want to move WA near Ocean (Seattle, Tacoma: real estate, crime, houses)

[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

[Ryan]

Well, the WA coast has the best summers I've ever experienced. Mid April to mid October, 80 deg. and little/no rain the whole time. So here's the deal. Everybody form the Seattle/Tacoma area bombards the WA coast every summer. It gets a little ridiculous in Ocean Shores (it actually gets more in state tourists than any other city in WA.) Suffice to say, if you're looking for a peaceful summer, do not move onto that peninsula, regardless of what agents tell you. The other thing is that regardless of what time of the year it is, the coast is windy, but especially in areas that have been deforested, so "beachfront" property might not be what you want. So i'll start south and move north. If I was looking for property, I'd start on the mid to inside areas of Long Island peninsula, most likely in Long Beach and Ocean Park. Some pretty amazing homes available there. A higher retired population and a lot of vacation properties as well. Great beaches, good shopping. Lots to do or lots not to do if you prefer. It's right across the bridge from Astoria, which is one of the most beautiful towns on entire the west coast as well as Seaside and Cannon Beach, the top 2 of 3 northwest beach areas. I'd then check out Grayland and Westport. Grayland is home to the western Ocean Spray cranberry co-op. Quiet, untouched beaches, quiet town, friendly folks and lots of trees. Very nice place to live and relax and by far the most inexpensive place to live on my ocean front list (followed by Pacific Beach). Westport is home to most of the fishing enterprises on the WA coast. It's got a nice country-boardwalk feel to it, has reasonable shopping and lots to do including whale watching and the best surfing in WA. The outer peninsula is becoming more developed as of late and there are some nice places available at a fraction of the cost of Ocean Shores, which I feel is an overpopulated dump by comparison. Westport and Grayland are probably my favorite towns on the WA coast to visit. Finally most areas north of Ocean City especially Copalis Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips. Moclips is a little out there, but it's nice. Pacific Beach would be the smartest place to put your money as it's slowly but steadily growing and properties are maturing well. If you're looking for cities within 20 min. of the beach, check out Aberdeen and Raymond. Aberdeen is still the best value in the state. It's the economic hub of the WA coast. Nicer homes start at $135k. The huge homes, mansions and estates start at $275k. The homes have been appreciating at 20%+. Most are in the hills and have great views. A lot of folks from CA and Seattle have been cashing out and moving there lately. Lots of retirees from Arizona summer there as well. It's just down the way from the state salmon hatchery, so fishing is the best. It's bordered by a bunch of state forests, wildlife preserves, recreation areas, the Oympic Nat. Forest is just north and the beach is a 20 min. drive west. There's lots of outdoor recreational activities, some of the best seafood in WA (Raymond and Westport, too). Lots of parks and shopping (a mall and a few large shopping centers), but it maintains a definite country town feel. Has a nice little old town area and a junior college. Very down to earth and friendly people. I honestly feel it's the best buy in WA. Raymond is similar to Aberdeen, except with a more small town feel. Very quiet. No crime whatsoever. Beautiful old town area and decent shopping. It's on the coast in a shielded bay and just a hop and a skip from the nice beaches. BTW, Raymond produces more oysters than any other location on the west coast; betcha didn't know that . Hope all this helps. Good luck.

[niceday4all]

Just have to say that I enjoy your posts, Ryan. You have provided more information about the Western Washington area than I've read anywhere else (other than City-Data, of course) :-)

I have been trying to get out of California for the past several months. I retired in February, put my house on the market in late January and it didn't sell in the three months it was on the market. I've taken a breather with the real estate thing for a bit but I'm really hoping to put it back up on the market soon. Unfortunately, the air is slowly leaking from the inflated real estate balloon. Not drastic, mind you. Just a dip. Still, there are a number of houses on the market and as we all know, that tends to lead to a buyers' market. Enough about that, though.

Just wanted to tell you that it is a pleasure to read your enthusiastic words about Washington. It's got me excited again about moving there very soon.

As for where I'm looking ... I've been looking in the Ilwaco, Seaview area. I just the love the port and the fishing boats and the whole quaintness of the area. Not only that, I have a dear friend who moved to Astoria (just across the bridge from Chinook) a little over a year ago. Every chance I get, I make a trip up there to visit.

I've fallen in love with the area and can only say that if there was ever paradise on earth, Washington is it!

Keep posting those great messages! Uh, and by the way ... great name, Ryan. I've had it all my life, too.

[Quantum]

Yep, Ryan knows it! Thanks friend.

[Ryan]

Thanks! I'm very glad to help. Since we've moved here from NorCal and the difference has been so profound it's almost unbelievable; I can't get enough of it. Just giving back. Thanks again.

[Quantum]

Just curious: one place I was considering is NorCal (moving from Dallas). How is that different? Aren't there forests there? I know people here are almost universally nice.

P.S. Please don't encourage any more of your friends to move here. They've driven housing prices through the roof already.

[Ryan]

The forests are up in Humboldt, Shasta, on the way to Tahoe starting around Placerville, and on the way to Reno starting around Colfax. There are no forests in or around the Sacramento/Placer county metro areas where most of the folks in NorCal live. It's pretty weak. The forests in NorCal pale sorely compared to what we've got up here.

[chiroptera]

Ryan, thank you!
I have friends in Astoria & have fallen in love with the region and plan to move there within the next few years. (Sorry to locals who resent out of state newcomers! I used to live in Colorado; a popular bumper sticker was "Don't Californicate Colorado.")
I have wondered though, why is property so much cheaper over the state line, in WA? I see very little on the Oregon side of the region that's even close to my price range, right across the state line there's much more affordable property.

[Quantum]

Travelling, best approximation I can give is see the thread here, "Crime in Longview/Kelso".

[chiroptera]

Thanks Quantum...yeah, I saw that. Hmmm. Mind you I am currently living in (temporary) Flint, Michigan. On the east side. Not many places in the US with crime higher than here!