Where in WA should we move? (Also considering OR) (Seattle: sales, good schools)

[littleirishmama]

I just stumbled across the Aberdeen/Ocean Shores/ Hoquiam area. Anyone have insight to any of these places?

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by RobE

You could definitely move to Lacey or maybe Olympia for somewhere in the 200k range. However, the nearest four year school is at least half an hour away. Washington University, which is probably the best of the lot in this state, would be around 75-90 minutes from Lacey. It is mostly a bedroom community with a bunch of strip malls. There is a Costco there, though.

Lacey does have some destination shopping... don't forget the new Cabela's Sporting and Outdoor store...

I like to shop Lacey because it's convenient... I shop the Lowes and Home Depot and the Safeway...

It's true that Lacey doesn't have a city center... they have a master plan that has been impacted by the current economy...

[jertheber]

First things first, you have lived in two areas of extreme weather and now you're thinking of the NW as a possible area to move to. Let me tell you about our weather here since you had mentioned weather as a prime reason for moving. Many people have come to the NW only to leave in a few years, Reason? The weather, we have few really good days of sun and blue sky, a typical day here consists of grey cloudy skies and rain, or the possibility of rain. it is not cold nor hot, but, the grey can get to you. Washington has a lot of rural areas, the average city is small, amenities are to be found in the big city environs, but the country habitat has little to offer in the way of art or music. You can read my earlier posts on the Olympia Wa. area, it has some good prospects for the kind of things you were looking for. If you can find the film, "once upon a great notion" with Paul Newman, you can get some idea of the persistent rain that has become legend for Wa,and Ore. Ken Kesey wrote the story, in it he describes the sky as being a constant color of a "dirty Nickle" lol, please come in the fall or winter to get the idea of what you're in for. I have lived here most of my life and love it, but, I'm older and retired now, winter gives way to thoughts of sunshine and the warmth of the SW in the winter months. Just stepped out the door, it's about 48 degrees with a cloud cover of aprox 80%, hope it warms up. Wa is a beautifull place but it didn't just happen that way, the rain is the provider of all that is green and lush, I'm forty miles from a major rain forest and very little population, like I said, it's beautifull, but wet. I'm not trying to dissuade you from coming here, but I know the truth of our weather can be downplayed by some who seem to liken the truth to something negative, anyplace you go you'll have a certain amount of stores, schools, and homes to choose from, but, the weather is never subject to choice, it is what it is........

[littleirishmama]

jertheber,
Thank you for your honesty. I don't mind cloudy or completely sunless days, for the most part. In Michigan, the sun rarely shone...but the thing I couldn't stand was not feeling safe when I drove or not even being able to leave my home due to the excessive snowfall on occassions I like to be very active, and the winters in Michigan along with the summers in Arizona keep me from doing the outdoor activities that I enjoy and that keep me feeling productive. Are you still able to camp, jog, fish, hike, etc in the rain there?
I will definitely change our plans so we visit in the winter or fall instead of the summer. Would march be a good time to experience the real weather there?
Again, I thank you for your openness and honesty. I want to make sure we know exactly what we are getting ourselves into

[jertheber]

Well, I'm living in Elma, a small town just twenty some miles from the Ocean at Aberdeen-Hoquiam. I'm retired so I have every day off and to be truthful,it got to be somewhat daunting last winter. When I worked I lived in the south Seatlle area, I told people that I didn't mind the rain because I was inside of my workplace so much. Now that I have been retired for over a year I'm beginning to see the effect of weather on my ability to get out and walk, just being outside period, it's depressing, because of wind and rain. On cloudy days I get out to take advantage of the dry weather, but I notice not very many folk's are out, it seems that until summer the place is a ghost town. I grew up in the north Seattle area and never really noticed the rain, being kid's we were oblivious to it. Washingtonians do what they have to in the rain, lol, yes you can fish, hunt, and even camp if you'd like, but, the rain and the wind can make things mighty uncomfortable. It's so hard to explain this weather to out of staters, my Stepson lives in Minnesota and says he hates the cloudyness and lack of definite seasons here. When I'm in Minnesota in the winter it seems weird to have bright sun and beautiful blue skies, but cold enough to frost your face outside. Right now I'm looking out my window to a beautiful blue sky and sunny warm temps, on these days I wouldn't trade Washington for anywhere on earth. Maybe that's the reason for my staying here all these years, the summers can be almost apologetic for the winters. After looking at the weather US wide I finally decided we have very little good stuff to choose from, too hot in the south, too cold in the north. San Diego is the only really nice place year around, my Nephew and his wife live there and absolutely love it. California is too crowded for me, so I guess I'll look into snow birding next winter to see if a few months out of here might just be the answer.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by littleirishmama

I just stumbled across the Aberdeen/Ocean Shores/ Hoquiam area. Anyone have insight to any of these places?

I don't think you will find this area meets your criteria. (Schools, music scene, university...). It is pretty economically depressed and known for being a bit 'run-down'. Certainly the weather on the coast is more gray / deary and chilly (especially in the summer with potential fog, but it usually clears by midday.

[littleirishmama]

Thanks for the input.

So...how's the eastern side of the state? I've heard good things about Spokane...can i get your 2 cents on that area? =)

[StealthRabbit]

East and west is WAY DIFFERENT, you might need to try them on for size. Or be much more specific in your desires. I think you might want to be specific on your EDU requirements and your preferred climate and specific water sports. That will help narrow your choices. Your $200k price range for home may be a challenge anywhere in western USA. (North and South Dakota may be a good choice) There are bargain houses in most spots, but they are few around metro college towns. I did see one yesterday for $72k with some foundation damage.

West = more rain, dreary winters, little snow, stuff is pretty close together, liberal bias, custom brewed coffee and micro-brew drinkers.

East = brown terrain (in places), more arid in general, but still some forests. Deary and cold in winter with a bit more sun than west, but not like Colorado or NM. Stuff is general far apart (drive a few hrs between major cities). conservative bias (but not enough votes to win any state causes).
Folgers and Bud light Drinkers (a very broad generalization). I find the people more friendly on eastside, but I'm a farm kid, so more shared interests.

University and art scene will limit choices to Walla Walla, Spokane (or Cheney), Ellensburg, and possibly Pullman. Water Sports may be a challenge for quick access, but there are plenty of options within driving distance. (there are a couple BIG rivers and random lakes.)
Spokane has some 'real-good' and some 'real-bad'. (just as most urban areas)

Have you considered Moscow, ID or Ft Collins, CO? (not a lot of water there either)

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

... I think you might want to be specific on your ...specific water sports. ...

here is some 'eastside' water sports
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/200...palouse-falls/
http://www.cecilw.com/photo/palousefalls
Spokane Falls is a pretty good challenge too, especially in the spring.

Idaho has a few impressive lakes nearby, and eastside WA / NW ID fishing is pretty good.

The ocean / coast is quite a hike from the eastside of WA, AND it really depends on what you call ocean, as the inland waters of the Puget Sound have great benefit for sailing and kayaking, but not possible to surf. The Olympic Penninsula is WA coast, but is not too accessible (quite a lot of Native American land)

OR has entire coastline accessible to public, and it is only 1.2 hrs from Portland (Camas WA), Quite scenic, can surf in spots, and also kayak.

BC is WA extended playground for great outdoor activities. Their parks, skiing, hiking, boating, fishing... are superb, and will be getting a lot of use when our weasel WA gov closes the parks to save a few bucks (while paying administrators richly). They always love to hold the serfs hostage when they need some extra green.

[littleirishmama]

So many things to consider! My brain is hurting.

I definitely think WA is a good fit for my family, I just think we need to determine what part of the state. That's probably something we will have to figure out during our vacation. I am definitely excited about coming up with the list of areas to research and visit.

Right now we are debating between Spokane, Bellingham, and Camas/Vancouver. I know they are all going to be different, which is why I think actually seeing each place will be a big deciding factor.

As for my requirements for EDU...honestly I just want to make sure that I will have job security. I will most likely be a first year teacher, so the educational system needs to be stable. And we want to ensure that our children will receive a good education. I will also be going for my Master's when we move, so it should be near a 4 year university (or if I can do that online, I am ok with that too).

As for climate, we want to live in a place where our kids can play outside and not suffer from heat stroke! My friend lives in Seattle and says that the rain is more like a mist...not really sure if this is accurate, or just her way of trying to convince us to move. In Arizona, when we get rain, it is pretty insane. (monsoons - flooding - crazy lightning storms) I don't mind that from time to time, but we don't want that to be the main weather of the area where we live. My husband grew up in Michigan, so trees are a big must have for him...and having a garden.

Cost of living is important to some extent, but we are willing to pay a little more for a place that we fall in love with. Hope this helps.