Jet Noise on Whidbey (Tacoma, Mount Vernon: motorhomes, neighborhood, to buy)

[zenfull]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if there are areas of Whidbey that have less jet noise than others. I know that the further south you go you have less noise but how about areas that aren't as bad near Oak Harbor? Is the Rolling Hills area better? Thanks in advance for any input.

[wythors]

Anywhere near Oak Harbor is going to have jet noise. Heck, I lived in La Conner and still had a fair bit of it. I think you'd pretty much have to be south of Coupeville to avoid most of it. Honestly, after the first few weeks you hardly notice it. As the sign says near the entrance to NAS Whidbey Island, "Pardon our noise. It's the sound of freedom."

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by wythors

Anywhere near Oak Harbor is going to have jet noise. Heck, I lived in La Conner and still had a fair bit of it. I think you'd pretty much have to be south of Coupeville to avoid most of it. Honestly, after the first few weeks you hardly notice it. As the sign says near the entrance to NAS Whidbey Island, "Pardon our noise. It's the sound of freedom."

Good post, wythors! Very succinctly stated! *thumbs up*


--'rocco

[cindycat]

I understand you're really concerned about the noise and I assume it's because you've never lived near an air base. I hope you can find the right place.

We, on the other hand, worked as Air Force civilians for over 30 years. When we were looking for property on Whidbey, people warned us about the noise. We said, "Yeah, right. We lived three miles from an Air Force base most of our lives." B-52's, AWACS, tankers, TACAMO, fighters - - we miss the sound and the sight of those big jets. Now all we get is an occasional private plane and Coast Guard helicopter.

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by wythors

Anywhere near Oak Harbor is going to have jet noise. Heck, I lived in La Conner and still had a fair bit of it. I think you'd pretty much have to be south of Coupeville to avoid most of it. Honestly, after the first few weeks you hardly notice it.

I sure notice it everytime a bunch of the flyboys from NAS Whidbey buzz Tacoma. I didn't even know it was them until I called McChord to find out why they were rattling the windows only to be told that this was a Navy issue and they wouldn't even file a complaint about it. I'm going to be quite happy to get out from under McChord's flight path.

[LMB]

When we were looking at homes in Coupeville in December, we casually asked the realtor about jet noise near the landing strip just south of the town. It wasn't a big concern to us, but one that had been brought up on this forum in the past so I decided to ask. We obviously weren't the first. The realtor whipped out a printed "noise map" that showed which areas nearby were most affected by the air field. Not that it's a problem of course--just happened to have this map... :-)

We loved Coupeville and Langley, and all of central and south Whidbey Island. What a lovely place! After checking out Whidbey, Camano, Anacortes, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Kitsap Peninsula, we finally decided to buy a home in Poulsbo on Kitsap. We're very happy with our choice, but we'll be visiting Whidbey as often as possible in the summers.

[zenfull]

Thanks everyone for your input. Very much appreciated.
LMB you wouldn't happen to have a copy of the noise map or remember which realtor had it would you? Thanks.

[LMB]

Zenfull, it was a Windermere office in Coupeville--I don't remember the name, but I can probably locate it online and PM it to you. I won't be able to post the link here. I do still have that noise map, but it might take awhile to dig it up. I'll see if I can find it in the next day or so.

Lynn

PS--check your email. I sent you the realtor's name and link.

[brightcopperkettles]

Originally Posted by LMB

When we were looking at homes in Coupeville in December, we casually asked the realtor about jet noise near the landing strip just south of the town. It wasn't a big concern to us, but one that had been brought up on this forum in the past so I decided to ask. We obviously weren't the first. The realtor whipped out a printed "noise map" that showed which areas nearby were most affected by the air field. Not that it's a problem of course--just happened to have this map... :-)

We loved Coupeville and Langley, and all of central and south Whidbey Island. What a lovely place! After checking out Whidbey, Camano, Anacortes, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Kitsap Peninsula, we finally decided to buy a home in Poulsbo on Kitsap. We're very happy with our choice, but we'll be visiting Whidbey as often as possible in the summers.

I'm sure you'll love Poulsbo; it's one of my favorite places. My husband and I were just up there today looking at motorhomes.

[zenfull]

For anyone wanting to hear a sound sample of the jet noise.This was recorded last week in a neighborhood a few miles from the north airfield.
north whidbey jet noise - Google Video