Waterfront living just minutes from Moses Lake
Cascade Valley is a rural community in Central Washington located between Moses Lake, the largest city in Grant County, and the lake itself. Many of its homes sit on sprawling residential lots with private docks and sweeping views of the water. Part of Washington’s expansive Columbia River Plateau, residents enjoy warm, dry summers and chilly winters, making it ideal for outdoor activities. The community is mostly residential, so locals head the two miles into Moses Lake for shopping, dining and entertainment. “It’s great for families, boat enthusiasts and people who like the outdoors,” says Blake Rollins, a broker at Coldwell Banker who lives in Moses Lake. “It’s got a really nice park, a campsite and a boat launch.”
An array of housing options with larger lots outside city limits
Cascade Valley offers a range of single-family homes on quiet rural lanes. “It’s outside city limits, so you’ve got larger lots, usually a half-acre or more," says Realtor Tara Zerbo of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, who has been working in the area for the past nine years. "And there’s a good mix of homes. You’ve got smaller homes, stick builds and some manufactured homes. There are a lot of options." Many homes are perched along the shores of Moses Lake with private docks for fishing, boating and enjoying the waterfront scenery. Prices range from around $500,000 to $1 million, with new, luxury properties taking top dollar. Mobile and manufactured homes offer a more affordable option, typically ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, depending on acreage. Some residents may want to consider flood insurance given its lakeside location.
Cascade Park and Marina offer boating, camping and lake access
Cascade Park offers 34 acres of waterfront green space with a public boat launch, unguarded swimming, camping, sport fields and picnic shelters. Just up the road is Cascade Marina and Resort, where many locals dock their boats or relax at the marina’s clubhouse and campground. Together, these two facilities offer a hub for boating, fishing and grilling on the shoreline. Residents are just a short drive from some of the area’s best-known state parks — Moses Lake Mud Flats and Sand Dunes has wetland hiking and wildlife watching, while the Great Washington State Birding Trail’s Coulee Loop offers prime birdwatching. Every spring and fall, flocks of sandhill cranes, known for their distinctive red foreheads, migrate through the area.
Coffee, groceries and gas in town with big-box stores nearby
Shopping and dining options in Cascade Valley are limited to Dollar General, a small local grocer, a gas station and The Busy Bean coffee stand. “The Busy Bean is really popular. We love our coffee stands in Washington,” Zerbo says. For everything else, residents head about two miles away to the shopping centers on Stafford Road in Moses Lake. The area is home to big-box stores like Marshalls and Walmart, and grocers like WinCo Foods and Fresh Choice European Market. Restaurants include area favorites like Sumo Hibachi & Sushi and Tacos Colima in addition to an array of fast-casual chains.
Local schools and hands-on training at Moses Lake High
Students start their education at Park Orchard Elementary School, rated C-plus by Niche. The next steps are C-rated Frontier Middle School and C-plus-rated Moses Lake High School. The high school offers career and trade classes via the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center. Firefighting, auto training, culinary arts and video game programming are just a few of the programs offered.
Most residents drive, but limited bus service is available
Cascade Valley is car-centric, with most residents relying on private vehicles. However, there are a few bus stops along Ottmar Road and Valley Road that will take residents into Moses Lake. Major cities are hours away — Seattle is about 145 miles west, and Portland is about 193 miles south.
The closest airport is Grant County International Airport, although its commercial service was curtailed in 2010. For a full docket of domestic and international flights, residents will have to make the trek to Seattle-Tacoma International. The nearest medical center is Samaritan Hospital, which is about 4 miles away.
