Richland, Washington SperlingViews

Some things are good here and some are not like in any place. The heat in the summer is hard to deal with. You are under air conditioning for about 3 months. It's hot to get into your car for sure. The winters aren't to bad some icy roads, but it doesn't stay long. I do drive with studs and four wheel drive since most commutes require freeway driving. The High school kids are pretty good here. Not a lot of druggies, though there is always a drug problem anywhere you live. The employers aren't the best though unless your work in a service industry. Govt' or private bid corporations tend to treat people poorly. A lot of work and low pay for the skills. You stay and work hard until you burn out. Only real good paying jobs are at Hanford (Nuclear waiste facility), but many workers stay only for short period of time as contracts end and new ones bagin. A lot of Gypsie behavior due to the seasonal farm workers and Govt. contracts.

The very worst part is the Goat Head thorns, many if you step on one barefoot you know it. It hurts!! A lot of tumble weeds on the freeway at times with the dust like wind storms and you have to remember to drive right through them and not swerve. That takes some getting used to.

They have NO real programs for the kids. The only after school programs are expensive. NO YMCA in town, NO Boys and Girls club in town. It's sad. The kids summer programs and afterschool programs are very limited and very spendy if you find one.

They do have awsome fireworks all around the Tri-cities and a lot of difference park festivals throughout the summer if you can handle the heat of over 100 degrees. The Boat Races are great too, but it is hot during those as well. Most people here go to the coast to vacation in the summer to get a break from the heat. There are is no real fun stuff to do here though. Not even a Fun center for the kids in the huge area. There is one Chuckee cheese in Kennewick, WA., but after a while that gets boring. All the other fun places to swim and do healthy activities are at the big athletic centers which are spendy.

Overall it's ok! On a scale of 1-10 I would give it a 6.

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Public Transportation - 11/1/2012

Our Benton-Franklin transit is great. It is timely, clean, and has kept the price of working and moving around my city low.[read more...]

Living in Richland, WA - 3/29/2010

Some things are good here and some are not like in any place. The heat in the summer is hard to deal with. You are under air conditioning for about 3 months. It's hot to get into your car for sure. The winters aren't to bad some icy roads, but it doesn't stay long. I do drive with studs and four wheel drive since most commutes require freeway driving. The High school kids are pretty good here. Not a lot of druggies, though there is always a drug problem anywhere you live. The employers aren't the best though unless your work in a service industry. Govt' or private bid corporations tend to treat people poorly. A lot of work and low pay for the skills. You stay and work hard until you burn out. Only real good paying jobs are at Hanford (Nuclear waiste facility), but many workers stay only for short period of time as contracts end and new ones bagin. A lot of Gypsie behavior due to the seasonal farm workers and Govt. contracts. The very worst part is the Goat Head thorns, many if you step on one barefoot you know it. It hurts!! A lot of tumble weeds on the freeway at times with the dust like wind storms and you have to remember to drive right through them and not swerve. That takes some getting used to. They have NO real programs for the kids. The only after school programs are expensive. NO YMCA in town, NO Boys and Girls club in town. It's sad. The kids summer programs and afterschool programs are very limited and very spendy if you find one. They do have awsome fireworks all around the Tri-cities and a lot of difference park festivals throughout the summer if you can handle the heat of over 100 degrees. The Boat Races are great too, but it is hot during those as well. Most people here go to the coast to vacation in the summer to get a break from the heat. There are is no real fun stuff to do here though. Not even a Fun center for the kids in the huge area. There is one Chuckee cheese in Kennewick, WA., but after a while that gets boring. All the other fun places to swim and do healthy activities are at the big athletic centers which are spendy. Overall it's ok! On a scale of 1-10 I would give it a 6.[read more...]

New Resident - 1/17/2008

I have only been in the area for 3 months, I therefore have not quite been able to get an accurate idea of cost of living yet.Have come over to the USA from South Africa.[read more...]

Decent Place to live, not Great - 10/21/2007

The first time I saw this area I asked myself why anyone would move to a place like this (and that was years before I moved there!) I've been in the Tri-Cities area for 4 years now, I hated the first year but that has eventually faded into a general tolerance. PROs: The cities is safe, friendly, and cheap (some neighborhoods are friendly than others of course). Housing is dirt cheap, climate is above average- warm and sunny (although I found a foot of snow on the ground when I got there which was a fluke). It's relatively close to "interesting" cities like Spokane, Walla Walla, Portland, and Seattle. If your into water sports or you're a motorhead, this could be the place for you. Cons: I find that almost everyone in the Tri-Cities was born and raised in the Tri-Cities, so don't expect to meet too many new folks since most are content hanging with their high school buddies (from 20 years ago), my neighbors are great, coworkers were friendly, but this is not a place for single professional men. It's a blue collar town, going nowhere town.[read more...]

The next Bend? - 7/17/2006

Amazing weather and outdoor activities make this a beautiful place to live. Country atmosphere with emphasis on family, most larger city amenities and don't forget some of the world's best wine! Check it out before it joins the ranks of unaffordable NW living.[read more...]