Yakima, is it as bad as they say? (Seattle, Ellensburg: cliquey, crime rate)

[jms95426]

I am thinks of taking a job with tree top in the selah, wa area and have read some bad things about the entire yakima valley. Is it as bad as i'm reading?

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by jms95426

I am thinks of taking a job with tree top in the selah, wa area and have read some bad things about the entire yakima valley. Is it as bad as i'm reading?

Hard to know without knowing what readings you're referring to. The Valley has nice parts and crummy parts. I've heard Selah is a pretty nice little town. If I had to pick a Valley town to live in my first choice would be Prosser and my last would be Mabton.

[jms95426]

I am referring to the reports of the gang and drug violence in Yakima all points south and spreading north and west. It makes it sound like south central with more meth labs. I know that city's that big have problems but from what i'm reading it makes it sound like and all out gang land community. I would think that the smaller farming community's would stand against the crime invasion. I hear that ellensburg is nice but the winter commute can be very bad. I just find it hard to believe its as bad as i hear

[odie91]

Originally Posted by jms95426

I am thinks of taking a job with tree top in the selah, wa area and have read some bad things about the entire yakima valley. Is it as bad as i'm reading?

Heheh, I'm making the same move as you and have read some of the negative posts. I'm definitely gonna take my precautions, but am not going to be living in fear. Don't hang out in downtown Yakima, be careful at night, don't leave valuables visible in your car, don't join a gang, be careful who you buy your drugs from, haha just kidding. I've lived in some pretty dangerous parts of major cities though, including my last living situation where my neighbors were dealing drugs, and 3 people got shot this past year, only 100 yards from my doorstep.

[skinem]

Few places are as bad as some people make Yakima out to be.
Selah is a nice little town. I was always amazed at the difference between it and some areas of Yakima.
Yakima has a lot of nice areas. For the most part, the rough areas are south of Yakima Ave and east of 16th. A lot of nice neighborhoods west of 16th (not to say there aren't any in other parts of town).
You don't have to live in Ellensburg.
Check out Selah, Wenas Valley, Gleed, Naches, Cowiche for areas outside of Yakima but much, much closer and a much, much easier commute than Ellensburg.

I worked one summer at Treetop while in college about a hundred years ago. It paid a little better than the other packing houses...hope it still does for you.

I'd move back to the Selah area tomorrow if I could.

[spotown11]

I would also consider the Terrace Heights and perhaps Moxee areas. I know a few people who lived there for over a decade and never had any real problems.

[M3 Mitch]

If one person came into *** from the south, driving up 1st ave, and another one came in from the northwest part of town, and they met downtown to compare notes, they would probably wonder if they are really in the same place - it's that different.

That said I have visited *** many times and had no issues.

[skinem]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

If one person came into *** from the south, driving up 1st ave, and another one came in from the northwest part of town, and they met downtown to compare notes, they would probably wonder if they are really in the same place - it's that different.

That said I have visited *** many times and had no issues.

That is a great way to put it--and entirely accurate. The first time I ever saw the town we came in from the south. I thought dad had lost his mind moving to Selah. Especially coming from the far NE part of the state I thought it was the hottest, brownest place on earth.

Since then, I've lived in places that made Yakima look like an oasis of green and culture.

I had a summer job delivering and setting up furniture for a furniture store that sold on credit and used to deliver to lots of the "garden spots" that people warn about and criticize in Yakima, the valley, and the rez. I never had any issues at all and was never scared of any place I went.

Of course, I wasn't the brightest bulb...

[rimigo]

Re-located here a few years ago, and its not too bad if you aren't at or below poverty line. Its definitely a bit slower, but has been good for family bonding! Nice areas and houses west of 40th ave and higher up in the hills. You will develop your own rythm; places to go eat, laundry, activities. Good youth sports programs but like any city there are some politics. Weak overall economy, but refer to my first sentence. Selah is good but cliquey for sure. Religion is a big deal here. Weather is great- work is work, but home life, if you aren't into high culture is pretty good. Seattle and Portland are nice overnight trips if you want that. Tree top is a decent company, but I wouldn't expect a ton of upward movement as the senior management there probably are valley lifers and won't be leaving anytime soon. You get a lot more house but will end up spending decent money to be in a good area, so don't be fooled by averages.
Good luck.

[zACHARY bell]

I grew up in Yakima and the Yakima valley. I have been gone for 10 years now and it was the best move I have made in my life. I don't wish the Yakima on my worst enemy. I wish I had never even heard of the place. Please do not even think of raising a family in this area unless you want your daughter to be a mommy in her early teens and your son to be a gangbanger. Oh I forgot my aunt still lives there and her house got robbed a few days ago.

Note: Worst crime rate per capita in the entire U.S.