10 Myths Americans Believe About the Tri-Cities Area

I'm a native Washingtonian. I was born in the small town of Clarkston Washington about 2 1/2 hours to the east of Tri-Cities.

I've been fortunate to have worked at radio stations across the Pacific Northwest and I worked in Bakersfield California in the mid-2000s.

It was there I realized that people who haven't lived or been to Washington State have a radically different idea of what's up here in the state of Washington.

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I thought I'd have some fun and roll through 10 myths that people believe about the Tri-Cities especially if they've never lived or been in Washington State

so let's get into it...

One Myth Is That Tri-Cities Gets Lots Of Rain

Everyone who's never been to Washington believes that the whole state is green, lush, and rainy 24/7 but as you know, Tri-Cities doesn't get as near as much rain as the westside.

Another Myth Is That Tri-Cities Has A Bunch Of Trees

Trees are in the Tri-Cities but not in a great abundance like the westside. It's a lack of trees that would surprise most people about the Tri-Cities.

Not Everyone In Tri-Cities Is A Seattle Seahawks Fan

It might surprise non-Washingtonians but not everyone in Tri-Cities is a Seattle Seahawks fan. Oh trust me, the 12's are strong in the Columbia Basin but not everyone is a fan making for a fun and diverse community.

One Myth Is That Tri-Cities Is Radioactive

Being in the backyard of the Hanford Nuclear Site, one might think the whole area is radioactive but that's not the case. I think that's one of the biggest myths that people think about the Tri-Cities.

Real Estate In Tri-Cities Is Inexpensive

There was a time when one would say real estate was inexpensive in the Tri-Cities but those are gone for at least a while. For someone coming from California, the prices might still seem cheap but finding an incredible deal on real estate is going to get harder and harder over the next few years.

The Only Political Party In The Tri-Cities Is The Republican Party

We normally don't discuss politics but yes there are multiple political parties in the Tri-Cities even though it might not seem like that at times.

Only Rednecks Live In The Tri-Cities

That's a myth, because of the Hanford Site, Tri-Cities has the highest concentration of Ph.D.'s in the country. Yes, there are lots of smart folks in the Columbia Basin

Apples Are Everywhere In The Tri-Cities

Every box reads Washington Apples and yes apples are huge but Tri-Cities wouldn't list apples as their #1 export.

George Washington Never Visited Washington State

Even though the state is named after him, President George Washington never visited Washington because the state didn't even exist when he was alive.

Tri-Cities Is Cold Like The Westside Of Washington State

That's a myth, Tri-Cities can get real toasty during summer around these parts but luckily we've got the Yakima and Columbia Rivers to cool down in.

There are lots of myths about Washington State but we dispelled a few about the Tri-Cities.

It's always interesting what out-of-staters when they arrive in the Tri-Cities because all of their myths are soon a distant memory.