Where in WA should we move? (Also considering OR)

[mdvaden]

I remember us moving back to Oregon after about a year away in Georgia.

We had to decide on the Portland area, or up near Seattle due to the need for suburbs and my business.

We were not up near Seattle for even half a day and could tell it was so differerent. We just U-turned and set permanent roots in Washington County Oregon.

Not near as bottle-necked for traffic, and slightly over an hour from the ocean, a favorite place to go.

Washington is okay though.

So many towns with several layers of culture.

[kjg I]

I moved from Michigan to Portland, OR w/ wife and four youngsters in 1985, then to Vancouver, WA in 1987, then to Woodland, WA in 1989.

I, too, live in arizona, since March, '08. I CAN"T WAIT TO GET BACK TO WASHINGTON. IT"S TOO DAMN HOT HERE !!! and it stnks. I'll be moving back to wahington this summer; Trout Lake is were I'm headed.

Check out the Woodland area. Great for kids. Was <2000 population in 1989. Now is >5000. Good schools. No income tax, but nearly 8% sales tax; most folks go to oregon. They don't have sales tax, but do have an income tax.

I could go on and on with the merits of this area, but space and time don't allow. If you are looking for fresh air, great climate (you do get used to the rain), good water, and an endless number of places for your family to explore, this area is the best. The Big Cities are just a short drive away.

Vancouver, WA has WSU campus, and Clark Comm Coll (has recently received some huge, huge endowments). It's 15 miles south of Woodland.

You can get to downtown Portland in 30 minutes. By memory, they have Portland Comm Coll, Geo. Fox university, Portland State U, and a few others whose names elude me.

In about two hours to the north is Seattle metro area.

Also check out Kalama, La Center, Ridgefield. All simular to Woodland in size, etc. Larger cities in that same area are Kelso, Longview and Battle Ground.

Trout Lake is quite remote. That's why I'm headed there.

Weather: It does rain there, but only once a year. It starts in November and stops in May. Rarely does it snow or have summer days over 90. AC is not really needed for most people, as the nights are quite cool in the summer.

If your kids are sports and out-of-doors minded, I can't think of a finer place.

I'd be happy to answer your questions. Call me (I'm in the East Tucson book), E-maill me, or post here.