Where to live in the "country" in WA? Best small towns?

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by coastalsteelheader

Oh now come on. Twenty feet of water covering I-5 never stopped anyone.

So true, toughen up and buy a submarine for We_t Side winters

(I have a feeling this area will become more and more popular as things warm up.(dry out) I'm wash n' wear

[stearmann4]

Speaking of Tenino, did it get flooding like Chehalis in 2007? If I remember, it's got the Skookumchuck River nearby.

Mike-

[coastalsteelheader]

It got bad but the biggest problem with flooding was near the Centrailia overpass to Green Hill in Chehalis. There is a large section that floods out and too be honest I don't see any improvement coming.

The good news is I commuted from Aberdeen to Chehalis for almost 4 years and was never unable to get to work or home when the flooding happened. You can over the hills East of Chehalis and come back out in downtown Centraila and get where you need to go. If you live or work on the west side of I-5 you'd be up the creek though

[EscapingSuburbia]

Thanks for all the suggestions!!

[GiiPaa]

Olympia, Lacey, Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Gig Harbor, all are very nice smaller cities with all ameneties and conveniences. These smaller cities are safe, quiet, affordable and just a ferry ride from Seattle, or an hour and a half drive. They are nice places to raise a family, or retire, or just to live a less-harried, enjoyable life. Scenery is pretty, not all city.. and still plenty to do! Many smaller towns exist all over outside the congestion of the bigger city, without all the hassles and irritations, and less crime, lower taxes... The farther you get from Seattle the better, in my opinion.

[GiiPaa]

ALLYN, Belfair, or Shelton WA also have very country-feeling areas without being too far from amenities.

[chrisb19]

Enumclaw area? 30 Min to Tacoma, beautiful scenery, etc..

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by texastrigirl

Very different places but you can google them and see which you like best:

North Bend - east of downtown Seattle by about 35 miles, cool little mtn town but close to Issaquah, with Target, Costco, etc.
Anacortes - hopping off point for the San Juans though I am not sure it is in your price range, not exactly but small but has lots of personality
Mt Vernon - pretty town in the Skagit Valley area, home of the tulip festival
Sequim - home of the lavendar festival, more sunny than Seattle
Port Townsend - I love this place! On the water, great views...An Officer and A Gentleman was filmed in Port T.
Poulsbo - my friend's dad loves his life there. On the way to Sequim and Port T.
Camano Island/Stanwood - lots of beautiful small farm properties in Stanwood but close to Camano Island and water. 45 minutes from Seattle

I also love Whidbey Island but again, it might not be in your price range. But I might retire there or Orcas Island someday if I can afford it!

Port Townsend would be out because the OP wanted a Costco and Target, and we have to drive to Silverdale or Sequim for those, which is a 45-minute drive for me, 30+ if you live close to the south end of town. Poulsbo would be a good choice!

[Olympian2]

I was going to suggest Elma (or even McCleary) until I noticed that your idea of a small town is 20-50K. I am not familiar enough with the cities south of Olympia to make a suggestion. However, the cities of Olympia / Lacey / Tumwater are worth looking into.

If you're looking for acreage, west of Olympia to Elma is still relatively inexpensive.

[Toastyman]

I would suggest eather Whidby island or fidalgo island they connect to mainland with a bridge and have nice small towns such as Anacortes,Langley and Oak harbor