Yet another "thinking about moving to Port Angeles" thread (Sequim: condo, crime)

[brainranger]

I have read many similar question here while I lurked. None of the questions asked have much to do with me. Male, divorced, early 50's, adult children, not looking for employment. I saw an amazing 7 acre property half way between Lake Crescent and Port Angeles. $244K. Worth several million if such a thing existed in So. Cal., where I live.

So here are my issues. I have lived in a city in California for 40 years that is known for the best climate in North America. Basically 83 all summer, 70 all winter, 300 plus days of sun. It also cost $450K for a condo. My 85 year old mother lives in assisted living. At this time I am staying at her house, just down the street, paying all expenses, after a financially stupid divorce where I lost my dream home. My first priority is to remain here in So. Cal. until my mother passes. Then I have to sell the house. I have 2 sisters, in Milwaukee, and Oregon, but because the trust is my responsibility I will stay for up to a year. I should inherit enough money where that above mentioned 7 acre property could be bought outright. I will have a 35 year plus state/county retirement, netting me about 4-7 thousand dollars a month, contingent on several undecided factors. I love camping and hiking in the green. Lake Crystal looks like THE place to be in the summer. My preference would be one of the properties about half way between the lake and Port Angeles, with at least an acre, but I am flexible.

So, for someone like me, who is used to perfect weather, considering sacrificing it for a financially free retirement not possible where I live, and having the money to get away in mid winter, whether it be the Caribbean, San Diego, or a Seahawks game, deluding myself by thinking that they can handle the grey and short wet winter days? I could potentially have no financial problems with a robust retirement, hopefully helping me accept the trade of of "perfect weather". I also am the only person I know with a wood burning fireplace insert, and the wood ritual, collection, splitting, cutting, is a hobby, so the dark cool days would be helped by a nice freestanding fireplace. Also, how welcome would I be? Not hearing a lot of positive acceptance of newcomers in general on this forum.

[Hemlock140]

My parents are in unincorporated PA in the Blue Mountain area, and heat their home with wood. Generally it's about 6 cords/winter. They used to buy logs and cut/split (has a splitter) but now too old, they pay $200-250/cord delivered, and we help them stack it. That's still less than half what the electric bill would cost if they used the furnace. They also have to get the chimney cleaned twice a year. The area you are thinking about, especially along highway 112 around the ton of Joyce is known for meth labs/crack houses, and that helps explain the low cost for property. (we have a friend working for the Clallam County Sheriff's Department). Closer to PA or Lake Crescent is better, though the crime within PA is higher than average. From Sequim to about Deer Park is the better area for friendly, welcoming and even helpful neighbors.

[PrincessoftheCape]

Originally Posted by brainranger

I should inherit enough money where that above mentioned 7 acre property could be bought outright. I will have a 35 year plus state/county retirement, netting me about 4-7 thousand dollars a month, contingent on several undecided factors.

I've always wondered what it's like to not have a care in the world.

[brainranger]

Originally Posted by PrincessoftheCape

I've always wondered what it's like to not have a care in the world.

Trust me. I have paid my dues. 2 wives who put me in so much debt I lost everything, except the majority of my retirement. The rest is inheritance. I lost $75K of my inheritance as a downpayment on my dream house that debt made me lose 2 years ago. That is the reason I am looking at Port Angeles. It seems to be the only acceptable place I can retire comfortably. I have probably lost $250,000 plus, over the past 30 years, that I had no control over because of California law. My next move is hermit like. Having worked full time since 1979, with all the **** that has happened, I feel lucky to have found a place I can afford.

[Craig218]

Originally Posted by brainranger

So here are my issues. I have lived in a city in California for 40 years that is known for the best climate in North America. Basically 83 all summer, 70 all winter, 300 plus days of sun . . . My preference would be one of the properties about half way between the lake and Port Angeles, with at least an acre, but I am flexible.

My grandparents looked at property out there (just south of the highway near Granny's Café) years ago because they wanted to be "closer to the lakes." They ultimately decided on property east of Port Angeles solely because of the rain. Port Angeles is on the western edge of the Olympic Rain Shadow, so our climate is generally dryer and sunnier than most other areas in the region. The more you move west, however, the more annual precipitation you will recieve. To help put it in perpective, a general rule of thumb around here is: for every mile west of Sequim, is an additional inch of annual precipitation. According to http://www.olympicrainshadow.com/oly...shadowmap.html, Sequim recieves only 16 inches annually, while Port Angeles recieves 26 inches annually, and the area between Lake Crescent and Port Angeles could recieve as much as 50-60 inches of annual precipitation. Although this area recieves more rain, that doesn't necesarily mean it has less sunny days.

Another thing to concider when determining a location for property around Port Angeles is how close you are to the water. Since Port Angeles has the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north and the Olympic Mountains to the south, marine air/fog gets blocked in which affects the temperature. The water cools the surrounding air in the summer and heats the surrounding air in the winter, like a natural air conditioner. As you move away from the water (south), this effect wears off, so you will see warmer temperatures in the summer, but you may encounter cooler temperatures in the winter. I prefer to stay south of US-101. if the weather is a factor, you may want to look into properties just southwest of Port Angeles (still that much closer to the lakes, better weather, closer to town). Try Black Diamond Rd or Benson Rd.

If it helps at all, I have found the weather in Port Angeles to be similar to weather in San Francisco; atleast for the times I have been there in the mid-late summer.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i...ncisco+weather

Originally Posted by brainranger

I also am the only person I know with a wood burning fireplace insert, and the wood ritual, collection, splitting, cutting, is a hobby, so the dark cool days would be helped by a nice freestanding fireplace.

There is nothing like heating up next to a wood stove in the winter.

Originally Posted by brainranger

Also, how welcome would I be? Not hearing a lot of positive acceptance of newcomers in general on this forum.

Some people around here like to b*tch about Californians coming up here and changing our small community, but thats all they will do. On the other hand, most people would gladly welcome others to share our beautiful area. Just keep our environment in mind. Personally, I think the changes happening in Port Angeles have been positive, for the most part. But that's an entirely different issue. I hope this has helped! Good luck with your property hunt, and let me know if you have any more questions.

[brainranger]

Thanks Craig. You confirmed many of my thoughts, and you answered a few things I did not think to ask. Much appreciated.

[elkotronics]

brainranger - what you said, man! Just keep looking for a property in the area you described. I've lived in P.A., way back in 1984, as a much younger man, and thought it just fine. We didn't have much money but we had each other and a young boy, he's now 33 years old and living in Phoenix.

Your retirement sounds like a good deal, buy in the P.A. area and have a ball. Don't miss going to a Seahawk's game if at all possible, that was one of the best parts of your argument for moving up there! I have great expectations for the boys again this season.