EXPOSING the PROS and CONS of living in Cle Elum

If you are thinking about buying a house in Cle Elum, Washington, this video is for you. We are brutally honest about the pros and cons of living in Cle Elum
Ready to move and relocate to Cle Elum? We would love to be your Realtor!
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Amanda Dallman,
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Powered By: Keller Williams North Central Washington
Serving: Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Chelan, Cle Elum, Snoqualmie Pass and beyond.
#realtor #livinginncw #realestate #Cle Elum #dallmanrealestate

[@aaronolson6205]

Sea elum, Seattle population has pushed out the locals, we moved on. Can’t afford it and Traffic SUCKS!!!

[@LivinginNCW]

Sorry to hear that. Where did you move to?

[@toddanderson572]

I miss the old, small Cle Elum of my youth.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching. The area sure has changed.

[@rd1084]

Used to be a quiet small town until the Seattle termites invaded.

[@chadtellevik5479]

😂😂

[@jesusheredia3443]

I feel like Ellensburg was kind of glossed over, being only 20 mins away it provides more than basic needs with a hospital, fred meyer and other specialty shops... another video?

[@LivinginNCW]

You got it! I just did a video on The Burg.

[@Ja50nkAt]

College town, houses are all over a half a mil there too.

[@chrislindsey3393]

​@@Ja50nkAt I just got my house here 2 years ago for 400k. I dropped 100k into it though lol

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

I 90 sucks on weekends.

[@LivinginNCW]

True that! Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@ecko1980]

Suncadia/Seattle trash absolutely ruining the area.

[@vidamccurdy9764]

Absolutely, live in roslyn and the entitlement of the west siders and suncadia snobs is awful.trash the trails,loud and obnoxious after drinking in bars as they walk home to their vacation rentals..healthcare sucks so u got to go to Issaquah. One small Safeway that is overpriced and always crowded.building permits are ridiculous

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching

[@jodymooney255]

We used to live off of West Nelson Siding Road and have moved to Moses Lake for my wife’s job. We are retired now and I miss Cle Elum so much. I would love to move back, but the prices are crazy. I can only dream….thanks for the video!

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching. Maybe look at ellensburg manastash area.

[@pnwtechie9146]

We live in Snoqualmie and drive on i-90 multiple times a week and it is never grid locked between Snoqualmie pass and Issaquah or Bellevue. Also the Gorge amphitheter is to the east of Cle Elum (away from Seattle) so events there shouldn't impact traffic into the Seattle metro area (or SeaTac Airport). The biggest con is the absence of healthcare (town of only 3,000) - you need to drive into Issaquah for doctors, dentists etc.

[@LivinginNCW]

Traffic between Snoqualmie pass and Snoqualmie is a lot different than it is form Cle Elum to Snoqualmie pass. I-90 narrows to 2 lanes and has been under construction for decades creating a bottleneck. It can take hours to drive the 30 miles from Cle Elum to Snoqualmie pass when the traffic is bad. If you haven't experienced it you are very lucky.

[@rickberger3213]

You obviously don't have a clue. Traffic from Cle Elum to Snoqualmie Pass is hell, especially on the weekends.

[@mjones9088]

Easy access to Seattle is not a pro.

[@LivinginNCW]

lol, thanks for watching and the comment.

[@BRANDON-FJB]

Accurate

[@chadtellevik5479]

😂 No kidding

[@Stanger182]

Seattle is a big place. There are bad areas just like all big places

[@woodjunkjrjr2689]

@@Stanger182Umm, try Tukwila.

[@AnneCaulder]

I wouldn’t live anywhere around Seattle. I’m at the gateway of the Olympic Peninsula and I feel like the luckiest gal! SeaTac is only an hour away, for when we travel. It’s peaceful, surrounded by water, and the beauty is unmatched. 🌲 🌊

[@LivinginNCW]

All you can eat crab & oysters! Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@daryljacobson7462]

Very well done synopsis. Thank you! Please keep it up

[@LivinginNCW]

Thank you! Let me know what topics you would like me to cover!

[@kristine7304]

Long term residents of leavenworth have the same concerns. I'm from wenatchee and leavenworth was a cute place to stop and go minigolfing or float the river and then check out some shopping or sit down for lunch. It has gotten so busy over the last few years. It used to be only busy in the winter but now it's year round. The traffic is horrible and its pay to park anywhere near town because of it.

[@LivinginNCW]

I would agree with the traffic and parking.

[@timdrahman6813]

We live in Spokane. Whenever we drive to and from the West Side, we almost always stop in Cle Elum. It’s right about halfway, so it’s a nice break to get a coffee and gas, stop at the bakery, or whatever. It’s actually a disappointment when we can’t stop.

[@LivinginNCW]

I'm glad to hear that, there are great family owned business in the area. Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@robertjohnston6976]

I have to admit. I drive through it every summer for family camping trips to eastern Washington, and I’ve noticed every year it’s getting more and more congested.

[@LivinginNCW]

It sure has. There is a lot of big development happening in the area. Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@jacksquat4140]

I've always said that the next ice age will begin in Cle Elum. That said, there is nothing in Cle Elum that I would want, but I must pass through it to get to Salmon La Sac.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thank you for watching. You must live in easter wa if you have to pass through Cle Elum to get to Salmon La Sac.

[@jacksquat4140]

@@LivinginNCW: Spot on.

[@Bicyclechris]

I lived in western Washington for 30 years, and I just moved to Tampa. I regret absolutely nothing. :)

[@LivinginNCW]

I'm glad you are enjoying all the sunshine! Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@robsurds1954]

good please stay there

[@kelliegodfrey2428]

Grew up w 2 best friends who had property in Cle Elum. It's completely ruined now. Breaks my heart.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching.

[@michaelschaeffer6968]

Owen’s Meats is Awesome

[@LivinginNCW]

The best in the West!

[@trippinwithdon7233]

I am off grid in Cle Elum. Only have my cell phone for internet. Service drops to almost useless on summer weekends. Can't keep up with all the weekend travelers?

[@LivinginNCW]

Yes, this is a new thing I have noticed too. It happens in Chelan as well.

[@jasonbabila6006]

I live in Cle Elum but south of the Yakima River and east of South Cle Elum, I rarely drive through town on 1st St to get to work and back from Ellensburg on week days, 1st St is clogged up on Fridays with travelers going east and on Sundays with travelers going west, luckily I live where I am and I have a way to bypass those traffic jams through town, we rarely shop at Safeway and I do most of our shopping in Ellensburg weekly after I get off from work and Yakima or Union Gap once or twice a month, the Cle Elum Safeway is the only market in town with no competition which is one of the reasons for their high prices but we have the cheapest fuel prices in the county, as for good paying jobs within the city or the entire county I haven’t seen much compared to what I’m earning, neighboring towns like Roslyn and Ronald is getting crowded with out of town visitors making traffic through those towns challenging especially on the weekends, hopefully the next phase of the I-90 reconfiguration between the Wildlife overpass at Price Creek and Easton will help relieve most if not some of the traffic congestion, I was told by a DOT inspector the next construction phase planning would be Easton to Cle Elum.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching and the comment. I think I-90 needs to get 3 lane past Cle Elum before we will start seeing any relief.

[@dougmitchell5435]

Westsiders generally ruin everything about this side of the Mountains. Expenses for almost everything are pretty high anywhere they show up. Although the Vantage bridge project is a nuisance and poorly planned IMHO, I regularly go to Moses Lake or Spokane for medical care (I'm old and broken). I make a real effort to never go west of MP 52 except when needed for work, which might be twice a year. I do really like the Upper County scenery, because I came from a very green (and far snowier) part of the US.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@bc8351]

Having grown up in Ronald, I laughed so many times watching this! 😂❤

[@ritabenavides1786]

Stock photos, not even accurate.except the picture of Suncadia.

[@LivinginNCW]

Glad you got a laugh. Thanks for watching.

[@sundragon7703]

If one lives just outside of Cle Elum, is it possible to homeowners insurance that covers fire or are you paying through the nose?

[@joesprague1464]

If you haven’t seen California type insurance increases yet rest assured they’re headed this way.More and more people are moving to these formally undeveloped vacation areas that are heavily wooded and building expensive homes so when forest fires occur the insurance losses are staggering.Years ago when these fires happened no one gave it a second thought,now fires are more frequent and they are also extremely expensive.

[@LivinginNCW]

@sundragon7703 The insurance crisis is happening all over the country. Your insurance coverage will depend on a lot of factors, such as the home, location and if its located in a fire districts service area. My best advice is when you find an area you are interested in buying a home to call the insurance company and get a quote. Get ahold of me and I can recommend a great insurance company in the area.

[@mattjewett4473]

My parents left years ago b/c of psycho Larry. A neighbor who posted a 4x8 sign with a giant revolver depicted pointing at their house.

[@bc8351]

Sounds about right. Also sounds like he got what he wanted.

[@mattjewett4473]

@bc8351 I wouldn't say that, but that's not something I'm sharing about here. Short version, Larry's house sale closed first.

[@LivinginNCW]

omg, I don't remember this. Can I ask where you lived?

[@mattjewett4473]

@@LivinginNCW Chelan Ln. Off Westside Rd.

[@daryljacobson7462]

Cashmere was my home for a few years as a youth, until the family moved over to the wet side of the mountains, but I have seriously considered moving back there. I loved that little town, but I'm sure it's changed some and maybe a lot since I lived there. Do you have stats for crime, and if flooding still a concern. Your videos about Wenatchee and Levenworth would also cover Cashmere as far as medical, cost of living ect. I won't ask about housing prices yet, because it would be next spring before I consider the move. Thank you!

[@LivinginNCW]

Cashmere is amazing! send me an email and I will get more details to you. [e-mail]

[@RonCarlson-l6e]

Been here 40 years, move from fall city, to many stop light,McDonald's. All people live above lake cle elum,

[@LivinginNCW]

what do you think about the new, wendys, starbucks?

[@Ja50nkAt]

Bloody snowy and cold in the winter, hot and threat of wildfires in the summer.

[@duckwacker8720]

It's full of yuppies now. We just pass through to get fuel.

[@thomaslawson8127]

Amanda, great content on these short videos! Very well done.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks you! Let me know what other topics you would like to hear about.

[@JNOSNOW]

Cle elum really has turned to shit the last 10 years. Luckily where im at we don't have close access to Seattle.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching

[@chadtellevik5479]

Con. Do your grocery shopping before you come. Very accurate.

[@LivinginNCW]

Yep! Definitely need a second grocery store in town.

[@jodylancaster8706]

It's not the Cle Elum of old. Nothing is. 😢

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching.

[@kenbo80]

As soon as my wife retires we’re getting the H out of WA.

[@johnfbm]

I'm too use to not having my income taxed. Lived in few states and paying income tax is one of the least favorite things those states have in common. I lived in Texas which doesn't tax income but Texas property taxes are astronomic - all in all I think WA tax system works best for me. Your mileage may vary. Good luck in where ever you land.

[@LivinginNCW]

Where will you be going?

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching and the comment. I also enjoy no income tax.

[@GinaHarrisToo]

@@johnfbmI lived in Washington over 50 years. I deluded myself into thinking it was wise because no income tax. But WA gets your $ via other taxes - food, booze, ❤gas, car, property - so it ends up costing more. Moved to AZ in 2022. 2.5% income tax but very low sales tax, no sin tax, no gas tax…so inexpensive to live here! No more spending hundreds on snow removal.

[@johnfbm]

@@GinaHarrisToo I kept a house I bought in Bullhead City AZ which I now still use part of the year and I agree the gas is cheaper in AZ, about $.50-$.60. State wide gas tax in AZ is $.18 and $.49 in WA. The local sales tax added to the state sales tax in AZ comes to 7.6% vs 8.4% in WA so not much difference. Booze is cheaper in AZ but I don't drink much unless I'm in Las Vegas. I live in Vancouver WA so very little snow to remove. Again I can say that property tax is pretty much the same for both states for my houses. The value of my AZ property is higher by about $100k but take that for what it's worth, I spent 5 years in Spokane and grew up near Wenatchee so If you lived in central or eastern WA then yeah I can see why you would leave if you can 😁. Southwest WA works best for me but your mileage may vary. Enjoy the sun 😎.

[@athletikonaol]

One con is that the legislature of this state will not develop adequate freeway capacity. Real Estate is overpriced in most of WA. And the legislature is crazy.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@maninthemiddle55]

If you want right wing politics Idaho is close by. John Birch still lives there.

[@jaredcarter7725]

Great video!!👌🏼🙌🏻

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks you! Thanks for watching :)

[@dirtroadking4x424]

Westside rd isn't easy to access. Cant leave anywhere on the weekends, with bumper to bumper traffic

[@LivinginNCW]

I hear that! Dang GPS has shown all our secrets!

[@wadopotato33]

Rich people from Seattle destroy all the resort areas in Washington.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for tuning in, here is a link to personally connect with me about Real Estate : calendar.app.google/Lx9pxcsn6Pi7fEPD8

[@daniellamb6182]

Another excellent video

[@LivinginNCW]

Thank you!

[@dfparker2002]

All the "problems" of Cle Elum are left-girl complaining. Real people don't want big city "amenities" nor their costs & problems

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@user-xo7wg2ii3g]

That cougar joke!🤣

[@LivinginNCW]

Finally, someone got it!! Thanks for watching. and the awesome comment.

[@janetceniza8091]

I like the Clum because John Curley lives there.

[@LivinginNCW]

I didn't know that. Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@trippinwithdon7233]

I have seen him at Safeway a couple tunes. Thought he was just passing through.

[@cindyhudson2834]

Sounds like where I live in Laguna Beach, Ca.

[@LivinginNCW]

maybe not as crowed as Laguna Beach, but with all the public land being sold off, it could be a matter of time.

[@ritabenavides1786]

Peoh Point, Westside road are impossible to access on weekend during the summer months due to Google maps diverting i90 traffic. Your job market analysis was off base . We have many large local employers besides the construction trade. It’s not necessary to purchase all the snow gear you mentioned, we don’t need trail passes here’s and skiing is an option, not a requirement. We are limited on amenities but this is why people choose to live here, away from the city. Small town atmosphere is true but not everyone knows everyone or their business. You failed to mention how Supportive this community is to all its members especially when hardship strikes. Your negative review of our town must correlate to the lack of your listings here.

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@jimmyjim856]

You have to be kidding me! Her assessment was pretty spot on. You obviously didn't live there 20 years ago, or you are completely blind. Guessing a liberal transplant from west of Snoqualmie pass, and that is why I no longer live or even still own a cabin there.Ruined!

[@adventurearyck64]

Californians

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching.

[@helenmurphree3434]

I have bunnies and deer and raccoons and coyotes all in my Seattle neighborhood

[@LivinginNCW]

Nice, Where in Seattle do you live?

[@richclay4209]

So your parking a mile from the trail head. The distance from there to the head is still hiking.

[@LivinginNCW]

True that, is just a different type of hiking than on a trail. Thanks for watching.

[@robsurds1954]

obvious you just dont like living in a small town

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@duckwacker8720]

At least gas is cheap.

[@LivinginNCW]

for sure!

[@robertaltmeyer2648]

Sounds alot like So Lake Tahoe Ca.

[@LivinginNCW]

I imagine the area will be like that in time. Thanks for watching.

[@electricaltimelapsetest5713]

Move to beacon hill

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching.

[@Thekennel177]

Why would anyone live there. It’s rural gross. A real dump.

[@bigfootswatching9986]

Any Bigfoot experiences out there???

[@LivinginNCW]

Actually, Yes! I was snow camping a few years ago a few miles in on a trail. It snowed over a foot that night, and I'm certain that bigfood brushed the snow off my tent. I was so frightened!

[@bigfootswatching9986]

@@LivinginNCW Lol..........now that's funny!

[@bigfootswatching9986]

@@LivinginNCW Were there any footprints?

[@RonCarlson-l6e]

Time to move,all that noise from i90lot off garbage any were it suck now

[@LivinginNCW]

Most people do understand how far the I-90 noise travels. Thanks for watching.

[@rickjones1277]

Sounds horrible. Thanks for the information. I’ll stay away thank you.

[@TheSvector]

Did you really begin your opening statement with "undoubtABLY"? Dear oh dear.... :/

[@LivinginNCW]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheSvector]

@@LivinginNCW No problem, but you didn't address my concern.

[@brownwrench]

Rosyln

[@LivinginNCW]

Ronald

[@wjgoh653]

You don't live there. Because if you think anyone here is going to seattle or bellevue for a hospital stay, When Ellensburg and Yakima are easier to get to, your crazy.And if it is so catastrophic that only Harborview or evergreen can fix you, life flight can transport from either Ellensburg or Yakima easily without the hassles of the construction or conditions of the pass.As far as the McMansions, most of those are up in Suncadia on the hill, but those have been there for 3 decades when Thousand trails first started the community. I know I helped build the main lodge. The only real con to Cleelum is all the remote work idiots moving up there and will eventually be the very people that disrupt the farming and ranching. Once they put a culde sac of 3 acre McMansions next to farm with cattle the city tweeks will bitch about the cow crap. he just like Orting, the farmers...who have a single vote will get ordinanced out of existence. I know your a realtor looking jinn up some interest, but the more entitled twits you lure into town the less rural it becomes and eventually it kills the ery nnance that s Cleelum.

[@LivinginNCW]

Tell me more!