Richland : Washington

Richland, Washington, is a city in Benton County, located in the southeastern part of the state at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia rivers. The town, with a population of about 50,000, is part of the Tri-Cities which include Pasco and Kennewick.  With an exceptional climate, it's known for its wineries and its outdoor recreation. The rivers provide fishing, and boating, and Richland has developed several waterfront parks, along with a scenic 23-mile bike trail along the rivers. Golf is also very popular here with three 18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole course, not to mention several others in the area.

Columbia Basin College, primarily located in Pasco, has a small branch campus in Richland, and Washington State University Tri-Cities, sits on the western bank of the Columbia River.  Since World War II, Richland has been a center of production and research in nuclear energy, and is home to the Hanford nuclear site and commercial nuclear power plant. With the shutdown of the last production reactor in 1987, the area has transitioned to environmental cleanup and technology.

Richland is a scenic town with an exceptional climate that offers all kinds of outdoor recreation including fishing, hunting, golf, biking and hiking.  It is home to wineries, pubs, shops, restaurants and has a regional airport and medical center.

Richland is not considered a walkable community, and some may not like the idea of living in a town with a nuclear facility.

Retirees who want to live in a college town with a low cost of living, great climate, wineries, and outdoor recreation, would enjoy living here.

The economy in Richland is diverse with Professional Services, and Technology in the energy field the main drivers of the economy, but it has also become a popular wine producing area and a haven for wine enthusiasts.  

The average January temperature in Richland is 32 degrees, with July's average at 74 degrees.

The Richland Comunity Center hosts a variety of community events and meetings, along with personal enrichment classes and social gatherings; Howard Amon Park offers many outdoor opportunities, and a hike up Badger Mountain provides for a spectacular view of the Tri-Cities area; Hanford Reach Interpretive Center tells the history of the Hanford and the Manhattan Project; Richland hosts several events and festivals including the Fall Carnival and Green Living Awards.