2 Transplants Share Why They Chose to Settle Down on the Palouse 

Joseph Pallen

The Palouse region, which includes Moscow, ID, and Pullman, WA, is known for its universities, beautiful, hilly landscape, cutting-edge companies and vibrant entertainment options. While perfect for people of all ages, this region is a great place for those looking to earn a degree, plant roots and grow a career. Over the years, many students who’ve moved to the region for college stayed or returned to kick off more than just another season of life; they chose to build a home and career here.

Hear From Two Locals

Ana Blaisdell, who first moved to the area in 2003 for college, left briefly for Los Angeles and returned to settle in Moscow. Tom Handy and his wife, Debbie, moved to Pullman in 1984 to attend Washington State University.

Today, Blaisdell is the member services manager for the Moscow Chamber of Commerce + Visitor Center, and Handy is the owner of Paradise Creek Brewery in Pullman and a Whitman County commissioner.

What made you want to relocate to the Palouse region?

Blaisdell: I originally came up to the Moscow-Pullman area back in 2003 when I was accepted to Washington State University. I finished college there and went back and forth between Pullman and Moscow. I really loved the area. I met my husband, who went to the University of Idaho in Moscow, and we ended up getting married.

Handy: My youngest sister had attended Washington State University, and I visited her once. I liked the school. It was in a small town, which I was accustomed to, so Debbie and I moved to Pullman to go to school. 

After graduating, what made you want to stay in the region?

Blaisdell: I thought I was going to be moving away from the area after I graduated. My husband and I decided to move to Los Angeles because he wanted to get into TV and film. So, we moved to Los Angeles, were there for about three years, and realized it’s very expensive and there aren’t any seasons. We ultimately decided to move back to Moscow. Moscow is a place you try to leave, but it always brings you back.

Handy: By the time my wife and I graduated, we had both been offered jobs at the university. We bought a house that next year, and we’re still in it. We raised three boys here. We decided to stay because we enjoyed the town. It’s very stable. We both liked what we were doing a great deal. Pullman had great schools, and the cost of living was low, so we just said, ‘Let’s do this for a while.’ And a while became a lifetime.

What is the region’s job market like?

Blaisdell: There are a lot of big players who are always hiring, like Schweitzer Engineering, Lightcast, the University of Idaho and Washington State University. So, there’s no real shortage of jobs. Between all the small businesses and nonprofits and banks, there’s always a job somewhere.

Handy: Schweitzer Engineering is always hiring. If you’re a student and want to work part time, the service industry always has work in the restaurants, bars, hotels. 

Courtesy of Rendezvous in the Park

What do you love about your community?

Blaisdell: We have great arts and culture represented here. We are the heart of the arts in Moscow. It’s so easy to get around, too. After living in Los Angeles for three years, the 30 minutes of rush hour that we have doesn’t bother me.

Handy: There’s a lot more here than meets the eye. If you’re an outdoorsy person, there are all kinds of places to go and things to see, like biking, camping, boating. We have a cabin up in Lake Coeur d’Alene and visit there quite a bit. There are always things to do. You can access entertainment quickly and easily from Pullman. A lot is going on, and you’re close enough to the stuff you need.