Moving to the Yakima area

14kmtnman

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May 18, 2014
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476
Location
Yakima, WA
Moving from Colorado in a couple of months. Just spent the last 2 days driving around Yakima trying to get a feel for the area. Where to house hunt etc... Are there any other ST riders in the area? It would be nice to meet and have riding buddies. Recommendations for a local shop for tire changes, accessories, parts etc?
 

Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
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14,812
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Joshua TX
Are you being punished, or lose a bet. I lived in Richland, WA (Tri-Cities) for a while. It was my least favorite place that I've lived. Hope you like it better than I did.
 

Dons 1911

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Jul 18, 2020
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266
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Rathdrum, Idaho
I'm about 4.5 hrs away in north Idaho. I ride eastern and central Washington a bit. I'm kinda with Seirra 1 here...what'd you do wrong? LOL But seriously, not much there and there is a lot better scenery to be had. Work transfer or?
 

Gvitup

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May 22, 2021
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Waitsburg, Wa
Selah would be a better option for the area to live. Atleast you will be close to areas to ride like white pass/rimrock and Mt. Rainer to start.
 

14kmtnman

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May 18, 2014
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476
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Yakima, WA
So... Sierra1 and Dons 1911, What did you not like about Yakima? What were the issues of living there? This is a by choice move, but without any firm commitments yet. So I'm looking for any insight that you might have.
 

Dons 1911

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Jul 18, 2020
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Rathdrum, Idaho
Sierra is prolly more qualified to answer and offer insight. I've only ridden thru it a few times and thought it was pretty much just immigrant farm workers and that there are much nicer places up here, at least for me. I suppose if you have steady work and the right outlook you can make a home anywhere!
 

Sierra1

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Joshua TX
. . . . I suppose if you have steady work and the right outlook you can make a home anywhere!
He's absolutely right. If I hadn't moved from Page AZ, to Kennewick WA, it may not have seemed so bad. If I had moved from the place we lived in Michigan, to Kennewick, it may not have seemed that bad. It's just that the weather in Washington was in my opinion, crappy. The Tri-Cities are considered to be in the "desert portion" of Washington. o_O Compared to the rain forests on the coast it is. . . . but, compared to the beautiful land of sunshine. . . . . And, it was still to rainy for my taste. My motorcycle riding affliction began there. I remember rainy, snowy, and cold as hell days, but I just don't remember the good weather days.

You may get there, and love it. 'Cuz, you're moving there from CO, so the weather for you may be an improvement. So, good luck with the move, and of course, let us know with pictures.
 

Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
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14,812
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Joshua TX
I was reading an article about Yakima have high crime. I would definitely look for a home well out of the city proper.
 

14kmtnman

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May 18, 2014
Messages
476
Location
Yakima, WA
Yes I did finally make the move. Nothing like camping in your own home for 3 weeks on a blow up bed and sleeping bags. We were without our "stuff" for about 5 weeks. Per the local cops I have talked to, the crime isn't much different than most other places. Over all it is like going back in time 20-30 years compared to being in Denver. We are getting settled in, with a lot of boxes to still go thru. I got out for my first quick ride last week. With the snow melting faster now, I'll be able to get out more. I thought the climate would be like Denver's, but not so. The snow/ice has stayed on the streets here longer once it stopped flying. I can't wait to get out and explore. There appears to a lot of FS roads relatively near by. Trying to get out an meet some locals. so we'll see what happens next.
 

DamMechanic

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Dec 20, 2015
Messages
279
Location
Lewis County, WA.
It’s not that bad of place for jumping off for rides. Oregon is close and is my favorite place for pavement rides and desert dirt. Your close to mountains just west of you. Hot in the summer and winter will drag on longer. I’m on the other side of the mountains from you and we get 60” of rain plus weeks of fog where the temps don’t break 40 degrees and it’s just damp and dripping.
 

14kmtnman

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May 18, 2014
Messages
476
Location
Yakima, WA
We lived in the Seattle/Ballard/Edmonds area for 15 years before moving to Denver, so I didn't want to live in that cloudy/foggy/rainy environment again. We also didn't want to live in a non active/stagnate small town. We are now just 2 hrs away from the kids and grand kids. So far, we think we landed in the best area for us. Yakima is growing in size in all directions. Everyone we have met has been really friendly. My wife thinks the winter we've experienced so far reminds her of the northeast, on the cool side, some fog, with the snow sticking around much longer than in Denver. As we get more unpacked and settled, I need to start looking at the maps again and get out riding.
 

escapefjrtist

Searching for Dry Roads
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Sep 5, 2010
Messages
1,418
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Snohomish WA
Be glad you're not back on the wet-side as Seattle proper has turned into a 3rd world $hithole. As you're reviewing maps, be sure and study north central Oregon. Pay particular attention to what some of us call the "box". Box borders are from WA/OR state line south to OR26, west to OR97 and east to Idaho. Figure on spending at least a couple days at a time to enjoy the twisty roads, little traffic and almost nonexistent LEO presence. Great riding area and close to you!

~G
 

14kmtnman

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Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
476
Location
Yakima, WA
escapefjrtist - Thanks for that info. We were detoured thru that same area a couple of years ago due to the fires that shut down interstate 84. I kept telling my wife as were driving that I will have to go back there on the bike. Now I can. What would you recommend as a first time overall scenic route to explore?
 

Gvitup

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2021
Messages
12
Location
Waitsburg, Wa
Yes I did finally make the move. Nothing like camping in your own home for 3 weeks on a blow up bed and sleeping bags. We were without our "stuff" for about 5 weeks. Per the local cops I have talked to, the crime isn't much different than most other places. Over all it is like going back in time 20-30 years compared to being in Denver. We are getting settled in, with a lot of boxes to still go thru. I got out for my first quick ride last week. With the snow melting faster now, I'll be able to get out more. I thought the climate would be like Denver's, but not so. The snow/ice has stayed on the streets here longer once it stopped flying. I can't wait to get out and explore. There appears to a lot of FS roads relatively near by. Trying to get out an meet some locals. so we'll see what happens next.
Head up 12 to white pass, Rimrock area is a must to ride. Pretty country there and just outside your back door. We are over by the Walla Walla area and there are a few nice areas to ride both asphalt and gravel. Would make for a long day but there are spots if you want to stay the night. As for crime, I wouldn't sweat it to much. My cousin has been with YPD for awhile and says it's average for the size of the town. Unless you live in a small community like ours where the only thing we see is mostly theft.

Welcome to the area and hope to see you out and about!!
 

escapefjrtist

Searching for Dry Roads
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
1,418
Location
Snohomish WA
escapefjrtist - Thanks for that info. We were detoured thru that same area a couple of years ago due to the fires that shut down interstate 84. I kept telling my wife as were driving that I will have to go back there on the bike. Now I can. What would you recommend as a first time overall scenic route to explore?
You're asking for the secret handshake now! For starters try Antelope-Fossil-Spray-Kimberly and then go from there. Depending on how far you go, for overnight, stay in John Day or Baker City. Loop back through Austin-Sumpter-Granite-Ukiah-Heppner-Condon and find your way back home. Do be careful with fuel as many of the smaller towns only have one station so fuel can be a challenge. Any wiggly line is open season, 395 is even a fun fast ride back north.

~G
 
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