Desert Aire is a golf course community with modern amenities
With a name like Desert Aire, it's no surprise this is one of Washington's warmest, driest areas. This fly-in, golf course community offers a masterclass of amenities along the Columbia River. While golf cart-friendly streets are bustling on this side of the river, the other side is painted by sandstone cliffs and mountains, providing scenic landscape views. With amenities like a boat launch and off-roading areas, Desert Aire is a place for the quiet life out in nature. "The landscape is absolutely gorgeous, and we're 45 minutes away from everything," says Melinda Skogerson, community expert at R1 Washington, who has lived in Desert Aire for over 20 years. "People come here because we have a warmer climate on the Columbia River with massive amounts of fishing, hiking and water sports. There's everything you could want."
Newer homes on half-acre lots in the warm Washington desert
Many houses sit on half-acre lots surrounded by dry shrublands. Some properties are mostly gravel, while others have planted lawns on the edge of the Desert Aire Golf Club. Many properties also border the Desert Aire Airport, and residents may have private hangars for small planes and helicopters. This community has New Traditional, contemporary and ranch-style architecture. Many homes were built after 2010, typically spanning 1,000 to 2,500 square feet. The Desert Aire Owners Association is a homeowners' association that may require monthly fees. Single-family home prices range from $400,000 to $850,000. However, airport homes with hangars may reach up to $1.3 million. Manufactured homes go for $280,000 to $630,000. "We have a huge diversity of homes on half-acre lots," Skogerson says. "They start at $399,000 near the golf course, and some get into the millions."
Because of the topography, agriculture and wildfires, ozone buildup contributes to poor air quality during the summer. While parts of Grant County have issued evacuation orders for wildfires, they rarely cause property damage. Average summer temperatures are in the low 90s during July, occasionally reaching triple digits. "It can get up to 110 degrees, but it's also very tolerable," Skogerson says. "Everybody knows when it's warm, you make use of it and float on the river."
Golf club amenities and off-roading areas with river views
One community highlight is the Desert Aire Golf Club, with an 18-hole course that offers green fairways and river views below the White Bluffs. "Our golf course has a view of the mountains," Skogerson says. "Our golf demographic is huge, and everyone likes to drive around the community in golf carts." Desert Aire Park has a fitness facility and a swimming pool. Residents can camp near the rocky shores of the Priest Rapids Recreation Area, which has swimming holes, a walking trail and a boat launch on the river. "Our boat launch is gorgeous. Practically everyone has a boat of some kind," Skogerson says. The Beverly Dunes is an off-roading area with sand-dune campgrounds about 10 miles north. Formerly an area with nuclear reactors, Hansford Reach National Monument spans 195,000 acres with sandy trails and wildlife in the Saddle Mountains.
STEAM, sports and trade education
Morris Schott STEAM Elementary School earns a C-minus grade from Niche, with science and technology-oriented classes and an incentive-based reward system. Wahluke Junior High School also has a C-minus, with team sports like softball, wrestling and football. Wahluke High School receives a C grade, with career-oriented courses in subjects such as agriculture and marketing.
Local taverns and small businesses within reach
Desert Aire has limited shopping and dining, but unique community establishments are within reach. One of its watering holes is Tumbleweeds Bar and Grill, which serves cheeseburgers in a sports bar with patio seating. The R Place Tavern is another pub serving lunch dishes and locally sourced wines. Desert Aire Grocery has grocery items and produce, while Lep-Re-Kon Harvest Foods is a supermarket chain in Mattawa, about 5 miles north.
SR-243 to the Tri-Cities and Seattle
Grant Transit Authority (GTA) is a local bus system providing fixed transportation routes throughout Grant County. State Route 243 is a local thoroughfare leading to nearby cities. Seattle is about 160 miles northwest on SR-243, and Richland is around 50 miles southeast. The Tri-Cities Airport is approximately 60 miles southeast, offering passenger flights in Pasco.
