Port Angeles Question (Seattle, Spokane, Port Townsend: crime, community college, living in)

[joebarb]

Will someone please tell me which part of Port Angeles to stay away from? I have read some really great things, and some really negative things about PA and am not sure which is reality and which is not. I am moving with my 18 and 19 year olds and have gotten a little stressed about the different posts regarding drugs and crime. Also, how is the Community College as far as drugs and crime are concerned? My kids are pretty level headed most of the time, but they are still teenagers and can make the wrong choices. Moving to a completely new area will be a huge adjustment for them and making friends will be important. Advise please???? I'm a bit confused

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by Treefriend

Stay away from the whole place. Unless you like rednecks, hicks and Bush supporters.

That would pretty much summarize all of Washington west of Puget sound or east of the Cascade Mountains.

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by Treefriend

I don't know about that, dued. We have one straight female Demodratic Senator, one gay female Democratic Senator and a female Democratic Governor. It can't be that bad.

The I-5 corridor, especially around Seattle proper, contains most of the state's population. It is also the most politically liberal area north of San Francisco, but the extreme western and eastern parts of the state are a different story.

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by Treefriend

Like Spokane. What a crap hole.

Right on!

If I had to choose between Port Angeles and Spokane, I would pick PA in a second. Even with it's rednecks, hicks, and Bush supporters it's paradise compared with Spokane.

[Treefriend]

Originally Posted by Fat Freddy

Right on!

If I had to choose between Port Angeles and Spokane, I would pick PA in a second. Even with it's rednecks, hicks, and Bush supporters it's paradise compared with Spokane.

Agreeing. And in PA you are a stones throw from the rain forest

[northwest_waterbaby]

I wouldn't say theres a certain "section" of town to stay away from. Although it seems every drug passes through this town, if your kids are levelheaded enough, they should be ok. You'll just have to keep an eye on who they're hanging out with, like you would anywhere else. I don't really agree with this quote:



Originally Posted by Treefriend

Stay away from the whole place. Unless you like rednecks, hicks and Bush supporters.


For one, I wouldn't say we're actual hicks. we're lumberjacks. tree people.And I don't even support Bush! If your more worried about the crime and drugs, theres really no right or wrong way to go about it. Unless you get them to love the great outdoors! I'm young still and have been those ages, so at least theres a youths standpoint.

[joebarb]

Thank you northwest, that is the type of answer that I was looking for. Moving from the North Bay area near SanFrancisco, land of the "I drive a newer BMW than you do", lumberjacks and tree people sound wonderful. My son loves the outdoors, and my daughter can pretty much get along with anyone. Thanks for your imput.

[swsha4]

I am a bit to the left of Dennis Kucininch and am about to move to the Olympic Peninsula. I'm going to Sequim and I notice that there are LOTS of retired lefties from Seattle there. Also in Port Townsend. PA is a bit more conservative but not unduly so. Lets face it, when you get to the West of the Cascades, even the "conservatives" are more progressive. It's certainly NOT Kansas!

I have checked the voting records on the Peninsula and they usually elect Democrats.

As for crime and dope, I don't have small kids, but as someone living in the big city right now, the Peninsula seems very tame. I wouldn't worry about the kids as long as you keep track of them and keep an eye on their friends and activities.

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by swsha4

Sequim -- I notice that there are LOTS of retired lefties from Seattle there. ... PA is a bit more conservative but not unduly so. Lets face it, when you get to the West of the Cascades, even the "conservatives" are more progressive. It's certainly NOT Kansas!

I have checked the voting records on the Peninsula and they usually elect Democrats.

As for crime and dope, I don't have small kids, but as someone living in the big city right now, the Peninsula seems very tame. I wouldn't worry about the kids as long as you keep track of them and keep an eye on their friends and activities.

WOW!! Excellent and ACCURATE description of Port Angeles, from my experience. A gentle, beautiful place that's partly rural and partly bustling town. I loved your description of the politics -- exactly so!
Port Angeles is a healthy, friendly, intelligent choice. Joebarb, go forth in confidence and joy!

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by joebarb

...lumberjacks and tree people sound wonderful.

Then you will be in a wonderful place. Even the AIR on Oly Pen is cleaner than on the mainland, probably because the Peninsula is mostly forests.

Originally Posted by joebarb

My son loves the outdoors, and my daughter can pretty much get along with anyone.

Then both of them will probably be loved, and they can both be happy on the Peninsula. Folks on Oly Pen will like them. But do watch them, and just be sure to hug each of them a lot and tell them endlessly that they're fabulous people and you love them to pieces just as they are -- they're making huge changes in their lives and perspectives, and they're still children (until their brains are fully developed at age 22) and they need your assurances. From your posts, you seem like a family who will flourish in your new life. Joy to you all!