What can you tell me about........ (Seattle, Tacoma: real estate market, apartments, to rent)

[MaggiesMama]

Olympia
Kent
Bremerton
Mt Vernon
Anacortes and
Port Townsend?

My husband and I are wanting to move to Washington hopefully by this Summer, at the latest Fall. We have done a lot of research and really like these areas from what we've see on the internet. But, it's always nice to get someones point of view who knows the area. We REALLY like Bellingham/Everett as well....but, have a good source of info as my good friend lives in Ev.
We are looking to rent a house and hopefully find a job. I guess im looking for $$ info-affordablitly, job-wise, and anything about the towns themselves.

We have a 14.5 month old daughter and want to find a kid-friendly town-somewhere safe to raise our daughter. We are moving from No. California.

ANY info would be appreciated. Thanks!!!!

Bobbi

[MaggiesMama]

Oh bummer...so many views, but no opinions.....

[Andy]

Olympia

Olympia is the state capital and hub of the South Sound. The Olympia, Lacey, & Tumwater area is basically one city. 225,000 people live in the area and it is growing fast. It is getting a lot harder to find homes under $200,000 here. The state govt. and the nearby military bases are the largest employers. Good schools, affordable housing (compared with other parts of the Greater Puget Sound area), and scenic splender draw people to the area. Downtown Olympia has some charm. It is home to a waterfront boardwalk on the southern arm of Puget Sound and the state's 2nd largest farmers market behind Seattle's Pike Place Market.


Kent

Kent is a suburb and job center in between Seattle and Tacoma. The city itself stretches across three distinct areas.

The west side of the city, on the west hill around I-5 is home to mostly older homes and apartments. It is primarily served by the Federal Way schools. Neighboring Des Moines is nicer with its views of the sound and Olympic Mts.

The valley portion of Kent is home to downtown and the the Valley Commercial / Industrial area, one of the largest job centers in the area. REI's corporate HQs is here, Boeing has major operations here, and there are tons of warehouses.

The eastside of Kent up on the east hill is a mix between older suburbs and brand new suburbs. It is the home to the majority of people in Kent. All 4 of the Kent High Schools are located on the east hill and plateau. Neighboring Covington and Maple Valley have a lot in common with this part of Kent.

Kent isn't too far away from Seattle, Bellevue, or Tacoma, so plenty of jobs in the area. Kent is more affordable than places north, but is getting less affordable, especially in the areas closest to the Cascade foothills.

Auburn and parts of Renton also have a lot in common with Kent and may be more affordable.

Bremerton

Bremerton is a navy town. It is more rugged than the surrounding communities in Kitsap County such as Port Orchard or Silverdale, but it is getting nicer. The population center and commerical hub of the area is Silverdale, just north of Bremerton. A ferry links Bremerton with Seattle so if you can't find a job in the Bremerton area, you can take the ferry to downtown Seattle.

Mt Vernon

Mount Vernon is the hub of the Skagit Valley, a major tulip growing area. You can find most shops and amenities there and neighboring Burlington, where the mall is. A lot of the growth in the area is from commuters from Snohomish County looking for more affordable housing.


Anacortes

Anacortes, the gateway to the San Juan Islands. A very gorgeous place that is rapidly becoming less affordable. It isn't a major employment center unless you are in the petroleum industry.

Port Townsend


Victorian Port Townsend. It is a beautiful, touristry place. Not a lot of job prospects however. Sequim to the west is going through a growth boom, due to their great scenary and 15 inches of rainfall, so more service oriented employment is growing there.

If you have any questions, please ask, and I will try to answer.

[qqrzza]

You mentioned looking at Port Townsend as a possible place to move to and seek employment. Keep in mind that employmet opportunities on the Olympic Peninsula are extremely limited, regardless of one's education, experience, or resume. Port Townsend is growing rapidly with wealthy retirees from southern California. This has fueled a roaring real estate market with prices zooming to new heights daily. Jefferson County, with Port Townsend as it's seat of government, is basically an anti-business climate. This has made for a beautiful place to visit, vacation, or retire, but not a place to find living-wage employment. Do your homework before coming to the Port Townsend area looking for a job.

[Quantum]

Well, I for one, thank Andy for his consistently good information.

[KarenR]

Hi , if you are looking for a retirment community in Sequim there is a beautiful senior property called Pioneer Villa on Prairie Street. The lovely community is affordable housing and they currently have openings which means your rent could be just 30 percent of your gross income!
Karen

[rosystarr]

My husband is in the Navy, and we are going to move to Shelton, Washington, ...it is a smaller community..around 8,000 ppl more or less,..a retirement community,...seems very safe from the research we have done..

a small commute to work , if you have to work in Olympia or Bremerton, but that would be a wonderful place to live...i think.