Washington: Politically balanced, semi-rural areas close to civilization?

[jacqueg]

Originally Posted by milkwood

Okay, can anyone tell me about the tech stuff? Which companies are here and in which towns exactly? Does it create issues (are real estate prices going up, political climate swinging too much to one side only, changing local culture, increase in traffic, anything like this?) We are moving AWAY from tech land, although this is a double-edged sword for sure and it might come in handy to know there ARE jobs up there if one were to need a new one, at some point.

Google server farm in The Dalles. In Situ in Bingen (https://insitu.com) Lots of wind energy (around The Dalles) and hydropower facilities (Bonneville). And of course all the usual network admin jobs for companies and schools, etc.

Real estate is going up, but not like Portland. Still, it's a very desirable area, so...

Oregon's land use laws are some of the toughest in the nation, and are doing a very good job of controlling and slowing sprawl. The terrain on the Washington side is steeper, so exerts a natural control. But the big player on the block is the feds, and growth along the river is strictly controlled to preserve its scenic quality. Some of us think this is a GOOD thing.

[carroll4628]

There are little issues in Hood River between the newcomers and the historic agriculture of the area. Mostly concerned with housing/density and affordability. The local culture has shifted over the past 20 years. Downtown was mostly gear shops (wind and snow sports) with a little pottery and glass work. The pizza/movie joint. General stores. It's become more "touristy" and "frilly" - it's like the Columbia Gorge Hotel grew tentacles to extend their influence downtown... they now have the Fruit Loop tours in the summer. There are actual a few shi-shi restaurants where my Carhartts and fleece seemed a little out of place last winter, but the China Gorge restaurant is still on the corner. White Salmon is developing more of it's "town". The hills really limit development on the north side of the river. A few of the large orchards close to Hood River are now housing developments. Why does one orchard owner get to sell his property to developers and another (because of location) is being restricted by the county? Land Use Rights and Laws are tough in Oregon. BUT, if you want a house on a few acres, be rest assured that you're neighbor "probably" won't be able to subdivide his.

Lots of discussions about absentee property owners and increased rental prices. Where are all the agricultural, teachers, police, service industry employees going to live if people keep renting out their properties for a week at a time. There has been talk about limiting rentals. But, on the other hand people should be free to rent their homes for $1000 a week in the summer vs. $1500/month year around. Who knows...

Another conversion - "Someone wants to turn their 30 acre orchard into a housing development" vs. "A Pubic/Private group wants to buy your 30 acres and turn it into community ball fields with walking trails." Tough decisions. "A property owner from CA won't give the Parks Department a 10-ft easement at the back of his 10 acre property for the community network trail." Yes, you should be able to do what you want with your property. BUT...growth also needs to be controlled.

I have only experienced traffic during the 4th of July down by the river - for something like 15 minutes we weren't moving and then everything was fine. I don't think Hood River has traffic. But I'm in Seattle, so everything is relative. The exit for the Multnomah Waterfall has LOTS of traffic in the summer. Serious traffic on the Historic Highway in the area of the waterfall as well. But for me, it's no different that the line of cars heading east on US2 toward the mountains on a Friday.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by carroll4628

There are little issues in Hood River between the newcomers and the historic agriculture of the area. ....

Common area of 'Strife' is Chemical application, as some times of the yr you are glad you are not a fruit pest, as the air reeks of Malathion / Diazinon ...

The orchard smudge pots are not used too often, but wind machines and helicopters saving the crop from early morning frost can tend to bother a few newcomers.

I know several ex and professional orchardists who avoid living near orchards to keep their families a bit more distant from the chemicals, dust and noise. Newcomers are not always so perceptive but usually very noisy complainers.

It is not a huge problem. Just be a "beware" buyer. There are many excellent places to live / hideaway / or smack in the middle of the action (fun and industrial). WA side has far more options for remote housing, as fewer orchards, no airports (near orchards / remote houses), and MUCH more available land than OR. (Klickitat County DOES not enforce the CGNSA rules as does HR, SK, Wasco). Klickitat told the CG commission to STUFF it. (Thus Skamania County got the economic Development offset dollars / projects (including Skamania Lodge))

[west seattle gal]

Bellingham would fit. We are 50/50 Dem/Rep, though most people seem to be apolitical. Lots of organic food and emphasis on purchasing locally, lots of nature, a beautiful Waldorf school, plenty of land surrounding the city, a small university and educated, well-read active population, and safe.

The Waldorf school:
http://www.whws.org/

[509]

Wenatchee is a nice town, but it is a Republican Socialist paradise.

IF your into the government owing EVERYTHING like the electric company, water company, internet system, cable TV, and phone company. The medical system is a doctors coop, followed by coop fruit companies.