Which city to stay for a short visit to Poulsbo & Gig Harbor. (Seattle: for sale)

[kwoods49]

We will be visiting Poulsbo and Gig Harbor to view property in late February. We will fly into Seattle rent a car on a Thursday, view property on Friday in Poulsbo and then Gig Harbor Saturday. Return on Sunday to the airport. Which city would you suggest we stay in for convience to the Ferry for our return to the airport on Sunday. We will have all afternoon and evening Thursday before our appointment in Poulsbo Friday morning, so which city would you suggest we stay in and a recommendation for hotel and where to explore and have dinner. Thanks everyone!!!!

[StealthRabbit]

Remember... take the loop Clockwise for most economical ferry / bridge tolls. (From SEA to Tacoma to Gig Harbor to Poulsbo via Highway) Ferry from Bremerton to SEA (if you want to enjoy the SEA waterfront before departing... other wise Southworth > West Seattle is near airport). Soo... you will have to call and switch your viewing schedule, or just drive on up to Poulsbo from Gig Harbor. OR... fight SEA traffic and pay dearly for westbound ferry. (Eastbound is free for passengers, not for car)


I would stay in and enjoy the community of Gig Harbor for at least one day. I always stay with local folks via $10/ night hospitality homes (It gives you 'inside' info on the community and area), especially important when relocating, but I love it for vacationing too. Hospitality exchange - Wikitravel

Air B&B works too.

I would also stay in Poulsbo if possible for same reason. (I spend lots of time at grocery / hardware local merchants + county assessor + permit Dept + community activities + colleges + attending groups / churches in my areas of interest. (I will often go to 3-4 churches or community meetings each weekend (at different times) just to get to know folks and get a feel for the community. I often just show up and socialize AFTER their services. free eats!) I spend very little time with realtors (2 hrs max, NO MEALS, only viewing stuff that I have pre-screened and fits my Explicit criteria), and prefer to find (and transact) my own properties BEFORE they find them! (Has worked well for 26 of my 30+ purchases).

If you want a central place to stay... Port Orchard..

Silverdale has the most 'conventional' options. For lodging, shopping, and eating. There are many great and delightful B&B's in each community. I don't have any suggestions on nice eateries, I travel cheap ($3/ day max on food).

[kwoods49]

So are you saying the only way to do this is to do Gig Harbor on Friday and Poulsbo on Saturday so we can return to the airport Sunday? Is there a huge difference in the cost of the Ferry going the opposite way? I don't quite understand.
In reference to researching properties on your own, I have done that but here in California you cannot view a property without an agent unless it is a FSBO. I will be giving the agent in each city a list of properties that interest us and from there they can see what criteria we are looking for in a home and they can feel free to add to the list or subtract if I have requested a place that isn't suitable to our needs.
I appreciate your help and information.
Karen

[Hemlock140]

The ferry does cost more going out of Seattle, and if you drive around, the Tacoma narrows bridge from Gig Harbor on highway 16 to I5 has a toll, while the other way does not. I wouldn't consider the charges enough to make plans based on them. We have relatives in Port Townsend and often stop for a meal at the Tap Rock Grill in Poulsbo, good food and inexpensive. We have also eaten at most of the restaurants on Liberty Bay, The Loft being our favorite for a nice seafood dinner. I haven't found any really great lodging in the area, Port Townsend is a much more interesting place to stay with several historic "haunted" hotels, but that's out of the way for you. The Poulsbo Inn is on the main, busy road but is well thought of.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by kwoods49

So are you saying the only way to do this is to do Gig Harbor on Friday and Poulsbo on Saturday so we can return to the airport Sunday? Is there a huge difference in the cost of the Ferry going the opposite way? I don't quite understand.
Certainly not the ONLY way... just the most expedited / least expensive.
and you completely avoid the worst of the SEATTLE traffic (north from airport to Everett) on a weekday (Thursday). If you desire to sit for several hours in a parking lot (I-5), and pay more for tolls and ferry, then go counter-clockwise. I was just trying to optimize your LITTLE time in WA.

In reference to researching properties on your own, ...

As mentioned... I DON"T buy properties that are already for sale (by owner or realtor). I find properties / areas I like, and spend a few minutes on county web site and contact the owners directly. While realtors prefer to show you a house (their house), there is no LAW against seeing it yourself. I do that if possible, and I even have written the offer and told the owner to present it to his realtor (I prefer not to be bothered by a 3rd party that has a single interest and no value added to the transaction (other than marketing). Many buyer / sellers like their hands held. I prefer to KNOW the legal and title stuff and do my own research and due diligence (I usually am doing commercial props, so your average realtor gets overwhelmed very quickly when the technical / legal and environment details begin to flow). The responsibility totally falls on the buyer to KNOW this stuff anyway. realtors, Banks, and title companies have no culpability. They CtA, and is why you have to sign a Mtn of documents!

[prosin]

Actually, StealthRabbit has a good point about going clockwise around the sound. And yes, the ferry toll is higher heading west than heading east, because you are charged for car and passengers heading west. Driving south from the airport and taking the Narrows bridge onto the peninsula may be the best way to go, because you can avoid all of the afternoon Seattle traffic.

Your appointment is Friday in Poulsbo, so I would suggest spending some time Thursday night getting a feel for North Kitsap. If it were summer, I'd outline a driving tour loop to see most of NK. But given the sun is in limited quantity this time of year, staying close in Poulsbo might be your best bet. Hanging out downtown is great, but you might also get some feel for the community by spending a little time at Central Market and at up at Olhava (WalMart, Home Depot, Petco, etc.). The local good 'ol boys do breakfast at the Junction Diner.

Eats Downtown: Burrata Bistro, That's a Some Italian, Casa Luna, JJ's Fishhouse, or my favorite, Tizley's Europub (funky vibe).

Eats elsewhere in town: Stella's, Los Cabos, Taprock Grill.

Eats way out of town: Port Gamble--General Store dining room, Mike's 4-Star BBQ. Kingston--Jamie Le Crepes (at the ferry dock for the best crepes ever! IMO), Main Street Ale House. Suquamish: Agate Pass Café, Clearwater Casino.

Sleeps: Poulsbo Inn, Clearwater Casino Resort (it's a splurge), or GuestHouse Inn.

Someone else will have to review best places in Gig Harbor, but it's only 45 minutes from Poulsbo, so you could spend two nights in Poulsbo and drive south Saturday morning.

[kwoods49]

Thanks everyone for your help. It is appreciated. You make many great points Stealthrabbit and we will give consideration to reversing the appointments if possible. Thanks again everyone.

Karen