Monroe area versus Silverdale area (Seattle, Tacoma: home, pool, ferry)

[wheregirl]

Hello,

I am wondering--- for the smaller cities that are closer to beautiful nature and also convenient to the bigger cities---which one of these would be better: the Silverdale area or the Monroe area? Is it easier to drive or to take the ferry (to get to either the mountains or Seattle)? Which one of these have an easier access to nice mountain hiking and big cities? Any other suggestions for towns/cities that have both clean/beautiful nature and easy access to culture/big city?

Furthermore, how would you compare these areas to the Mt vernon(#1 best small city in America) and Burlington area?

Thank a lot!

[cabocurtis]

I was raised in Silverdale and been through Monroe numerous tomes. Silverdale has easier access to Seattle with bainbridge ferry or bremerton(bainbridge a nicer and faster ride) and by auto the new narrows bridge the car pool express lanes northbound I5. I left a family gathering in Silverdale last night on a Sunday and was home by drive to north seattle in a little over an hour. Monroe is pretty close to seattle mileage wise and also to Bellevue but can be dicey since the highway is two lanes for much of the way. Monroe is close to cascades via highway 2 and hiking but Silverdale is closer to Olympic national park. Silverdale is also a doable drive to Mount Rainier national park through Tacoma. Silverdale has more retail and is a bit more self contained than Monroe. Silverdale is a also a reasonable drive to hood canal and the state parks in that are.

[wheregirl]

Thanks! How is the number of days with sunshine in Silverdale compared to Seattle or Monroe?