High desert living with orchards in Mattawa
With an arid climate and an agricultural base, Mattawa is a diverse farming community in the rural high desert of central Washington. With a Latino population that makes up about 95% of residents, Mattawa is an epicenter for commercial activity in a remote region of central Washington, with local markets, Mexican restaurants and abundant farms. “Mattawa is a very eclectic town with a lovely Latino community,” says Melinda Skogerson, managing broker and real estate agent at R1 Washington, who has lived in the area for over 20 years. “Orchards, vineyards and wineries surround us, and there are farmers markets with fresh oranges and cherries. It's a unique place.”
Modest lawns and homes with investment potential
Houses sit on flat, fenced-in lawns in Mattawa, often bordered by Italian Cypress trees. Housing styles include New Traditional, ranch-style and manufactured homes. Most homes are between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet, with property sizes occasionally reaching a quarter acre. Prices range from $310,000 to $460,000. “This is a great time to invest here,” Skogerson says. “In the next three years, this area will completely change. When more services are available, the prices are going to shift.”
Wildfires and the area's topography contributes to ozone buildup and air quality issues during the summer. While wildfires do occur in Grant County, property damage is somewhat rare. This is also one of the hottest, driest areas in the state, with average temperatures in the low 90s during July, occasionally reaching triple digits. However, locals welcome the warm weather compared to the cool, rainy season in Seattle. "People come from Seattle because it’s about 10 degrees warmer here in the sunbelt," Skogerson says. "We have a gorgeous spring and fall, but it's always nice here."
Mexican restaurants and Mattawa markets
Mattawa is the area’s center for shopping and dining, with markets, cafes and Mexican grills. “There are many Mexican restaurants in Mattawa, and there are small community establishments with good, well-prepared food,” Skogerson says. Tacos La Parilla serves taco plates and seafood in a casual bar atmosphere. Another option is Tiddaly Diddalys, a pizzeria and sandwich shop with a diner-style atmosphere. Lep-re-kon Harvest Foods is the area’s supermarket, and Mattawa Market is a locally owned grocery store with Latino items and fresh produce. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Mattawa Flea Market has over 100 vendors with clothes, hot food and locally sourced produce in an open-air bazaar.
Golf on the Columbia River and off-roading in the sand dunes
Hund Memorial Park is a community green space with a basketball court, a skatepark and a playground. The Mattawa ORV Off-Road Park offers single tracks for dirt bikes to climb the sandy hills near Saddle Mountain. About 5 miles south, the Priest Rapids Recreation Area has rocky beaches on the Columbia River across from the White Bluffs. It is also a popular swimming area with an accessible boat launch. Locals can also head to the Desert Aire Golf Club, an 18-hole course with green fairways and mountain views. “We sell real estate seven days a week, but in our free time, we like to play golf and throw nice parties for our neighbors,” Skogerson says.
Dual-language and STEM courses in the Wahluke School District
Morris Schott STEAM Elementary School earns a C-minus grade from Niche, encouraging academic excellence and development. Wahluke Junior High School has a C-minus, with a bilingual, dual-language program in Spanish and English. Wahluke High School receives a C with STEM courses in green architecture, biomedical sciences and robotics.
Taking the GTA and heading to the Tri-Cities
The Grant Transit Authority (GTA) provides public transportation with fixed routes throughout the county. Mattawa sits along state Route 243, which reaches many metropolitan centers. Moses Lake is about 60 miles north on SR-243. Richland is approximately 50 miles south, and the Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland is the nearest emergency room to Mattawa. The Tri-Cities Airport is roughly 60 miles south in Pasco, with direct flights to 10 cities, including Seattle, Los Angeles and Phoenix.
