Move to Port Angeles? (Seattle, Spokane: to rent, new home, school)

[wannamove]

Okay, after much searching and deliberation I am looking at Port Angeles, WA as a place to call home. I live in Southern California in the OC and can't wait to get out of here. Port Angeles seems like it has a lot of amenities but still has a small town feel, and you can't beat living right next to the beach and Olympic Park. I'm drooling at the possiblity of hiking through mountain meadows and all the outdoor recreation. I am a bit concerned, however, at how I'll adjust to two-thirds of the days in the winter months having rain. Should I be concerned? I know it gets a little drier toward Sequim.

I read an article where someone wrote that Port Angeles is an "ugly" city. Is there any truth to that or is it a nice city to live in? And are there enough places to rent there (I would need a 1 bedroom)? Thank you so much in advance for any help or information you can offer!

[cyberphobia]

I have been waiting for a reply to a query about Bainbridge Island.
Maybe nobody lives in these places or if they do, don't want other people to move there??
Hmm what a good thought.
Cyberphobia

[Ryan]

The whole area around the rainforest is pretty wet without exception. PA is a booming town right now. Sequim is as well. Both are getting pricier by the minute. I'd prefer PA. It's an old developer planned city (not ugly, but not breathtaking either) and has a more suburban atmosphere. Sequim is a little too country and not enough rock and roll; LOTS of retirees there. Don't know what else to say. Check Port Townsend out though. It's by far the coolest city on the northern border and the same price as both PA and Sequim.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Ryan

The whole area around the rainforest is pretty wet without exception. PA is a booming town right now. Sequim is as well. Both are getting pricier by the minute. I'd prefer PA. It's an old developer planned city (not ugly, but not breathtaking either) and has a more suburban atmosphere. Sequim is a little too country and not enough rock and roll; LOTS of retirees there. Don't know what else to say. Check Port Townsend out though. It's by far the coolest city on the northern border and the same price as both PA and Sequim.

What he said.

As far as the rain, yes, it rains a lot --- and the Olympic Peninsula gets even more rain than a lot. It holds the only rain forest in North America. Rain, rain, rain, and more rain. If you really don't like rain, best to steer clear of anywhere in Washington west of the Cascade Mountains. Eastern Washington is much drier, but honestly, not nearly as nice.

That being said, it's a different kind of rain than other parts of the country. Most of the winter, it's more of a steady drizzle than true rain. Downpours happen, sure, but they are rare.

As far as being ugly, I've never found the city itself anything to write home about, but it's certainly not what I would call ugly. "Bland" maybe. But the scenery around it is the best in the world. Mountains, woods, ocean...it's breathtaking. The Olympics are the loveliest mountains in the world, bar none.

And you are only a short ferry ride away from Victoria, British Columbia, which really is the prettiest city on earth. Probably the most European city in North America.

[adp]

I was in Port Angeles for a day. Cool houses, looks kind of like old-school So-Cal craftsman from what I remember. Not much to do. Don't believe there's even a free-standing Starbucks. Restaurants and bars hardly busy at all. Older and kids mostly around. Friendly, affordable and a ferry ride from Metro Victoria--that's interesting. BC has lots of nature too and is sometimes drier because of the position of the islands, Olympics, etc. Late night the only place I could hang my SoCal lifestyle at was a Safeway or Wal Mart. Definitely not the OC. People in the Northwest mostly go home after dark. Peaceful; seems so.

[coffeecat]

I lived in Port Angeles for almost a year...but that was about 12 years ago, don't know if it's changed much. The whole summer....JUNE THROUGH AUGUST we didn't have one sunny day...that is one summer I'll never forget...and very windy too. But they told me it was unusual. Bonnie's Bakery is fantastic, the only good coffee I could find in the town...I wonder if it's still there. Kmart was the only "big" store there at the time. But since I've lived in a lot of different citys in Washington state (Brememton, Hansville, Moses Lake, Davenport, Spokane, Kent, Renton....) I'd have to say Port Angeles was a disappointment for me. But I think if you like to hike and some rain and grey doesn't bother you, then you might find a good home.
Good luck finding your new home!

[psprague]

Originally Posted by coffeecat

The whole summer....JUNE THROUGH AUGUST we didn't have one sunny day...that is one summer I'll never forget...and very windy too. But they told me it was unusual.

1994 if I recall. That was the summer that wasn't. Most of the time summer is May or June thru September or October. I built a deck on my house that year and never got to use it.

Originally Posted by coffeecat

Bonnie's Bakery is fantastic, the only good coffee I could find in the town...I wonder if it's still there.

It kind of is. Its a bakery but not named Bonnies anymore.

Originally Posted by coffeecat

Kmart was the only "big" store there at the time.

Kmart folded but happily, there is a wally world right across 101 from where it was. Rumor has it that they are going to tear down the old Kmart store and build a super wally. Sequim is actually the booming area, they have built a Home Depot, a wally world of thier own and a bigger Costco, along with a plethora of strip malls.

Originally Posted by coffeecat

But I think if you like to hike and some rain and grey doesn't bother you, then you might find a good home.
Good luck finding your new home!

Actually Port Angeles is drier than Seattle and Sequim has an irrigation festival because it is so dry (rain shadow effect of the Olympic Mountains). For every mile you travel west toward Forks though, you gain an inch in annual precipitation.

[silverfox]

I live in Sequim and love the whole area. Sequim is primarily retirees. Come 7:00 P.M. and you can shoot a cannon down the main st. The Olympic National Parks are wonderful for hiking and camping. Lots of beauty to see all around.
Sequim is much drier than Port Angeles and is much nicer as well. I'm a native of the area for 70 years and there is only one thing that would make me consider living here not so good. There is a Major Earthquake threat to the general vicinity that could devistate everything here including Seattle.
If that concerns you, then I would do some research before moving into this area. Not a good idea to invest all your money into property that could be destroyed. If you can get by that then you will be close to heaven.
Silverfox

[chris]

Sequim is really nice (country feel, nice people). Port Angeles is kind of dirty and people aren't as friendly (a little nutty actually). My guess is that there is quite a bit of drug use over there.

[tommy pieyed]

Port Angeles is an ugly city! Go to google, type in the name of any city, followed by the state name, then the words---detailed profile-----This will do it for all info. Go back to google, and hit ----images----at the top of the box, then the town and state in the box. This gets all avaliable photos of the town and area...