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Old 07-16-2013, 12:32 PM
 
104 posts, read 131,736 times
Reputation: 243

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Hello! I am new to this - not sure I'm using this correctly - your patience is appreciated!

Currently live in Yakima, WA and want to return to the West side of the state but have found the Seattle area has become far too congested and expensive. Was fine when I was single, but I am now a single parent with a son who will be entering his sophomore year of H.S. I've been researching various areas in WA state that sound as if they would appeal to us. We recently made a visit to Whidbey Island and fell in love with it. It felt like "home". It was his first visit there and he loved it. I had wanted to live there years ago, but due to work, had to live in Seattle. Work is not currently an issue for us, so I am not concerned about employment opportunities... Just want to find a smaller, clean community with great outdoor opportunities for us to enjoy every day... A place with a sense of community that we can participate in and help maintain. We were interested in Coupeville, but my son found Oak Harbor to be a bit more like a "city" and something he would prefer (I can always move when he leaves the house! :-) So... Here are some questions I would love to get some feedback on regarding living in Oak Harbor...

1) I would be renting, not buying (at least not immediately). I would like to find a decent apt / condo / townhome at a reasonable rate in a decent location - close to the new H.S. in Oak Harbor. Just someplace we can rent for 6 - 12 months as we become more familiar with the area that will allow us to explore and research the area better once there. I saw two places on cl today for a Lexy Manor and Madrona Manor... Rates were reasonable. Does anyone know much about these rentals or can they recommend something? We've lived in single family houses, so this will be a bit of a switch for us.

2) I keep reading about the jet noise issues. Is the problem just in the Coupeville area? It is so close to O.H. that I would think the whole area would be affected. My son does have sensory issues (he is on the Autism Spectrum) so this is a bit of a concern. I would not want to live directly under the flight path but I know we could probably get used to some noise if it can't be avoided. Just some advice as to where it might be better to live with regards to the jet noise... until the issue is resolved or improved (I hope!)

3) Also read some threads regarding rampant drug use at the middle and high schools... It wasn't too encouraging to read, however, I am quite aware that this will be found anywhere. My child is actually enrolled in an online high school, but I would like to see him return to a regular brick & mortar school for his last two years of H.S. and to have an opportunity to meet other kids his age. Any opinions on the H.S. in O.H.??? It looks beautiful. Anyone else out there who has experience with a "special needs" child (Autism / Asperger's Syndrome) who has attended the school? Problems with bullying? How is the Special Ed Dept for the school?

4) Speaking of Asperger's Syndrome... I did see there is a support group for AS in Langley... Does anyone have any experience with this?

These are just a few questions I have had... Hoping to move by Sept / Oct of this year, or wait until winter has passed (do not want to move over the pass during the snow season!!! Ugh!!!) Any input, advice, other things I should be considering would be greatly appreciated. We have not stopped thinking about living on the island since we came back home.... It truly won our hearts and I think it would be a wonderful place for us to put down our roots. Good for my son as he approaches / transitions to adulthood and a good place for me to spend my final years (I have said for years I wanted my ashes to be scattered at Ebey's Landing... looks like my wish may come true! :-) Thank You!
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Old 08-17-2013, 02:45 PM
 
6 posts, read 16,125 times
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Default Oak Harbor, WA

I am not sure how close it is to the high school, but if you are looking for a relatively cheap place to rent (and do not mind a mobile home park), you might check out Oak Harbor Mobile Home Park, 34938 SR 20, Oak Harbor.
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Old 08-17-2013, 03:21 PM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,104 posts, read 80,174,082 times
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Both Oak Harbor and Coupeville are subject to the jet noise, you are better off on the more expensive south end where it's quiet and the schools are better. Typically schools near a military base are at or below average due to the transient nature of the residents. Oak Harbor High is a little above average, it looks great due to having been recently refurbished. South Whidbey High is right up there with the more affluent eastside high schools. I don't know enough about the special ed programs there to comment, as the people I know on Whidbey are not in those programs. You should go to the district websites, then contact the administration to inquire about their programs and services.
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Old 08-17-2013, 05:47 PM
 
104 posts, read 131,736 times
Reputation: 243
Thanks to both Hemlock and Peter for taking the time to comment / provide info... It is appreciated. We are still doing research between three different locations - will probably postpone move until next spring, but leaning heavily toward Whidbey Island as we'd prefer to stay in WA State (the other two locations are in Oregon). Again, many thanks!
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Old 12-23-2013, 05:11 PM
 
1,632 posts, read 6,820,619 times
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Roaring controversy over Navy jets on central Whidbey Island | Local News | The Seattle Times

I happened to see this recently in the newspaper. Looks like jet noise is a real problem for some on Whidbey Island, and the Navy has a lot of economic and political clout. Buyer beware.
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Old 12-24-2013, 02:47 PM
 
21,988 posts, read 15,611,140 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelinWA View Post
Roaring controversy over Navy jets on central Whidbey Island | Local News | The Seattle Times

I happened to see this recently in the newspaper. Looks like jet noise is a real problem for some on Whidbey Island, and the Navy has a lot of economic and political clout. Buyer beware.
I saw that yesterday too and it's a crying shame. Apparently the type of plane "Growler" requires more engine power, thus the planes are louder. If we ever move for retirement, it makes the Anacortes area seem a better option when Whidbey has always had such appeal for us.
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Old 12-24-2013, 05:41 PM
 
59 posts, read 157,600 times
Reputation: 75
I just moved from Anacortes 7 months ago, after living there for 4 years. I don't think you should expect to be out of the jet noise in Anacortes either, although it may be less than on Whidbey island. We still heard and saw the jets flying overhead weekly, but not daily. I grew up as a military brat and am used to the jets. Just think of it as the sound of freedom!
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