I'd Move Here Again - 12/31/2019

Overall we've enjoyed our stay in Yakima after several years and plan on being here for several more, at least. The spring and summer here are just unreal compared to midwest and east coast - the lack of humidity is a real game changer for outdoor activities. Being able to get to the Oregon coast, Seattle, or Portland in a couple hours is pretty nice. Mountains, skiing, and hiking within minutes is awesome. Many people come from Seattle area and can buy 2-3x the house and live quite comfortably. It is def agricultural-based community and economy, though, and the number of openly right-wing nut jobs is scary. The wealth disparity is on full display as well, with a large lower class and a number of massively wealthy 'fruit barons.' There's problems here like any community, but there are good people here too working to fix them. Lots of opportunities and a welcoming community.

[Comment on this Posting]

Possible Relocation - 6/10/2016

I may be relocating to Yakima, WA for a professional position at a local university. I have never lived in this part of the country as I am from the East Coast. I have read mixed reviews and they are quite outdated on this site. Can anyone post an update on their thoughts?

[Comment on this Posting]

High Desert of Yakima Valley - 3/26/2013

Yakima is situated in the high desert, eastern elevations of the Cascade Mountain Range. Coming from the humid, eastern parts of the country, I was amazed at how enjoyable spring, summer and fall can be here in this much dryer climate. Especially the late spring and summer. Even 95 degrees out on the golf course brings little more than a dab of forehead persperation. Because of the rain sheild effects of the Cascade Mountains, the area if truely desert. I do miss the evergreen trees of Ohio, however, they are only about an hour away from Yakima, due west onto the mountain range. Yakima has a winter which is usually fairly short with a moderate amount of snow. That can change from year to year, however, and has been known to get occationally a large amount of snow and a longer, colder winter than usual.

[Comment on this Posting]

Baddddd - 8/28/2011

Yakima or otherwise crackima, bad place nothing to do and you know what it has a odor of meth in the outside air violence everywhare, law is not right, drinking problems downtown , no jobs, hot weather into october and november, not to mention the mayor is a kid give me a break. You know I dont like The fack all the child offenders the live everywhare. Spent 200,000 dollars on a 3 foot statue. A small LA or Detriot you know lile downfall dont come here its a ripoff.

[Comment on this Posting]

Yakima is not nice. - 5/15/2010

I'm 14 and have lived in Yakima all my life and there's nothing more that I want than to get out. I live in the 'good' part of town (Near West Valley). But truely in my opinion there is no good part of the this place. It is infested with gangsters, taggers, and all types of drugs. So I'm sure you would like this place if you would like to have someone you know get mugged on the street or hit by a stray bullet. My neighborhood is alright, there's just a little drug problem. Nothing big though. But you go over to the East side about 10 blocks and it's just straight ghetto.

[Comment on this Posting]

Changing jobs - 8/30/2008

Yakima is a very good place to live. It has over 300 days of sunshine a year and has a tremendous amount of activities from river and lake activities to skiing, to wine tours and much more.

[Comment on this Posting]

friendly people. - 1/30/2008

folks really enjoy living here. a town of about 80,000. quite a few over 59 year olds. people that live here don't plan on moving from here. they like the distinct four seasons, very cold to me, winters. absolutely beautiful spring and summer weather. no big city stuff, ie, downtown hookers, topless bars or things of that nature. great school system that the community is involved with and cares about. real estate is overvalued, the locals don't think so, they compare it to seattle,wa values. sorry this ain't seattle.

[Comment on this Posting]

Researching for Possible Move - 9/2/2007

Thank you for your website. Invaluable information on Yakima, WA for consideration in a relocation.

[Comment on this Posting]

If You Like Small Town Life This Place Is for You! - 7/22/2007

But, if you want to live in a progressive city, this is not it! Many attempts are under way to make it so, but no one person or employers seem to think about making things. Agriculture is still king, with a smattering of social service types of jobs, but the povery industry appears to keep the town afloat. Real estate is selling well with out of town investors interested in land, not people. No traffic jams here, but no really good public transportation either. Be prepared to be part of a town clique or not as you choose. Hasn't small town life always been like this?

[Comment on this Posting]

how's yakima? - 4/16/2006

We live in Bangor maine and though it's a great place for raising kids, we would like to live in a milder climate

[Comment on this Posting]

Kevin,can you contact me about Yakima? I have a qu - 3/24/2006

No SPAM please-kingbees320@aol.com-Steve

[Comment on this Posting]

Great place to live, residents keep it a secret - 2/2/2006

Yakima, the city itself, is nothing exciting. However, it's unfair to judge the city of Yakima without considering the overall valley. Traditionally the valley economy has been based upon agriculture, which is still the primary focus of most valley residents either directly or indirectly. Ellensburg is home to a state university and is a typical cozy college town. Zillah is fast becoming the center of wine production in Washington state and touted as the next Napa. The entire valley is well known for apples, pears and hops. Mt. Rainer serves as the backdrop for the valley, and on a clear day Mt. Stevens and even Mt. St. Helens can be seen. Yakima is a desert type climate and not the typical picture one has in their mind when you say you live in Washington. The wet side of the mountains does provide great opportunities however, with Seattle 3hrs away and Portland, OR roughly a 3.5 hrs drive. Spokane is a little further out, but still very accesible in a day. You probably wouldn't want to visit these big cities in a day and then drive back, but a weekend trip is very easy and nice. The valley economy is not booming, but there are good jobs to be had whether you are a business professional or a worker bee. Home prices are very resonable, and one can easily find a comfortable house for 100-200K. Houses can be found for as little as 50-75K. Land can be found for as little as $2K an acre. Culturally, Yakima is not very diverse. The largest populations are white and hispanic. In fact the hispanic population is quite high in the Yakima valley, which in my opinion adds a great twist on life in Yakima. All other ethnicities are represented, but not very noticable in numbers. Growing up in the Washington DC area and living in only large cities up until moving to Yakima, this lack of cultural diversity was shocking. The people who live here however, tend to be extremely nice and accepting of others. The small town feeling is very much alive in Yakima, which I found very refreshing. It's the type of place where you run into your co-workers and neighbors in town. In conclusion, it's my belief Yakima is an up and coming town in central Washington, a diamond in the rough. It doesn't have everything, but that includes not having high taxes (no income tax in WA!), traffic congestion, or high crime. Overall, it's a great place to live.

[Comment on this Posting]