Cities on the coast?

[Robert M. Blevins]

A lot of writers either used to live (Frank Herbert of 'Dune' fame) or presently live in the Port Townsend area. Unfortunately, I have to live in Auburn...(lol)

[librarian2b]

Okay, it's not the coast exactly. But then again neither is Port Townsend, which has also been recommended. There's a strong academic community, thanks to Western Washington University, and it's an active, fun, growing town with a population that's still under 100,000. (The statistic I've heard is that around 30,000 of the people who live here attend, work for, or are in some other way associated with WWU.) The weather is sunnier than Seattle's in spring and summer, snowier in Winter. There's Mt Baker, if you like snow sports. There's Vancouver BC on the other side of the border, if you like big cities. If you want to be in a smaller town with a more beach-town feel, take a look at Blaine. There is a lot of new construction going on, and houses up there are a lot more affordable than in Bellingham. (That's the one downside -- Whatcom County reportedly has the most over-valued real estate in Washington.)

Hope this helps,
librarian2b

[Robert M. Blevins]

I think the late Frank Herbert of 'Dune' (the book) fame used to live in Port Townsend. The Great Northwest is a hotbed of writers, especially sci-fi. Paul Allen's Sci-Fi Museum is in Seattle, Ursula K LeGuin lives near Portland, many other authors you have probably read.

[bmsea]

I just wanted to add my two cents. I am a youngish professional (30's) and I recently moved to Westport with my husband and baby (who is now 1). Westport, is about 1/2 hour from Aberdeen, and is on a little peninsula, across the Harbor from Ocean Shores.

This is a fantastic community with a rich history and great infrastructure. I highly recommend it for all ages and all economic levels. You can still buy a home here for under $150,000, but there are areas that cater to the upper middle class as well as the mega wealthy (a new oceanfront subdivision just South of town is selling 1900 SF homes for $1.6M). It's extremely eclectic.

The school district is very good. K-12 is all in the same location, and the graduating classes are around 45. Academically, I have heard mixed stories from parents, but everyone seems to agree that the elementary school is very good, and the high school has its challenges. However, I have also met several students who did the running start program and graduated with both an AA (from Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen) as well as their High School Diploma from Ocosta.

Shopping, there is a Red Apple grocery store that is, again, eclectic - carrying what you'd expect to find in a rural grocery as well as things that appeal to the tourists. Your nearest Safeway/WAlmart/Top Foods is 25 minutes away in Aberdeen. Nearest Costco is in Olympia or Astoria (equidistant, although the drive to Astoria is prettier).

Banking and services, there is an Anchor Bank branch and Bank of America branch here in town. We have one attorney. Anything else you will have to go out of town.

There is a strong sense of community service, with an active VFW, Senior Group, Maritime Museum, and Kiwanis.

Summer is amazing. We get 1/10 the number of visitors that Ocean Shores gets. Fishing is still king in this community, and 35 boats operate out of our Marina. There are 2 surf shops, which rent equipment reasonably and give lessons. Festivals and community events happen every weekend all summer long.

Clamming is usually open once or twice a month from September through May.

The beaches are fantastic, even on a hot summer day (like today, Sunday, sunny and 75 degrees) you will not be crowded. Driving is not allowed on our beaches in the city, so its not nearly as dirty or polluted as other beaches in the state.

I have lived in Hawaii, in Los Angeles, and have traveled extensively, and there is no where in the world as beautiful as Westport in the Summertime.

Wintertime is your standard PNW gray, but the stormwatching is awe inspiring. We do lose power 3 - 4 times a winter, but the PUD is putting in some redundancies to mitigate that in the future.

From an investment standpoint, you can't choose a better place right now, because there is a master planned resort with an 18 hole golf course currently under construction, and it is expected to increase property values, but right now you can still buy in town for less than any other Pacific town along the West coast.

Give us a look!

You can check out my blog at Discovering Westport for more info from a personal perspective and photos.

[brightcopperkettles]

Originally Posted by bmsea

I just wanted to add my two cents. I am a youngish professional (30's) and I recently moved to Westport with my husband and baby (who is now 1). Westport, is about 1/2 hour from Aberdeen, and is on a little peninsula, across the Harbor from Ocean Shores.

This is a fantastic community with a rich history and great infrastructure. I highly recommend it for all ages and all economic levels. You can still buy a home here for under $150,000, but there are areas that cater to the upper middle class as well as the mega wealthy (a new oceanfront subdivision just South of town is selling 1900 SF homes for $1.6M). It's extremely eclectic.

The school district is very good. K-12 is all in the same location, and the graduating classes are around 45. Academically, I have heard mixed stories from parents, but everyone seems to agree that the elementary school is very good, and the high school has its challenges. However, I have also met several students who did the running start program and graduated with both an AA (from Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen) as well as their High School Diploma from Ocosta.

Shopping, there is a Red Apple grocery store that is, again, eclectic - carrying what you'd expect to find in a rural grocery as well as things that appeal to the tourists. Your nearest Safeway/WAlmart/Top Foods is 25 minutes away in Aberdeen. Nearest Costco is in Olympia or Astoria (equidistant, although the drive to Astoria is prettier).

Banking and services, there is an Anchor Bank branch and Bank of America branch here in town. We have one attorney. Anything else you will have to go out of town.

There is a strong sense of community service, with an active VFW, Senior Group, Maritime Museum, and Kiwanis.

Summer is amazing. We get 1/10 the number of visitors that Ocean Shores gets. Fishing is still king in this community, and 35 boats operate out of our Marina. There are 2 surf shops, which rent equipment reasonably and give lessons. Festivals and community events happen every weekend all summer long.

Clamming is usually open once or twice a month from September through May.

The beaches are fantastic, even on a hot summer day (like today, Sunday, sunny and 75 degrees) you will not be crowded. Driving is not allowed on our beaches in the city, so its not nearly as dirty or polluted as other beaches in the state.

I have lived in Hawaii, in Los Angeles, and have traveled extensively, and there is no where in the world as beautiful as Westport in the Summertime.

Wintertime is your standard PNW gray, but the stormwatching is awe inspiring. We do lose power 3 - 4 times a winter, but the PUD is putting in some redundancies to mitigate that in the future.

From an investment standpoint, you can't choose a better place right now, because there is a master planned resort with an 18 hole golf course currently under construction, and it is expected to increase property values, but right now you can still buy in town for less than any other Pacific town along the West coast.

Give us a look!

You can check out my blog at Discovering Westport for more info from a personal perspective and photos.

Great, great post....thank you!

[kerriiskk]

Originally Posted by Robert M. Blevins

Forks: Logging town. No work to speak of. If you are not a local, you haven't got a chance of finding decent work.

Aberdeen/Hoquiam: The biggest city on the coast is actually two cities connected. Home prices are cheap and real estate is plentiful. The work situation is average, but getting better. Hometown of Curt Cobain. (lol)

Wow, have you ever lived in Forks or just don't like it here? I didn't have a hard time getting a job when I moved here and neither did anyone in my family. Infact very few people I know who want to work have had a hard time getting a decent job. Depending on what kind of job you are looking for it works for some people... if your "job training" requires a large company then any small town isn't right for you. Forks is a small town, it has jobs for people who live in small towns that aren't near large cities. And yes, there are still loggers out here but that's not all the town has to offer.

As for Aberdeen/Hoquiam, recent events have left it with less housing and a bad job situation for the city/cities size. Plus, it's a dark dirty feeling place to me. As for Curt... what's that have to do with anything? Unless you think hmm drugs, miserable, etc. I guess if you want to know about Aberdeen listening to his music (or reading the lyrics) will tell you alot about the area.