Tri-Cities, Washington is a vibrant metropolitan area nestled in the southeastern part of the state, comprised of three core cities: Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland. Totaling over 300k+ population, and located along the picturesque Columbia River, this region enjoys a diverse and robust economy, with key sectors including research & development, energy backed by an annual Federal contract, healthcare anchored by a regional medical center, and agriculture.
The area's affordability compared to larger metropolitan centers like Seattle and Portland has made it increasingly popular among families and professionals seeking a high quality of life without the steep cost of living. Tri-Cities boasts a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, boating, and wine tasting, thanks to its proximity to vineyards and wineries in the renowned Columbia Valley wine region.
Unlike most markets, home prices grew in the Tri-Cities 2-3% from 2008-2012 due to the backbone the federal contract provides to the area. This stability is present in the current economic environment with Tri-Cities delivering rent growth while other markets are down or flat.
With a 4-lane highway in and out of the Tri-Cities in every direction, plus a regional airport, and thousands of acres of raw land in the Urban Growth Boundary of each city, there is no reason the Tri-Cities should stop growing.
The Tri-Cities is a high desert, the opposite of the Seattle-area, with 300 days of sunshine, no more than a 15-minute drive anywhere you need to go, and affordable comparable cost of living.
There are effectively no barriers to supply, with raw land, ability to build cheaply compared to other markets, and cities that are mostly easy to work with. As long as demand outpaces supply, investing in Tri-Cities is a great choice, so the key here is to keep an eye on continued demand for living in the Tri-Cities by watching home prices, home starts, rental rates, and occupancy.
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