Need Small Town Suggestions. Metaline Falls? (Seattle, Spokane: schools, camping, living in)

[Simple Living]

I'm Mr. Small Town, currently living in downtown Big City, USA. That's just wrong... (We only have three stars here and one of them keeps winking at me. I'm getting concerned.)

I'm making some big changes in my life, including moving somewhere that's simple and peaceful. (If I hear one more siren, it'll be too soon.) I'll be running a home-based business that can be run from anywhere but needs reliable cell phone and internet services. (I wish I didn't. I could live just fine without electricity.)

I'm looking for small town life again. I miss it. Yes, everyone tends to know your business, but they also look out for you and keep an eye on your place when you're gone. One place I'm considering is Metaline Falls. I like rural and mountains are plus. My idea of hobbies are reading, writing, hiking, camping, fishing, and getting together with friends and neighbors. (Once again, no electricy needed.)

So, anyone familiar with Metaline Falls? I've searched online and found the town's website but it's very statistical. Would love to hear any opinions and experiences you may have. Any other suggestions for small towns? Preference to very quiet, mountainous areas. Like being near Canada.

[dajam_fxdli]

you could always look at a town called oakville, wa.

[LISA IN LONGVIEW]

we too have been looking for small towns. Such as Colville or Kettle Falls, but with your requests, this would be difficult to achieve them i am affraid. Getting cell services that far North might be very difficult, let alone internet service with the exception of the phone lines which i am sure in that area is as slow as a slug. Hope you like snow!!!!!!!
I have not been there but i know people who have and they say it is really nice up there. Good luck in your search. You could check with Ione, that is the next closest town without leaving Wa.
Lisa in Longview

[Simple Living]

Thanks for the suggestion, dajam_fxdli. I'll check out Oakdale.

Lisa,

Finding a new place to live, especially when you hope it's your last move, is definitely fun to research, but very exhausting, isn't it?! I don't mind snow in the least. I live in MinneSNOWta currently.

I think you're right. The smaller towns that I'm finding, and like, are just not going to work out well enough for cell phone reception and internet connections. Leavenworth is a lovely town, all decked-out Bavarian-style. I know I'd enjoy it there, but I don't want to live in too touristy an area. I've heard of Ione but haven't looked specifically at it yet. I just may do that. I'm a freelance writer, so I can't cut myself off too completely!

I'm also looking at some towns in Northwestern Montana. Those are very probably. I have it in me that I'd like to be near Canada.

[descovy]

I know you seem to yearn for the woods, but I would think that Ritzville would be a nice place to live. I grew up in Lind... about 15mi away and probably too small... but Ritzville is nice, safe, affordable.

Maybe 1000 pop (at least in the 90's) on i-90 and an easy drive to Spokane for errand running (60mi) Not touristy just down to earth. I imagive cell/internet are pretty good being along I-90.

Other towns in Eastern WA that I like... Odessa, Cheney/Medical Lake, Davenport

[kc2sweet4ne1]

Oakville is great, as long as you don't have kids. The school system there is AWFUL! It is great for adults.... quiet and VERY small... around 400 people. I grew up there and other than the schools, it was a great place. My dad still lives there and will never move. If you have any questions, I would be glad to help.

[Macrina]

Have you looked at Camano Island? It's lovely IMHO, I lived there for one year+. It definitely has the small town flavour, has good internet, a large Alpaca farm and wonderful views when the jet stream allows. It is in the (? rain shadow) and gets less than the mainland. The air is fresh and wonderful. there is a small state park on the western waterfront.

Camano Island Plaza has the basics: grocery, hardward, bank, fuel, mail box place, etc. Clinic medical care, but no hospital. I really loved it there.

No ferries to deal with: one drives over a bridge outside of Stanwood which is a larger small-town. However Stanwood is going through a massive growth spurt which is not pretty and the old locals are very unhappy about this. (Must be the 'new' locals who have allowed this to occur.)

If I had a choice, I'd go back to Camano Island in a NY Minute. And no: I'm not a realtor, and not selling anything. I just love it there.

I-5 is about 15 minutes to the east, and it takes about another 50-60 min. to get up to the Canadian border. Great views of Mount Baker which is snow capped year 'round.

[Infidel]

If you're interested in the NE part of the state you might enjoy perusing this monthly: Welcome to THE NORTH COLUMBIA MONTHLY

[Dean-O]

Hey! we have DSL and satellite internet and our local library is a wy fi hot spot (whatever THAT is). My cell phone works everywhre, but I have AT&T. I remember my realtor's never working anywhere he took me to see land, don't know what service he had...

--Kettle Falls, WA

[StealthRabbit]

Metalline Falls should be very well equipped with internet and cell, in fact I think the whole county has fiber optics. Thanks to Seattle Power's Dams... (I wish I even had cable or DSL, and only 40 miles from PDX...) no service in 'The Gorge', can't be ruining our "scenic Area"... with cell towers !

BUT>>>> Metalline Falls is the COLD side of the range, lots of fog, snow, more snow...

Kettle Falls has much better weather if you like sun...

Both are very nice in the summer, and having BC close is good for hiking and camping, but... the border crossings can be less than friendly anymore. One of my friend's refuses to be put through the wringer each time, and will no longer cross, even tho it is less that 10 miles away. I would guess there are ways to mitigate that. (scanning a passport)