Want to move to the Peninsula (Seattle, Tacoma: rental, cheap house, job market)

[Ocean Dreams]

Am a restless Colorado native, transplanted to Louisiana. Starting over, again, and fell in love with the peninsula. Used to live in Edmonds in the late 80's. Anyone know about the current cost of living, rental or CHEAP houses in that region? Job opportunities for a: secretary/ hairdresser/bartender/tow truck driver/mortician/librarian/ you name it(if it's legal I've done it) It's not that I can't keep a steady job (as I usually hold several jobs at once) I just get bored easily. It's time for this rolling stone to grow some moss and your region is just the place for moss to grow Don't know anything about it, but I'd love to run a lighthouse, if they aren't all mechanically run now. Into bohemian/gypsy lifestyle (NO that doesn't mean homeless, or covered in Patchuli (sp) oil) just like hanging with people with a high intellect and can carry on a good conversation and off the wall debates. Any leade, send my way please!

[Andy]

Moderator cut: fixed it, re: correct forum

Also, tough job market there. Cheap housing, but with little good jobs that's what the economic base can sustain. Based on what you say, you probably want Eugene, OR.

[NoLaMedStudent]

Originally Posted by Ocean Dreams

Am a restless Colorado native, transplanted to Louisiana. Starting over, again, and fell in love with the peninsula. Used to live in Edmonds in the late 80's. Anyone know about the current cost of living, rental or CHEAP houses in that region? Job opportunities for a: secretary/ hairdresser/bartender/tow truck driver/mortician/librarian/ you name it(if it's legal I've done it) It's not that I can't keep a steady job (as I usually hold several jobs at once) I just get bored easily. It's time for this rolling stone to grow some moss and your region is just the place for moss to grow Don't know anything about it, but I'd love to run a lighthouse, if they aren't all mechanically run now. Into bohemian/gypsy lifestyle (NO that doesn't mean homeless, or covered in Patchuli (sp) oil) just like hanging with people with a high intellect and can carry on a good conversation and off the wall debates. Any leade, send my way please!

This is funny. We're Louisiana natives who've lived in Colorado for a very long time and we're considering a move to Washington state. We're in New Orleans for the next few years while I finish medical school. We'll likely be applying for residency programs in Washington.

I think our main concern is weather (like many people). We grew tired of the dryness of Colorado and really don't want to live there ever again (Boulder has become one of the worst places I know. Used to love it though.). We DEFINITELY don't want to stay here in New Orleans; this city and state are catastrophically broken.

We love the beauty of Washington and we love to sail and hike. We've visited there and now my best friend lives up in Bellingham. We also like New York state and the New England area, but Washington really feels like where we want to be.

[Sonnenwende]

Kitsap or Olympic or either one?

I think Port Angeles would be something to look into. Something else to think about is a seasonal job with the NPS. I think Aramark handles it, but am not 100%

[Oldpatch]

I'd consider the Kitsap Peninsula rather than the Olympic. Why? Other than around PA the Forest Service and the Lumber companies share the Oly P with the National Park. Nothing much going on, little private land that isn't quite expensive and a devastated lumber based economy. The Kitsap Peninsula has access to Seattle via ferry and to the Peninsula (none of the locals call it the Olympic Peninsula) via the Hood Canal Bridge. There are all types of folks although you will inevitably share the neighborhood with Blue Tarp people. I live near Everett and I'd move in a heartbeat if I could get my North End spouse to consider it. I owned a house for a while in Suquamish and took the ferry to work in Seattle, so it can be done. A different pace of life, leaving Seattle stress drops 50% when you step on the ferry and another 50% when you hit the other side. You can find everything you need in Silverdale or Poulsbo and on the other side of the pond everything you want. Bremerton is a Navy town, with a big Navy port in Everett. You can try to build airplanes for $14 bucks an hour; the good wages are gone without experience. Many folks live on Whidbey or Kingston and take the ferry to work. There are places on Bainbridge that mirror Edmonds, but it ain't cheap. Come on up and refamilarize yourself with the area, and decide if you can live without sun from November to April.

[peterviser]

Originally Posted by Ocean Dreams

Am a restless Colorado native, transplanted to Louisiana. Starting over, again, and fell in love with the peninsula. Used to live in Edmonds in the late 80's. Anyone know about the current cost of living, rental or CHEAP houses in that region? Job opportunities for a: secretary/ hairdresser/bartender/tow truck driver/mortician/librarian/ you name it(if it's legal I've done it) It's not that I can't keep a steady job (as I usually hold several jobs at once) I just get bored easily. It's time for this rolling stone to grow some moss and your region is just the place for moss to grow Don't know anything about it, but I'd love to run a lighthouse, if they aren't all mechanically run now. Into bohemian/gypsy lifestyle (NO that doesn't mean homeless, or covered in Patchuli (sp) oil) just like hanging with people with a high intellect and can carry on a good conversation and off the wall debates. Any leade, send my way please!

How about Gig Harbor, I work in Tacoma/Seattle. I drive a truck, my wife is a book keeper we do ok sort of, in this economy we have issues who doesn't. I found that this has been a good place to live.
Yes there is the bridge toll, but I drove that before the second bridge and it is worth the toll for the easy commute. Still screwed at I-5 but there are work arounds.
As for moss growing, I think it is growing in my lungs right now so I am headed for the desert.