Relocating from No. California to Washington (Seattle, Snohomish: ski resorts, homes, retirement)

[bbuchler]

We're thinking of relocating and are looking for the following:

Small town - population around 12,000
Weather - all 4 seasons
Distance - would like to be within 1 hour of Seattle
House - with at least 1 acre
Retirement - 2 adults, love to golf

Having never been to Washington, have no idea where to start looking. We plan to fly to Seattle and look at homes but need some guidance.

Would appreciate your input!

Barbara

[Seacove]

Snoqualmie

http://www.ci.snoqualmie.wa.us/

[prosin]

North Bend, Snohomish, Stanwood, north end of the Kitsap Peninsula (Poulsbo, Kingston, Hansville, Keyport), Port Orchard, Port Ludlow.

[bbuchler]

Thank you.

[sll3454]

Originally Posted by prosin

Stanwood

Stanwood will be too far from the airport. You can cross that one off.

[Haakon]

There are no real 4 season towns within an hour of Seattle. You'll have 3 months of awesome Summer and 9 months of gray and rain.

Also keep in mind within an hour of Seattle is essentially one large metro area. There are towns with 12,000 or so people in that radius, but it's much like one large sprawling city. North Bend or Snoqualmie separates you from that some, but they're becoming bedroom communities for people who work closer in, which is fine if that's what you're looking for but they aren't really going to have an isolated small town feel if that's what you want.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by sll3454

Stanwood will be too far from the airport. You can cross that one off.

Huh? Where does the OP say anything about an airport?

[IslandCityGirl]

Originally Posted by Haakon

There are no real 4 season towns within an hour of Seattle. You'll have 3 months of awesome Summer and 9 months of gray and rain.

You will get some snow in winter (and be 30 minutes from world class ski resorts) in Snoqualmie/North Bend, which is 30-40 minutes east of Seattle proper.

Originally Posted by Seacove

Snoqualmie

Welcome to the City of Snoqualmie Home Page

Haakon is not totally off that the PNW doesn't have really extreme, distinct, seasons, but this is really just in reference to constantly mild temperatures and common clouds/mistiness, year-round. You absolutely can experience all four seasons. It's not as bland as the description above. You will have fall colors and pumpkins on porches, at least a touch of snow (in Snoq. Valley) in winter, beautiful spring blooms (oh the glorious blossoms in trees everywhere, and the TULIP FESTIVAL!), and if you've looked at the weather forecast at all this summer, you already know the potential there. Even a "typical" summer (if that will ever happen again), which is cooler, gives way to a gorgeously sunny August and September, conventionally.

Good luck!

[mishigas73]

Would also suggest Stanwood, Snohomish, and the places mentioned above on the peninsula.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by IslandCityGirl

Haakon is not totally off that the PNW doesn't have really extreme, distinct, seasons, but this is really just in reference to constantly mild temperatures and common clouds/mistiness, year-round. You absolutely can experience all four seasons. It's not as bland as the description above. You will have fall colors and pumpkins on porches, at least a touch of snow (in Snoq. Valley) in winter, beautiful spring blooms (oh the glorious blossoms in trees everywhere, and the TULIP FESTIVAL!), and if you've looked at the weather forecast at all this summer, you already know the potential there. Even a "typical" summer (if that will ever happen again), which is cooler, gives way to a gorgeously sunny August and September, conventionally

I know everyone gets tired of me pointing this out, but you are talking about Western Washington here, NOT the PNW. These comments regarding climate certainly do not apply to Eastern WA, Idaho, Eastern OR, or Western MT, all of which are generally considered part of the PNW.