Wenatchee Real Estate

With a name derived from an Indian term meaning "river flowing from canyon," it's easy to imagine the beauty surrounding Wenatchee real estate. Located in the middle of Washington State along the Columbia River, the city's 28,000 residents live in an array of homes, including single-family residences, historic properties, and new construction. Residents describe Wenatchee as a scenic wonder from any direction, lush with forests, water, mountains, farmland, and orchards.

It's no wonder Wenatchee is currently enjoying booming real estate values. As the most inhabited city in Chelan County, Wenatchee expects a growth rate of 16.7% by next June. With its desert-like climate, four distinct seasons, and blue skies 300 days out of each year, Wenatchee real estate truly holds something for everyone.

Brief History of Wenatchee

Officially incorporated as a city in 1893, Wenatchee was founded by Don Carlos Corber and named after Indian Chief Wenatchee. After the Rock Island Dam was built in 1936 to prevent flooding from the Columbia River, the city acquired the ability to irrigate crops, and it was then that Wenatchee began producing apples. Today, the city has gained worldwide recognition as the Apple Capital of the World. Apple-related themes abound here, from annual festivals to a local Convention Center with each meeting room bearing the name of an apple. Even the local sports teams get into the act -- for baseball, it's the Wenatchee Apple Sox, and the Wenatchee Valley Rams football team plays in Apple Bowl Stadium. But apples aren't the only delectable ingredient you'll find among the picturesque scenery and Wenatchee real estate. The city is also the home to numerous wineries as well as national and regional coffee companies, including world-famous Starbucks.

If you choose to invest in Wenatchee real estate, you will soon find yourself living amidst green forests, winding rivers, and snowcapped mountains. The city surrounds the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range, where the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers meet. Wenatchee is the county seat in Chelan County and has a twin city in East Wenatchee. Both cities are part of Wenatchee Valley, an area that refers to the land between the Rocky Reach and the Rock Island Dam on the Columbia River. The city of Wenatchee shares its name with Wenatchee River, Lake Wenatchee, and Wenatchee National Forest.

Life in Wenatchee

The community of Wenatchee offers a diverse array of recreational activities throughout the Valley and its surrounding areas, including tennis, swimming, boating, kayaking, golf, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting (for birds and larger game), ice sports, rock climbing, and soccer. The Wenatchee River is a popular spot for water sports such as whitewater rafting and inner tubing, and the mountains near Wenatchee are popular winter spots for snowmobiling, sledding, skiing, and snowboarding. Additionally, the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee boast 115 acres of public parks in total. If you lead an active lifestyle and enjoy outdoor living, you can truly enjoy nature while living in Wenatchee.

History buffs will surely be interested to learn that Wenatchee is brimming with interesting folklore. Archeological digs have uncovered Clovis artifacts and other ancient relics dating back nearly 12,000 years. These scientific discoveries indicate that people who migrated during the last ice age must have settled in Wenatchee. More specifically, these people are believed to be the Yakima Indians. Additionally, as early as 1811, fur traders from the Northwest Fur Company entered the Wenatchee valley to trap and trade with the Indians.

Wenatchee is also known as the landing spot for what was deemed the greatest achievement in flight in 1931. Aviators Hugh Herndon and Clyde Pangborn made the first trans-pacific flight from Japan to the U.S., ultimately landing in Wenatchee. Because this was the beginning of a long-standing relationship with Japan, the accomplishment has been commemorated with a Bridge of Friendship at the corner of Ninth Street and Eastmont Avenue. It's clear to see that Wenatchee is a community who is proud of its heritage.

The Apple Capital Recreational Loop Trail is part of the first highway bridge built on the Columbia River in 1908, connecting Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Today, this 10-mile loop is enjoyed daily by walkers, bikers, joggers, skaters, and cross-country skiers. On the Wenatchee side of the river, the trail lights even stay on until midnight, and the area also boasts two unique spots for wildlife and nature enthusiasts. Horan Natural Area allows bird watchers to spot eagles, owls, herons, and more in a 100-acre pear orchard. In a fish ladder viewing room at Rocky Reach Dam, fish fanatics can witness a fascinating trek as salmon migrate upstream.

Wenatchee offers low-cost housing and a wide variety of quality custom built homes with unparalleled panoramic views of the valley. Some of these spectacular mansions feature three-level layouts with private master suites on the top floor, for ultimate views.

Investing in Wenatchee real estate provides affordable housing combined with an abundance of year-round outdoor activity, breathtaking scenery, rich history, and nature as close as your backyard. If this is the type of atmosphere you'd love to call home, contact The Davidson Team today (509-293-2214 or info@wenatcheehouses.com), your Wenatchee real estate specialist, and starting making your dream a reality.