Agriculture is a key factor in Nyssa's small-town appeal
Nyssa is a small eastern Oregon town that is known primarily for its farmland. “It is a rich agricultural area with absolutely wonderful weather,” says Realtor Richard Beck, owner of Mel Beck Real Estate, who has 47 years of experience in the area. “Most people think of rain when they think of Oregon, but the state is actually mostly desert. Here in the Treasure Valley, we only get about 10 inches of rain per year, but there are lots of rivers that keep the farmland fertile. That’s the main draw for people moving here. The families who live here year-round tend to continue farming the land for generations.” The promise of continuous farm work may be the draw, but it is the sense of community that prompts residents to stay in Nyssa. “It’s a small town, and very friendly,” says Larry Wilson, broker and owner at Malheur Realty. “Not everyone wants to live in Boise with all the traffic, and Nyssa allows them to experience it without the hassle.”
Post-war ranch-style homes and cottages are predominant in town
Most recently constructed homes are concentrated outside of Nyssa, with the city area being dominated by midcentury builds. “There are a couple of new subdivisions on the outskirts of town, but most homes were built in the boom after World War II,” Beck says. “Mostly what you’ll find is cottages and ranch-style homes.” City lots are often smaller, many featuring narrow driveways and modest front lawns. Prices range from $135,000 to around $390,000, depending on square footage, number of bedrooms and lot size.
Nyssa's schools earn solid marks and draw crowds for football games
Nyssa School District 26 serves the entire city, receiving an overall B-minus from Niche. All three schools are clustered in the southwest corner of town. Nyssa Elementary and Nyssa Middle each earn a C-plus. Nyssa High School, which educates around 350 total students, scores a B-plus. NHS football games tend to draw crowds of supporters. “The high school has a pretty good football team, and the community really rallies around their kids,” Wilson says. “Sports-wise, it’s a good town to be in.” Nyssa Virtual School offers alternative options for students from kindergarten through grade 8.
Boating and fishing in the Snake River are popular pastimes
Nyssa sits on the western bank of the Snake River, popular for fishing and boating. “The Snake River flows around two sides of the city, heading towards a place called Hells Canyon, where there are dams and reservoirs,” Beck says. “The hunting outside of town is good, too. There’s waterfowl, deer, pheasants and even antelope.” North Park offers a baseball diamond for weekend pickup games, while the town’s South Park is home to an outdoor basketball court.
Nyssa's retail options are limited, but Ontario is a short drive north
The M & W Markets on Main Street is the area’s main supermarket, and residents can pick up daily household necessities at the Nyssa Mercantile a couple of blocks east. While several local restaurants, such as Bob’s Steak N’ Spirits and Las Esmeraldas Mexican Food, populate the downtown stretch, the area’s most prominent shopping destination lies to the north. “Ontario, which is a 10-minute drive away, has quite a bit of shopping,” Beck says.
U.S. Highway 26 connects Nyssa to amenities in Oregon and Idaho
U.S. Highway 26 acts as Nyssa’s Main Street, hosting most of its retail district and connecting the community north to Ontario and southeast to Caldwell, Idaho. “Both of those towns have nice hospitals,” says Wilson. “And of course we’re about 50 miles or so from Boise, which is the biggest nearby city, so that’s where you’d go for the airport.”
