Alright, Homes are going for about $379,300 on average. With a population of 2,078, Cle Elum is a small town. The median home value here is around $379,300, which seems about average. Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What do you all think? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
15 upvotes
9 Replies
Brenda C.
hmm interesting perspective
40 upvotes
Joseph Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 43, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Phoenix, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
36 upvotes
Aurora
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Portland about 14 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Olivia Reyes
hard disagree but ok
27 upvotes
John Nelson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Dallas it's excellent.
17 upvotes
Declan Kim
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
Alexa Turner
thanks for sharing
12 upvotes
Bennett Parker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Chicago it's excellent.
4 upvotes
cameron_girl
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Korean places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
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