Of places that my company may possibly transfer me to for a time...I'm originally from North Seattle and have spent little to no time in the area. What I have heard recently is that you've grown into a pretty good size area and it isn't feeling so remote anymore, housing is pretty inexpensive...and that is it.
Does anyone have some encouraging words, or a general description of live in the area?
We're a couple currently calling Anchorage, AK home, in our mid to late 30's, about to start a family, politically involved and very liberal. I work in media sales and development, he is an IT jack of all trades.
We'd love some input!
Does anyone have some encouraging words, or a general description of live in the area?
We're a couple currently calling Anchorage, AK home, in our mid to late 30's, about to start a family, politically involved and very liberal. I work in media sales and development, he is an IT jack of all trades.
We'd love some input!
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Anchorage
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Re: Tri-Cities is on the list...
Sun, April 15, 2007 - 10:18 AMI'm originally from the Skagit Valley. I've lived in the Tri-Cities three times now. I guy I worked with at a radio station in Mount Vernon once asked me what it was that I liked about the Tri-Cities so much, "Is it the weather?"
I replied, "Hell no! It's too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter and the wind blows the rest of the time. But I like the people in the Tri-Cities." People here seem to be friendlier and more open here than in other communities I've lived in.
You shouldn't have any problems finding a job in media sales. Local radio and TV companies are always looking for experienced sales people. There's also a good market for your husband's IT experience.
Unfortunately, the eastern half of the state is a bastion of conservatism and the Tri-Cities is no exception. I'm sure the local Democratic party will welcome you with open arms.
The greater Tri-Cities metro area has grown to nearly a quarter-million people and is still growing. Pasco is the fastest growing city in Washington. Benton county is rated the most affordable living area in Washington.
We have minor league baseball and hockey teams and professional arena football. There is a symphony orchestra, the Richland Light Opera Company and one of the oldest community theaters in the country; the Richland Players. Some of the finest wines in the world are produced here. There are three rivers here for boating and fishing. Skiers have a choice of the Cascades and Blue Mountains.
If that isn't enough, the Tri-Cities is only a four hour drive from Seattle and a two hour drive from Spokane.
And, no, I don't work for the Chamber of Commerce <GRIN>. -
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Re: Tri-Cities is on the list...
Mon, April 16, 2007 - 1:31 PMHi, Christy said I should introduce myself here and ask some of the questions that are bouncing about. Currently I am working as a contractor for many different companies here in Alaska. Everything from the Oil & Gas industry to Hospitals and Media company's doing everything from Web Design, Custom Programming, Network/System Engineering, Life Safety Systems Design, Access Control, Camera and Security Systems.
I don't have an office...and find that I am a "tech nomad" of sorts, usually working out of coffee shops and wifi-hot spots. Have laptop will travel and fix what ever is the problem type of guy. What are the hot spots and coffee shops like in the area? Is there a wireless provider in the area? What cellular providers are in the area?
I am also interested in working locally with some of the industries in the area? What opportunities are there to meet with and introduce new talents in the area? Is it an "ol boys" network type of thing or more of a traditional pound the pavement and respond to RFP's type area? -
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Re: Tri-Cities is on the list...
Mon, April 16, 2007 - 6:26 PMI'm afraid I can't answer all your questions. I'm not familiar with most of the wifi hot spots. I do know that the Starbucks just up the street from where I live has a hot spot. What might work well for you is a company called Clearwire. It's wireless internet which works much like a radio station/receiver concept. You can take your Clearwire modem with you anyplace in the coverage area (all of the Tri-Cities) and have Internet access. The price is comparable with cable and DSL and I'm told by those who have it, the connection is fast and reliable.
All of the major cellular profiders are represented in the are. We use Verizon because our son-in-law manages a Verizon store.
As to your questions about networking, I can only say that high-tech is a rapidly expanding industry here. I used to work for a startup software company here. Unfortunately, I got laid off when the company was bought out by a larger competitor. That seems to be the exception around here though. Because the Hanford Nuclear Reservation is here, so too are companies like Fluor, Lockheed Martin, Bechtel and others. A growing company called HAMMER is a training facility for anti-terrorism security.
Do a Google on Fluor, Bechtel, etc. and you'll find links to all of the employers in the Hanford area. The following link will take you to WorkSource. Bring up Benton County and to a much lesser degree Franklin County to see what kinds of jobs are available: fortress.wa.gov/esd/workso...yment.aspx.
You might consider checking in with Columbia Basin College about what kind of tech services are in demand and who is demanding them. Washington State University is opening a four year branch here next fall and a lot of emphasis will be on technology. I'll try to remember to ask the IT guy who comes into our offices every week if he has any ideas that might help you.
As a side note, just a two hour drive north of the Tri-Cities is a little town called Quincy. It is the new home of Microsoft and Yahoo service centers of some kind -- with more high-tech coming in soon.
Good luck!
Frank -
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Re: Tri-Cities is on the list...
Mon, April 16, 2007 - 9:18 PMFrank, you're a fabulous resource!
I have to admit, growing up with all my family in Everett/Silvanna/Stanwood we weren't ever taught to think much of the Tir-Cities area...honestly, we never thought of it much at all. Snobs, completely. But from all my research it seems to me that the area has grown and changed quite a bit since I was last through it about 25 or 30 years ago. haha.
I do know that the area is quite conservative politically...I have to say, moving back to Washington one of the things we were hoping was to live in a community where there were more people who shared our political values...so it's ironic to be considering a move to the conservative corner of the state. Still, there is some symmetry there, as I've been a child of Hippie parents who worked in the Oil Industry in Alaska, also very conservative, for the last30 plus years...I like a community with more than one way of looking at thing politically...Conservatives don't scare us! haha.
I do seem to be gathering that the Tech Industry in the area is booming. Could be a good opening for Donovan. In all honesty, we probably wouldn't stay more than a few years so his preference for contract work might fit in well there. Moving two corporate careers around in tandem is a real nightmare.
I do have one specific question, if anyone cares to answer...In general, what is the public opinion of your local newspaper? I work in New Media and online publications are my key interest...
Thanks again!
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Re: Tri-Cities is on the list...
Mon, April 16, 2007 - 10:24 PMI suspect you won't have much competition. I quit taking the paper years ago. You can look at the online website and gage the quality of the work for yourself. Go to www.tri-cityherald.com.
As to the political climate, I wouldn't worry about it too much. This town likes government money and government money favors conservativism. I am sure there are plenty of people here with a more liberal bent. Possibly even more than you have in Anchorage, but we probably have a larger body count so that may not be a fair comparision.
And I agree with you, Frank is a FABULOUS resource when it comes to understanding and promoting this area. Having had to visit Anchorage and other areas in the state of Alaska many times for my present job, I have to say I don't think you'll be too disappointed with the Tri-Cities. The only part of Alaska I've really liked was the outrageously expensive resturants in Anchorage that served great seafood (including the truly wonderful choice of fresh halibut).
While you may not find great seafood in the Tri-Cities, it does have something that seems to be nonexistant in Alaska--GREAT Mexican Food. Trust me, I have been drug (usually kicking an screaming) to almost every Mexican restaurant in every city I've been to in Alaska and only one restaurant met with an edible rating. But I digress. -
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Re: Tri-Cities is on the list...
Tue, May 8, 2007 - 6:41 AMIf it's not too late to comment...
People I've met that grew up in The Tri-Cities during the 80's and 90's all seemed to want to get out of town as soon as they graduated. But this isn't the attitude now. There are still some local Tri-Cities Bashers, but their comments get more undefendable.
For the most part the education system here is good, from Kinder to College.
I, myself am a bit of a Liberal. We do live in a Conservitive Suit Community. I know what is under that suit, once it's stripped off.
Tri-Cities DOES have a sexy underbelly too -
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Re: Tri-Cities is on the list...
Sun, August 26, 2007 - 6:21 PMwell, if you are still here then you have made it through the hottest part of the summer
try craigslist and meetingups
I am not happy here, but am living a family responsibility and some professional karma right now.
Today I found a new dance studio with actual windows and a danc efloor and mirrors.. they have a scheduel but no students yet.
I described ecstatic dance to glazed eyes... to someone who has no idea what i was talking about.
There is a little bit of yoga at Kia Ora and yogafit instructors at the snobby health club.
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