Why the Palouse Is the Place to Live

Francisco Aguilar

Tony Poston likes the quick commute that gives him more family time. Angela Lenssen loves her active community service work now that her kids are almost grown. And Alys Lease finds the local arts scene a big draw for people her age. 

They all agree: The Palouse region, which includes Moscow, Idaho, and Pullman, Washington, is the place to be. 

Its sweeping natural beauty, proximity to two major universities and enviable quality of life make the Palouse region the perfect place for people of all ages. 

Whether you love to ski, cheer on your college football team, enjoy musical theater or volunteer, you’ll find it here in this vibrant, warm region that values diversity. Here are a few great reasons why you should consider making a move to Pullman and Moscow.

Why Move to Moscow?

“One of my favorite things about the Moscow community is the inclusive, ambitious energy,” says Lease, who attended the University of Idaho and now works for the Moscow Chamber of Commerce + Visitor Center. “Everyone is down to try new things and make sure that everyone in the community feels able to be involved.” 

Lease says professional prospects are one part of the area’s draw for those starting out. 

With two major universities – the University of Idaho and Washington State University – in proximity, cutting-edge companies such as Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) and Lightcast, health care providers such as Gritman Medical Center and Pullman Regional Hospital, and the many startups that are developing, there are great opportunities in a wide range of industries, Lease says. 

A self-described “comedy nerd,” Lease says theater, concerts and other shows are a big part of local socializing. 

Poston also attended college locally, in his case Washington State University, and after a few years in Seattle, he moved back to Pullman to grow his business, enjoy a more relaxed quality of life and, as it turned out, meet his wife, Emily, who teaches fifth grade.

He is the executive director of CougsFirst!, a unique Washington State University alumni business network, and he also started College Hill, which sells branded logo merchandise. 

Why Move to Pullman?

The Postons live in Pullman, where they are raising Jack, 3, and Tyler, 6 months, both named after university quarterbacks. He says the area’s outstanding health care and education are among the ways the Palouse region is great for families. Poston likes his quick commute, either the 15-minute walk to his local office or his commute via plane to his Seattle office. 

“We have a great airport here, Pullman-Moscow Regional,” he says. “From my door, if I leave at 4:30, I can be in my office by 6:30. I have friends in Seattle that have longer commutes than that.” 

The short commute means more time with his kids, enjoying the area’s many family-friendly activities, among them skiing, camping and hiking, and being involved in school and community activities. He is especially pleased that his children are growing up in a community that prizes diversity. 

Similar Cities, Diverse Populations 

Lenssen agrees. “Moscow and Pullman are so similar,” says Lenssen, who has raised three children in Pullman but spent considerable time in Moscow while they were growing up. “Both have large research institutions, both strongly prioritize education, both are very diverse in population. People here are connected and interested in learning about each other. We’re always getting to know new people.” 

Lenssen works with Poston at CougsFirst!, as executive assistant and special events coordinator. A University of Idaho grad, she and her husband, Dwayne, moved to the region 20 years ago to work on the family farm, which is an 1885 homestead. 

When children entered the picture, they moved to Pullman for its proximity to schools and amenities. Today, their youngest is a high school senior, and they are thinking of moving to their own farm about a half-hour north of town. 

In the meantime, she enjoys volunteering in organizations such as Palouse Pathways, which counsels and supports local youth, and the Pullman Educational Foundation. 

She is an avid hobby photographer and finds there is much to do now that the family’s busy schedule has calmed down. 

“There’s boating – we have such amazing lakes close by. And mountains for skiing and winter activities. There are wineries and breweries in the area. And arts and culture are more expansive here than you might imagine. I love that I can be busy with things I enjoy because I don’t have to spend so much time commuting,” she says.