Considering a move to S. Whidbey Island From So Cal (Seattle: to live in, law)

[roharajustification]

Hi

My husband lived on Whidbey for a few years as a child (1993-1997 age 12-15). He loves the island and so do I. I am trying to get as much info as possible on the island.

We are animal people (2 horses, 2 goats, 3 dogs, and a parakeet).

Any information about the island would be great.

So far I think I have a handle on the weather. Most of my friends here is so cal have tried to scare me about the rain but what I have figured out is that it doesn’t rain it just drizzles all the time during winter (does this sound correct?). I have looked at historical weather data and it looks like you get rain just not a lot in a day. In so cal when it rains it pours. I love the rain but I don’t get a lot of it down here so I am a little worried that It might be a bit of a shock but I would do ANYTHING to get away from our so cal heat (it has been 100+ degrees for the last couple of days here). We have something in So Cal called "June gloom" basically it is overcast and chilly during most of June (sometimes only a couple of days here and there but this year it was almost all of June. I was in Heaven!!!!!). I always love and welcome our June gloom. Do you think I could handle the Wa winters?

Also if anyone has any info on the horse situation on the island (public outdoor and indoor arenas, tack/feed stores, shoers, vets,etc...) it would be greatly appreciated. I was told that there was a public indoor arena (have to pay $5 to use it) and an outdoor arena on the south end.

Also how is the riding in the middle of winter? Is it too wet to ride? Are the trails slippery?

Also my mother in law said there is a lot of wildlife on the island. Do I have to worry about my little dog at night? We have 3 dogs (a golden cross who is about 60lbs, a weird brindle coyote looking dog 50lbs, and an old min pin about 10lbs). The min pin wakes up at night and has to go out to go pee. Would I have to worry about him being outside with me with him or on a leash? Will owls swoop down and grab him or coyotes do a drive by dog snack? I know I sound paranoid but I have to be prepared so I can make the situation work.


Any info would be appreciated.

[roharajustification]

Lots of lookers no advice LOL

[dubfan]

I've lived on South Whidbey off and on so I'll try to help.

You're right about the rain, it is mostly a constant drizzle, sometimes a mist, punctuated by a sun break every week or so. That said we do get some powerful winter storms, with lots of rain (sometimes snow, which basically shuts everything down) and wind. It usually doesn't get too cold in the winter, although last year we had a very cold streak (highs below freezing). Whidbey suffers from an exposed, vulnerable power grid that is prone to failure. The summers almost make up for the winters, as it's usually quite sunny and warm.

I'm afraid I can't give you any advice about horses on South Whidbey. I do know that many people have horses there. There's a lot of clay soil on the island that gets really muddy and downed trees can block trails and roads.

The predatory wildlife on the island (coyotes and birds of prey) are generally well fed by the abundant population of mice, rats, chipmunks and rabbits. That said they will go for cats, dogs and chickens if the opportunity presents itself. Coyotes can be bold in packs. Anyone owning a pet on the island takes a risk.

[roharajustification]

Thank You for the help!

[tescalle]

What part of So. Cal are you from? I used to live in Temecula.

Whidbey Island is a huge horse community. There are several hundred acres of trails that you can ride. I can connect you to a couple of horse groups that would be happy to help you get integrated into the horse activities on the island. I can also get you maps of some of the trails on the island you can ride on. I have been told that there are two arenas that are available for use, but I think one of them is no longer open. I can do some asking around if you would like. Just let me know.

Have you had a chance to come up for a visit? If you are heading this way, PM me and I will try to get you connected to the horse groups.

If there is anything I can do to help a fellow So. Californian, please let me know.

Take care -

Tammi Escalle

[sean98125]

One thing to bear in mind on top of the weather is that the days are shorter here in the wintertime than they are in California because we are much farther north. It's not just the drizzle, but the days have about an hour less light than they do in San Diego, and thanks to the low angle of the sun the light is dimmer in general. Just be ready for that.

[Tiger Beer]

Is the rain/drizzle of S. Whidbey Island different (more or less or the same) as Seattle?

[dubfan]

Popular wisdom and local meteorology dictate that south Whidbey receives slightly less rain than Seattle, but there are no climate stations on the south end so I can't verify that.

[roharajustification]

We live in the San Fernando Valley.

Your winers have shorter days but your summer days are longer than ours no? The light is different than in CA. It is pretty. It is almost more blue/Grey looking.

Does anyone know any Whidbey mythology/folklore?

[ATXIronHorse]

Originally Posted by roharajustification

Hi

My husband lived on Whidbey for a few years as a child (1993-1997 age 12-15). He loves the island and so do I. I am trying to get as much info as possible on the island.

We are animal people (2 horses, 2 goats, 3 dogs, and a parakeet).

Any information about the island would be great.

So far I think I have a handle on the weather. Most of my friends here is so cal have tried to scare me about the rain but what I have figured out is that it doesn’t rain it just drizzles all the time during winter (does this sound correct?). I have looked at historical weather data and it looks like you get rain just not a lot in a day. In so cal when it rains it pours. I love the rain but I don’t get a lot of it down here so I am a little worried that It might be a bit of a shock but I would do ANYTHING to get away from our so cal heat (it has been 100+ degrees for the last couple of days here). We have something in So Cal called "June gloom" basically it is overcast and chilly during most of June (sometimes only a couple of days here and there but this year it was almost all of June. I was in Heaven!!!!!). I always love and welcome our June gloom. Do you think I could handle the Wa winters?

Also if anyone has any info on the horse situation on the island (public outdoor and indoor arenas, tack/feed stores, shoers, vets,etc...) it would be greatly appreciated. I was told that there was a public indoor arena (have to pay $5 to use it) and an outdoor arena on the south end.

Also how is the riding in the middle of winter? Is it too wet to ride? Are the trails slippery?

Also my mother in law said there is a lot of wildlife on the island. Do I have to worry about my little dog at night? We have 3 dogs (a golden cross who is about 60lbs, a weird brindle coyote looking dog 50lbs, and an old min pin about 10lbs). The min pin wakes up at night and has to go out to go pee. Would I have to worry about him being outside with me with him or on a leash? Will owls swoop down and grab him or coyotes do a drive by dog snack? I know I sound paranoid but I have to be prepared so I can make the situation work.


Any info would be appreciated.

West of the Cascades it rains more than you can imagine. Expect about 10 months of solid overcast and constant constant drizzle. Sure, you can get a sun break now and then, but it'll be over in a few hours and you might not see sun again for a few more weeks.

Other than the weather the islands are very beautiful. However, what do you plan on doing for work? I don't know of any decent jobs on the islands.