Port Angeles anyone? (Seattle, Port Townsend, Poulsbo: motel, to live, shop)

[acs.1979]

Greetings from the distant land of Portland, Oregon. For the last year or so I have been trying to plot my next move. Should I stay on the west coast, or find a sunny beach town back east...that is what I have been asking myself over and over and over...


Well, recently I met someone from Port Angeles, and the way it was described to me made me think "maybe I just found a sunny beach town right here in the NW..."

From what I have read it sounds like an (almost) ideal place for me. Clean air, water, mild summers, with less rain that Portland or Seattle. Ideally I wanted to move to a city a bit larger in scale than P.A., but size isn't everything, lol.

So, what I really am looking for is just some good advice & opinions from people who currently live there, have lived there in the past, or have even visited frequently.

Is it difficult to find general employment? (I am currently an office manager)
Is it difficult to find affordable housing?
Does your geography make getting around difficult?

Thanks so much!! Anything is appriciated.

[cobolt]

Since you're not on the other side of the country, why not take a little recon visit? This forum is a great place for info gathering, but you get a better sense of a place by visiting so that you can observe and interact with the locals. I'm in Port Angeles during the summers alot when I want to hike Olympic National Park or head over to Victoria, BC. I wouldn't say that PA is your sunny beach town or anything like that. It may get less rain relative to Seattle, but it is still the PacNW and you know that, you live in Portland, so take it for what it's worth. I personally like Port Townsend much better. I think it has more personality and quirkiness. Port Angeles in comparision seems sort of run-down and drab. I'm not saying it's hoody or anything. I've never felt unsafe there. But if I were to live on the Peninsula side and had to pick a town, Port Townsend would be it.

[Idunn]

My impression of Port Angeles, WA is that by its best asset is location. For access to Olympic National Park and Hurricane Ridge you couldn't do better. And as such it enjoys a scenic location between sea and mountains.

Port Angeles does receive a lot less precipitation than someplace such as Forks, WA, but this rain shadow of sorts is more pronounced in the nearby Sequim, WA. I understand Sequim even sees a fair bit of blue sky at times, but this an island that probably doens't extend to Port Angeles. Count on a lot of overcast days, likely comparable to Portland, OR.

As far as getting around, depends on where you want to get to. If Olympic NP, you are perfectly situated, although there is no good point for ideal access to all of the Park as all roads into it dead end. If you mean access to Seattle, well, kind of. Probably farther than you'd wish for commuting, but relatively light traffic and a beautiful drive if this only for the occasional errand. Since Port Angeles is the major town on the north end of the Olympic Peninsula, if there you are basically there. Access to any other town of any size will entail a long drive.

Somewhere else, such as Port Townsend, WA or Poulsbo, WA would offer readier access to shopping, etc. and the greater metropolis, while still close enough to make a journey to Olympic NP a fairly short drive. And there are access roads into the Park all around its periphery.

But if Port Angeles? Certainly a lot smaller than Portland.

[allforcats]

Port Angeles, Sequim (pronounced Skwim) and Port Townsend would make a great vacation, for you to explore what these places are like. Google them and read everything that comes up. Why not stay in a motel in Sequim, which is in the center of those three, and go exploring? Talk with folks. Ask questions. Spend 3 days or a week. Nice investment in your relaxation and possible future, no?

[acs.1979]

Thank you all for the excellent responses....I do plan on taking a vacation as soon as I can manage it. I want to start up north by Port Angeles and travel all the way down to Brookings, OR. (Brookings intriques me because of the warmer winters / mild summers)

As far as jobs go....is there a section of the peninsula where there are generally more opportunities or available options? Unfortunately I am still young and not able to sit back and live off retirement...Same question for affordable housing....Thanks again all!!

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by allforcats

Port Angeles, Sequim (pronounced Skwim) and Port Townsend would make a great vacation, for you to explore what these places are like. Google them and read everything that comes up. Why not stay in a motel in Sequim, which is in the center of those three, and go exploring? Talk with folks. Ask questions. Spend 3 days or a week. Nice investment in your relaxation and possible future, no?

Totally agree. The best way to do it and exploring is fun.