Where would be good for my Mom to live in Washington? (Seattle: apartments, houses)

[Clinton167]

I guess this is a bit of a specific question, but my mom is thinking about moving to Washington - I will be moving to California shortly, my aunt is moving to Canada and we have a lot of family all over Washington, particularly in Port Angeles.
Here is what we've been talking about:

1. Being somewhere with beautiful scenery. Mountains, lakes, anything! It would just be nice to look out the window/walk around town and see something pretty.

2. Being near a town where there's a lot to do, i.e., restaurants, coffee bars, shopping malls, but not being in a huge city - I don't think living in Seattle would be for her (maybe near to it though) but likewise she doesn't want to live in the middle of nowhere!

3. Probably the most important thing, she wants a nice, spacious house, ideally with a big yard but we've looked at a couple of places in Port Angeles that seem really secluded - and my mom would like to have neighbors as she's pretty social!

I'd appreciate your input! Financially, her budget to buy a house would be about $600,000.

[baboo]

What about Mount Vernon/Burlington area up north in Skagit county? It's only about 2 hours away from Seattle and Mount Vernon and Burlington have all the amenities of a larger city with a small town kind of attitude. Just 10 minutes away you have the Sound, lakes, the San Juan islands (20 min) and Whidbey. Housing costs are still relatively low and the people are really friendly. If you have questions, ask! My parents live part-time in Anacortes, I work there during the summer.

[ElektroDragon]

The best spot based on your description seems to be North Bend! But watch out as many houses are on a flood plain. Also maybe Issaquah Highlands.

[vette-dude]

Hi clinton....I was thinking the Kitsap Peninsula would be a beautiful place for finding some property that meets her needs, lakes, mountain views and the such..also another location is Gig Harbor, Wa.....most of Western Washington has beautiful areas that you are talking of....

Tacoma Narrows Bridge., with Mt Rainer in the distance...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/...2c09848bb8.jpg

[Clinton167]

Wow, that picture is beautiful. Thanks very much for your input guys, we will definitely be checking those areas out!

[Dendrite]

Well, out of the 100 or so places to live in WA that just popped in to my mind which meet your criteria, I suppose the most important question has yet to be asked: How important is it to your Mom to be close to other family members (e.g. kids, grandkids or other relatives?) If living in the same town or at least close to other relatives is a factor, then you have just significantly narrowed your search parameters.

If Mom doesn't necessarily have to live in the same town as her kids or grandkids (if there are any of the latter) but would still like to be within an hours drive or so, then she has more options to choose from. Starting with the family you mentioned in PA, potential towns would include Sequim, Port's Townsend, Hadlock and Ludlow (trying to keep you on "this side" of the Hood Canal bridge which is making things interesting right now given bridge construction). As you have noticed though, there aren't many shopping malls on the peninsula, so she'll have to decide which is more important to her- shopping or family! Similarly, if the Aunt moving to Canada is going to, let's say the Vancouver area as an example, then Mom could check out Bellingham and surrounds.

If being near or somewhat close to other family isn't a requirement for your Mom, then as suggested in the first line of my response, the sky is pretty much the limit for places to live in beautiful western WA.

Last, another point I like to toss out is travel. With her family scattered about, how often will your Mom be flying here and there? If the answer is a lot, then she may also wish to factor in ease of access to SeaTac-

Good Luck!

[skinem]

Dendrite has a great point about family.
Another important consideration for you and your mother is how does she feel about rain/damp/gray? That is a beautiful picture vette-dude posted, and it can be just like that. But, if we are to be entirely honest, picture a gray foggy void and at times not even being able to see the trees in the picture! That is often the view.
If those are issues you may want to consider the drier, sunnier east side of the state. There are a distinct four seasons in much of the east side. "Four seasons" can be translated to also mean "hotter, colder". But, it is drier!

[mthomson]

I'd go with Gig Harbor. Close to Tacoma, 40min from the airport, plenty of shopping, new hospital, you could get a great home with views of the Puget Sound for under $600k. Tons of community activities, an amazing YMCA with great classes.

[yukiko11]

The area north of Everett is a mecca for seniors. (Marysville, Arlington, Stanwood, Warm Beach)There are all kinds of senior housing facilities from age restricted houses and apartments to partial and total care facilities. If you mom is on a fixed income a nice one bedroom apartment can be had for less than $500 mo. There are plenty of senior centers that hold social events and lots of activities including several casinos.