God's Country (Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver: relocate, real estate, tornado)

[texasdude]

Let me start out by saying, this is one fantastic website with helpful people giving you insight in what to expect in where you move and live. I have moved probably 20 times in the last forty years and never knew what to expect but luckily am still kicking. The move is not critical for us only that we are tired of the hurricanes and we love nature with long distance motorcycling and kayaking.
Anyhow with that said, I am looking to possibly relocate to a couple of areas in Wa, but still open to other suggestions, the order is Poulsbo, Port Ludlow and Hansville. I know these areas are somewhat more expensive then where we presently live but hopefully we have stuffed enough away. Iam retired military so work is not an issue but for my girlfriend it is. Kids are long gone so that is one less issue.
If anyone can shed some light on the above areas, as to; plus and minus's, it would be appreciated. I have done extensive research into several of the areas, to include Sequim(less rainfall) but due to location, location, jobs may be an issue. Thanks for you time and consideration. texasdude(now living in florida)

[the dufferz]

If you want drier and warmer weather, you should check out central Washington (Ellensburg, Cle-Elum, Yakima, Wenatchee). Less expensive housing, better weather for riding etc.

[RodFarlee]

Originally Posted by texasdude

...the order is Poulsbo, Port Ludlow and Hansville. I know these areas are somewhat more expensive then where we presently live but hopefully we have stuffed enough away. Iam retired military so work is not an issue but for my girlfriend it is. ...due to location, location, jobs may be an issue.

Not quite sure what info you seek on these towns, but can give an overview.

All are more expensive than other nearby areas because they are on the water. Most homes, if not waterfront, at least have water views.

Hansville and Port Ludlow are bedroom communities, 10 to 15 miles from the nearest supermarket or hardware store, while Poulsbo is a self-sufficient town.

Hansville and Poulsbo are (just barely) within car/van-pool and ferry commuting distance of jobs in north Seattle (if you consider 3+ hour round trip commute acceptable; I know people who do it). This has driven real estate prices in both areas up to near those of other Seattle exurbs.

Hansville is a small bedroom community, mostly of nicer homes on small lots along the shore of the peninsula, and the town center is a fire station and a couple small stores. For weekly shopping, you'd have to drive to Poulsbo or Silverdale.

Poulsbo is a nice town with a somewhat quaint and touristy downtown area. Many residents also commute to jobs in Silverdale or Bremerton.

Port Ludlow is just outside of sane Seattle commuting distance, and was built as a retirement community. But many residents use it as a bedroom community, and commute to jobs in Port Townsend, etc. It does have a tiny store and cafe, but Chimacum has the nearest gas station and Port Hadlock the nearest market, library, etc. For restaurants and cultural activities, Port Townsend is 20 miles north and has much to offer for its size.

Since you like Hansville and Port Ludlow, I also might mention Seabeck, another picturesque bedroom community on the water, about 15 miles west of Silverdale.

You might also wish to investigate Oak Harbor? If a job turns up there, you could have what the above offer, but with less commuting and a bit lower house prices.

[debeas]

One thing I didn't see mentioned was the connection to the Olympic Peninsula and Poulsbo is the Hood Canal Bridge. The bridge is not the only access but the most convenient. It is scheduled to be closed for some major reconstruction which you can read about at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR1...009closure.htm

[WazzuCoop21]

check out the Tri-Cities. Much more comparable to Texas if that's what you're going for. The Columbia river is huge and it's not too big of a town (150,000). There's great farmland minutes away from the cities if that's what you're interests are. You should definitely give it a look.
http://www.visittri-cities.com/

The Tri-Cities is far enough away from the volcanoes and earthquakes and there are essentially no natural disasters (which is why the area was ranked in the top 5 safest places to live). Oh and the Tri-Cities housing is about 1/2 or less of what housing does in western Washington if you wanted a comparison. You can buy a new 3 bedroom house, depending on the location, for $150-200K. Just my 2 cents.

[texasdude]

Thanks Everyone For The Feedback. I May Look Into Seabeck And Also Another Possibility Is Silverdale For I Was Looking At Some Of The Homes And They Dont Appear To Be Too Pricey. Thx Texasdude

[cindycat]

We moved to western Washington in 2005, after 60 years in Oklahoma and Arkansas. We came for "the weather" but now we aren't sure about that. The summers are wonderful but the two winters have been wet and cold and gray. We vacationed in the northwest many times and loved the "green". Now we miss the wide-open spaces. We probably haven't given it a fair chance because our life has revolved around remodeling a house in Silverdale, while living near Port Ludlow. It's an hour roundtrip almost every day.

Something to consider about Port Ludlow...Someone mentioned the Hood Canal Bridge and its scheduled closing in 2009. The bridge is the main route between the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. You also need to be aware of the closures that can happen at any time. They close it for marine traffic - 30-45 minute wait, depending on how much vehicle traffic there is. They close it when the wind is sustained at 40 MPH for 15 minutes. In windstorms like we had in November and December, it can be closed for several hours. The driving trip around the south route is 2-3 hours, depending on your starting and stopping points.

The four-lane highway from Tacoma runs up the Kitsap Peninsula as far as Poulsbo, so the central and south parts of the peninsula are fairly accessible but the north part is two-lane with few traffic lights and lots of wrecks. It's the same after you cross to the Olympic peninsula. In fact my husband's been sitting on the bridge for almost an hour now because there's a wreck and no way to get off.

If you want to live in this area, I'd suggest Silverdale because of the military presence (Navy) and the shopping. We don't know much about Bremerton but it seems more rundown than Silverdale. Overall this is a good area for getting to Seattle, the Olympics, Victoria, Vancouver, etc. Just remember almost everywhere you go involves at least one stretch on a bridge or a ferry.

Good luck. Now you need to hear from someone with a better attitude than I have!!!!

[Bossanovawitcha]

But.. If Ranier popped its lid, wouldn't tons of ash blow east, since thats the direction the wind is usually blowing? Make the breathing a bit chewy?

[psprague]

Originally Posted by Bossanovawitcha

But.. If Ranier popped its lid, wouldn't tons of ash blow east, since thats the direction the wind is usually blowing? Make the breathing a bit chewy?

Volcano's, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunami's. Pick your location and take your chances.

[janb]

Originally Posted by Bossanovawitcha

But.. If Ranier popped its lid, wouldn't tons of ash blow east, since thats the direction the wind is usually blowing? Make the breathing a bit chewy?

The areas being discussed are about 24,800 miles downwind (east) of Mt. Rainier should be pretty safe from ash.

St Helen's was quite disproportionally high in ash / dust content than your average 'cascade volcano', (due to blowing out the side, rather than the top of the mountain). We survived that fairly well, and the forest is rebuilding itself. Most places on the west side has risk of 'slipping into the drink', with a slight shift of the cascadia plate. Volcano probably a lesser risk. (If you need something ELSE to worry about in life...) Or maybe consider the 'Peak Oil' risk of the PNW being overtaken by starving asean people groups drifting onto our shore and commandeering the food resources of the USA. or... The puget sound region may have a 'target' drawn on it by a N Korean military strategist ! Anything can happen

- have a nice day