Port Angeles vs Sequim? (Port Townsend: to rent, month to, homes)

[smith0624]

It looks like we will be relocating to this area next summer for approximately 4 years. We are trying to decided what community would be a better fit for us-Port Angeles or Sequim. My husband will be working in Port Angeles and I will probably go to the college there. We are in our early thirties, no kids. We're probably going to rent a house. We enjoy the outdoors, and we also have an active social life where we live now which is warm, sunny Florida! However we are looking forward to change and want to embrace the area during our limited time there. I'd love to hear any advice or thoughts you may have. Thanks!

[madicarus2000]

There is a joke about Sequim, it’s filled with old retired people and their parents.

It is a nice area and I havent heard anything negative, but for a young couple with an active life, Port Angeles may have more going for you than Sequim.

[smith0624]

Thanks, that's just the type of info I was looking for! We're definitely used to hustle and bustle, so the small town life will be an adjustment. But I'm looking forward to it in a way! Sequim appealed to me because I've heard it was significantly sunnier, but from what I've read Prot Angeles seems to have more to do.

[swsha4]

I think that is an unfair assessment of Sequim. Sequim is a smaller town and does have more retirees but there are young people there too, and many people retire in PA as well. A lot of former Seattlites retire in Sequim so it is more progressive than most retirement areas. It is also and arts center with many working artists in the area. There is a lot of farming in the area too with all the lavender farms and it is a tourist destination as well. PA is a bit larger, and it has a more active port area with the ferry to Victoria. It's a working class town and a bit more conservative but also rather progressive with an active arts community as well and even boasts a rather nice symphony orchestra.

Keep in mind that both of these areas are very close together and there is much toing and froing. The area between the two towns has neighborhoods all along it and there are many homes you may want to consider renting in that in-between area. Along that Old Olympic Highway is really lovely. Rural settings yet close in and almost always close to the water.

If I were you, I'd wait until I got there to decide. You can't really get a feel for each town until you do. Even then, you can rent month to month for a few months until you check the whole area out and decide what suits you the most.

[barnacle9]

I grew up in Port Townsend.

When I was younger, Sequim was a cute little retirement/farming community in the middle of nowhere.

Recently, I went through Sequim on my way to PA. Sequim is full of retired people living in ugly tract projects these days. I barely recognized it.

PA has not changed much - large small town, but not a bad place to be.

Good luck

[swsha4]

Originally Posted by barnacle9

I grew up in Port Townsend.

When I was younger, Sequim was a cute little retirement/farming community in the middle of nowhere.

Recently, I went through Sequim on my way to PA. Sequim is full of retired people living in ugly tract projects these days. I barely recognized it.

PA has not changed much - large small town, but not a bad place to be.

Good luck

Isn't it funny how different people have different reactions. Mine was exactly opposite. I found PA to be one big box store and fast food place after another, just another McTown, a bastion for corporate America to sell it's crap. Whereas Sequim had a lovely old section with lots of small shops owned by locals. There were some nice restaurants and coffee shops too. The old town area was lovely and so were all the areas along the Bay and the Strait.

[beauty4ashes]

I must agree with swsha4. Right on target for summing things up.

I lived in Sequim briefly about 18 years ago and have visited my relatives there several times a year since. And although it has changed a lot by adding big box chains like Walmart, Olive Garden, Home Depot (which unfortunately has leached away some charm and character) it does still have the old town feel and people there are very community oriented. Nothing wrong with old folks, but there's plenty of young folks in Sequim, too.

If I had to choose, I would live in Sequim.

[swsha4]

Me too Beauty. As a matter of fact, I'll be moving there in the spring.

[Beloved7]

I am thinking of relocating to the Oly Peninsula, perhaps Sequim.
Is there much mold there? I know it' s sunnier so perhaps there
isn't as much mold....

Are there any meditation groups there?
Thx,
Beloved7

[allforcats]

Hi B7. We already answered the same questions you asked yesterday in the thread called "Sequim".