South Whidbey Island (Seattle, Oak Harbor, Coupeville: homes, neighborhoods, buy)

[Wyldflower]

My partner and I are lesbians currently living in Seattle and hoping to retire within six years. Our dream is to find an affordable place to live, where we feel as comfortable amongst our neighbors as we do now, but, with the added bonus of being able to walk with our dogs to a beach.

We've recently begun to explore Whidbey Island and immediately fell in love with Langley. But, the only public access beach that we could find, was a small area next to the boat launch. Does Langley actually have any other public beaches? We did find a small, but lovely, park/beach in Freeland on Holmes Harbor, but, somehow we missed the town itself! We're looking forward to returning soon to continue our exploration. We'd also like to look around Greenbank and Coupeville.

If anybody has any suggestions or words of advice, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks!

[Ira500]

The place you want to go with the dogs is Double Bluff beach Park on Useless Bay, about three miles southeast of Freeland. Endless off leash fun.

[Ira500]

Oh, and the Whidbey offfleash advocacy group, a great group of folks, is known as FETCH:

FETCH! FREE EXERCISE TIME FOR CANINES AND HUMANS!

[Wyldflower]

Thanks, Ira! We did pick up the FETCH info at the visitor center and spent some time at the Marguerite Brons. It was beautiful and the dogs loved it. Double Bluff is next on the list. In fact, we were heading there this weekend, but, the older dog became ill and we had to turn back . I didn't realize that Double Bluff is only three miles from Freeland!

Off-leash parks are wonderful and we regularly frequent one in West Seattle. I also leash the dogs and walk them around the neighborhood daily, but, the closest we can get to the water on foot, is a lookout. The view is spectacular, but, we're really hoping that our next home will be within walking distance of the water.

[Ira500]

Westcrest Park is very nice, but Double Bluff is one of those Doggie Disneyland kind of places.

[tescalle]

There are several communities that have access to beaches within walking distance of a home. Some of the best areas are attached to specific homes or neighborhoods and have no public access. Double Bluff is the only one I know that is a public off-leash park for dogs. You will love Whidbey Island no matter where you end up. I live in Greenbank with my kids and two dogs and we absolutely love it!

Let me know if I can answer anything for you or help you in any way.

Tammi Escalle

[Wyldflower]

Tammi,

Thanks so much for your response. It makes me very hopeful that we'll find exactly what we're looking for! I've noted that a lot of the properties we've looked at have beach access rights. Greenbank is on our list to explore, as we could see a beach beyond the little town.

We bought a piece of property on San Juan Island seven years ago, hoping to eventually retire there, but the CC&Rs have changed and it's a lot more expensive to build than we'd originally planned. Now, it seems more likely that in six years we could possibly sell both our home and the land and buy something outright on Whidbey.

I can't wait to spend more time exploring. Last week when our lab became sick we turned the car around and headed straight to the vet's. By the next day, she was spiking 106.5 fever and was diagnosed with pancreatitis. Scary! But, the fluids and antibiotics worked and she's home now, looking forward to her next adventure, reminding us that we promised a trip to Double Bluff.

[tescalle]

I am so glad your lab is doing better! I used to work in Portland at an emergency vet clinic and pancreatitis can be scary.

When you come visit, you can take her to Greenbank Farms and let her off leash as well - there isn't any water, but it is a really pretty place to walk on the trails and visit the gardens, the horses and the alpacas.

I love the San Juan's, but I had heard that the building requirements were getting really sticky. We really like Whidbey - the south end is pretty spread out and a lot of the beauty has been preserved, yet it is not too far from the conveniences of the city either in Oak Harbor (small city) or a simple ride across the ferry. For us it is a perfect location.

Let me know how I can help in your search or if you want to know some really good places to eat while you are here. My kids and I just had some amazing pie at the Whidbey Pie Company.

Take care -

Tammi

[roharajustification]

Is Whidbey General Hospital a good hospital? Has anyone had any expierences with the hospital?

[Wyldflower]

This morning, as my partner and I sat watching the Seahawks trail miserably to the Cowboys, it suddenly occurred to us that it was a spectacularly beautiful day and we ought to be outdoors enjoying it. So, on the spur of the moment, we threw the dogs in the car and headed over to Whidbey.

Ira and Tammi... you were so right about Double Bluff. What a fantastic off-leash park! My partner and I enjoyed it as much as the dogs did. The sun was brilliant and the water sparkled. I just kept breathing in that lovely salt air and smiling.

We took a second look at a piece of property that we had seen our first trip to the island and realized something we'd missed earlier. We'd actually be able to walk to both the store and the beach - certainly a big draw.

Tammi, I'd love to know of your favorite spots to eat. I should have thought to ask sooner, but, we did end up having a wonderful meal at the Beachfire Grill, in Freeland. The view was spectacular and we were treated to a full moon on our drive back to the ferry dock.

We still don't know where or even which coast we'll end up on, but, the exploration is definitely fun.