp scenario, spring is a very pretty time to be in that valley though, and there is a lot of outdoor recreation to enjoy there. When you look on Google maps you'll see why the towns have been the center of social and commercial interests in the region, they are the main attraction for most of south eastern Washington And parts of northern Oregon. All towns have their bad sides and this area is no different, Meth is on the rise in small town America, there is no disputing that, but, like all towns, most of the good citizens don't think about it too much, it's primarily cooked in the very rural areas in the hills and doesn't affect the town too much as a whole. There is no place that has it all, but I have liked that area for a long time, it has a lot to offer if you want a small town feel without the big city problems you might want to check it out.