Kiplinger: Tri-Cities is One of the Best Places to Raise Kids

I don’t know if this makes it official or not, but it certainly proves what Matt and I — along with thousands of fellow Tri-Cities parents — have known for a long time: The Tri-Cities isn’t just one of the best places in Washington to raise kids, it’s one of the best places in the U.S. for raising children.

Kiplinger recently included the Tri-Cities in a feature called 10 Great Cities for Raising Families — urging its readers to “consider these towns for their healthy economies, strong schools, low crime rates, abundance of parks and more.”

Here’s what the feature had to say about family living in the Tri-Cities:

The Tri-Cities region (which includes Kennewick, Richland and Pasco) is noted for its strong, research-based economy. It weathered the recession with an unemployment rate of just 6.2% and plenty of high-tech jobs pursuing nuclear and other forms of sustainable energy. Overall the schools here are strong, especially in the Richland School District, and parks and playgrounds are plentiful. The cities’ location at the intersection of the Snake, Yakima and Columbia Rivers guarantees active families plenty of outdoor fun.

PROS: Low cost of living, affordable housing, a strong science-and-tech-based economy, plenty of outdoor attractions, falling crime rate.

CONS: Low family income, proximity to the Hanford nuclear site, locale in south-central Washington is remote from any major cities.

I don’t think a 3-hour drive is “remote” from major cities but, then again, Matt and I started our married life together in a much more remote part of the country than this.

Anyway, it’s nice to see others agreeing with the idea that the Tri-Cities is one of the best places in the country for family living and raising kids!