Country life blends with big-city convenience in Milton-Freewater
Milton-Freewater sits 5 miles from the Washington state border in the valleys of the Blue Mountains. “It’s a small town with not a lot of amenities, so the fact that it’s minutes from Walla Walla is the biggest draw,” says Tammy Manning, a Seaquist Real Estate broker with 10 years of experience selling in the area. “We’ve really been trying to grow with business opportunities here recently, though.” In 2015, the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater became an American Viticultural Area (AVA), which has boosted tourism and helped grow the local wine industry. While the community continues to expand, it maintains a nature-centric, rural atmosphere with plenty of outdoor recreation.
Shopping on Main and sipping wine from the regional terroir
Main Street is a small but comprehensive hub for shopping and dining amid the rural landscape. Safeway and Dollar General sell everyday items, and a 7-mile drive north into Washington leads to department stores, like Walmart. Milton-Freewater’s moderate climate and cobblestone terroir have turned the valley into a major regional wine producer. Rotie Cellars has sold Rhone-style wines since 2007, and Castillo De Feliciana is a Southern Spain-inspired vineyard with private tastings. Main and Columbia streets also have various restaurants, including La Ramada, an authentic Mexican spot with occasional live mariachi performances.
A housing market with relatively affordable options
Homebuyers will often find Victorians, ranch-style houses and 21st-century New Traditional builds on the market. Single-family prices typically fall between $200,000 and $600,000, though one- and two-bedroom cottages may start at $80,000 to $150,000. Manufactured homes are available, as well, with most price tags falling under $100,000 and larger units surpassing $300,000. “The market is way less expensive than Portland, Seattle and even Walla Walla,” Manning says. “The people that come here also don’t tend to move around a lot, and they’ll stay in their houses for a long time.” Properties near the town center sit off suburban streets and have green lawns and the occasional picket fence. Homes on the outskirts are more spread out and backdropped by open plains and unobstructed mountain views.
Local parks and the nearby wilderness offer plenty of recreation
Yantis Park is a central gathering spot with open fields and walking paths. It’s also home to the Joe Humbert Family Aquatic Center, a seasonal pool with water slides and lap lanes. The Milton-Freewater Municipal Golf Course is open to the public and accommodates traditional golf and footgolf, where players kick a soccer ball into wider holes. The Blue Mountains and the Walla Walla River provide scenic spots for hiking, fishing and biking. “We have four seasons, so you can go camping or ride motorcycles up in the mountains in the summer and take out the snowmobiles in the winter,” Manning says. Fort Walla Walla Park, about 9 miles north across the Washington border, has facilities ranging from a disc golf course to a skate park.
Education through the Milton-Freewater Unified School District
Kindergarten through third graders begin at Gib Olinger Elementary, which scores a C-minus on Niche. Ferndale Elementary for fourth and fifth grade and Central Middle both earn C ratings. McLoughlin High has a C-minus, and students can choose from numerous Pioneers sports programs, such as golf, tennis and soccer. Kids may also join the Future Farmers of America association to learn about agriculture through hands-on activities.
Entertainment ranges from movie nights to big-league rodeos
Milton-Freewater hosts various events and has numerous attractions that reflect its community spirit. A seasonal farmers market occurs in Orchard Park, and local bands perform for the Friday Nights on Main concert series. For retro American entertainment, the Milton-Freewater Drive-In Theater has projected movies under the stars for over six decades. Residents can head about 30 miles away to Pendleton Roundup each fall. “It’s one of the largest in the country,” Manning says. “It brings in thousands of vendors, and big country stars come to sing.”
Navigating the Walla Walla Valley
Oregon Route 11, known as the Oregon-Washington Highway, cuts through the center of Milton-Freewater. The road leads to Washington Route 125 and Walla Walla, about 10 miles away. The highway also heads southwest to Interstate 84. Valley Transit buses stop along major roads and connect to Walla Walla.
