Yakima, anybody recently move to Yakima (Seattle, West Valley: fit in, crime, how much)

[mngid]

Looking to hear from people who moved to Yakima. What has your experience been like? Where are the best areas to live. Would you move there again knowing what you know now. I am in the process of possibly being offered a job there but I'm very conflicted.

[CrazyDonkey]

My sister's family used to live in Yakima. There are nice areas in west Yakima - West Valley, Summitview, etc. Most of the crime and gangs are in east Yakima. You're in Washington's "wine country" and close to Cascade Mountains/Mt. Rainier (hiking, camping, skiing) and the Columbia Gorge (boating, kitesurfing, windsurfing). Seattle and Portland aren't far.

[Jay F]

I moved to Yakima relatively recently (3 years ago). I like it a lot and plan on staying for awhile. The nice parts are West. Generally, the further West you go the newer and nicer it gets. One nice part of the east side is the suburb of Terrace Heights.

I live in a semi-ghetto part of town and don't have any crime problems. The one area I would avoid is North 1St Street near all the cheap motels. Lots of crime, drugs, and riff raff around there. Unfortunately, when people get off the freeway that is their first impression of Yakima. I believe there is some type of improvement project scheduled there.

[atchn]

Originally Posted by mngid

Looking to hear from people who moved to Yakima. What has your experience been like? Where are the best areas to live. Would you move there again knowing what you know now. I am in the process of possibly being offered a job there but I'm very conflicted.

What specifically are you conflicted about?

[jac96]

Some of these folks on here don't seem to see the reality of the situation...

Yakima is really just like a small town that outgrew itself. If you actually spent more than an afternoon here, you would see just how much bs really goes on here, and sadly, most of it is "acceptable" to the people here. In general, most people are not unreasonable, but really I feel like this is where people who can't get along anywhere else would move. I do not recommend moving here if you have options. I would take a lower paying job in a different city before I took a high-income job here. You might like it at first, the weather is quite pleasant in the spring, but summers are 100+ June-Sept., and winters here are icy and frigid from Nov.-Feb...

There is no shortage of either practical jokers, gang-bangers, crazy meth-heads, or snobby rich people. The people who don't fit in those catagories keep pretty quiet, as there really isn't a lot of things for young people to do... at least not safe, sane activities:/
People here are really cutthroat and aggressive, it isn't really pleasant in general. I have a job I like and love most of the people that I work with, but other than that I am leaving asap. You may have my place here, please TAKE IT!!!!!!

Does that give you an idea? No?

[PS90]

Originally Posted by jac96

In general, most people are not unreasonable, but really I feel like this is where people who can't get along anywhere else would move.

Yakima has been, and still is, a major hub of agriculture - especially tree fruit - in Washington for many, many years. A LARGE component of this state's agricultural economy is centered around Yakima. And there are a LOT of rich orchardists there.

There may be issues with parts of the area, but to imply that Yakima is some kind of crime-ridden insane asylum where only weirdos live, is just ridiculous.