Looking for a cheaper version of North Bend... Any such thing? (Seattle: short sale, home) - Seattle and King County Suburbs - City-Data Forum

lisamarie1981 · 08-05-2012, 06:27 PM

Hi there..

I currently live in Phoenix, AZ and am DYING to get out of here!! lol. I've lived in the northwest when I was younger, mostly in the Seattle area. I WANT TO MOVE BACK TO TREES!

I've always loved Seattle, but it's gotten so expensive and crowded, best left to weekend visits then living there for me. North Bend always seemed like home to me, but it's just so expensive! Looking for some suggestions ANYWHERE in Washington. I really don't remember specifics of towns, etc.. don't really know where to start and I would love some suggestions from locals please!

What i'm looking for:

LOCATION: I'm looking for a smaller town, not "blink and you miss is small" but not overrun, citified, suburbs. LOVE old downtowns with mom and pop stores, funky local spots, coffee shops, bookstores, etc. Ever visited any of the Ski Towns in Colorado? Imagine the downtown areas in those. (Hopefully without 600" of snow!!) BIG MUST... Trees. Mountains. Green. Not into flat. I live in flat. Not cool. :-/

ATTRACTIONS: I'm super big into hiking. I'd love somewhere that has a ton of hiking trails to nice places at my doorstep basically. Think about North Bend... Mt Si right at your fingertips. You live at the base of a trail head so you always have the ability to take a little hike after work! Love water.. lakes, rivers, streams, anything like that!

AMENITIES: Large hospital must be within 30 miles or so.

WEATHER: Looking for all 4 seasons. I loooove the cool, cloudy, northwest weather. Don't mind heat in the summer, snow in the winter... but certainly don't want more heat then necessary. It's 108 degrees outside right now. Ugh. Hiding in my little "woman cave" doing research on moving. Need I say more?

And lastly, this will be my "settling spot". I want to buy a little house, start a family, settle down. Safety wise, think of it this way, if you wouldn't move you and your little kiddos there, please don't suggest. Wish I could settle in North Bend, WA.. love it there. But try to find any decent little home around 150k. Just not possible.

Sooo... am I reaching for the stars my friends?? Any suggestions??

tobester · 08-05-2012, 07:38 PM

Cle Elum?

corvidae · 08-05-2012, 08:44 PM

I am not from Seattle so I don't know what I'm talking about, but I have been interested in the area along the Skykomish River, including Index, Gold Bar and Sultan. It is a longer drive to Seattle so it is not as expensive as North Bend. It is along the hwy going up to Stevens Pass. I think that I've read on City Data that the area is a little bit depressed. I've also been looking at Granite Falls which is close to Mt. Pilchuck.

I should admit that I've never been to Seattle, but am just thinking of moving there in a few years. I am looking for about the same thing as you.

Hemlock140 · 08-05-2012, 08:55 PM

Cle Elum would be a great choice except that the schools are not great and the prices are still going to be higher except for the occasional older short sale or further into the boonies, such as Ronald. If you need a job to support the payments that area will also be difficult. There's nothing in that price range in an area with any jobs. If that's not a problem for you, then I would definitely try Cle Elum if not for kids in school. On a scale of 1-10 where North Bend is about an 8, I'd put Cle Elum at about 5. With additional time spent helping them at home they could do OK, but the better schools are in the more expensive areas. Good schools increase property values greatly.

I would not know of any other area that would suit you better, though. For a bit more you might be better off trying Poulsbo, or Bellingham.

Hemlock140 · 08-05-2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvidae

I am not from Seattle so I don't know what I'm talking about, but I have been interested in the area along the Skykomish River, including Index, Gold Bar and Sultan. It is a longer drive to Seattle so it is not as expensive as North Bend. It is along the hwy going up to Stevens Pass. I think that I've read on City Data that the area is a little bit depressed. I've also been looking at Granite Falls which is close to Mt. Pilchuck.

I should admit that I've never been to Seattle, but am just thinking of moving there in a few years. I am looking for about the same thing as you.

Just be careful, that areas is well known for meth problems and related property crime, and even less jobs than Cle Elum. Good place to retire as long as you are prepared but not to raise kids.

lisamarie1981 · 08-05-2012, 09:04 PM

Thanks for the suggestions! Has to be near a hospital, because that is where my husband will be working. He's an EMT. I've seen pictures of Cle Elum. Seems nice! I'll look into it more.

I've heard of Granite Falls. Need to look that one up too. Thanks for all the info!

happyhunting · 08-05-2012, 09:58 PM

What about Winthrop? It's about the same size as the recommended Cle Elum, further north though in Okanogan county. It's warmer in the summer than Seattle, snowier in the winter, very distinct seasons, and has a main street that is more distinctively "western" feeling and reminds me exactly of Colorado. I don't know anything about the schools.......but they have their own ems rescue and also transport to two hospitals within about 45 miles (I know it's not the 30 miles) and it's in the scenic Cascade loop, close to lake Chelan, lots of hiking.......

sean98125 · 08-06-2012, 07:48 AM

Look at Port Angeles.

tacompton253 · 08-07-2012, 11:52 AM

If you want 4 distinct seasons, you will have to leave the western side of the cascades and focus on the eastern side. Anywhere along the I-5 corridor you will see over population (that is where most of the jobs are, so there is a reason for the high density population). Ellensburg and Wenatchee come to my mind as far as outdoor life/hiking, rivers, lakes, mts..etc and def on the dryer side of the Mts that is not too over populated and have your criteria of hospitals. I dont know what the housing/school is like though. Bellingham and Olympia are also a good choices in my mind. Anytime you get further away from the Seattle metro you will see less population and cheaper prices.

I dont know if you are 100% settled on the Seattle area, but if you are not. I would also suggest going south towards portland area. Ridgefield is a town that fits most of your 'wants'.

I am biased on this, but Bend, Oregon is also a good choice and gives you everything you want on your list.

I grew up in the PacNW and i def got tired of the constant greyness/dampness and traffic. Beautiful area though!

lisamarie1981 · 08-10-2012, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacompton253

If you want 4 distinct seasons, you will have to leave the western side of the cascades and focus on the eastern side. Anywhere along the I-5 corridor you will see over population (that is where most of the jobs are, so there is a reason for the high density population). Ellensburg and Wenatchee come to my mind as far as outdoor life/hiking, rivers, lakes, mts..etc and def on the dryer side of the Mts that is not too over populated and have your criteria of hospitals. I dont know what the housing/school is like though. Bellingham and Olympia are also a good choices in my mind. Anytime you get further away from the Seattle metro you will see less population and cheaper prices.

I dont know if you are 100% settled on the Seattle area, but if you are not. I would also suggest going south towards portland area. Ridgefield is a town that fits most of your 'wants'.

I am biased on this, but Bend, Oregon is also a good choice and gives you everything you want on your list.

I grew up in the PacNW and i def got tired of the constant greyness/dampness and traffic. Beautiful area though!

Thanks for the ideas!! I will look into Ridgefield. I drove through Bend for the first time lsat month and have to admit, it was BEAUTIFUL. We really are open to anywhere in the northwest, Oregon or Washington. Kinda stuck on Grants Pass, OR.. but I also love Seattle... so keeping all options open.