looking for "classy" island vacation home! (Seattle, Anacortes: condos, co-op)

[brightcopperkettles]

Originally Posted by bmsea

Port Townsend is more "developed" than where I live (Westport), its a very cute town. Westport is more of an "up and comer". If views are important to you, and your budget is firm, I would really encourage a trip out here. Waterviews and even oceanfront might be attainable here, and any of the local realtors can help you dig through the multitude of listings (Westport Washington has business listings, and Windermere and Premiere both have offices here).

This is true, especially if you are going to use it sporadically and then retire there, because Westport/Tokeland/Grayland will evolve into something similar to Port Townsend in the next 3 - 7 years.

It's a very pet friendly area. Most of the areas are fine with pets as long as you leash them when others are around and pick up after them, all common courtesy things.

Art is up and coming. Just in the last 3 years, Tokeland peninsula has started doing an Art Walk, and coming up in August is the Westport Art Festival. On the Westport Marina, there are 2 art galleries, Art Talks and the Albright Jewelry Gallery.

Restaurants - we have everything from fine dining to sushi to an american grill, but what we do really more than anything is the diner. However, our fine dining at Anthony's has one of the best wine lists I have ever seen (and I have lived from LA to Seattle).

You can check out my blog (non commercial) at Discovering Westport for pictures and some info from a local.

Good luck!

What she said!

However, you should know that Washington does NOT have four seasons; it just has two: July, August, and September (summer, but will feel more like a Southern spring), and the other 9 months of the year (cool and wet, occasional snow). That's it. If you want four seasons, this is not the place for that. If you can live without four seasons, this might be your place.

[Sandy Nelson]

Nicolette,

Too bad your Realtors are blinded by the fact that you're from Southern California. They should do a property search according to the criteria you set, which should include maximum price, amount of bedrooms, baths, square footage, views, location, etc...
I'm a Realtor and I did a MLS search, which turned up quite a few cute properties. I'm not soliciting your business, I'm located too far south, in Olympia, to properly be of assistance to you. I just want you to know that not all Realtors make commissions their primary focus. Serving the client should always be first, second and last.
I personally love Orcas and San Juan Island. It's beautiful up there, and so close to Victoria for international urban flair.
Good luck with your home search and your relocation.

Sandy
Moderator cut: link deleted

[mayfair]

bmsea, you have a nice blog on Westport! Very interesting. I haven't been there since 1988 when it was very depressed and I never went back for a visit. I'm glad it is on the upswing.

[bmsea]

Thank you!

I am a transplant who has lived in Hawaii, Los Angeles, Downtown Seattle, and am so glad to be raising my son in Westport. I think its just a wonderful place, and I love to tell people about it, because so many people haven't visited since the dark days of the 80's and early 90's. Every day it gets more beautiful.

Discovering Westport

[nicolette]

you all are so helpful! have another question (I realize I'm all over the place!)...what about Hood Canal?

[nicolette]

Nice info on Westport, thank you, we'll be sure to check it out.......also what about coupeville, oak harbor?? they seem to be in our price range...

[mayfair]

Coupeville is nice. Oak Harbor is noisy (jets from the base).

[brightcopperkettles]

Hood Canal is beautiful; the area in Mason County is your best bet for beauty at affordable prices. There are a lot of gorgeous places to live in Mason County, and truly you are not that far from the shopping, etc., in Kitsap. Check it out.

[WASailorGirl]

Originally Posted by nicolette

You guys are great for responding, thank you. Okay...I'm going to give you more detail on "who we are" because I realize this makes a huge difference....My husband and I are self employed and make a good living with the bar and grill we have owned for twelve years in San Diego. I also make a modest income with my artwork. We are fortunate that we have the luxury of re-locating w/o loss of income. We are in our late 30's with no children. We want an area that is artsy with great restaurants and that will also have people within our age range with whom we can relate to (entrepenuers, laid back, friendly, kind etc...). We have dogs whom we adore, so we are looking for a very pet friendly environment. We are looking for a vacation home for now with the intention of moving there permanently. The weather is not a factor just so you know....neither of us is from CA...I'm from Colorado and my husband from Texas and we LOVE and miss seasons.

Here's our dilema, we want to be as productive as possible on our trip to Washington because we have such a short amount of time....only because it is very difficult for us to leave our sweet old dog for too long. So...PLEASE tell me what you all think...I value your insight. Give me your opinion based on our affordability AS WELL AS what you think will fit us (not factoring in money). Sorry to go on and on....any advice is much appreciated.
All the best!

I replied to you on another thread and then found this one as well. So, basically this is identical to my post on the other thread. Hope the information finds you. . .

Definitely check out Port Townsend. I moved to P.T. from Arizona almost three years ago. I miss the warm sun sometimes in the winter, but it was a good move.

There are approximately 55 homes in P.T. under 350K (not including manufactured homes). 11 of them have a partial water view. If you are looking for a full 180 degree water view, that won't happen for under 350K. Port Townsend is surrounded by water on three sides and has about 10 miles of beaches. At low tide, you could walk the whole peninsula if you wanted to.

Even if the home you select doesn't have a water view, water truly is everywhere. All the businesses downtown are either on the water side or just across the street from the water. There are a multitude of restaurants and shops right on the water. I remember when I first moved here, I was getting my hair colored and looking out the beautiful large picture window at the water from the salon thinking, "this is the life!"

Restaurants - never have I been in such a small town with so many great restaurants. I keep asking my husband . . ."Did all the great chefs decide to retire in Port Townsend?" Excellent food, high quality fresh ingredients, with fantastic views! Check out 'Fins' for great seafood on the water. They also have a wine bar that opened a few months ago. There was an article in the New York Times a few months back with an excellent review of the restaurant.

Dog Friendly - Yes! We take our two dogs to the beach and hiking up in Fort Worden and there are lots of dogs and their owners out enjoying the outdoors. There is also a dog park at Chetzemoka Park. You will also see dogs with their owners at street side coffee shops just hanging out.

Artsy - Very! There are artists and galleries of all kinds here. There are a few co-op galleries where artists sell their work and take turns manning the store. There are also many festivals and events that go on throughout the year. The Wooden Boat Festival and the Port Townsend Film Festival, both in September, are very popular.

Population - around 8,334 (2000 Census). Average age is 47. Lots of entrepenuers due to the fact that you have to make your own work. There are more people posting their services in the newspaper than there are jobs in the help wanted section. It has a lot of seasonal dwellers (summer) and retired folks. Most of the people I come into contact with have moved from California. (I call myself pre-retirement. I'm 45. I wantd to buy a home here before it became too expensive).

If you need further information or would just like some ideas of areas to look in around P.T. I would be happy to help. Some Realtors are nice, helpful, good listeners and honor their fudiciary responsibility to their clients!

Your friend in P.T.!

[nicolette]

Hi WaSailorGirl! Thank you so much for your info.....I'm glad you found me because I can't quite figure out how to get to my other thread for responses?? From what you describe about PT, it sounds like this is the perfect place for my husband and I....we plan to focus on that area when we come out to visit next month. Water view is desirable but just being able to walk or bike to the water is amazing to us! My husband and I crave trees, space and water and while San Diego is beautiful....you have to be a multi-millionaire to afford these luxuries. Our bar and grill (our business/career) is a block from the ocean, so that's how we get our water fix, but our home is 30 miles inland. Thank you so much!! Why did you move to PT?? If you want to share. Fondly, Nicolette