Rural living in Ahtanum, with proximity to Yakima’s urban amenities
Ahtanum is a rural community that embraces Yakima on its southwestern side, with residential streets carving through what is otherwise farmland. “It seems like post-COVID-19, there was more of an allure to rural or semi-rural areas,” says Jon Ehlers, the owner of Jon and Jen Ehlers Real Estate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, who grew up in the Yakima Valley and has over 15 years of experience. “There’s still the market in the city, but there is more popularity with getting out of town and having more acreage. You have the freedom to have chickens, and the laws for ADUs on the property are more forgiving.”
Guests enjoy outdoor seating at Ahtanum Berry Patch & Bakery.
Apple Tree Resort near Ahtanum features golf and pickleball leagues.
1/2
Cattle graze between a variety of home styles with acreage in Ahtanum
A lack of sidewalks contributes to Ahtanum’s rural feel, and homes are sometimes interspersed with fields and grazing cattle. “It’s interesting because you have such an array. Everything from manufactured homes to new development to some of the older homes,” Ehlers says. Styles include cottages from the first half of the 20th century, ranch-style homes from the second half, New Traditional builds from the early 2000s and new constructions with Craftsman features. Ranging from $290,000 to $675,000, homes come on lots up to 2 acres in size with room for recreational vehicle parking and other hobbies. Manufactured homes are sold with up to 8 acres of land, going for $300,000 to $425,000.
Properties located along the various creeks in Ahtanum may be at an increased risk of flooding. Much of the area is surrounded by farms and open landscape, as such, Ahtanum may be at a heightened risk for wildfires as well.
Ranch-style home in Ahtanum includes a garage and spacious lot.
New Traditional duplex homes are part of Ahtanum’s recent development
1/2
Berry patches and a local winery offer summer activities and events
Local businesses that take advantage of their location in the fertile Columbia Valley are scattered around the small residential pockets that make up Ahtanum. Ahtanum Berry Patch & Bakery invites guests to pick their own raspberries, blackberries and strawberries throughout the warmer months. Those that stay on the vines are incorporated into handmade pies, cobblers and scones, while the bakery’s cinnamon rolls are a customer favorite. Wine flows in Gilbert Cellars’ barn-style tasting room, though the winery’s outdoor seating area offers views of apple orchards and fields of French lavender. The winery has hosted its Music in the Vines summer concert series for almost 15 years on Friday nights, when guests can enjoy local musicians and the vineyard’s pastoral surroundings. Wray’s Marketfresh IGA and a Walmart Supermarket are north of the area for grocery runs.
This sign marks the entrance to Ahtanum Berry Patch & Bakery.
Grape fields surround Gilbert Cellars near Ahtanum.
1/2
Athletic amenities at West Valley Community Park, golf at Apple Tree
The West Valley Community Park sits directly north of the middle school campus, sprawling across more than 25 acres. The green space includes a basketball court, a soccer field, a volleyball court and horseshoe pits. Trails and short bridges fashioned from wooden planks navigate Wide Hollow Creek, which snakes along the north side of the park. Golf enthusiasts can join men’s or women’s leagues at the Apple Tree Resort, a nearby community built around a golf course that also offers three lighted championship pickleball courts.
Wooden bridges and trails follow Wide Hollow Creek in West Valley Park.
West Valley Community Park includes a basketball court and other athletic features.
1/2
Wide selection of science and CTE courses at West Valley High School
Most children in the community are zoned for Ahtanum Valley Elementary School, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. Those living in the northern portion of Ahtanum may attend Cottonwood Elementary School, which earns an A-minus. They may then attend classes at the B-rated West Valley Mid-Level Campus before moving forward to West Valley High School, which also earns an A-minus. Students with an interest in science have a wide variety of classes to choose from, including zoology, forensic science, microbiology and horticulture. The school’s dual credit program partners with three Washington universities and one college so students can earn early college credit, while career technical education courses at West Valley High include those in welding, graphic design and computer science, among other disciplines.
Ahtanum Valley Elementary School prioritizes student success and engagement.
West Valley Middle School offers a welcoming environment for students.
West Valley High School features a designated student drop-off area.
1/3
Interstate 90, and flights from Yakima Airport to Seattle
Ahtanum Road runs through the community, leading to Union Gap in the east and roads that connect to the center of Yakima, about 12 miles away. Though no public transportation serves Ahtanum directly, Yakima Transit buses run nearby. Daily flights to Seattle and Spokane take off from Yakima Airport, which lies between Yakima and Ahtanum. Interstate 82 travels southeast toward the Tri-Cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland; it also merges with Interstate 90, which travels about 150 miles northwest to Seattle.
Written By
Julia Straka
Photography Contributed By
Becky Gaskill
Video By
Anne Sheridan
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Austin Hayes,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Welcome to this brand-new 2-story home in Phase 1 of the highly anticipated Champions Park development. This floor plan offers 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and the laundry room upstairs with an additional half bathroom and 5th room with closet: perfect for an office, bedroom, or flex space living room on the main level. Totaling 2,214 sq ft , the hallmark of this thoughtfully designed home is 9-foot
Jonathan Ehlers
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Central Washington Real Estate
Welcome to your own private haven on Skyview Court, where storybook charm meets unmatched functionality on nearly an acre. From the moment you arrive, the gorgeous front paver driveway and meticulously maintained landscaping deliver unforgettable curb appeal. This beautifully one-level home features 4 spacious bedrooms, 2 pristine, modernized bathrooms, and a 2-car attached garage.While the
Amanda FrankBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Central Washington Real Estate
MLS# 292770 Spacious single level home offering 2280 SF with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms situated on a full acre. This property features a versatile bonus room complete with a bar perfect for entertaining or creating your ideal gathering space. The home offers great potential with solid bones and just needs a few cosmetic updates to truly shine. Enjoy a fully fenced lot with mature trees
BETTER than NEW, 920 sf Singlewide with many extras! Professionally remodeled top to bottom! High-end features such as tankless water heater, central air and heat, new appliances, plank flooring , paint inside and out and much more. This home is worry-free!Casual elegance comes from the neutral, Lifeproof, luxury vinyl plank flooring and updated designer color palette throughout.Outside
Welcome to this brand-new 2-story home in Phase 1 of the highly anticipated Champions Park development. This floor plan offers 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and the laundry room upstairs with an additional half bathroom and 5th room with closet: perfect for an office, bedroom, or flex space living room on the main level. Totaling 2,214 sq ft , the hallmark of this thoughtfully designed home is 9-foot
Jonathan Ehlers
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Central Washington Real Estate
***off 66th Ahtanum***West Valley rambler offering 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms across 1,248 sq ft, set on just under an acre. The fully fenced, flat rectangular parcel is a blank canvas -- ideal for a small hobby farm, recreational use, or whatever you can imagine. A 24×36 shop adds serious utility for the hobbyist, mechanic, or extra storage.Enjoy the privacy of a low-traffic private
The Waterbrook is an innovative two-story home. At 3195 square feet, the home provides a wealth of space to both relax and entertain. On the main floor, the living and dining rooms are more than generous. The spacious open kitchen, which features a breakfast bar, adjoining nook, sizeable pantry and mudroom (with an optional bench), looks out to the expansive family room. Upstairs, a massive main
The 1235 square foot Clearwater proves that a mid-size home can be more than it appears. Vaulted ceilings span the dining room as well as the spacious living room. The kitchen provides ample counter space and cupboard storage is uniquely positioned in the front of the home. The main suite is expansive, features two spacious closets and an ensuite with dual vanity. Sharing the second bathroom, the
At 1692 square feet, The Keizer is a mid-size home that makes the most of its single-story layout. This thoughtfully designed space begins as you enter the home with a convenient coat closet off the entryway. From there, youre welcomed into the main living space by stunning vaulted ceilings, where youll find the great room, dining room and kitchen featuring an oversized island with seating and a
The 1574 square foot Hudson is an efficiently-designed, mid-sized single level home offering both space and comfort. The open kitchen is a chefs dream, with counter space galore, plenty of cupboard storage and a breakfast bar. The expansive living room and adjoining dining area complete this eating and entertainment space. The spacious and private main suite boasts a dual vanity bathroom,
The 1148 square foot Alderwood has long been a favorite for those seeking both comfort and function in a modestly-sized single-level home. High vaulted ceilings add volume to the already expansive living room, overlooked by the open kitchen, and adjoining dining area. The generous main suite boasts its own private bathroom and substantial oversized closet. The additional two bedrooms are equally
The 1805 square foot Pacific is the entertainers dream home. Under the vaulted ceilings, the living room is sweeping, and an optional covered patio, just off the generous dining room, invites relaxation outdoors. The open kitchen offers a wealth of counter, serving and eating space and includes a bar area and optional built-in desk. The spacious main suite sits under vaulted ceilings and boasts a
At 2046 square feet, the Snowbrush is an efficiently-designed, oversized single level home offering both space and comfort. The open kitchen is a chefs dream, with a large island, plenty of cupboard storage and counter space. The expansive living room and adjoining dining area complete this eating and entertainment space, with the added appeal of a covered patio area off of the great room. The
At 2211 square feet, The Timberline is the perfect home for those in search of a brand new home that offers space and versatility in a two-story plan. The living and dining rooms share an impressive space overlooked by the open kitchen which features ample counter space, cupboard storage and a large pantry. The den may be converted into an optional fifth bedroom. Upstairs, the expansive main
The 1408 square foot Edgewood is a mid-sized home catering to those who value both comfort and efficiency in a single level home. An award-winning designed kitchen, featuring a breakfast bar and ample counter space, overlooks both the spacious living and dining rooms. The separate main suite affords you privacy and features two large closets in addition to a dual vanity ensuite. The two sizable
Charming 3-bedroom home in Yakima offering a peaceful retreat on acreage with beautiful views. This home features a cozy living room with a fireplace, ample storage, one bedroom on the main floor, and two additional bedrooms upstairs. Tenants are responsible for utilities and yard maintenance. Pets are welcome with an additional pet fee. A non-refundable cleaning fee and refundable security
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
