Moving to Sequim (Seattle, Vancouver, Port Angeles: for sale, rental, credit card)

[Just4K]

I've read the posts regarding Sequim and I was wondering if anyone knows anything about Hendrickson Estates Senior Mobile Home Park. They were listed as a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

We have been to Sequim before and plan to retire there. The climate sounds delightful after hot summers and hurricanes in Florida. It is also one of the few places which still allows manufactured homes.

And if your interested we're getting our house ready to put on the market. We are in a 55+ community, with 2 pools and a clubhouse. And it is made of concrete block.

[silverfox]

Hi just4K,

We currently live in Sequim and you are right, the weather is better here overall than most places. The wind blows quite a bit and the winter lasts a long time but not severe, just cool. Not much rain if your in the right area.

We looked at Hendrickson Park, but it had just built out last year and resales are the only option. It is clean and well located to town and other facilities.
The owners are in the process of adding a new park onto the exsisting one some time this year they say. It will however be a little higher priced then current. They are saying it will be somewhat upscaled. We have been following this new park for over a year now and each time we check to see when it will start construction they say in a few weeks or so. Thats been going on for over a year so we gave up. It wil however probably get done somewhere ahead.
Do some research on the Great Cascadia Subcontinental Earthquake that is expected to hit this area very hard when it happens sometime ahead. It could make a difference in your desicion. Everybody has a different tolerence for what and when they think a major disaster might happen. California has lived with these threats forever.
In May there was a several page article written in the Sequim Gazzette addressing the Cascadia earthquake threat. It was enough to scare the Crap right out of a resident. This threat applies to the whole west coast from Vancouver Island to northern California. Seattle is also at very large risk with a major fault running right under the city.
It is a consideration you should look at before making a move here.
We have made the Choice to move from here even though we love the place.
Our research shows you must get east of the cascacde mountains to reduce your risk sufficiently.
Sorry to be the one that tells it like it is. Good luck with your choice.

Silverfox

[Just4K]

Silverfox,
Thanks for the additional info. Are you planning on moving in the immediate future? I'm sure the community will surely miss someone that takes as much interest as you do.

We have read about the possibility of quakes and will take our chances.

[silverfox]

We are planning to move as soon as we can properly make the difficult arrangements that will have to be made. It most likely won't happen for 9 months to a year from now.
It will be impossible to find another place like this, and it hurts us dearly to feel compelled to do it but we have already started the process and are not panicked about it. Living here has almost been like living in Mayberry on the Andy Williams show. Sure it's the grown up version, but still has the similarities if you look for them. We pay over half of our bills without a stamp on the envelope by driving a few blocks and dropping the payment off.
My wife of over 40 years and I have been on the salt water all our lives and will miss it dearly. We may look back at some point and think we made a big mistake, or God forbid we may look back and say aren't we lucky to have had the forsight to leave the area for safety sake. Only time will tell, but one thing for sure I will not be thinking about the danger day and night.
Remember, this is comming from two people that have lived in this area all our lives and have been thru many earthquakes.
The Cascadia Subduction Quake will be a very different story when it happens.
I certainly wish you well. Lets all hope it doesn't happen for another 100 years.

Silverfox.

[KarenR]

Hi, if you are looking for a retirment community in Sequim there is a beautiful senior property called Pioneer Villa on Prairie Street. The lovely community is affordable housing and they currently have openings.
Karen

[Just4K]

Thanks Karen but we are looking to buy a place not rent one. We know that it requires a land lease but it's only temporary and I don't plan to retire just yet, only my husband because he wants to garden. He can't do that in Florida since it's much to hot.

[silverfox]

JustK4,

I am curious if you have done any research on some other places to move to besides Sequim? Please let me know if you have.
We have looked around quite a bit but have not found much that looks interesting. The weather pretty much dictates in most areas. I spent a coulple weeks in Hialea Fla. some years back and it was way to hot and humid in September.
We never thought we would be looking to move, but now that we have, it is very hard to find good locations unless your a rattlesnake or a penguin.

One of the other main issues for retires is State Taxes and the total tax load in each state. That can make a big difference when you reach 70 1/2 and have to start taking distributions from your traditional IRA or 401K, not to mention most other income you may generate.
We have been so comfortable here all these years that we didn't buy the big motorhome and travel all over looking around for the best place to stay for the rest of our lives. We thought we already had found it.
I'm not so sure there is the perfect place, at least on this planet...

Silverfox

[Just4K]

Silverfox,

Yes, we have done a lot of reserch because we not only have our IRAs to consider but also inheretance.

Seven states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two others, New Hampshire and Tennessee, tax only dividend and interest income.

Well, both of the last two were on our list until we read the part about dividend and interest income.

We have lived in Texas and have family there that would dearly love to have us move there but we both suffer under the heat in the summer. Alaska is too cold, and I prefer water and mountain views over desert.

I figure that earthquakes are like hurricanes. Either you get hit or you don't but they still cannot make any totally accurate predictions.

We have lived in about 25 +/- different places over the years thanks to Uncle Sam and for the last 10 years we had hoped to get transfered to Washington. We got Texas instead. Since retirement from the USAF we have moved 8 more times looking for the perfect place or because of family obligations. We are convinced that for us that place is Washington.

Just4K

[silverfox]

Just4K,

I am surprised you have done your Due diligence on the tax issues. Most retiries either do not understand it or don't seem to care that much about it.
It always amazed me that some retiries will spend so much time trying to figure out how to get another mile to the gallon on there motor home, but give much more back to the "Uncle" in unecessary Taxes. You are very prudent to give this issue such a high priority.
It probably wouldn't make any difference in your case, but if you are willing to put retirement monies into T Bills, and/or T Bonds. they will pay intrest without having to pay state income taxes in any state. They can be bought with no commisions directly online from treasury direct. The only problem is you can usually do a little better for rates by puchasing FDIC insured CD's or other instruments.
Since you have IRA accounts, if they are traditional IRA'S, and some 401k's you can now put up to $250,000 in one account and have full coverage from FDIC instead of the prior $ 100,000 amount. Thats a huge improvement for those that qualify.
We currently have purchased some One Year CD's directly from The Vanguard Group at a Good Rate of 5.55%. It is a good and safe place to make these types of transactions.
We have considered Oregon as well but the 9% State tax is a killer when you reach 70 1/2 and have to start taking your traditional IRA or 401K money out.

It really sounds to me like you were meant for the Sequim area, and you won't be dissapointed with the mountains, saltwater, rivers and lakes in the area.
It is a little windy and cool at times but not hot or real cold. Most people here are friendly and there is everything from Big swank homes to little house trailers. Lots of retiries. The closest hospital is 15 miles away at Port Angeles, but they have most other Health facilities right in town.
If it is a difficult or special situation they will Medivac you to Seattle. Not to much here if your a shopper. You can however drive to Silverdale about 60 miles each way where there is a big Mall with most everthing.
My wife and I laugh about the shoppers here in town. We refer to the "well to do" here as Mucky Mucks. A while back we spotted a Big New Red Caddilac with the Gold Package and all, parked in front of the J.C. Penny Small store here in town. Maybe there credit card was maxed out. You never know what you will see here.
Let me know if I can assist you any further and good luck.

Silverfox

[suburbiancat]

Just4K,

There is a lovely mobile home park just east of Costco and just west of Sequim in the area referred to as Carlsborg.
My parents just moved there a little over a year ago. The place is well kept and I don't believe the property rental is to high. I was just visting over the 4th of July weekend and there were a few places up for sale. I think the gas prices have made things a bit tough for people. I wasn't sure if you wanted a park for permanent reasons or until you located land to purchase, but this would be a place to check out. If you need more information let me know & I will see what I can find out for you.
I grew up in Port Angeles, the area is very beautiful and a lot of people have moved to the Sequim area to retire. I have quite a bit of family living in the area and if you want more info let me know.

suburbiancat@hotmail.com