Socially liberal small town in WA? (Walla Walla, Poulsbo: buying, to live in, legal)

[tsmw47]

We are looking at Port Townsend too. Both retired in excellent health but time does march on so medical could be an issue down the road. We were there several weeks ago while taking a cross country camping trip from east coast and it is so lovely. Pros and cons of P.T.? Have heard more sun is that true?
Thanks,

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by tsmw47

We are looking at Port Townsend too. Both retired in excellent health but time does march on so medical could be an issue down the road. We were there several weeks ago while taking a cross country camping trip from east coast and it is so lovely. Pros and cons of P.T.? Have heard more sun is that true?
Thanks,

It does have more sun than other parts of the Puget Sound area and Olympic Peninsula (except for Sequim, which has similar weather), but I wouldn't really say it's sunny most of the time. It's definitely drier, though - we only get about 19" of rain annually. But there are plenty of gray days, just not as many as over in the Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia areas. Personally I really like the weather since I like to do a lot of outdoor activities, and I don't have to deal with excessive heat, cold, or rain here.

The main cons here are lack of good-paying jobs (I brought a telecommuting job from my old employer with me, but if you're retired that's not an issue), and the lack of shopping I mentioned before in a previous post. I'm not a big shopper, but you do have to drive 45 minutes one way or another to get to any kind of large stores like a Home Depot, Target, Costco, or a mall. I have two friends with whom I take turns driving once or twice a month to Silverdale or Sequim to shop at those places, and it works out fine. Plus, you can always buy online. There is a pretty decent small hospital here, and some excellent general practitioners and dentists, but very few medical specialists.

Lastly, we have really pokey broadband here. But all in all, I love it in PT. In fact, today is my one year anniversary of moving here!

[ivancu]

Originally Posted by speedoo

I'm very interested in Bellingham. Found this site that describes the neighborhoods:

Bellingham Neighborhoods

Can anyone recommend any other informative sites re. Bellingham?

Not too much to add; best thing to do is try to visit and check it out for yourself.

For a glimpse into the local university issues you can read their paper here:

The Western Front - Home

[speedoo]

Thanks, Ivancu.

[cherylsass123]

I was wondering the same thing. Being on a social security disability income it's almost impossible to live. Currently, I am living out of my car after getting out of what I saw as conservative and rather ignorant Las Cruces, New Mexico on the Frontera. From what I'm seeing, Seattle seems to be expensive. Similar to San Jose, California but maybe not that bad. I liked Mendocino, California a lot. However, everything is now so expensive almost every place in California. Even Arcada the average apartment is close to 600 a month for 1 bedroom? That and the legalized recreational 420 is a wonderful thing here in Washington state, as well as Oregon and Colorado and Alaska now.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by cherylsass123

I was wondering the same thing. Being on a social security disability income it's almost impossible to live. Currently, I am living out of my car after getting out of what I saw as conservative and rather ignorant Las Cruces, New Mexico on the Frontera. From what I'm seeing, Seattle seems to be expensive. Similar to San Jose, California but maybe not that bad. I liked Mendocino, California a lot. However, everything is now so expensive almost every place in California. Even Arcada the average apartment is close to 600 a month for 1 bedroom? That and the legalized recreational 420 is a wonderful thing here in Washington state, as well as Oregon and Colorado and Alaska now.

So you left New Mexico so you are clearly willing to travel. Is marijuana your main criteria? Because a lot of people want to live in Mendocino and can't afford it. If you are living on disability, you are going to have to adjust your standards majorly. There are very small towns that are less expensive and Colorado certainly has its share. Oregon and Washington do too but the less expensive towns tend to be more conservative so you're going to have to make a choice.

[wmweeza]

Originally Posted by cherylsass123

I was wondering the same thing. Being on a social security disability income it's almost impossible to live. Currently, I am living out of my car after getting out of what I saw as conservative and rather ignorant Las Cruces, New Mexico on the Frontera. From what I'm seeing, Seattle seems to be expensive. Similar to San Jose, California but maybe not that bad. I liked Mendocino, California a lot. However, everything is now so expensive almost every place in California. Even Arcada the average apartment is close to 600 a month for 1 bedroom? That and the legalized recreational 420 is a wonderful thing here in Washington state, as well as Oregon and Colorado and Alaska now.

If all you want is cheap and a decent house the Central Valley in California would be great, but there's nothing to do and not that many employers. My husband works in Santa Cruz on the coast ( a 3 hour drive one way) but we live just outside Merced and Atwater. Very affordable, but I can't wait to leave! If you're looking for a liberal town though my tiny two stoplight town just outside of Atwater isn't it, I might be one of the only Democrats in town!
I lived in Seattle until 15 years ago, it's expensive, crowded but gorgeous and fun.
We're going to the Olympia area, it seems like a good mix of town and country (with a short drive) semi liberal and has a hospital.
You won't find much for $600 a month in most places, sorry

[Diana Holbrook]

From what I've heard, the price of pot has gone way up since legalizing it.

Might be cheaper to get it where it's still illegal.

If you gave it up, you may be able to afford more rent!

I'm curious when someone says "socially liberal" what they mean... because imho, in rural Western WA, we're not all bible-belt type conservative, even in the conservative areas. If you're looking for tolerance to your lifestyle, you'll probably find it. We're a much more libertarian, leave people alone, timber town type of conservatives, than the moral majority type.

[jacqueg]

Originally Posted by cherylsass123

I was wondering the same thing. Being on a social security disability income it's almost impossible to live. Currently, I am living out of my car after getting out of what I saw as conservative and rather ignorant Las Cruces, New Mexico on the Frontera. From what I'm seeing, Seattle seems to be expensive. Similar to San Jose, California but maybe not that bad. I liked Mendocino, California a lot. However, everything is now so expensive almost every place in California. Even Arcada the average apartment is close to 600 a month for 1 bedroom? That and the legalized recreational 420 is a wonderful thing here in Washington state, as well as Oregon and Colorado and Alaska now.

Is the nature of your disability such that you need to live in a good-sized town? Small towns away from the metro areas are going to be your best bet for cheap. You will also find cheaper rent on the east side of the mountains, but you might not like the weather so much.

There are hippie-ish people scattered everywhere in small towns in both Washington and Oregon. But they're not going to be a majority in the rural towns.

I think Oregon is still a bit more friendly to low-income folks. And you might want to keep in mind that Oregon's recreational marijuana law allows people to have four plants per residence.

I agree with the poster above that rural towns in the PNW are more conservative-libertarian than they are conservative-churchy.

[PS90]

I certainly agree that most of Washington has a "live and let live" kind of attitude, whether in the liberal or conservative parts, but if "cherylsass123" plans on moving to Washington with the goal of continuing to get social security AND now being able to spend some of that taxpayer money on pot, then that's stretching it even for us laid-back Washingtonians.