Moving from Western to Eastern Washington (Yakima: ghetto, Spanish, house)

[Alli]

Take a look at the Tri-City area - Kennewick, Richland, Pasco. People are friendly, traffic is light, recreational opportunities are plentiful, and the cost of living is low. There are several hospitals and many churches.

[Bo Knows]

I live in Moses Lake. It sounds like you would love it here. Not so great on the shopping, but within 90 min. Everyting else is great

[LISA IN LONGVIEW]

Hi Chris082060, My husband and I are looking at retiring and are considering Kettle Falls, We really love the East side of the Mts, We are specifically looking for warmer weather, longer growing season, not alot of cloudy days nor rainy days, snow is ok, just hate the doom and gloom 24/7 that the west side has to offer. Are we anywhere close by choosing Kettle Falls, Colville area? your input would be greatly appreciated. Thnx-Lisa

[Dean-O]

Originally Posted by LISA IN LONGVIEW

are considering Kettle Falls...specifically looking for warmer weather, longer growing season, not alot of cloudy days nor rainy days, snow is ok, just hate the doom and gloom 24/7 that the west side has to offer

You will find a SHORTER growing season here.
You will find very dry hot summer days but chilly evenings (wear a sweater at night, except maybe one or two weeks out of the summer months)
The main thing is lower humidity makes it completely more comfortable here even if it isn't warmer or sunnier. (We can be dark and gloomy in winter but all the snow everywhere for 5 months brightens things up a bit!)
Yes you WILL find MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH less rain than on the 'coast'.
You will also find a much MORE conservative politics. Be ready for that. We often refer to 'the west side' as if it is a foreign country--like when the governor wants to pass a law limiting the number of quarts of wild huckleberries we can have in our possession...

[cobolt]

Are you serious about the huckleberries comment? Man, nothing surprises me anymore. Isn't that sad?

[Dean-O]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Are you serious about the huckleberries comment?

YES, SERIOUS. It was considered SERIOUSLY but fortunately did not pass.

[newguy85]

stay clear of Othello and Quincy. large migrant population with lots of crime. If you must live there, I highly recommend private school for your kids. lots of gang activity in the public school system and almost all of the school resources are spent on helping the migrant population at the expense of others.

[StealthRabbit]

I'd add Walla Walla to your list to check out, tho it is a bit far from the "west-side". I have found it to be real friendly, and offers both jr college + university + hospital and enough industry / economy to avail various employment while schooling (plus a prison for interning(ment) !!) . I like Waitsburg, a little town ~ 15 miles east of Walla Walla. It has some great old homes and buildings.

River + Blue Mountains nearby for recreation. Conservative socially (Lots of SDA, but others to), and plenty of organics and 'green people too.' They have a nice 'sustainable living center' Sustainable Living Center and they used to host the "renewable energy Fair", which was a great vacation escape for us 'west-siders'. Now they do seminars at the center.

If schooling wasn't in your formula, I'd look to Kettle Falls, but for educational opportunities for both you and your kid, and a nice place to reside, do give Walla Walla a look. Tri-cities is good too, but you need to look them both over. Try to stay in a guest home when visiting. (local residents ~ $20/ night 'contribution', great way to travel and get the 'straight scoop', and get involved in the lives of others). Go to some public events and visit the stores you would shop, churches, markets...and drive around during commute hours. I also like to drop in on the courthouse / driver's / auto license places and see how friendly they are. Just ask a lot of questions, and frequent some casual social places. You should get a good feel in a few days, you can also pack a lot into a weekend. My spouse and I split up and each go to different spots and then compare notes and re-visit. (you can visit ~ 6-8 churches in one weekend that way!! Sat. eve, multiple Sun AM and Sunday PM) Have fun, good luck (with the move and school)

[kraus020237]

I'm following this thread but I don't know what tri-cities is. Would somebaody give me a definitive description, please.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by kraus020237

I'm following this thread but I don't know what tri-cities is. Would somebaody give me a definitive description, please.

The Tri-Cities are Richland, Kennewick and Pasco plus adjoining towns: Finley, Burbank, West Richland, Benton City. Prosser and Connell are a little farther out, separated by non-urban territory from the TC but might be considered somewhat a part of the greater area. Geologically, the area brackets the places where first the Yakima and then the Snake River dump into the Columbia.

R, K and P are roughly similar sized, averaging about 55K each. West Richland's catching up fast and has seen a lot of growth (funded generously by traffic tickets). Finley, Burbank and Benton City are in the 2Kish range for size, and qualify as rural living. Total population for the region is something like 200K with three hospitals, one mall, one Olive Garden, and about one taco truck or Mexican restaurant for every five residents.

Primary employment is cleaning up nuclear contamination. Secondary employment is education, and third is probably scientific research. The area is a hub for the varied and productive agricultural activity surrounding it on all sides.