Small town charm in metro seattle area (Vancouver, Bainbridge Island: home, good schools)

[mustang12]

I am currently considering moving to Washington. However, I am trying to find some places where I may like to live. I am looking for something very reminiscent of New England, with good schools and within a one-hour drive (each way) to downtown Seattle. The smaller the population the better, but I need to be close to places to shop/doctor's office things of that sort. I don't mind commuting long distances but I am not a big fan of lots of traffic. I would also like 1/2 to 1 acre of land and a home with about 1500 square feet or more of land for about 300k. Any suggestions?

[gallo]

Somewhere out past the Bainbridge Island area maybe?

I think it's going to be pretty hard to find something with all of those requirements. Are any of them higher priority than the others?

I could be wrong though. Others will pop in shortly and might be of more help.

Have you ever visited WA before?

[gallo]

Just me again.

In the title of thread you mention that you are looking for something in the Portland metro area.

In the body of your post you mention that you are looking for something in the Seattle metro area.

Which area are you looking to move?

[scirocco22]

Wait a sec.

You're confusing us. First you say "metro Portland area" as the title to your thread. Then in the body of your thread you mention a one-hour drive to Seattle. There's no way you can accomplish both. Downtown Portland is at least 3 hours away from Seattle if you allow for traffic congestion.

I was about to mention some of the suburbs around Vancouver but then I noticed your requirement of being within an hour of Seattle. Physically imposible.

So let's start off with this: Do you want to be near Portland or near Seattle?

[mustang12]

good schools, some land (1/2 acre or more), small town, long commute time is ok.

[scirocco22]

Ah, I hate to break it to you, but I think what you're looking for will be difficult for $300k. Anything that is within an hour commute of Seattle with a big lot and a New England-type atmosphere will be much more money. Either that, or you'll have to consider something more than an hour out. Say, rural Snohomish County, rural Pierce County or even parts of south King County. However, with the horrendous traffic in the Seattle area, those places could all be way over an hour away.

I'll think on it some and if I come up with any suggestions, I'll get back to you. Or hopefully, somebody else will dispute what I've said and give you some good leads.

[mayfair]

Check out Snohomish- it's a small town with an historic district, which may offer the New England feel you're looking for. You will need to increase your price range for that much land/house within an hour of Seattle.