Relocating: Whidbey or Port Townsend? (Oak Harbor, Coupeville: skatepark, house, buying)

[Axling]

My wife and I are looking to relocate to either south Whidbey or Port Townsend, with the goal of buying 5+ acres and begin building a small house within a year or two. I'm a carpenter and she's in non-profits. We are both left of center politically, huge gardeners, hiker types. We've spent a fair amount of time in both these communities, but not enough to get under their skin. We're really considering relocating permanently, starting a family, and putting down roots. So I'd love to hear from locals about day to day life and their ups and downs, ease of meeting people, gripes about local government and housing, short and long term economic opportunities, general happiness or regrets with their own decisions.

I've lived in the Puget Sound my whole life, so I'm fully aware of their weather, proximity to recreation and cities, and their general cultural feel. If anyone could help us tease out their finer difference we would be really grateful!

Thanks!

[Dendrite]

Hi Axling:

I think the answer to your question is yes!

They're both great places to live. As you live here, you know that PT has a little more "artsy, craftsy" and "touristy" feel together with all the beautiful Victorian homes. Whereas (depending where you are on the island) Whidbey has a bit more of a semi-rural flavor (IMO). Again, as you're familiar with the Puget Sound, you already know the topography of PT and south Whidbey are a little different from each other.

So I think it will depend upon which location you find your "perfect" 5 acres and which place you find the best job.

[Axling]

Thanks for the reply Dendrite; we're leaning toward PT right now, but I'm sure a perfect property could lure us over to Whidbey.

~Axling

[jojo7]

Originally Posted by Axling

Thanks for the reply Dendrite; we're leaning toward PT right now, but I'm sure a perfect property could lure us over to Whidbey.

~Axling

Just thought I would throw some "kids" perspective in my post since you mentioned about starting a family. We were looking at both these areas to purchase a vacation/retirement home and my kids, 14 and 6 at the time gave me a "no way" on Whidbey and a huge thumbs up for Port Townsend. A bit more action is what they liked, not to mention the skatepark in PT. I am sure you will receive several opinions but I personally love Whidbey Island and visit Langley with my husband occasionally, however, I don't take the kids since there is very little for them to do. Well, that is just how I see it and so did my two kids but you can always drive up to Coupeville on Whidbey and take a ferry to PT for change of pace should you find that ideal property on south Whidbey. Good luck!

[Whidbey]

There is a skate park in Langley. Next time, take your kids when you visit. It's near the high school, I believe, and has a great playground--an enormous wooden playground.

Oak Harbor on the north end--though not very liberal or artsy, also has a skate park. Roller skating at the Roller Barn. Drive-in movie theater with go-karts. Small movie theatre. A Children's Theatre, in addition to an opportunity for them to perform at the Whidbey Playhouse. Indoor swimming pool. So...probably not a good fit for living there--but kids could take the free bus and go there for stuff to do.

It really depends on what's important to you. Do you want your kids hanging out at a mall--or they could start mountain biking or you could hike or camp as a family. Some families go boating. 4-H is big all over Whidbey.