want to move WA near Ocean (Seattle, Lakewood: to rent, insurance, job market)

[chris]

within Tumwater (some call it scumwater mainly because of the airport area), you'll have a hard time finding acreage of that size. However, directly south of the area there is land parcels in that range and it's *much* safer (take a ride down littlerock for a taste of the area). I was looking at that area at a few 10 acre lots myself but they were scooped up before I had a chance to even look at them.

And about Shelton, it can be perceived as poor, but it's changed quite a bit over the last two years. I wouldn't be surprised if those stats are outdated. I decided to settle in the area after being in Olympia for a year.

I'd also say that deang's view about the Aberdeen area mostly represents my view of that particular area. I spent about a year looking in the area, and for anyone who is looking at that area, just visit on a Sunday to see what you're in for. There isn't a lot that is attractive about the area except housing costs, and they are low for several reasons.

[KidBlue]

Thanks for the input regarding Tumwater. Did you decide to move near Shelton because it was a smaller town than Olympia/Tumwater and I'm assuming safer, etc.?

I'm glad the Shelton/Belfair area might be nicer than the statistics show. I didn't get a chance to get up that far on my first trip to WA (trying to fit in Vancouver, Morton, Centralia, Rainier, Yelm and Elma to Aberdeen in one trip!). Shelton sounds great from the Web sites I've looked at. Elma was nice, but I would get tired of having to drive to Olympia for grocery shopping, etc. I have to drive 25 minutes now, and it gets old.

Many people have said that Shelton and the immediate area is full of hicks and rednecks, but so are Shingle Springs and Placerville (except the hicks have more money with bigger and newer pickups and monster SUVs!). I'm probably too well educated to be a hick and too liberal to be a redneck, but I can blend in and no one can tell....

I'll keep Shelton and Belfair on my list for the next visit along with a closer look at Elma, Montesano, and Eatonville.

[chris]

Did you decide to move near Shelton because it was a smaller town than Olympia/Tumwater and I'm assuming safer, etc.?

Smaller and safer (exclude immediate downtown Shelton, although it's already improved lately), but mostly the peace/quiet factor. Olympia is one of the nicest places to live in Washington state but what's important to me isn't really suited by Olympia when it comes to raising a family.

Both Shelton and Belfair, like any communities, have good and bad parts, and it's for everyone. It's more of a country atmosphere - outdoor activities are/were a major draw for me. I was also drawn like you, to Eatonville a few years ago. That's also a very nice community (but is even smaller than Shelton), but ultimately I found Mason county offered more of what I was looking for. Elma & Montesano are also nice, but allergy sensitivity ruled out those areas for me. Good luck on your visit!

[deang]

I like the idea of Shelton...if the gf wasn't set on being close to family I would consider it. There seems to be a lot of new building going on there ...the one downfall I've heard of living there is the ramp from 101 where it meets up with Olympia right around Mud Bay. A guy I used to work with said this was his only issue with living in Shelton becaues it goes from 2 to 1 lane then merges back onto a 2 lane highway. Big bottleneck in the morning I guess. Montesano and Elma are nice and quiet and haven't experienced the growth of Shelton. I've been watching the housing markets and in the last few months there seems to be a lot more to choose from in Shelton than in either Monte or Elma.

[chris]

there is that bottleneck during the rush to work (and sometimes on the way back) but the overall traffic moves right along. The only time I remember sitting in traffic for more than a couple of minutes on 101 was during an accident or construction.

There's definitely more options in Shelton vs. Montesano/Elma, although finding land here is not as easy as it used to be. Plenty of available new/existing homes for sale though.

[sarah7]

HI Ryan
I live in Alabama and will be comming to WA soon. Thinking about the Grayland area. Could you tell me what kind of work I could find?
Now I am a welder, but not sure if I want to keep doing that.

[thana edwards]

Anything wrong w/ living on the peninsula coast of WA? Most of the beach area looks deserted; why?

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by thana edwards

Anything wrong w/ living on the peninsula coast of WA? Most of the beach area looks deserted; why?

Hi thana.

I think somebody answered this question before but I'll reiterate a bit. Most of the of the peninsula's coast area is occupied by either Indian reservations or national forest land or part of the Olympic National Park. I believe that more than 60 miles of coastline is part of the national park.

Yes, a lot of the beach area on the coast is in fact deserted and is truly beautiful. I used to love visiting in the winters out there because is seemed so desolate and pristine. It was cold, windy, rainy, and gray but was truly a gorgeous experience.

Here's a map that will show you what parts of the coast are what:

http://www.gonorthwest.com/Washingto...c/mapwaol2.htm


Thanks.

--'rocco

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by blancohawke

I live in South Florida and I would like to buy a property in Washington near the beach to escape the heat in the summer. Any suggestions on beat places in Washington near the beach

The Pacific Coast is harsh, which is why there is little population. You will need to research the possibilities of Tsunamis, flood hazards, and Extratropical storms that hit in the winter time.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by sarah7

HI Ryan
I live in Alabama and will be comming to WA soon. Thinking about the Grayland area. Could you tell me what kind of work I could find?
Now I am a welder, but not sure if I want to keep doing that.

You can most definitely find work as a welder in Westport which is adjacent to Grayland. Grayland itself is tiny and has no industry whatsoever.