Coupeville Living (Seattle, Everett, Bellingham: fit in, for sale, real estate)

[inuitboater]

I'd like to get some additional (more than what's already posted) information about Coupeville and the immediate vicinity. Specifically:

1. What's the commute like between Coupeville and Oak Harbor and to Anacortes? I'm not concerned about the ferry schedule as a regular issue.

2. Is the community "newcomer friendly?" I'm coming from a town of roughly the same size in the Rockies, where I found bigots, good ole boy cliques, business districts where the owners complain all the time about poor sales but won't help themselves, and that sort of thing. It was a drag to never feel like my family fit in, just because we weren't 3rd generation "locals."

3. I see the comments about military flight noise, which bothers me a heck of a lot less than some of the other aspects of living near military bases (which I've done before), such as drinking, excessive rowdy/violent behavior, and ultra-conservative politics. However, is the flight noise constant or more periodic?

4. Also have noted that real estate prices are considerably lower than in Anacortes -- and I have much the same questions about Anacortes as well, come to think of it. From mountain resort living, I'm familiar with ticky-tacky construction issues. Recognizing that generalizing about building standards isn't terribly accurate, is the price differential due to standards or more from the comparative isolation between Coupeville and Anacortes, or from some other factors?

5. Finally, what I see on websites is that Coupeville has some basic shopping, and some "boutique" kinds of businesses. Where does one have to go for major restocking trips, Oak Harbor or the mainland?

Any other detailed info would be helpful, of course.

Thanks.

[allforcats]

Hi, intuitboater. Welcome to the Pacific Northwest!

In my experience, Whidbey Island south of Oak Harbor is marvelous -- old-growth forests, shores, tide pools, Eagles, Deer, Quails, quiet, peacefulness. Coupeville boasts that it is in the "rain shadow" so that it gets much less rain per year and much more sunshine than, say, Seattle. The three families I know who live on Whidbey came from back east, the Rockies, California and England, and they love their lives there. They love their increased feelings of safety and peace on Whidbey, the beauty, the variety of schools and how the community welcomes their involvement in the schools and in the activities of the community, the friendliness of their neighbors and of the friends they've made on Whidbey. For what it's worth, I've met a lot of people there whom I've known for a minute or many years, and I've never met anyone annoying, let alone rude or confrontational. Actually, the only reason I don't live in Coupeville or south of the town and eat mussels seven days a week is because I have emotional ties east of Seattle.

Originally Posted by inuitboater

2. Is the community "newcomer friendly?" I'm coming from a town of roughly the same size in the Rockies, where I found bigots, good ole boy cliques, business districts where the owners complain all the time about poor sales but won't help themselves, and that sort of thing. It was a drag to never feel like my family fit in, just because we weren't 3rd generation "locals."

I had to chuckle reading this! I lived for some time in and around Kalispell and met many of the types of people you're talking about. So many of us on Whidbey Island and all around western Washington came from somewhere else, and that closed type of society is hard to find. In my experience, it's not in Coupeville, Langley, Greenbank, Freeland, Clinton, except perhaps among those few folks who have actually lived there for a couple of generations; they are definitely in the minority. In general, folks in western Washington's islands or mainland have a gentle, welcoming attitude toward newcomers; most of them were newcomers too.

3. I see the comments about military flight noise, which bothers me a heck of a lot less than some of the other aspects of living near military bases (which I've done before), such as drinking, excessive rowdy/violent behavior, and ultra-conservative politics. However, is the flight noise constant or more periodic?

I have three families of friends who live on Whidbey, south of Oak Harbor. I visit there about once a month, and usually drive around wandering each time. From their conversations over the years, and my own experiences, you pretty much have to live in Oak Harbor, or north up to Dugualla Bay where all types of Navy planes land across Hwy.20 every afternoon, to be bothered by the noise. South of Oak Harbor, you won't notice a lot of plane noise; a bit, depending on the barometric pressure, but not much and not constantly. You also won't be near the troops, who seem actually to be calmer in Oak Harbor than those on some other bases; reports on the local news about servicepeople doing unpleasant things rarely seem to relate to Oak Harbor.

4. Also have noted that real estate prices are considerably lower than in Anacortes ...

If that is the case, it would most likely be because Anacortes is right at the ferry and at the bridge to the mainland (convenience) and Anacortes is much more populated with stores, shops, restaurants, activities, etc. than anywhere on Whidbey (convenience, variety).
I'm sorry, but I can't speak to "ticky-tacky" since in my experience there is little of that on Whidbey Island. There are older houses in fine upkeep, but I can't remember ticky-tacky.

5. ... Coupeville has some basic shopping, and some "boutique" kinds of businesses. Where does one have to go for major restocking trips, Oak Harbor or the mainland?

Coupeville has one short main street. It's set up for tourists, gourmets (world chefs say that one the world's finest mussels and oysters live at Penn Cove in Coupeville), weekend sightseers, and to buy a quart of milk and a loaf of bread. All usual supplies have to be transported to Whidbey Island from the mainland, either the short and expensive way by ferry to Clinton, or the long and expensive way via Fidalgo Island. Everything, including gas, costs more on Whidbey than on the mainland for that reason.

One has to go to the mainland, either by the ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo and then shop in Edmonds, Everett, Woodinville, Seattle or anywhere else; or drive over the Deception Pass bridges and shop in Anacortes (not the hugest selection, but enough most of the time, at least for groceries).
I'm sorry I can't really speak about "commuting" on Whidbey or to Fidalgo as I've never driven there in commuting times.

I hope this helps!

[inuitboater]

Thanks allforcats! That's extremely informative and helpful.

[Kmag2OOO]

Okay.

Born and raised.

1)Why on earth would you commute this? I drive to Oh when I need to. Drive to
Anacortes once in awhile. Commute? Doesn't make sense.
2)allforcats has plenty to say in other areas of this forum, but believe me, has
this one entirely wrong. First, the community is small enough that I would
possibly know or know of this person. It's that small and close and tight.
Newbie friendly? Not really, no. Farmers, Islanders, Kids in schools, Most
area businesses, I think even the wildlife will tell you probably the trees too:
Don't move here.
You asked and I am just answering honestly.
It's not going to be any different than your similar sized town in the Rockies.
Period. Why would it? What could possibly make you expect it to be any
different? Sure we're not going to be rude and in your face about it, most of
us, but trust me.
Sure if someone fits they may become accepted over time. Doesn't in any way
mean we want more or will accept more. Doesn't mean we won't.
3)OH is primarily Navy. Of course there's parties, but remember these are pretty much elite air personnel. You have to be in the top 2-3% to get stationed there in most billets. The sound of aircraft is limited to the flight paths and is not found over most of the island.
4)Isolation for all I know, but who cares. You're going to take my advice and
stay away anyway.
5)I've never heard anyone ever say something came down via Fidalgo Island.
Ever. You wouldn't go to Anacortes, maybe from that end you would go to Mount Vernon for shopping. Trust me, or trust someone who obviously hasn't really spent much time there.

Seriously,

Born and Raised.

[Kmag2OOO]

On the other hand. I wanted to play keep away a little bit at first, hence the last post. I don't understand why when people find someplace really cool they are so willing to publicise it to the whole internet world with no restraint. You will definitely experience that some if you try to move in there. Possibly more in Jefferson and Island Cos than other areas in W WA. Truth is, if you are passionate about life and respectful and find it a good fit for you, you will find it to be quite a gem if they let you in, and somewhat that way if they don't too. There's a reason places like this can be protective, it's cause they are great and I'm thankful I was able to grow up in one. It is one of the few places in W' WA where class and wealth, material wealth, are pretty much irrelevant to the locals also, so it's not just going to welcome you because you can afford it. A place like this even has it's own language, phrases and such that you may feel like you've just crossed into Canada or something at times. Other things, for probably 3/4 of the island you would experience high wind storms at least once a year, most likely about 1/2 the island can experience power outages because of this. Sometimes lasting several days. I've more than once gone a week without power. No it wouldn't snow every year, but if it does, you are likely to be snowed in, not because of the snow volume so much but the infrastructure doesn't support it. If someone says they'll meet you later at 7, don't be surprised if they aren't there til 8. It's called Island time and even a lot of business are on it and no there's not some mathmatical formula it's more a vibe you feel. Would you be able to not just handle things like that, but enjoy it? Just some examples. As I mentioned earlier, so much of the island is protected from developement by law, mostly due to historic reasons and some environmental. Additionally there are many communities where you just won't be able to build the next 'ridge' or Supershop Wigglymarket without being practically escorted off the island by the residents in a lot of areas. One Dairy Queen took many many years and a world of opposition to build down there. It is now somewhat accepted. I think it was empty for the first six months it opened. A lot of the kids and younger crowds love it now. Sure DQ is a blast for the kids, but doesn't mean we would allow a whole strett of that stuff. This is not your next bedroom community in any way, let's just put it that way. Oh and read up some of the local history before you go even to visit. Some very unusual stuff, and the locals appreciate that more than just the usual Oh it's so pretty blah blah. It's not just pretty, it's where we live and die and often that isn't just pretty blah blah. If my original post rubbed some, it was meant to. There you go.

[inuitboater]

Well, Kmag, that's sure a different perspective in your 2 posts!

I'm not really interested in Coupeville and vicinity as a bedroom community, but the realities of finding a job (which doesn't have to be mega-bucks and "full of status") to suppliment retirement might have to make choosing a place to live and a place to work different locations. Might as well know what I'm getting into, right?

I know what you mean about "local time," as that's common in CO too. If something's set for 6 pm, you can expect arrivals from 6:25 to 7 pm. Being brought up to be prompt, out of consideration for other peoples' time, that makes me a bit nuts; but I've become used to it over the years.

From my experience, there ARE differences in how places treat newcomers. I've lived in small communities and rural settings a lot (and in different parts of the country) and have found quite a bit of variation. On visits to NW Washington, I've found folks to be pretty friendly in general, but that's just visiting.

Anyone else want to weigh in? All of this is helpful.

[nullgeo]

heh ... I was cracking up reading kmag2000's attempt to scare you away ... then 'fessing up in the next post ...

I also live in the islands up here. There's no keeping the secret about how remarkable a place on the earth this is (if you can take the gloomy chill of the sunless winter ... and there is NO more sun in Coupeville than anywhere else around the NW ... less rain, yes ... more sun, no) The problem with Whidbey is the same as with everywhere in Puget Sound ... it's so fantastic that it is being over-run ... we moss-covered northwesterners can't stop people from coming (especially from California) by scare-tactics ... nothing seems to work. I am likely moving back to Maine where I lived as a kid ... modern growth is killing me and my flannel shirts and chain-saws here ... and all the new-comers are driving up the values to outrageous prices.

Come on out. Drive up my land value more so I can sell out and go back to a place just as great that is experiencing barely 10% the growth as here

As for Navy air noise (I am a Navy air-rescue Vietnam vet), there's not much south of Oak Harbor except in limited paths on occasion. Also, there is all the shopping a crazed American consumer could want right in Oak Harbor. You can buy any and all the plastic crap you might desire at the big box stores right there in OH ... just like the rest of the country ... and add that to the NW ambiance along with the skyrocketing real estate prices.

No offense. You have as much business out here as me or anyone else. It's just that since I moved here 36 years ago, little western Washington around the Puget Sound alone has added 2.5 million people — and the rate of growth is not slowing a bit. When I arrived I thought I had stumbled into heaven itself. I had. It's changed, sadly.

Good luck.

[SeaDreams]

I've been reading all the Whidbey Island posts I can find with great interest. We will be relocating there within the next few months - but my position is a bit different. I have a choice of relocating or leaving the company I've worked for the last 9 years.

Been researching as much as possible via internet into population, history, economy, etc., and then went to the island for the first time over Memorial Day weekend for three days. Ate in multiple different restaurants, visited two grocery stores in OH to price, did "drive bys" of homes for sale from Freeland up to about 5 miles north of OH, and took some beach walks. And I still feel like we know very little about the island we'll be moving to!

Scary and exciting times ahead for us, and we hope to make a longtime home in this beautiful area and be a part of the community!

[mouwster]

My husband has lived on Whidbey for 50 years and I've lived here for 40. We lived in Oak Harbor for most of those years and have in the last 7 years, moved to Coupeville. (It's like what Oak Harbor was 30 years ago) Like everyone has said before, it's a beautiful place to live, but it is damp, cold, and windy quite often. I even wrote on my calendar last year (Aug. 11), that I still was wearing a jacket to keep warm. Overlooking the weather, though, there are wonderful people here, historic places to visit, and breath-taking views of the mountains (Cascades, Olympics, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Rainier). There aren't tons of jobs for the younger generation (that's why many leave the island after graduation), but if you're here for retirement, you can definitely find something. There are farmer's markets, arts and crafts festivals, numerous parades, a winery, and even a weekend festival in Oak Harbor to celebrate the Dutch imigrants settling here (as well as many other heritages). Would love to discuss this area further with anyone wanting to contact me at mouw1@verizon.net

[inuitboater]

Thank you all for your comments, and I'm interested in hearing more as people check into this thread. I'm going to be heading out there for a research trip within the next month, so anything else folks want to add about Whidbey Island to Bellingham/Fairhaven is extremely helpful.

If anyone wants to correspond directly with me, they can at mtnslablvr@yahoo.com.