The Kittitas County jail is right downtown. It's not unusual to identify former jail birds or the homeless around downtown. Punks too old to be riding bikes can sometimes buzz you as you walk around. I find that the politics in the area seem to be 50/50, liberal/conservative. The university being the center of the liberal end. The city council leans left. Moving here from Seattle my car insurance went down. Personally, I like the wind.

Well done. Not many "This is 'x' (town, city, area)" videos include the negatives as well as the positives. I don't really care about nightlife, and, as a certified old person, job opportunities aren't important to me personally. I've visited Washington several times, and find it very attractive. A dozen years in Colorado taught me to love the outdoors, so central Washington's climate suits me. Unfortunately, compared to the Midwestern area I live in now, it's probably out of my reach financially.

I lived in shitattle for 2 years. too much human poop on the sidewalks and needles in every public park. Seattle/tacoma are disgusting. not to mention all the loser unemployed protestors.

I'm in Texas. No limit how many days we can Airbnb our home. Washington and Oregon only allows a host to Airbnb 95 days? What's up with that?

This is such a relatable statement!

I loved my college years in Ellensburg. Great place to live.

Yes, the wind is unique, but it's such a great energy source. I bet a small windfarm would be enough to power the entire town.

All the new houses is sad. Here comes all that liberal Seattle big money stuff. Guess I’ll have to look farther east now lol

Worst part of Ellensburg is the growth. I remember Ellensburg in the 80's and it was perfect when I would ride th bus over and babysit my cousin for a week.

I have lived in Western Washington for almost fifty years. I absolutely love it here and would never leave the Olympic Peninsula. Eastern Washington is like it's on an entirely different planet, and has degraded into MAGA territory. I wouldn't live there if you paid me.

You forgot to mention Mel’s Hole.

Who watchinig this video actually lives in Cle Elum? please comment below so we can see what you think

Great video, always more that can be shared but hard to pack it into such a short video. Good job.

Major CON increasingly difficult if not impossible to get homeowners insurance it is a matter of time when Cle Elum Ridge will burn not If it will 🔥 Straight from the DNR.

I struggle to find traffic being manageable. I recently brought property out that way and am living out of a camper while I build my home. I juggle living in both Gig Harbor while I work in SeaTac a few days out of the week on land I’m renting and living off of my land during my off days in Cle Elum in the mean time. When do you feel the Highway may because “easier”?

Every liberal who moved to cle elum in the past decade is exactly what's wrong with Cle Elum. Bunch of rich losers who ruin everything they touch. Move back to Seattle with Inslee

Affordability hahahaha OK too busy here anymore its not the cle elum I grew up in can't go anywhere on weekends with bumper to bumper traffic. So stay away people

Smokey's BBQ is in Ellensburg.

It's important to have these kinds of discussions. If you aren't willing to believe that the city is good place to live it never will be. Everything stated is true and Cle Elum is a wonderful place to live.

Ive lived in cle elum for my entire life. It is hard to live here. Ive been pushed out of affordable housing these last 5 years due to AirBNBs, vacation rentals, cost of goods skyrocketing. Many many locals have called this place home their whole lives, and are being priced out of living here. The locals cherish this place and despise when people disrespect our little town. They are not fond of the gentrification. Alot of us small town folks are barely able to afford one home, while others buy a second home for 1 million plus and raise the property taxes and the market value. Our infrastructure is not designed for the amount of people flooding here. Healthcare workers and veterinarians are shortstaffed, overworked, and few. We have one grocery store. We have 4 stoplights. The winters here are much harder than you described.

Affordable housing? Sure. Maybe, if you compare it to Seattle. There are very few places to rent or buy that are actually affordable. Only wealthier folks can afford the housing here. Ederra is a con just by itself. That, and 47 Degrees North and Suncadia pander only to the rich folks that keep moving out here. Developers keep cutting down our forests, which is making Cle Elum less beautiful and overcrowded. I love how beautiful it is, and I love hiking and fishing, but that might not last very long. It’s bad enough we have a constant fear of wildfires. Once the kids are grown up, we’re getting the hell out of here and finding a place where is isn’t turning into a tourist trap or traveling nightmare. I can’t even go to the ONLY grocery in town on the weekends, because of the tourists.

Comments like “traffic is brutal if you’re trying to get back to the west side” is so hard to hear. Imagine trying to get out of your driveway or just going to the store as a local. The folks visiting are bringing the problem they’re complaining about!

A major pro is the small town. This is not a limiting factor. There is a theater, THREE hardware stores, tons of restaurants, etc. this was kind of silly actually because it’s why people come and why people live here. If you need a mall or Trader Joe’s, it’s probably not for you. But please keep telling people how bad it is because Cle Elum doesn’t need help getting people here. YES, the infrastructure is NOT ready.

How did you find the folks to interview?

Another con: rated as one of the top wildfire risk areas in the entire country.

This is difficult to watch because there are so many issues with pressures from development/infill that many of the “pros” are being outweighed/diminished. I also think it’s misleading a bit. You state it isn’t a good place to build your career, but that is relative to what your career is. Cle Elum has some major industries that weren’t highlighted and nearly every business including the industries and the school district are hiring. A major problem is “workforce” housing. Folks are desperately needed for the running of all the service oriented businesses that are the backbone of our tourism industry but they can’t afford to live here because of so many issues. One primary issue is the sale of rental housing to folks who let these homes sit vacant much of the year just to shelter money and visit a couple times a year or turn them into short-term rentals which greatly impact established communities. Rather than an advertisement on why to visit or move to cle elum, we need to encourage folks to be stewards of our small towns and their wilderness areas to protect them and maintain availability and access for generations to come. As it is these natural areas are being degraded by the number of people and their treatment of the open spaces.

We have zombies and flying tarantulas

Traffic every Sunday. No getting into town quickly or out. Businesses choosing to close on Sundays because of traffic. Being loved to death. Garbage from weekenders in the forests.

Don’t share too many of our secrets ;)

What a Great Event this was!!! Love what is offered here!! ❤

There are no jobs in ellensburg . And ellensburg is kinda racist dudes have confederate flags all over there trucks.

Ellensburg wa sucks no jobs nothing to do and always windy . No good food just hamburgers and hotdogs and pizza shops and Americanized Mexican food

You’re selling real estate there, and you’re not sure how to pronounce the name of the town? Check with a local.

AWESOME

Love this! Can’t wait to see more! ❤

We are looking. This might be a good location for us. Thanks for a great video Joe.

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Hot tubs!

Fantastic video! Great analysis and insight from some of the finest “new kids on the block”!!!

Awesome & super informative! Special Thanks to Emma for adding great perspectives to Joe’s analysis, and thanks for sharing your insights as a successful Airbnb owner & manager on this very unique opportunity 👏

I love the outdoors, hiking biking, dirt biking..I didn't hear you mention fishing? Much fishing there? I liked hearing the young lady say it's a slow lifestyle there, having living in the insanity of Seattle for so many years I want to wind up my life with some peace, I want to go fishing with my dog, take long walks without horrific traffic everywhere, as I said I love the outdoors and it's where I want to spend my last days. I having decided on Ellensburg but it's definitley getting higher on my list. Thank you very much for the informational video, it was very relaxing and I just need a rest.

CWU alumni here. I'm moving to the Burg next summer. I cannot wait.

I lived in that town for 48 years, and now it's way too expensive to live there

GREAT VIDEO 🙌🙌🙌

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Hello from Cannon Beach Oregon, my home number 2, since I live here for about half the year, & I live in Ellensburg the other half, my home number 1, since I grew up there, & it is an awesome place, just saying.

Really appreciate hearing the history of ellensburg! Always love knowing a towns history:)

Really appreciate hearing the history of ellensburg! Always love knowing a towns history:)

Awesome video!

As for weather, try living on the edge of town in Richland before the cemetery and vineyards were put in. Chinooks are caused by adiabatic heating and cooling of air masses moving up or down hill.