Yakima, is it as bad as they say? (Seattle, Bellingham: sex offenders, high crime)

[j_k_k]

I was just there this afternoon (funeral to attend), and as I drove up and down Nob Hill Blvd, my primary sense was one of struggling. A lot of people are struggling to do positive things and shine stuff up, but it's hard. It just overall tends to look and feel kind of run-down. It's not Compton, but I don't understand voluntarily living there.

[Prple]

Yakima does have a lot of pluses including the lower cost of living, and great weather (in my opinion). I've also heard that the farmers market is awesome. Ellensburg (where CWU is located) is a good place to live which is not too far from Yakima.

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

I was just there this afternoon (funeral to attend), and as I drove up and down Nob Hill Blvd, my primary sense was one of struggling. A lot of people are struggling to do positive things and shine stuff up, but it's hard. It just overall tends to look and feel kind of run-down. It's not Compton, but I don't understand voluntarily living there.

That's true, but, maybe at least the trend is towards better rather than worse? Downtown is a mixed bag - the Capitol Theatre is still there, was nice the last time we went there, but that's been a couple of years - my favorite bookstore there, Cheshire Books, closed awhile back, there are still a couple of good book stores but they are not right downtown. Essencia Bakery is still there and is an unexpected jewel IMHO. A few good car parts stores, Triangle and Import Parts Yakima, and all the little shops along the railroad tracks.

But, yeah, at best it's two steps forward and one back. At best.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

That's true, but, maybe at least the trend is towards better rather than worse? Downtown is a mixed bag - the Capitol Theatre is still there, was nice the last time we went there, but that's been a couple of years - my favorite bookstore there, Cheshire Books, closed awhile back, there are still a couple of good book stores but they are not right downtown. Essencia Bakery is still there and is an unexpected jewel IMHO. A few good car parts stores, Triangle and Import Parts Yakima, and all the little shops along the railroad tracks.

But, yeah, at best it's two steps forward and one back. At best.

I think it's up against a lot of challenges. And a lot of those challenges come from the fact that a good percentage of the city has no long-term stake in the city, as it is simply there to earn wages and send them to a foreign country.

[Totek]

It's true colors came out today.

[CarlB328]

I just moved here a week ago and I will say it's not terrible- at least not if you get a place in a decent part of town. I've been staying with relatives in the western part and I just got a rental house in Terrace Heights, which is above the town on the Eastern side.

The people are ok, but not overly friendly, there is a fair amount of interesting restaurants and shops in the downtown area, but I'd much rather be in Western Washington.

[Pj509]

If you never lived in Yakima your post don't mean $&!@ Yakima is a nice place if you don't mind hearing gunshots don't worry about them tho because they're not aimed at you they're aimed at rival gangs that deserve to die I lived in Yakima most my life and shoot I'm still here everybody else is scared because they hear stories about the town don't be scared of the place be scared of the lower valley like wapato and sunnyside

[Dreya_99]

AMEN!!! @Pj509

Yakima isn't that bad, yea it's been getting a bad rap. But c'mon, it's just like any other city, it has it's pros and cons. Of course, you can't just walk on the streets at night like back in the day, you just need to be aware of your surroundings! Downtown yakima is nice! Of course it's pretty busy at night, but who's going to be out there at night!

[bad apples]

Yakima isn't as bad as the rest of people(mostly stuck up Wenatchee and Leavenworth people make it out to be.). I actually thought it had a lot more going on for young people than either of those towns with a larger population. Better food, better shopping and a better night life. It is also less expensive than many other Central Washington areas. The gang problem in Yakima is blown way out of proportion in my opinion. Never had any issues on my many trips to so called Crackima, Jackima, Palm Springs of Washington. I found it had a lot more to offer than most Central Valley towns. It's also closer to Seattle and Portland than most of the other towns.

[Jay F]

I have lived in Yakima for a year now. No, its not nearly as bad as it's reputation. Like much of the country crime has been going down here....crime rates are well below their early 1990s peak. I like the size of the town...small enough to have no traffic issues but big enough to have most of what you need. The weather is nice most of the time, although its been unusually hot recently. I like the people...down to earth...no attitude like I have experienced elsewhere.