Hi Bryan,
I lived in Richland twice. for a few years each. It is a nice area. The summers are hot and dry. The winters are often very cold and can stay frozen at about 20 deg for ten to twelve weeks at a time.
The nuclear waste is as Drwtsn32 says. My own exposure record, having worked in waste farm areas and hot cells, is the same as someone who was never exposed. The rumors greatly embellish a few sad incidents.
Some of my best JW friends are still there ... but there is no longer any contact with them. In many ways, to me Richland was like Southern, California. I grew up in Riverside, CA. I was used to the sun and people on the go. So, after I moved to Washington state, on the west side, I became depressed with all the rain and no sunshine. People there lived like little hermits. When I discovered Richland, it was like going home again to a taste of California.
Housing and rental prices are reasonable, however, and if you don't mind a bit of a commute, you can do even better by buying a house in West Richland or Benton City. I bought a brand new home in Benton City for only $41,500. Today, it probably sells for $125,000 or so. But it beats where I am at now, as the same house would be about $250,000.
I think that if you stay there a while, it will grow on you ... and you should come away with some good memories. The current Kingdom Hall is located next to the Mormon Church (there are lots of Mormons there) ... oddly enough, the Mormons donated the land to the JWs so they could have a better place for their Kingdom Hall. Yep, two peas in a pod. - Jim W.