Cheaper places to live in the Pacific NorthWest (Seattle, Camas: loan, home)

[Tinamholewinski]

Hi,

I currently live in Florida and just graduated from school. Thinking about going to grad school, but mainly want a change in scenery. I looked at a lot of schools in the Pacific NorthWest, but have a lot of options as of right now. My only issue is that I am a single mom that would be moving on the other side of the country, away from my family....so expense is an issue. I would like to move somewhere fairly progressive. I like an area with a rural feel that's not far from the city. I don't even mind living in the city, so long as it's not a suburb filled with mini-vans and "white picket fences". I am very modest when it comes to expenses. I go to a movie, or eat out maybe once or twice a month. My daughter and I do a lot of walking, wandering, window shopping.
Where are the cheaper places to live in the Pacific NorthWest? I would like to live somewhere realitively close to the water, since I live about 15 minutes from the beach now. No more than an hour away. Any suggestions?

Also, what's the cost of living like in your suggested area? Liberal or Conservative? Older or Younger? Transportation?

Thanks for the help!

[StealthRabbit]

An OR border (Tax free shopping) location in WA state (tax free income) will probably be your lowest cost option. Small rural town can have lower rents, but transportation, food costs and school quality will take a hit.

For good Schools (for daughter) and EZ access to higher ed (for you) and 10 minutes from a well served airport, PDX (family visits). I would look to Camas, WA. I saw a very cute home selling very cheap in an estate sale; only 2 blocks from bus, library, park, Safeway (Groc).

Your family may want to help you with a 'shared equity' loan to get established. (they get their 'return' later, but it is bound to be much, much higher than their current savings rates.)

Camas is 5 min to Columbia River (plenty of water), 15 min to Columbia Gorge recreation area, (endless pics / hiking), 25 min to downtown Portland, OR (culture / micro brew abundant)or 'wilderness designated forest', 40 min to Hood River, 1 Hr to Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, Beautiful OR coast, or drier climate (east). 2 hrs to Eugene, Or. 3 hrs to Seattle and Olympic Peninsula.

Grays Harbor area of WA may be the least Cost of Living destination near water. Beaches are not great or pretty, and job / school opportunities are elusive.

You should also check out some Hood Canal destinations while you're looking.

As a WA border resident I cannot recommend OR, as it has some difficult issues politically and financially. Schools are not well funded.