(Content submitted by Lisa Roberts.)
Choosing the perfect place to raise a family is not easy. After all, you want to find a place that will satisfy your interests, but that’s also good for all members of the family. But can you really go wrong when choosing Umatilla County as the location for your new home?
While we’re waiting for the remarkable recovery of the housing market, read on and find out some of the best places to raise a family in Umatilla County. But a word of warning – making the final choice might be harder than you thought.
The bigger picture
Oregon is a state with beautiful nature and urban centers. If you want you and your family to live in a big city, you’d probably go to Portland Metropolitan Area and a city like Portland or Vancouver. But, if you prefer unique landscapes and small towns, then Umatilla County is the right place.
Starting at the north with Columbia River, Umatilla County expands over fog-laden fields, charming small towns, and finishes up with the beautiful Umatilla National Forest and, finally, the Blue Mountains. If you want your child to grow up outside, and have plenty of outdoor activities to choose from, Umatilla County will give your family just the kind of life you need. But, before you call Verified Movers and book your move, there’s just one small thing left – you need to choose the exact location for your new home.
The best places to raise a family in Umatilla County
There’s great beauty in growing up in a proud small town with farmer markets. The following places’ populations range between a couple thousand to not more than 18,000 residents. However, while not big, they still have so much to offer – breath-taking nature, options for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and boating, but most importantly, a quiet and relaxed lifestyle. Here are some of the best places for raising children in Umatilla County.
Hermiston
Hermiston is a simple town – not too big, not too small. The diverse community of around 18,000 residents is made up of friendly and kind people. The city has a community pool, a movie theater, and rodeo, as well as plenty of fast-food and other restaurants. If you’re planning to look for a job after your move, you’ll be glad to hear that it should be quite easy to find a job in Hermiston. And of course, your kids will get to enjoy the famed watermelons.
Pendleton
This small town is surrounded by hills and offers beautiful views. With a population of about 17,000, the community is strong and tight-knit. The reason why this is one of the best places to raise a family in Umatilla County is that the town is very safe and has great schools. Also, there are four distinct seasons, which is always great. Your kids will be able to enjoy different outdoor activities, depending on the season. You’ll find that Pendleton offers the safety of small towns, with the amenities of a big city. And of course, Pendleton Round-Up is the famous program that has been going strong for over 100 years, but you’ll have to visit it to see what it’s all about.
Most of these best places to raise a family in Umatilla County have a tight-knit community.
Stanfield
Stanfield is a small town of about 2,700 residents. The community is kind and welcoming. It’s a good place to lead a nice, peaceful life. If that’s your priority, search no more. However, if you’re looking for a place that can offer activities like the ones in big cities, check out the other places on the list. What Stanfield has plenty of to offer is that wonderful small-town spirit.
Umatilla
Umatilla is the town located on the Columbia River, with a population of about 7,000. It’s a place with coffee shops and parks, but it’s not the place for those who want to enjoy the wild nightlife. The reason why Umatilla is one of the best places for raising kids in this county is the good school district. If you want your family to experience the simplicity of life, Umatilla is a great place for you. And what’s great is that you’ll get to spend a lot of your time with your family, since you’ll be able to get everything done in a matter of minutes.
Milton-Freewater
Milton-Freewater is a small agricultural town with a diverse population of about 7,000. It’s a great place for those who like to live a peaceful life in beautiful nature. People within the community are kind and friendly and everyone knows everyone.
Even though the town is small, there are activities you and your family can enjoy. There are places to shop, a track, a library, an aquatic center. The whole family can enjoy one of the family events. And, of course, there are many wineries, so you can always enjoy a glass of good wine.
Also, Milton-Freewater is only 15 minutes away from Walla Walla, Washington, the city with about 32,000 residents. It’s great to know that there’s a bigger city nearby, but that at the end of the day, you can go back to your lovely town.
Other places for raising a family in Umatilla County
The next places have even fewer citizens, so if you’re looking for wonderful rural places great for raising a family, you should consider one of these:
- Athena
- Weston
- Pilot Rock
- Echo
- Helix
Through growing up, kids in Umatilla County get to learn about the beauty of the simple life. With amazing nature in the county, like the National Umatilla Forest and Jubilee Lake with the campground, your kids will see a side of life that most kids don’t.
Choosing to move to Umatilla County means choosing to live in a community that’s proud of its heritage and way of life. Now that you know the best places to raise a family in Umatilla County, here comes the harder part. Which one of these sounds like a perfect place for you and your family?
