Culture in Kalama, WA (Seattle, Vancouver: motels, schools, taxes)

[Kiki9090]

What are your impressions of Kalama, WA? Is the town kept clean? Are newcomers welcomed? General attitude regarding politics and education? Leisure activities most people enjoy? Nice downtown with shops? Etc....

Most of the statistics I've read indicate that the majority of voters vote blue, the town is making improvements to the waterfront, housing is expensive (compared to Longview/Kelso, but a little better than Vancouver), and gardening is good.

However, I also read a comment that there is a pervasive "huntin', fishin', muddin', hick" mentality, which seems to contradict the above and not the impression I had based on initial research.

How would you describe Kalama?

[James Bond 007]

I think for most people, Kalama is something they drive through on I-5 without ever having noticed they even passed through it.

[StealthRabbit]

My co-worker was raised there (and after 10 yrs gone, still prefers it to Vancouver)

Here mom a teacher in Kalama, her dad a business owner with ~ 20 quite well paid employees (investigative engineering)

+ their family is very involved in the community.

30 minutes research on who pays the majority of taxes and creates the most jobs and provides payroll to the community will be VERY evident whether Blue or Red is prospering the community ((for the benefit of the community and building strong families, schools, infrastructure (including educational infrastructure / libraries) and economy)

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by Kiki9090

What are your impressions of Kalama, WA? Is the town kept clean? Are newcomers welcomed? General attitude regarding politics and education? Leisure activities most people enjoy? Nice downtown with shops? Etc....


Most of the statistics I've read indicate that the majority of voters vote blue, the town is making improvements to the waterfront, housing is expensive (compared to Longview/Kelso, but a little better than Vancouver), and gardening is good.

However, I also read a comment that there is a pervasive "huntin', fishin', muddin', hick" mentality, which seems to contradict the above and not the impression I had based on initial research.

How would you describe Kalama?

The population of Kalama and many rural Washington counties is close to 50:50, politically... You're not going to see a clear majority of either party. A quick look at our recent primary two days ago shows a wide variety of results, actually, in Cowlitz County. Depends on the job, and the candidate. (https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/current/cowlitz/)

Democrats in Kalama are more likely to be strong Union blue-collar kinds of Democrats, than Urban Seattle or Portland "progressive" kinds of Democrats... and yes... they probably hunt, fish, and play in the outdoors! Many Democrats do. Playing in the outdoors is the only good reason I can think of to live in Kalama.

FWIW.... In my experience, country type people tend to be far more tolerant of differences than their urban counterparts, regardless of party. If you don't bother them... they won't bother you. But if you need a hand... they'll show up to help! - if you need someone with a chain saw or a pickup truck... In a snow storm. You won't find that in town.


But some may still call them hicks.

[Kiki9090]

Oh, I don't have a problem with any of the outdoor activities as such, and if any small town is split politically, that's a better balance than most places I've lived, it's the phrase "muddin'" without the "g" that connotes waving flags in my face and thinking I'm a snob if I go to yoga that I want to avoid. I don't want to move somewhere by choice just to find I'm socially isolated.

eta: I wouldn't call what you've described as hicks at all. There's a difference between small-town people and small-minded people.

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by Kiki9090

Oh, I don't have a problem with any of the outdoor activities as such.... it's the phrase "muddin'" without the "g" that connotes waving flags in my face and thinking I'm a snob if I go to yoga that I want to avoid.

They might think you're a snob if you make fun of them, their beliefs, their hobbies, and their language, as you did there.

They really don't care if you go to yoga. Really!

I don't want to move somewhere by choice just to find I'm socially isolated.

I really think that part is up to you and what you bring with you. I think you should go to Kalama and spend some time. See if you can like them, or if you can only come up with things you'd like to change about them.

See if you really like Kalama... or if you wish Kalama was something else.


That's a good idea for just about anyplace.

[Ruth4Truth]

Kalama? Does it have a zoo?

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Kalama? Does it have a zoo?

Took me a minute.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by James Bond 007

I think for most people, Kalama is something they drive through on I-5 without ever having noticed they even passed through it.

Afraid we’re guilty of that, we always stop in Kelso at Dutch Bros. for coffee, and pass right by Kalama.

[pnwguy2]

Kalama is a small town that was featured in an MTV Catfish episode a few years ago. Only about 2500 people live there. Located about 10 miles south of the Longview/Kelso area, and about 35 miles north of Portland, Oregon.

Beyond that, it is just an exit on I-5, with a couple of diners and small motels. Culture? In the eye of the beholder, but a town this small usually doesn't offer much. I will stand corrected if I am missing something.

If you work in Longview/Kelso, or even Vancouver/Portland, the commute would not be incredibly bad.