About Walla Walla

content_21777_518078491538474_299953411_nSmall Town Charm, Big Time Opportunity

If there’s a more family-friendly place with a higher quality of life than Walla Walla, Wash., we’re not aware of it. In fact, Money Magazine just ranked us among the top five best places to retire and in a recent poll from Rand McNally, Walla Walla was voted the friendliest small town and a runner up for best food in a small town.  We’re located in the southeastern corner of the state, surrounded by rolling wheat fields, plentiful vineyards, the Snake and Columbia rivers and the Blue Mountains. Lewis and Clark wandered through on their way to the ocean in 1806, and no doubt considered staying.

Walla Walla is known primarily for its wheat and agriculture, its sweet onions, and now its wine. More than 120 wineries call the valley home, with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and other fine varietals bringing national and international acclaim.

With a county population under 60,000, there’s still a small-town atmosphere and sensibility. Take a stroll down Main Street to the Saturday Farmer’s Market, and you’ll start to develop a feel for its friendliness and history. The revitalized downtown offers a wide range of shopping, art galleries, wineries and great cuisine.

Walla Walla is home to three colleges—Whitman College, Walla Walla University and Walla Walla Community College—and three hospitals. Our public school system is known for its excellence, and many private educational options are also available. With the Snake and Columbia rivers and Blue Mountains nearby, recreational options are plentiful.

All in all, it’s a great place to raise a family, a great place to start a business and a great place to invest in a booming real estate market. A Windermere agent can help you make the most of the opportunity.

 

City Awards and Recognition

2014

Walla Walla named as 24 Best Places to Live and Work 2014 by Sunset Magazine

2014

Walla Walla named as 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations 2014 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine

2013

Walla Walla named as semifinalist for Smart 21 Intelligent Communities for 2014.

2013

Walla Walla Police Department Merit award for masonry from the Masonry Industry
Promotions Group

2013

Wastewater Treatment Plant $mart Business Partner Award from Walla Walla Valley
Chamber of Commerce

 2013

 Fodor's list Walla Walla in 10 Best Small Towns in America

 2013

Received its 19th Tree City USA Award 

 2012

Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance from Washington State Department of Ecology 

 2012

Community Facilities award from the Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council

2012

Municipal Excellence in Public Works Award for Infrastructure Repair and Replacement
Plan from Association of Washington Cities

2012

Tonique Magazine names Walla Walla as Most Authentic Wine Region in America

2012

Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award from Tyler Technologies

2012

American Planning Association names Walla Walla in Top Ten Greatest Neighborhoods

2011

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association

2011

"Going Above & Beyond in Drinking Water Award from the Washington State
Department of Health

2011

State of Washington Governor's Smart Communities Award for the Washington Park Gathering Place project

2011

USA Today names Walla Walla as the Five Best Small Towns in America

2011

USA Today ranked Walla Walla friendliest town in the country

2011

Rand McNally names Walla Walla as the Friendliest Small Town in America

2010

Government Fleet Magazine awards the Fleet Services Division with the "Environmental Leadership Award"

2010

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association

2009

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association

2009

Sunset Magazine named Walla Walla "the west's 20 best small towns"

2008

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association

2007

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association

2006

CNNMoney.com names Walla Walla one of the "Top 5 Places to Retire"

2005

Sunset Magazine named Walla Walla "the 2005 Wine Destination of the Year"

2005

Received ESRI Special Achievement in Geographic Information Systems

2004

Downtown nominated for the 2005 Preserve America Presidential Award

2004

Received its 10th Tree City USA Award and its 4th Tree Growth Award

2002

One of 12 national "Distinctive Destinations" by National Trust for Historic Preservation

2002

Sunset Magazine's "The West's Best Places to Live" and "Best Main Street"

2001

"The Great American Main Street Award," National Trust for Historic Preservation