How are Bremerton, Port Orchard?? (Seattle, Tacoma: sales, real estate, 2010)

[Vykki04]

It's me again! I'm sorry to ask sooo many questions.

So, now my husband is debating on selling our home here in California and buying one in Washington. He thinks he'd rather rent our current one out and rent one in Washington (this is a FIRST for him ... willing to rent) to make sure we like/can handle it out there. I think this is a great idea! I've been trying to say this would be our best bet, since neither of us knows for sure how well we can handle all the rain (or our kids can).

Because we'd be simply renting, instead of buying, it almost expands our possibilities! I know I'd want to stay on the Gig Harbor side of the Narrows bridge. So, I've heard that Port Orchard is next to GH and then there's Bremerton... Does anyone know of any other cities that are within 20 minutes of GH? How is the crime and schools in Bremerton, PO and Olalla?

Again, I appreciate your time answering my questions! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
*Vykki*

[mthomson]

From the bridge, the order goes Gig Harbor, then Olalla, then Port Orchard, then Bremerton.
Olalla is right on the Gig Harbor north border, but is in Kitsap County so you lose the Peninsula School District. It is also VERY small and rural. If you like acreage, Olalla is a good bet.
Port Orchard is about 15 min from Gig Harbor. Nice option because you have the ferry to Seattle if you'll be commuting. Again, you're South Kitsap School District, which for Elem Schools seems to be pretty good, but Middle and High has not had good ratings. South Kitsap HS is the largest in the state, and they just can never seem to pass any education levys out there.
Bremerton is very similar to Tacoma in that it gets a pretty bad rap, and much of it was deserved, but they're doing a great job trying to revitalize the downtown area.
Bremerton is largely military, so there's a lot of moving in and out. Port Orchard has some military, quite a few Seattle commuters. A bit more "neighborhoodish".
Renting to find out if you like it here may not be a bad idea. The only issues I see with that are rent prices are rising and mortgages are going to be harder and harder to come by in about 2yrs when this whole govt buyout business starts to play out.
Keep in mind, this is coming from a guy who sells houses for a living though! A suggestion would be to buy now (prices are very low, interest rates are low, and mortgages are still somewhat attainable) and if it ends up not being a place you enjoy, you've just bought a nice investment property in an area of the country that has great rental history and great real estate appreciation history.

[Vykki04]

Thank you so kindly for your reply ... it was very helpful!

Larger cities are intimidating to me ... so, I'm thinking Gig Harbor, Olalla and Port Orchard are my best bets. Anything where there are any negative crime ratings makes me cringe. I live in a city where people leave their doors unlocked and the keys in their ignition (my husband is so guilty of this and I am forever having to "double check").

Thanks again!

[vette-dude]

I no longer live on the Kitsap Peninsula but have lived there over 20+ years and have alot of family and friends still there...Renting is awful high in Kitsap County as is almost everywhere in western washington, primarily due to "ofcourse cost of living" and also this is a very large military within Kitsap country due to the 3 bases located on it...and ofcourse Pierce has the Army and Airforce...Belfair is a nicer small town, but has the major grocery stores such as Safeway and in the summer you would be living near the sound and a couple of state parks if this is an interest to you... (approximately 30 minutes from Bremerton and/or Port Orchard) and and hour away west (toward Olympia I-5) is Shelton, alot of history in this city ...logging town... I actually own more than one home, and am currently leasing it out, we were very concerned about a "renter" living in our newer home; went with a legal office to draft up the lease, it covers about everything and protects the owner 100% in all aspects of the rental property. Thought you would want this piece of information if you do rent/lease out your home in California....I can refer you the site, just send a pm if so...


Good Luck and pm if I can be of assistance...

[wildmaven]

vette-dude is right about Belfair, which is where I live. The "crime of the week" usually is something like "the deputy responded to a "suspicious activity" call about a teenager standing, holding a paper bag, outside of a convenience store."

I work in Bremerton, and there are some nice areas in East Bremerton, and some pockets of good neighborhoods in West Bremerton. Best thing to do is to find a local who will give you "the scoop", rather than relying on the word of a real estate agent (not that there's anything bad about them ).

Olalla is becoming THE place to move, and it's growing fast. However, there is some major roadwork going on right now, planned to finish in 2010, so it can make it inconvenient getting around depending on where you live in Olalla.

As I've said many times on this forum, when you look for a house, don't buy one on a dangerous hill, as you'll never get to work when it freezes. :P

[mthomson]

Some of us real estate agents are locals, you know! I know it's our job to sell homes, but remember, if we don't give good, sound, honest advise we'll be out of the business in a hurry. Repeat and referral business is the only way to stay in this goofy game very long, and you don't get repeat or referrals if all you're concerned about is making a sale.
I know the profession doesn't have the best reputation, but some of us are okay people!

[wildmaven]

Originally Posted by mthomson

Some of us real estate agents are locals, you know! I know it's our job to sell homes, but remember, if we don't give good, sound, honest advise we'll be out of the business in a hurry. Repeat and referral business is the only way to stay in this goofy game very long, and you don't get repeat or referrals if all you're concerned about is making a sale.
I know the profession doesn't have the best reputation, but some of us are okay people!

Hence my "not that there's anything bad about them" comment. Didn't mean it as an insult. It's good to get a second opinion from someone who isn't involved in the sales process, just for peace of mind.

[mthomson]

Agreed!

[mccandy]

Hello, I was hoping maybe you could help me out. I am looking to move to the Seattle area from California and we were thinking of Port Orchard, however I am a little at a loss on the best way to find a job and a place to live. It seems there isn't much in the online newspapers i have found, but it may just be me... I'm not internet savvy. Any advice?

[TheCarService]

As someone that lives in Bremerton,I can tell you it is one of the best kept secrets in Kitsap County.I moved here last year and Feb 09 will make it one year.
If you have to commute into Seattle I can tell you what others told me and they were correct the Ferries are not reliable and Bremerton is first one the list to have ferries removed when other areas have problems.
Lots of crime and unsafe neighborhoods in West Bremerton and most of East Bremerton..
Manette is probably best area in Bremerton...
Now there are many areas called Bremerton that are actually not in Bremerton..
ILLAHEE,TRACYTON,BROWNSVILLE,CHICO WAY all have Bremerton zip code but are extremely safe neighborhoods.
Now that we are here we have a beautiful home in Illahee,but if I had to buy another home I would buy in Kingston.
If you need to work in Seattle live in Seattle...
I restore classic cars at home so don't need to leave the house
In my neighborhood you might find a dear jaywalking or bluejay treaspassing but thats about it.
Good Luck