Cashmere is a quiet mountain town in the Wenatchee Valley
The name might sound fancy, but Cashmere is a simple town in central Washington on the banks of the Wenatchee River. “It’s got really good schools, and it’s not nearly as expensive as Leavenworth, but you’re still tucked into the foothills and mountains,” says Shannon Kraft, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate with over a decade of experience. Cashmere is on U.S. Route 2, about halfway between Wenatchee and Leavenworth. The location on the river makes it a top destination for whitewater rafting, while the semi-arid climate makes it suitable for apple orchards. With a compact commercial area downtown and plenty of outdoor recreation, Cashmere is an archetype of small-town living in Washington.
Various home styles, from modest cottages to farms and apple orchards
Homes in the downtown part of Cashmere are typically modest cottages or ranch-style houses squeezed together on tight lots. Moving out from the community’s center, buyers can find more ranch-style properties, as well as some New Traditional and contemporary Craftsman homes. The edges of town feature large lots that are often farms or apple orchards. This area is more rural, with plenty of space between properties. The median sale price in Cashmere is around $740,000. Much of the region faces a significant flood risk due to the Wenatchee River. The area is also at risk of wildfires; Chelan County recently updated its Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Rafting and hiking are popular activities in central Washington
The Wenatchee River is a primary source of recreation. “People go whitewater rafting and tubing on the river. There’s rock climbing and hiking. Mountain biking is huge,” Kraft says. The river is known for its moderate Class III rapids, providing adventure for rafters of all ages. Many trips start in Leavenworth and end at Riverside Park in Cashmere. This green space has a boat ramp, playgrounds and a skate park. Peshastin Pinnacles State Park is a 34-acre site north of the river with steep trails that reward hikers with sweeping views of the valley. Cashmere Canyons Preserve is another nearby hiking area with 12 miles of trails offering views of the Cascade Mountains and Columbia River.
Locally owned businesses fill the downtown streets
Downtown Cashmere has a mix of locally owned shops and restaurants. Food options range from Mexican to barbecue to casual bar food. Kraft recommends Milepost Brewing and says they have amazing truffle fries. Hardware stores, clothing boutiques and home goods stores line Cottage Avenue. Aplets and Cotlets is a country store selling candy and other products made by Liberty Orchards, a company that has been in Cashmere since 1918. Groceries are available at Martin’s Market Place. Big-box stores like Walmart and Target are located in Wenatchee.
Students attend the highest-rated schools in Chelan County
Vale Elementary School and Cashmere Middle School each earn an A rating from Niche. Cashmere High School gets an A-minus and is the highest-rated public high school in Chelan County. The school offers dual credit through the Running Start program with Wenatchee Valley College. Students can also take career and technical education courses in sports medicine, coding, marketing and computer-aided manufacturing.
Highways and buses offer multiple modes of transportation
U.S. Route 2 is the main highway through the area, leading 11 miles west to Leavenworth or 12 miles east to Wenatchee. Cashmere also has several bus stops in town that are served by Link Transit routes, connecting the community to Leavenworth and Wenatchee. Confluence Health in Wenatchee is the area's closest hospital.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
