Where, oh where should I go??

[Leap of Belief]

Check out Centralia. mod cut: blog reference deleted

The housing prices there are affordable and the area is exactly half way between Seattle & Portland - about 75 miles to each. It is a growing area and one of the last places you can find decent housing at a good price.

[Skytripper]

You should definitely consider Bellingham as well. BEAUTIFUL!

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by TecWmn

I am looking to relocate from Boulder, Colorado (sick of the heat and constant sunshine - not good for writing). I loved Ireland when I visited there and have heard that the Seattle area is similar (only with real mountains).

I love alternative music, lush green views, boating (grew up on the Chain O' Lakes in Chicago), seafood and art/theater scenes. So by all intensive purposes this area seems perfect.

I am 35, single and have no children - however, I have a dog and she is my whole world so I need a really dog-friendly town. I am over the big city thing and like the idea of solitude to work on my writing without being in the middle of nowhere. Want to hang in Seattle periodically - but not live in it.

Here are the areas that I am considering - any feedback would be greatly appreciated:

Port Townsend
Bainbridge Island (don't know specific communities)
Coupeville
or
Anacortes

Any other suggestions?? I am planning a trip up there in September to scope out the towns that interest me.

Thanks in advance for the feedback

Sounds like you would make a good fit here.Personally, I would love sun and heat some as we get very little. The areas mentioned, I think you would like and all of the area is very very dog friendly.. good luck

[kittyhox]

Port Townsend is a great option. It's charming and artsy and has a ton of recreational areas/beautiful places that would be great with a dog. Fort Warden, Salt Creek, Crescent Lake, etc. It's right on the water w/ferries and not super rainy, relative to the greater Seattle area. Lots of retirees, but also families and singles. Not too far from Seattle for a day trip.

Bainbridge is one of our favorite places, but is very expensive. It's pretty small and has a busy but charming downtown. Great commute to Seattle for the theater/arts. You don't even need to drive - it drops you off at the Pier and you hike up a few flights of stairs to Pike's Market and the greater downtown w/theaters, restaurants, museums, etc. Some famillies, but lots of 40-50s couples. Retirees are forced off the island to some extent because of spiking property taxes, I've read. Bainbridge has a lot of really excellent public parks and.

Whidbey is a bigger island, a little more affordable, but less densely populated and more quiet. Some little art galleries and restaurants, but not as much of a buzz as Bainbridge. You still have the ferries, water, views, and seafood, like all of your choices. Not sure about arts, but the Kingston ferry takes you to Edwards (I think) north of Seattle.

Vashon is also a nice island. Very very quiet compared to the other options.

I haven't been to the Orcas Islands, so I can't comment. I know they have a reputation for being expensive.

There is also Camano Island, which doesn't require a ferry and is a nice distance from Seattle.


My favorite on your list is Pt. Townsend. It's kind of cool and cute, lots to do, and a relative bargain compared to your other choices. Nice mix of people - all socioeconomic classes, ages, etc. Neat architecture and convenient to so many other places (Whidbey, Bainbridge, Port Ludlow, Port Hadlock, Port Angeles, etc.).

Any of your choices offer great views, mild weather, and a fun place for your dog to call home!

[TecWmn]

Originally Posted by nicolette

Hi,
I was born and raised in Boulder, folks still there! I'm 39 and my husband and I have lived in San Diego for the past 18 years and we are also looking to re-locate to the PNW. I miss mountains and we are really ready for some change of weather, southern cal is too hot and TOO CROWDED!! Love Boulder, but not to go back and live. We are looking at the same areas you mentioned in the PNW, I've been chatting on other sites (threads??) and a lot of people have mentioned Westport to us as well. We are going in September and have decided to head straight to the coast first to check out Westport etc...
Best of luck to you!

Sorry I took so long to get back....yeah, Boulder is great for what it is. But I am over it. I checked out San Diego recently and decided it wasn't for me either. I am also going up at the end of September with a friend that used to live there. He is going to be my navigator

Good luck in your search as well!

Warm regards,

TecWmn

[TecWmn]

Interesting thought. I am currently on a writing project that will take me down to Hillsboro, OR for business on occasion. I will look into that area. Thanks!!

[TecWmn]

Wow, thanks for taking the time to write this. I am really leaning toward Port Townsend for several reasons, and after reading this I feel like I am going in the right direction. Your guidance is much appreciated!

Originally Posted by kittyhox

Port Townsend is a great option. It's charming and artsy and has a ton of recreational areas/beautiful places that would be great with a dog. Fort Warden, Salt Creek, Crescent Lake, etc. It's right on the water w/ferries and not super rainy, relative to the greater Seattle area. Lots of retirees, but also families and singles. Not too far from Seattle for a day trip.

Bainbridge is one of our favorite places, but is very expensive. It's pretty small and has a busy but charming downtown. Great commute to Seattle for the theater/arts. You don't even need to drive - it drops you off at the Pier and you hike up a few flights of stairs to Pike's Market and the greater downtown w/theaters, restaurants, museums, etc. Some famillies, but lots of 40-50s couples. Retirees are forced off the island to some extent because of spiking property taxes, I've read. Bainbridge has a lot of really excellent public parks and.

Whidbey is a bigger island, a little more affordable, but less densely populated and more quiet. Some little art galleries and restaurants, but not as much of a buzz as Bainbridge. You still have the ferries, water, views, and seafood, like all of your choices. Not sure about arts, but the Kingston ferry takes you to Edwards (I think) north of Seattle.

Vashon is also a nice island. Very very quiet compared to the other options.

I haven't been to the Orcas Islands, so I can't comment. I know they have a reputation for being expensive.

There is also Camano Island, which doesn't require a ferry and is a nice distance from Seattle.


My favorite on your list is Pt. Townsend. It's kind of cool and cute, lots to do, and a relative bargain compared to your other choices. Nice mix of people - all socioeconomic classes, ages, etc. Neat architecture and convenient to so many other places (Whidbey, Bainbridge, Port Ludlow, Port Hadlock, Port Angeles, etc.).

Any of your choices offer great views, mild weather, and a fun place for your dog to call home!

[cinhawaii]

I am looking for the same sort of place, except replace dog w/kid As such, I would need good schools. Also, I am a parole officer. I have looked up DOC's website but can't seem to find a list of parole offices. I would need to live at least 30 min from a parole office. Seattle would be great since I am sure they have more openings, but if there is one closer to a town with 1 to 2k people I would prefer that. Any tips?

[mthomson]

Not sure about Parole offices, but Tacoma has Raymond Hall (juvie) and Gig Harbor (a great small town with great schools) has a women's prison. Maybe worth looking into.

[Prple]

Any of your ideas would work. I agree with another poster that you should also consider Bellingham. I would also add Olympia to your list, particularly Boston Harbor. I know some people who recently moved to Boston Harbor after looking all around the Pacific Northwest with a similar critera that you described.
Good luck!