Anyone Know About Mason County? (Tacoma, Olympia: transplants, for sale, mortgage)

[KidBlue]

No one seemed to have information about Shelton, WA. How about Mason County in general. Do you think this would be a good area to retire to? I'm looking for an affordable area (homes on acreage for $500,000 or less), quiet, relaxed, area with a small city or town feel. The pictures on the internet looked great, but I was wondering if residents may have more information.

Any information would be helpful and appreciated.

[chris]

Not a lot to say about Mason county - it's mostly county living and up until recently was very affordable. Shelton is the main seat for the county and it is a small town, definitely not a city. There's a Walmart, a Frey Meyer (food only), and a Safeway downtown. The downtown has many small stores and several non-chain restaurants. For all chain stores and big shopping, Olympia is 20-30 minutes away...

There aren't really many big city amenities - most of the people who live here, live here for the peace and quiet (although that's changing like most of the NW). We've had a recent surge of transplants (mostly CA), who you can spot in a second because they look so uncomfortable. During the summer it's a huge tourist area for campers and outdoor people. More than half the people that live in my community only live here during the warm months. The biggest events here are the county fair and Oysterfest.

For retirement, if you are looking at 400-500k (mostly upper crust for Mason county), the Mason Lake area is full of retired geezers and a beautiful area (but again it's country living). Every time I pass by the area I see big groups of retirees walking around and they seem very happy. Lake Limmerick too, to a lesser extent.

Hood Canal is beautiful too - for those who live here year round, it's about peace and quiet (more expensive though than most of Mason cty - B. Gates/Nordstrom summer homes are here). Between Hood Canal and Shelton there are a lot of new construction areas that are predominately retirees. There are plenty of new homes for sale in the 300k range, and about a 10 minute drive to the hospital.

Well I said there wasn't a lot to say about it but I guess there is...

[KidBlue]

Hope you are staying safe up there with all the flooding. They are showing homes floating downstream on the news.

There may be not much to say, but what you said sounds perfect. I currently live in Shingle Springs, CA which is definitely country (population 2,600, oak trees and digger pines), but being invaded by developers and really expensive.

Sounds like housing costs are in my range too. I'm not looking for anything fancy, but I would love to end up without a mortgage and a small home on a few acres. I currently have to drive about 25 minutes to shop so the distance is similar, but I would be spoiled to have a Safeway right downtown (currently, the local feed store is the only big attraction! ).

I'm looking for peace and quiet, and lots of rain and cool weather. If you get a chance, I had one more question. On weather reports.com it indicated that Shelton gets about 8 inches of snow per year, but on the Shelton Chamber of Commerce Web site, it said snow was rare except in the mountains. I would like to live where I get a little snow (8 inches would be great) every year instead of every 10 to 20 years where I live now. Now, that is rare.

I liked Elma and Montesano when I got a chance to visit last summer, but wasn't able to get up to Shelton. Planning another trip to just check out Grays Harbor and Mason Counties.

[chris]

That .com must be referring to the top of the Olympic mountains (it just snowed up there a few days ago - looks beautiful, no snow down here though)... It might snow a few times below the mountains but only at night/AM and is usually gone in the afternoon. It rarely gets below 32 degrees ever so it's not snow you get to enjoy except maybe once a year during a cold snap.

And yep, the rain has been something else. Many streets in Shelton have been closed from heavy rain run off but the only real flooding we get here is the Skokomish river. 101 is/was closed due to a mud/land slide but this was some of the heaviest rain on record, so it's not typical for this area. Nothing on the level that Snohomish and Lewis county are seeing.

I like this area a lot better than Elmo/Montesano, although you can get more peace and quiet north of Elma, it's largely undeveloped out there, but next to nothing in terms of shopping (it's more like where you live now).

[zephyrdeb]

The Shelton/Belfair area is definitely beautiful, and very relaxed and peaceful. With the new Tacoma Narrows bridge coming in I think the whole peninsula will slowly change and Shelton/Belfair will start to grow some. There is still plenty of good country living out there and if you're in the need for shopping and dining, there is plenty to choose from within surrounding cities all approx. 20 - 40 minutes away.
Good luck with your move.

[walterhunt]

I personally like Belfair better than Shelton, mainly because I feel the schools are better (Shelton High School grad). The worst part about Belfair is the traffic, although that has gotten a lot better.
Like Chris said, for retiring, I would recommend Lake Limerick. That is a nice community with a wonderful (6 hole) golf course and a peaceful lake. The punk-kid factor is pretty low, and there aren't that many meth labs in the area. Island Lake is alright, too, but it's close to the high school, so there are a lot of joy riding, teenage hooligans.
Mason Lake and the Grapeview area used to be quiet, but is getting more and more populated, and there is a higher meth factor (not too big a problem, but it is a little unnerving when a house a few miles away explodes, true story).

[nbirk]

I work for the Mason County Sheriffs Office I read from a few people that there are alot of meth labs in the area. This was true about three or four years ago but it has been awhile since we have ran into that problem. Just like any area Mason County has it's wonderful areas and it's not so wonderful areas. I heard several people talk about Lake Limmerack as a nice place. As with most of the county it is really street by street. You will find 500K homes located right next to a dump.

If you are looking to build on acreage for around 500K you'll be in good shape. Shop around hard and do your scouting of the area or you'll be sorry. If your looking for seclusion with a view I have seen several really nice lots sold by remax on Hamma Hamma ridge Rd. in Lilliwaup. It is a 2 acre parcel and the view is second to none. I was considering purchasing it my self but it was a little out of my price range.

It kind of depends on what your looking for. The Matlock area will offers good hunting and farming. There is lots of potential for an investment in the Belfare, Allyn area.

If I could live any where in the county it would probally be on Lynch RD. or Arcadia Road as west as you can get. I know of a nice farm house forsale by owner right now that is amazing on Arcadia Rd. for around 350K.

If I was looking to retire in WA I would look in the Okanagon, Ferry County area. for the price your looking for you will live like a king. I have seen several unfinished homes forsale on 40+ acres for around 115K. I'm personnaly looking into some land in the area.

If you have any questions feel free to email me.

[sodwyer]

Hello there,

Mason County has some beautiful property. I'd agree with staying as far west as you can, doesn't seem to rain as much. just kidding. It does rain a lot being on the peninsula, however property is still pretty reasonable. I currently live in Olympia, and sell homes in both Thurston and mason counties and you'll find that there's quite a selection available under 500K depends on what you're looking for, but you may also want to check out the Steamboat Island area, Delphi, Alpine Hills, East olympia and there's a few more. I think you'll be quite pleased and it's a great place to live! Good Luck.

sodwyer

[deadmanb]

If you need info about Shelton, go to Google.com and type in Shelton Wa in the search panel. You'll come up with several links to the city.

[gotitdnpat]

I am looking to move Mason county, I found property on Skokomish Valley rd, but afraid it is in flood zone. I want quiet, private county living with horses and livestock. Have family in Belfair but he has 5 kids and another on the way want to be far enough away that I don't become drop off babysitter (I have raised my kids don't want more lol). Anyone have information on upper part of Skokomish Valley Rd?????