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09-26-2009, 11:10 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southern California - 2 years
55 posts, read 22,104 times
Reputation: 37
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Anyone live in Port Orchard?
My husband and I have fallen in love with the idea of Port Orchard. We could afford a beautiful old house within walking distance to town/view of the water. Looks to be a cute little place to raise kids. Is this true or just the fantasy we have in our mind?
We are able to live anywhere between north Washington and Portland. For some reason we keep going back to P.O. We have never been to Seattle or Portland (we will be visiting soon - possibly within 2 weeks), so I want some perspective from people who actually live in the area.
We have two kids (one in Kindergarten). We want to be able to walk to town. We don't think we will be in PNW for more than 5 years, so while I have heard bad things about the P.O. high school, I doubt we would be there long enough to experience it.
Thanks in advance!
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09-27-2009, 09:49 AM
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Realtor
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Join Date: Nov 2007
362 posts, read 316,701 times
Reputation: 101
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I live about 15min south of Port Orchard. If you're looking in the Manchester or downtown PO area, there are some great options. The South Kitsap School District (which serves PO) doesn't have a great reputation, but that does stem mostly from the huge high school. Elem schools are actually quite good, middle schools tend to be average.
There's plenty to do in PO (good library, movie theaters, shopping, water access, etc) and you're plenty close to Seattle or Tacoma if you need a bigger city for a day trip.
Is it ideal? I don't think so (I'm not sure anything is fantasy ideal). Is it a great place? Yes, I think you'd be very happy there.
Keep in mind that if you buy a house now, in 5yrs from now you most likely won't have made a ton of money on it. I do expect home prices to rise, but not skyrocket. If you're buying a home for an investment, you may want to consider renting. If you're looking to buy because you understand that a house is a home, YEAH!! We need more people like that!
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09-27-2009, 04:45 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southern California - 2 years
55 posts, read 22,104 times
Reputation: 37
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Thanks for the response. We would be buying a home to live in. While we'd love for it to be an investment. I'll just be happy if it doesn't decrease in value in the next 5 years. We aren't looking to flip a home or anything like that!
We have seen some beautiful houses on the Manette waterfront and some within walking distance to P.O. downtown. What kind of shops are there? Is there a grocery store? A coffee shop? Are there any parks for kids? Is it all retired people? We are hoping for some young families in the area. Our house budget is about $450K. We have considered B.I. as well, but it seems a bit too new/suburban for us, plus we can't get as much for our money. We like older homes. Pre-1940.
Thanks for your help!
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09-27-2009, 06:23 PM
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Realtor
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Join Date: Nov 2007
362 posts, read 316,701 times
Reputation: 101
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For $450k, sky's the limit for you! There are several great stores in that area...grocery stores, coffee shops and the like.
Lots of great older farm homes and view homes.
You won't have any problem finding what you'd like.
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09-27-2009, 07:58 PM
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Real Estate Agent
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle Area
95 posts, read 30,292 times
Reputation: 18
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Port Orchard
I did a search for homes in the Port Orchard area there are good buys around the veterans home and that is within walikng distance to downtown Port Orchard. Mancehester is small but does offer great views of Seattle
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09-28-2009, 01:51 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2009
40 posts, read 14,464 times
Reputation: 11
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What is the "feel" in Port Orchard? is it an open minded progressive group of people? And since you're answering real estate questions, would you say that a family (we are a family of 5 with 3 small kids) could find something on a little bit of land (1/2 acre or more) under 300K?
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09-28-2009, 06:26 PM
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Real Estate Agent
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle Area
95 posts, read 30,292 times
Reputation: 18
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Port Orchard
I found some properties from 300k -500k depending on the waterview. The 400k -500K offers land in excess of an acre. The towns of both Port Orchard are pretty much non threatening.
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09-28-2009, 07:23 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2009
40 posts, read 14,464 times
Reputation: 11
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09-28-2009, 08:55 PM
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Real Estate Agent
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle Area
95 posts, read 30,292 times
Reputation: 18
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Looks good
There area is good. You are about 15-30 minutes to the ferries to Seattle. I am fairly familiar with the area. Where will you be working?. This is a bank owned property and has an offer on it and is waiting for back up offers. Hope this helps
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09-28-2009, 09:26 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2009
40 posts, read 14,464 times
Reputation: 11
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where will we be working? now THAT is the question of the day! We're in the process now of deciding what all of the possibilities would be for where we would like to live and then we'll put in job applications at all and see what crops up! did i mention we're both teachers?
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