Random thought, I work in finance and With a population of 33,766, Walla Walla is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $65,493 in Walla Walla. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Does this match your experience? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
11 upvotes
20 Replies
Adam
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Old Town area are improving. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Axel Lee
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
38 upvotes
Audrey Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 25, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
wesley_life
big facts right here
36 upvotes
Isabella Sanders
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The outdoor recreation is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Madeline
interesting, hadn't considered that
34 upvotes
wild_asher45
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 15 years. Moved from Dallas for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Kai R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
28 upvotes
Roman Carter
100%
22 upvotes
Madelyn Ramos
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Eleanor R.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
17 upvotes
Adeline Wood
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 4 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Grayson Taylor
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Aurora Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 56, moved here 3 years ago from New York. I've lived in Oak Park and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
13 upvotes
Luna Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Carter Perez
I work in manufacturing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is average. Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Claire Young
This.
4 upvotes
Mia Ruiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 5 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
tulsa_cameron
nah I disagree
1 upvotes
Nolan C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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