Calling the 'Burg Home

Story by Jayce Kadoun | Photos by Kassandra Eller & Jayce Kadoun | Design by William Yi

Many students struggle with deciding where to live after they finish college. The stress of choosing somewhere to spend a lifetime can be overwhelming. 

With so many factors to consider, it’s hard to find the perfect place to stay. For many, Ellensburg fits the bill for the right home. 

Some have lived in the ‘Burg their whole lives and others haven’t been here long, but everyone spoken to about living in the town had nothing but positive words of encouragement for those considering moving or deciding to stay here.

The residents of Ellensburg have pinpointed their favorite aspects of living in the small town. The beauty that surrounds it, friends made over the years and fun still waiting to be had are just a few pieces of what citizens love about living on the East side. 

Long-Timers

Many of those who call Ellensburg home have lived in or around the town for much of their lives. Junior Public Relations major Kassidy Malcolm and her family moved here when she was in fifth grade. 

After 10 years in the ‘Burg, she says the town’s small size, the community and her family are some of the aspects of the city that have kept her living here this long. Along with this, she says the scenery would be hard to leave, too. 

“The Stuart Mountains, Manastash Ridge hike and the sunsets are my favorite [things] because of the views,” Malcolm explains. “They remind me daily just how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place.”

While some students may feel they want to leave and never come back, others find Ellensburg to be a resting place later in life. “I want to travel and see the world. But I want to come back and raise my family here because all my family is here. My boyfriend is from here too and so is his family,” Malcolm explains. 

Ellensburg Mayor and city resident since 1988 Bruce Tabb says that before he was elected to city council, he felt that Ellensburg was losing a sense of community and the opportunity for people to live in neighborhoods where people cared and knew each other. 

He explains that he decided to run for mayor and was elected to help create a more inclusive and welcoming community. There are many things about the town that have made people such as Tabb stay for decades. 

“The overall feel of the community, the beauty of the surrounding countryside, that you can live in the city, walk to downtown and shopping and still get on a bike or in your car and be in the woods in 20 minutes,” are all reasons to stay, says Tabb. “[Ellensburg’s] proximity to Seattle and urban amenities, CWU — the diversity and artistic and cultural elements which the university draws, the energy of the students” are all appealing elements of the area.

Tabb says getting out on his bike to cruise the farmlands and ranches and enjoying skiing in the winter are some of his favorite activities to do near Ellensburg. He also enjoys putting a kayak in the Columbia River or a local lake during the summer and taking walks along the Yakima River in city parks.

Newcomers

Ellensburg draws in people from all over. For lots of reasons, the city has a way of catching the eyes of individuals across the country. Those that stay here often say the ‘Burg has everything they need to feel at home.

Loryn Ziegler, senior Social Services major and Washington native explains that she decided to return to Washington and settle down in Ellensburg to attend CWU after initially moving out of state for college.

“Before I came to Central, I lived in Arizona and went to [Grand Canyon University]. It was fun but I never really felt at home there. I knew a lot of hometown friends that went to Central so that’s the main thing that made me move,” Ziegler says. 

Several aspects of the city have kept her living here for as long as she has. Ziegler explains how the friends that live here with her and the opportunities that the city provides for them to spend time together are some of the main reasons she has stuck around. 

“I really enjoy the nightlife in Ellensburg. There’s a lot of fun things to do with friends if you’re over 21 and I like the fact that it feels safe downtown. I also love how many friends I’ve made here and how close they all are,” says Ziegler. 

Certain features of the city make it attractive to visitors, according to Ziegler. She says the low-key country vibes that Ellensburg gives off is what draws a lot of people into town, and that it’s a nice change from a big city.

“I would tell anyone considering moving here to go for it. It’s such a great place to live and go to college and I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t enjoy it,” Ziegler says.

Travelers

Jacob Ford, photo editor for the Ellensburg Daily Record and recent Ellensburg resident, says that he was initially drawn into the backdrops and scenery that surround Kittitas County.

“I came here for the views. I spent four years in Odessa as a photojournalist and what I missed most about Alabama after moving away from home (besides family) was water-related activities,” says Ford. 

“I spent about two years keeping an eye out for job locations that had the geographical resources I was longing for. I wasn’t disappointed with Ellensburg. Kittitas County is extremely diverse,” he says.

The views aren’t the only part of the area that draws in residents. Ford explains how recreation is one of the biggest attractions for people considering living in the ‘Burg. 

He’s sure everyone has a reason why they choose to stay in Ellensburg, but says you’ll never hear someone complain about the lack of recreation here.

“I really enjoy the Yakima River. I used to have a motorcycle and riding the Canyon was a blast. Hiking trails are much more enjoyable here than the ones I used to have in West Texas,” Ford says. “Honestly, I just love to go out with the pup in the car and go for a drive looking for old barns and iconic looking landscapes which seem to be scattered all over Kittitas County.”

Ford suggests potential movers to the area buy snowshoes for winter hiking, consider adding a roof rack to their cars for things like mountain biking, camping, skiing and kayaking, bring a fishing pole, a camera, invest in good hiking boots and a cowboy hat. 

“I'd say a cowboy hat isn’t required but probably encouraged,” says Ford.