Bainbridge Island or Poulsbo? (Seattle: schools, maintenance, taxes)

[skinkara]

My husband and I are a young couple no kids yet, but we do have a dog and we are very active. We are wondering if Bainbridge or Poulsbo would be better to live? Also is it easy to meet people in these cities? And what is there to do besides enjoy the outdoors? Something that is important to us is a sence of community and friendly people!


Thanks for the help!!

[Nell Plotts]

It is easy to meet people in either of these communities, no particular difference in availability of outdoor activities. Dog is not an issue either.

What is missing is where you intend to work. Commuting to Seattle from Poulsbo is more difficult than from Bainbridge. Housing is more expensive on Bainbridge Island, however.

[Heiwos]

I suggest sticking close to work until you get a feel for the area. Otherwise it's easy to end up with a nasty commute.

[gregmathers]

I agree...both great responses from Nell and Heiwos. If you plan on having children, BI schools are the best in the state...if not among the elite in the nation. I live in Poulsbo and have two little children and am not worried about my local schools. It's just BI always tends to do well. As for the area...it really depends on where you work. I work on the "other side" and do a lot of my shopping over there for time purposes...the big shopping center is right on the way to/from my work. I wish my taxes stayed locally, but oh well. Yeah, people are very friendly in both places. I would say Poulsbo people are more genuine and "real." BI does have a lot of money and sometimes, that shows with arrogance...which is to be expected...I think I would be too, if I had some decent coin!

[yukiko11]

That whole area is really wonderful and like most of WA, people are very friendly.
Where you work should really determine where you live. If you cannot work in that area, you will be relying on the ferry system to get you to Seattle. That is not only costly, but also not reliable during bad weather or maintenance problems with the ferrys.

[cabocurtis]

If you can afford it Bainbridge has great parks and hiking opportunities through their grand forest, Fort Ward Park and Gazzam Lake trail. In addition by walking on the Seattle ferry you can walk to pro sports Mariners, Seahawks and FC Sounders. Also its a easy walk left from ferry to myrtle edwards park and olympic sculpture park. Being a young couple both BI and Poulsbo is pretty tame for nightlife but the easy walk on to Seattle from Bainbridge opens up a urban city 30 minutes away.