Which area in Washington?
Sep 1st, 2005, 05:51 PM
#1
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Which area in Washington?
My husband and I are planning way ahead for retirement (hey, I'm a financial planner - can't help it), and looking at WA as a possibility.
We love where we live now, but not the 60"+ of snow we get each year.
We'd like to find something comparable in feel - we live on the coast right now, in a beautiful historic seaport, voted one of the best 100 art towns of America. There's always some sort of festival going on here, and we like that community feel. The population is about 18K (we like this size - not too big, not too small), with lots of good restaurants, a live theatre, waterfrong park where free concerts are held, great boutiquey shops, good library, other nice towns surrounding, very little crime, and beautiful architecture. An average home here (3BR/2BA) sells for @500K.
We don't want to move to a place that's great with nothing else around it, and want to stay withing driving distance of the coast. We also would like to be close to town so we could walk as we do now to the center of things. We definitely want a place with a vibrant "downtown". Being very close to a good hospital is also key, as my husband has had some heart problems.
We get about 40" of rain here a year, but I think we would be crazed with constant drizzle and no sun.
Of course we plan to visit the areas on our list, but to help in planning, we'd like to know if we are in the ballpark with any of our "picks":
Anacortes
Port Townsend
Whidbey/Oak Harbor/Coupeville/Langley
Bellingham
Mount Vernon
Sequim
Any insight people can provide would be appreciated.
We love where we live now, but not the 60"+ of snow we get each year.
We'd like to find something comparable in feel - we live on the coast right now, in a beautiful historic seaport, voted one of the best 100 art towns of America. There's always some sort of festival going on here, and we like that community feel. The population is about 18K (we like this size - not too big, not too small), with lots of good restaurants, a live theatre, waterfrong park where free concerts are held, great boutiquey shops, good library, other nice towns surrounding, very little crime, and beautiful architecture. An average home here (3BR/2BA) sells for @500K.
We don't want to move to a place that's great with nothing else around it, and want to stay withing driving distance of the coast. We also would like to be close to town so we could walk as we do now to the center of things. We definitely want a place with a vibrant "downtown". Being very close to a good hospital is also key, as my husband has had some heart problems.
We get about 40" of rain here a year, but I think we would be crazed with constant drizzle and no sun.
Of course we plan to visit the areas on our list, but to help in planning, we'd like to know if we are in the ballpark with any of our "picks":
Anacortes
Port Townsend
Whidbey/Oak Harbor/Coupeville/Langley
Bellingham
Mount Vernon
Sequim
Any insight people can provide would be appreciated.
Sep 2nd, 2005, 02:38 AM
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One thing I forgot to mention.
We are recreational skiers, and would love to be within driving distance of a ski resort.
Right now we drive 4 hours to our place in VT, so that would be acceptable.
Is there skiing near Pt. Townsend?
We are recreational skiers, and would love to be within driving distance of a ski resort.
Right now we drive 4 hours to our place in VT, so that would be acceptable.
Is there skiing near Pt. Townsend?
Sep 2nd, 2005, 10:16 AM
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I'll add one to your list: Vashon Island. Sounds similar to where you live and has the advantage of being a 15 minute ferry ride from Seattle, with all its advantages. It has a web site so you might get some ideas.
Dick
Dick
Sep 2nd, 2005, 07:22 PM
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Wanderer, Port T is a nice community, but you could not be more poorly located for skiing. The best three ski areas in Washington that are Mt. Baker-near Bellingham, Stevens Pass-east of Everett, and Crystal Mountain-tucked behind Mt. Rainier National Park. tcapp suggested Gig Harbor and that would not be a bad spot to reach Crystal. Edmonds is very much in the urban area but has a quaint downtown and salt water frontage, that would not be a bad spot to reach Stevens. Bellingham has some charm (maybe not enough for you) and is nearest Baker. In addition, Bellingham is near the Canadian Border and the closest area in Washington to Whistler, B.C. a first rate ski resort. They're having the 2010 Winter Olympics there for good reason.
Normally, I would suggest you take a good look at the Sequim area, but the skiing and the hospital situation would not suit your needs. Mt. Vernon would bore you to tears. Anacortes has some very nice waterfront and view property, but the downtown lacks, well pretty much everthing you want. Whidbey is wonderful, but probably too far from the city, skiing and medical facilities for you.
As I write it seems more like you really need to take a close look at Bellingham. As you look you should keep some imagination in mind. Today the shore is dominated by a tired industrial area and paper mill. All that is on its way out soon. There is a major waterfront redevelopment in the works. Mixed use residential and shopping is coming. The medical center is respectable. Restaurants are on the improve, all though still far below Seattle standards. You should consider a timeshare at Whistler or buy outright if you have the means. Also, if you seriously consider Bellingham, buy sooner rather than later even if you are planning far ahead. That way you'll beat the fast rising prices and you'll have lodging for the Olympics.
Normally, I would suggest you take a good look at the Sequim area, but the skiing and the hospital situation would not suit your needs. Mt. Vernon would bore you to tears. Anacortes has some very nice waterfront and view property, but the downtown lacks, well pretty much everthing you want. Whidbey is wonderful, but probably too far from the city, skiing and medical facilities for you.
As I write it seems more like you really need to take a close look at Bellingham. As you look you should keep some imagination in mind. Today the shore is dominated by a tired industrial area and paper mill. All that is on its way out soon. There is a major waterfront redevelopment in the works. Mixed use residential and shopping is coming. The medical center is respectable. Restaurants are on the improve, all though still far below Seattle standards. You should consider a timeshare at Whistler or buy outright if you have the means. Also, if you seriously consider Bellingham, buy sooner rather than later even if you are planning far ahead. That way you'll beat the fast rising prices and you'll have lodging for the Olympics.
Sep 2nd, 2005, 07:26 PM
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Wanderer, Port T is a nice community, but you could not be more poorly located for skiing. The best three ski areas in Washington are Mt. Baker-near Bellingham, Stevens Pass-east of Everett, and Crystal Mountain-tucked behind Mt. Rainier National Park. tcapp (is that you Tom?) suggested Gig Harbor and that would not be a bad spot to reach Crystal. Edmonds is very much in the urban area but has a quaint downtown and salt water frontage, that would not be a bad spot to reach Stevens. Bellingham has some charm (maybe not enough for you) and is nearest Baker. In addition, Bellingham is near the Canadian Border and the closest area in Washington to Whistler, B.C. a first rate ski resort. They're having the 2010 Winter Olympics there for good reason.
Normally, I would suggest you take a good look at the Sequim area, but the skiing and the hospital situation would not suit your needs. Mt. Vernon would bore you to tears. Anacortes has some very nice waterfront and view property, but the downtown lacks, well pretty much everthing you want. Whidbey is wonderful, but probably too far from the city, skiing and medical facilities for you.
As I write it seems more like you really need to take a close look at Bellingham. As you look you should keep some imagination in mind. Today the shore is dominated by a tired industrial area and paper mill. All that is on its way out soon. There is a major waterfront redevelopment in the works. Mixed use residential and shopping is coming. The medical center is respectable. Restaurants are on the improve, all though still far below Seattle standards. You should consider a timeshare at Whistler or buy outright if you have the means. Also, if you seriously consider Bellingham, buy sooner rather than later even if you are planning far ahead. That way you'll beat the fast rising prices and you'll have lodging for the Olympics. You might consider a pre-sale on the redevelopment area when that happens.
Normally, I would suggest you take a good look at the Sequim area, but the skiing and the hospital situation would not suit your needs. Mt. Vernon would bore you to tears. Anacortes has some very nice waterfront and view property, but the downtown lacks, well pretty much everthing you want. Whidbey is wonderful, but probably too far from the city, skiing and medical facilities for you.
As I write it seems more like you really need to take a close look at Bellingham. As you look you should keep some imagination in mind. Today the shore is dominated by a tired industrial area and paper mill. All that is on its way out soon. There is a major waterfront redevelopment in the works. Mixed use residential and shopping is coming. The medical center is respectable. Restaurants are on the improve, all though still far below Seattle standards. You should consider a timeshare at Whistler or buy outright if you have the means. Also, if you seriously consider Bellingham, buy sooner rather than later even if you are planning far ahead. That way you'll beat the fast rising prices and you'll have lodging for the Olympics. You might consider a pre-sale on the redevelopment area when that happens.
Sep 2nd, 2005, 07:30 PM
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sorry about the double post
Weather- is better in Sequim than most other places because of the Olympic Mt. rain shadow. North of Seattle is a bit worse than south. Between Seattle and Everett is terrible because of what's called the Puget Sound Convergence Zone. That's where the winds aloft meet after splitting around the Olympic Range to the north and south. They come right together over Edmonds and just seep all winter.
Weather- is better in Sequim than most other places because of the Olympic Mt. rain shadow. North of Seattle is a bit worse than south. Between Seattle and Everett is terrible because of what's called the Puget Sound Convergence Zone. That's where the winds aloft meet after splitting around the Olympic Range to the north and south. They come right together over Edmonds and just seep all winter.
Sep 2nd, 2005, 07:59 PM
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As I posted on your OR thread, medical care is the weakness of the OP, particularly specialist care and access to high tech medicine.
Other than that, Port Townsend (and by extension, Port Ludlow) is a wonderful place to live. But property values are rising fast, which has led to some resentment by long time residents toward wealthier incoming retirees (job opps are not that good, so the non-retiree or those are who are independently well-off have more and more found themselves priced out of PT and forced into the less desirable communities like Port Hadlock or Brinnon).
It's true the OP is not the best place for skiing, but you can still do winter sports. When my in-laws lived in Sequim, they would go snowshoeing up around Hurricane Ridge. There are frequent guided snowshoe walks. They enjoyed it very much.
Although Sequim has one of the most beautiful climates in the U.S., like late spring for months on end, it doesn't have the cultural offerings that PT does.
Regarding OR, you know that 80% of their rain comes between October and April. Summers are long and glorious. It's not as dismal as you think--enjoy the summer, relax in the mostly snow-free winters, and take a two week vacation at the end of January to someplace bright and warm to get your sunshine fix.
P.S. Remember, that drizzle is wonderful for your skin. Like a free facial that lasts for hours.
Other than that, Port Townsend (and by extension, Port Ludlow) is a wonderful place to live. But property values are rising fast, which has led to some resentment by long time residents toward wealthier incoming retirees (job opps are not that good, so the non-retiree or those are who are independently well-off have more and more found themselves priced out of PT and forced into the less desirable communities like Port Hadlock or Brinnon).
It's true the OP is not the best place for skiing, but you can still do winter sports. When my in-laws lived in Sequim, they would go snowshoeing up around Hurricane Ridge. There are frequent guided snowshoe walks. They enjoyed it very much.
Although Sequim has one of the most beautiful climates in the U.S., like late spring for months on end, it doesn't have the cultural offerings that PT does.
Regarding OR, you know that 80% of their rain comes between October and April. Summers are long and glorious. It's not as dismal as you think--enjoy the summer, relax in the mostly snow-free winters, and take a two week vacation at the end of January to someplace bright and warm to get your sunshine fix.
P.S. Remember, that drizzle is wonderful for your skin. Like a free facial that lasts for hours.
Sep 2nd, 2005, 11:21 PM
#12
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Thanks all.
The skiing is not a major issue. Who knows if we will still want to ski much - or be able to - at the time we retire. We have a few timeshares now in VT that we can trade to Whistler.
The hospitals are a different story. Where we live now has a very small, adequate hospital, but I like that we are a 5 minute drive from it if my husband needs care. For specialist care, we go to Boston.
I had read that Whidbey and PT had hospitals. Is that not the case? I was assuming the same as here - that if specialist care was needed, off one would go to Seattle.
I like the sounds of PT - reminds me of where I live (at least what I have read of it). Definitely on the list to visit.
The skiing is not a major issue. Who knows if we will still want to ski much - or be able to - at the time we retire. We have a few timeshares now in VT that we can trade to Whistler.
The hospitals are a different story. Where we live now has a very small, adequate hospital, but I like that we are a 5 minute drive from it if my husband needs care. For specialist care, we go to Boston.
I had read that Whidbey and PT had hospitals. Is that not the case? I was assuming the same as here - that if specialist care was needed, off one would go to Seattle.
I like the sounds of PT - reminds me of where I live (at least what I have read of it). Definitely on the list to visit.
Sep 3rd, 2005, 01:08 AM
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Yes, PT has a hospital, a small, community hospital that offers specialist care, but in a limited fashion. Going from PT to Seattle for regular specialist visits is time consuming--at least a couple of hours by ferry/driving or by driving a few hours (to reach medical centers in Tacoma). For genuine, serious emergencies, life flights are available.
The PT Leader (www.ptleader.com) has done numerous articles on the PT hospital--some critical, some laudatory.
The PT Leader (www.ptleader.com) has done numerous articles on the PT hospital--some critical, some laudatory.
Sep 3rd, 2005, 07:18 AM
#14
From Port Townsend or Whidbey Island if anything serious went wrong, you'd probably come to a hospital in Seattle anyway.
Bellingham is not the vibrant town you seek. It would be absolutely last on my list. Along with Sequim.
I think you need to come visit out this way if you're serious. From this and your other post I can tell you don't have an accurate picture of what most of these towns are really like.
Port Townsend best fits what you want as far as atmosphere and similarity to your current location IMO. I would never choose it for myself because of being "stuck" out on the peninsula. To go ANYwhere, first you have to get off of it.
That said, I'd pick Corvallis, Oregon over any of the Washington options.
Bellingham is not the vibrant town you seek. It would be absolutely last on my list. Along with Sequim.
I think you need to come visit out this way if you're serious. From this and your other post I can tell you don't have an accurate picture of what most of these towns are really like.
Port Townsend best fits what you want as far as atmosphere and similarity to your current location IMO. I would never choose it for myself because of being "stuck" out on the peninsula. To go ANYwhere, first you have to get off of it.
That said, I'd pick Corvallis, Oregon over any of the Washington options.
Sep 3rd, 2005, 09:19 AM
#15
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Yes, we definitely plan visits - multiple visits, but were trying to narrow down the field a little bit.
Once we've shortened our list and visited, we will then visit often, and at different times of the year.
I think we would also rent our current home and rent where we think we might want to live - just in case. You never know.
Thanks everyone for all of your help.
Once we've shortened our list and visited, we will then visit often, and at different times of the year.
I think we would also rent our current home and rent where we think we might want to live - just in case. You never know.
Thanks everyone for all of your help.
Sep 3rd, 2005, 01:59 PM
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If you opt to stay in Eugene for a while, check out the rental complex Boulders (on the River). One of the nicer apartment complexes in the area and last time I checked, they did allow small pets (in case you have one). They would rather not have students (undergrads, anyway), so as active retirees, you'd be their dream tenants.
Nov 24th, 2005, 07:47 AM
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Friends of ours recommended we check out Walla Walla.
Don't know anything about this area of WA. Does it seem to fit our criteria (above)?
How is the weather there and how close to a metro area?
Don't know anything about this area of WA. Does it seem to fit our criteria (above)?
How is the weather there and how close to a metro area?
Nov 24th, 2005, 08:14 AM
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All the towns you list are great places to live but they are not near a "vibrant downtown." For this you need to consider towns and neighborhoods nearer to Seattle.
I am not familiar with health care in the towns you list, but I have been alarmed by what is available in other Washington towns of similar size. When I moved to Seattle in 1990, I went through several doctors before, in 1995, I finally found the Virginia Mason Medical Center, with which I am extremely pleased. (Virginia Mason has clinics in several towns near Seattle and in Port Angeles.)
Olympia is a pleasant town one-hour south
of Seattle when traffic is flowing freely.
I am not familiar with health care in the towns you list, but I have been alarmed by what is available in other Washington towns of similar size. When I moved to Seattle in 1990, I went through several doctors before, in 1995, I finally found the Virginia Mason Medical Center, with which I am extremely pleased. (Virginia Mason has clinics in several towns near Seattle and in Port Angeles.)
Olympia is a pleasant town one-hour south
of Seattle when traffic is flowing freely.
Nov 24th, 2005, 08:35 AM
#19
Walla Walla has a cute downtown and a lively arts environment due to Whitman College's presence (highly rated private liberal arts college.) However, it's a long way from anywhere else, and the coast is 4-5 hours away. There is some fine mountain country nearby in Oregon, and WW's home area (the Palouse) is gorgeous in the spring.
It's hot as hell in the summer, and cold in the winter. Continental, not coastal, climate.
We were out of the country when you first posted, so I didn't see it. Let me strongly suggest you add Olympia to your list. Nice size, lots of community life, an hour from the coast and Olympic NP, also an hour to downtown Seattle. Hospitals and good medical care, colleges nearby, and a lot of political vibe as it's the state capital. Check it out.
It's hot as hell in the summer, and cold in the winter. Continental, not coastal, climate.
We were out of the country when you first posted, so I didn't see it. Let me strongly suggest you add Olympia to your list. Nice size, lots of community life, an hour from the coast and Olympic NP, also an hour to downtown Seattle. Hospitals and good medical care, colleges nearby, and a lot of political vibe as it's the state capital. Check it out.
Nov 24th, 2005, 09:45 AM
#20
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We had checked out Olympia (reading about it), but crossed it off due to the rain. Seems to get alot (to us) - 7-8" for 4-5 months of the year.
As much as we liked the sound of Port Townsend, we have crossed that off for the same reason.
As much as we liked the sound of Port Townsend, we have crossed that off for the same reason.
