Horse Property in Washington (Puyallup, Bothell: house, rent, schools)

[twelvegates]

I currently live in Colorado and am tired of the arid climate. I'll be retiring in about five years and hope to move to Washington. I really like overcast, wet, dreary weather--not sure if my husband will enjoy it as much, but there's always Prozac. Anyway, I know this is going to be a MAJOR change from Colorado. Ideally, I'm probably like all the other unrealistic dreamers, and would like to live on at least 5-10 acres, with a house and barn, that isn't TOO far from city conveniences and medical specialists, but would be in a smaller town atmosphere. I've searched online for everything along the western part of the state, from one end to the other, including the islands off the coast. Can anyone provide any advice on horsey type areas, idyllic small towns, etc? I'm ready to be brought back to earth if necessary. I believe we could afford a nice place and I LOVE older homes. Thanks!

[Ultrarunner]

Have you looked around Roy, Mckenna and the outskirts of Yelm?

[theRain]

Depending on your price range, the outskirts of Woodinville are nice. Depends if you want more rural, or more of 5-10 acre subdivisions? Mill Creek, Bothell are nice, but of course spendy. Graham, Puyallup in the south end are more affordable.

[mayfair]

Your price range will help us give better suggestions. Unfortunately, I haven't found any Western WA small towns that are "idyllic." I wish there were. It's very different from the rural areas I knew in the Midwest, which had low crime, good schools and close-knit communities. You can find horse properties, though. I know some people who like the Fall City area and other friends say Snohomish is nice to live near.

Monroe has a lot of horse properties and nice mountain views, which you might appreciate coming from CO. The traffic through Monroe is crazy, though. Stanwood and Camano Island also have horse properties. Arlington as well.

If you go north, Whatcom County is beautiful.

Good luck!

[mthomson]

Near where UltraRunner was mentioning is Eatonville. Beautiful, great horse properties.

[Haakon]

Originally Posted by twelvegates

I really like overcast, wet, dreary weather--

You'll love it out here!

Originally Posted by twelvegates

would like to live on at least 5-10 acres, with a house and barn, that isn't TOO far from city conveniences and medical specialists, but would be in a smaller town atmosphere.

You might look at the Snoqualmie valley, Carnation, Duvall, Monroe. There are a lot of people with horses out here, off hand I can think of 6 people with horses just between my house and Duvall, and once you get east of Duvall property can't be subdivided smaller than 5 acres so it's not hard (also not cheap) to find lots the size you're looking for.

Depending on the time of day it's anywhere from 20-40min to any kind of city conveniences you'd want.

How much you want to spend is going to have a huge impact on where you might move to, Eatonville that was suggested is beautiful - right under Mt Rainier - and far cheaper than anywhere in King County, but is also much further out.

[twelvegates]

Thanks for the time you took to answer my questions. I will look into each of your suggestions carefully.

[woodinvilleguy]

add eastern woodinville to your search as well. There are lots of horse properties there too, a little closer in than Duvall but not by too much.

[twelvegates]

Thanks -- I will check that as well.

[Kim Emmons]

We have a city of about 19,000 people, but most of our land is rural. We have many horse training and boarding facilities. Our schools are outstanding. Most residents moved here because of Tahoma School District. Our community is connected, many festivities throughout the year to participate in. You will love Maple Valley Washington.