WeisserTee--I agree, Mill Creek is a great area! We used to live adjacent to it and that was on my daily walking route.

Btw, if you decide to explore Mill Creek a little further, this place looks like a good spot for spending a month to kick the community tires...

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Vacation...ashington.html

mms, thanks for that! I spent a little time there with DH when we were back in the area for my MiL's funeral/celebration of life. Central Market was terrific.

My idea of food shopping nirvana: a community with Central Market, Wegman's and a thriving farmer's market.

WeisserTee--Central Market was brand new when we were leaving, but then lived there again (another area of Snohomish) later when we started living here near Portland as well as up there (splitting our time, as we do now). DH knows that when we are done paying tuition down here, that is where we will settle for good once again.

Bob, you're thinking about Trip Advisor. Fodor's let's us talk travel/relocation ideas. Lucky you with the A/C!!!

Mill Creek is a planned suburban community. If you like suburbs, you'll love it. If you like cities you won't. We are all different especially when it comes to what we are looking for in a place to retire.

"If you like cities you won't"

We LOVE cities and have lived in several major cities (and are living in one right now) but we still see the appeal of MC. My in-laws lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuwait City, New York City, and London, among others, loved all of those, but still enjoyed life in MC.

Not everyone see everything in straight black/white, yes/no categories.

+1 WeisserTee

Fair enough. It does surprise me, though.

Mill Creek is an interesting suggestion, but we were hoping to find someplace close to water, even though I imagine it's pretty cold. My husband likes to sail (no golf or tennis) and just feels better when he is close to water.

Thanks for the clarification on the thread staying up.

topeater--Then take a look at Edmonds. It is right on the water and a very nice community. It has a nice downtown area with lots of unique shops and restaurants (not chain stuff of either), and of course the ferry dock is right there.

Yes, Edmonds is a good suggestion, as was the previous suggestion of Mukilteo.

topeater--Even if you settle somewhere a bit away from the water, there is good sailing all over the area. DH loves to sail too (retired Navy, haha!) and so we always head up to Whidbey to Oak Harbor and sail out of there down to Coupeville. We like that as the waters are not near as congested as the lakes around Seattle. So that just gives you an idea that you can still do that even as day trip if you are living elsewhere.

Did some research on Edmonds and really liked it. We will need to add it to our areas to check out.

Thanks mms for the sailing info. We like areas that aren't too congested especially if there are a lot of motor boats.

Kirkland is another place to consider, if you like Edmonds. Expensive, but lovely downtown.

I agree, Kirkland is wonderful

Kirkland is GORGEOUS, right on Lake Washington.