Anacortes-living and working there (Seattle, Tacoma: real estate, renters, new home)

[beckieteaches]

After several summers (and Thanksgivings) of visiting, my husband and I think we have retirement narrowed down to Anacortes. We are ready to get out of the summer heat and away from the allergens that bother my husband.
Being from Redding, Ca., I'm used to rainy weather in winter and spring. But I'm not used to more than 2 months of overcast at a time. That sort of rules out some other beautiful areas like Silverdale and Gig Harbor, right?
My husband would like to leave before I retire (in 5 years, if I do the minimum). He says interest rates won't stay this low and that Anacortes real estate is going to go nowhere but up. But, it is my understanding that Washington state is one of the most educated in the nation. I guess that makes finding a teaching position there pretty tough, even for someone as experienced as me.
Our other option is to buy now up there and rent it out until retirement. I hate the idea of renting my retirement home near the sea out!
Another dilemma is the traffic going south. We have family in Tacoma, they say we'll rarely want to fight the traffic to get down there very often. Has anyone done this drive very regularly?
Any info. you can give me would be great.

[aussiegal]

Anacortes is a truly beautiful city to live in and since I live quite nearby, I have nothing but good things to say about it. Real estate in the north of Washington state is the same as it is across the nation - in a state of flux. It has now become a buyer's market where there are many homes on the market but fewer buyers. Prices on the whole are not rising anywhere nearly as quickly as they were in the past 2 years and I've seen a lot of properties on the MLS lower their prices.

As for buying your retirement home and renting it out, this might be the perfect time to do that. Yes, renters don't always take care of a property as we would ourselves but when you weigh the pros and cons of getting a property reasonably cheaply (and that's all relative - what's a bargain to one person is out-of-sight to another) vs perhaps paying more in the future, then it's your call. Finding a lovely new home by the sea is still possible. There is a new development near the ferry departure terminal that overlooks the water and they are just lovely homes. And interest rates are quite low still so that's an extra plus.

As for getting to Tacoma, I quite often take real estate classes there and we also frequent the airport. It takes +/- 2 hours to get there from here, in fact, we've just had a family wedding and made 4 trips to SEA/TAC. We travel to Vancouver, WA - just across the river from Portland, OR to see family. We are just so glad to have them so close, we don't even consider fighting the traffic a problem. It depends on the time of day you choose to drive. We take early morning flights and we've never been in stationery traffic for them. Of course, you probably wouldn't want to visit your family at 6.00 am either!!

On the other hand, you wouldn't want to drive during rush hour traffic. Choose your times and it's not a problem. At least, we don't feel it to be so.

As for gaining a teaching position here, I'll ask one of the new realtors in my office. She just left teaching for family reasons so she should be able to give me some really good advice for you.

[beckieteaches]

Thanks for the heads up on the real estate. Yes, I hope you can find out more about teaching opportunities up there!

[zot89]

Hi There
I know this is an older thread, but I couldn't help but notice that the topic is exactly what I was looking for. I am very close to relocating from the southwest to the coast due to an interest in changing jobs, and found a great one in the Mt. Vernon/Anacortes area. I have visited and love the NW (growing up on the California coast, I yearn for the water again!). My question is if anyone knows what the MtV/Anacortes area can offer for a younger single person moving in. It appears from my research that many retirees have moved to Anacortes, but with such a wonderful outdoors sporting climate I would think that it would also be attractive to a younger crowd too. Bellingham might be a little far for my commute, and I realize that is more of a college town. But my quick impression driving through Bellingham was that it was almost entirely slanted toward the college student only. Can someone who is more local help me get a better perspective? It is hard when you are only there visiting for a short time, but from what I saw, I can't wait to return. Thank you for any information.

[wythors]

I lived in Anacortes and LaConner for several years and plan to retire back into the area. One thing about travel to the South Sound from there: you can drive down Whidbey Island and take the ferry from Keystone to Port Townsend, then drive down the west side of Puget Sound and avoid traffic completely. It won't be any quicker, but will be much more beautiful and less stressful.

[ReturningWest]

I spoted this thread and I do have a question, I've been looking at "blue hole" areas and it appears that Anacortes is in the "blue hole" area is that true?

[mayfair]

Anacortes is in the rain shadow, that's true. It's still very gray in winter be aware.

[wythors]

Anacortes gets substantially more sun than the Seattle area.

[Whidbey]

"My question is if anyone knows what the MtV/Anacortes area can offer for a younger single person moving in. It appears from my research that many retirees have moved to Anacortes, but with such a wonderful outdoors sporting climate I would think that it would also be attractive to a younger crowd too. Bellingham might be a little far for my commute, and I realize that is more of a college town."

Where exactly is your prospective job? Bellingham may not be a bad commute for you if it's in Mount Vernon. Traffic on HWY 20 from Anacortes to Mount Vernon is often irritating. It's posted 50, but often people go 30.

You're right--both cities have great outdoor options--biking, hiking, kayaking, etc.--in fact, most Puget Sound cities are recreation meccas.

Anacortes does have a large retired population, but it also has a lot of military folks who work at NAS Whidbey Island--mostly pilots, officers and their spouses and children. Commercial Avenue has a lot of cool places to go to and the nightlife is fairly active--live music at several venues, pitchers at The Brown Lantern, no dancing/night club options. You'll have people to hang out with--but they'll probably be married--or single officer bachelors. So, single girls, if that's what you're hinting at, are rare.

[ochoco]

I moved to Sequim a few months ago (lived in eastern WA for years) but am not pleased with the weather (I know it's been weird everywhere this summer). Too cool and windy for me. I have always known about the Anacortes area, that it's relatively dry as compared to much of western WA. But, is it very windy there or not? It seems to be in a sheltered location, so probably not as windy as here on the north end of the Olympic Peninsula. Anyone have first-hand experience with Anacortes' weather? Please let me know! Thanks!