I truly need some help... (Seattle, Bellevue: for rent, movers, houses)

[Amberyl]

Two and a half months ago i decided i wanted to move from Arizona to a quaint small town that had four seasons (snow included) and good schools, and that was about 30 mins or so from a big city.

So i got online and started researching. I researched every single day until about two weeks ago, when i thought i had found the perfect place... Poulsbo. Washington is definitely the state i am looking for.

I got everything set up with the schools, movers, etc. I packed up my stuff and set off on the road 5 days ago.

I drove to Poulsbo on Thursday to pay for one of the several houses for rent i had been considering. But as i entered the town, much to my dismay, it was much more like a big city than a small town! Even in spite of the population of 6,000.

I drove every inch of Poulsbo, trying to convince myself it would work for me. But it really isn't what i was looking for at all. The establishments are very quaint and lovely. But the streets are so busy. And the town is just so BIG. It might take hours just to walk through it.

I am looking for a small town where everyone knows each other. And where my kids will be safe walking across the streets. A town where i can walk to the store if i don't feel like driving. And cute, if at all possible.

I got a couple recommends in Poulsbo for Port Townsend, so i checked it out. It was much better as far as traffic goes. But it is just so far from any big cities. And it was still rather big.

Can someone please recommend a town that might be more what i am looking for? The movers arrive at the end of the month and i need to be able to tell them where to take my stuff! Please help.

[ArcticPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Amberyl

Two and a half months ago i decided i wanted to move from Arizona to a quaint small town that had four seasons (snow included) and good schools, and that was about 30 mins or so from a big city.

So i got online and started researching. I researched every single day until about two weeks ago, when i thought i had found the perfect place... Poulsbo. Washington is definitely the state i am looking for.

I got everything set up with the schools, movers, etc. I packed up my stuff and set off on the road 5 days ago.

I drove to Poulsbo on Thursday to pay for one of the several houses for rent i had been considering. But as i entered the town, much to my dismay, it was much more like a big city than a small town! Even in spite of the population of 6,000.

I drove every inch of Poulsbo, trying to convince myself it would work for me. But it really isn't what i was looking for at all. The establishments are very quaint and lovely. But the streets are so busy. And the town is just so BIG. It might take hours just to walk through it.

I am looking for a small town where everyone knows each other. And where my kids will be safe walking across the streets. A town where i can walk to the store if i don't feel like driving. And cute, if at all possible.

I got a couple recommends in Poulsbo for Port Townsend, so i checked it out. It was much better as far as traffic goes. But it is just so far from any big cities. And it was still rather big.

Can someone please recommend a town that might be more what i am looking for? The movers arrive at the end of the month and i need to be able to tell them where to take my stuff! Please help.

Almost anywhere in West Virginia.

[5chevin5]

I would have to recommend going to the other side.. Maybe
Carnation, Duvall, Fall City or even the outskirts of North Bend..

Sorry living in Tokyo now and 6000 people are on the street corners in Shibuya every 2 minutes!

Good Luck though....I hope you find a place that fits.

5

[Amberyl]

I agree that West Virginia or even Connecticut would be right up my alley.

There are only a couple problems.

One... i am already here. And even if i wanted to, i do not have that kind of travel money.

And the second is that my children's father lives here. I would not want them to live that far from him.

[Amberyl]

5, have you been to any of those towns?

PS- I want to visit Japan so badly one day!

[5chevin5]

Yes, many times. They are very rural and quaint farming community. You can live in the in between places and feel like you are in the woods...Then jump into the car and be in downtown Bellevue or Issaquah in less then 30 minutes.

It has been awhile since I have, but I cant imagine the area has changed too much especially just outside the "town"...

Basically I would move anywhere Ira500 tells you too....he is usually spot on.

5

[Ira500]

I don't know the Olympic Peninsula real well, but on the Seattle side, maybe Black Diamond? It's a small town. There is one road that gets traffic, but the retail center is small and quaint and friendly and the bakery there is so outrageously good I'd gain 50 pounds in a matter of weeks.

[texastrigirl]

North Bend, Fall City and Preston are all smaller towns but are close to Issaquah and Sammamish. Of all those, North Bend is my favorite and it has amazing scenery sitting at the base of Mt Si. I think you can even go to the Park and Ride in Preston to get to downtown Seattle.

[orangeblossom]

Kingston, Port Orchard? Hmm not really sure. That place you want sounds like utopia though. Good luck in your search. Poulsbo had a silly scandal a few yrs ago which wouldn't make me want to live there,but my aunt does and she loves it. So, to each his/her own.

[sean98125]

Quaint small town 30 minutes from a big city?

You shouldn't be looking in the Seattle area at all.