Small town in Washington Please Help (Seattle, Tacoma: sales, new home, elementary school)

[singaroo]

Hello, my husband and I currently live in Phoenix, AZ. It is so hot and dry here. We would love to move up to WA, and could use some names of places we might want to check out. We are planning a road trip to scope out different places, but there are so many little towns we don't know where to start! So perhaps someone can give us a few ideas.

First, I am an elementary school teacher. So it would be great if there are some good schools in the area. Also, my husband is still working on some classes, so a community college nearby or within commuting distance would be helpful.

Second, we would love to be in a small city. We both grew up in a small town of about 50K people, but even that grew too big for us. So we are hoping for something 30K or less in population. Again, we might need a small city within commuting distance to a bigger city.

Third, most importantly, we need greenery!!! No more dirt storms for me! I want it to be green and rainy! I am from a mountain town in AZ where it is beautiful, so I love the idea of beautiful mountain views or at least lots of trees!! I don't care if it's cloudy so long as it's beautiful!

Fourth, I want to feel safe. Living in Phoenix I feel frightened to even step outside my door at night. So I really want a city where I will feel safe to take my dogs on a walk and even sit outside on my porch!

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Macrina]

I recommend Mount Vernon, WA

http://www.city-data.com/city/Mount-...ashington.html

I lived there for 3+ years and loved it. I think it fits almost exactly with your specifications. Send me
a DM if you want - (click on my name and choose Direct Message )

[Sandy Nelson]

I recommend checking out Olympia. It has 44,000 inhabitants, has great schools, a community college, excellent public transportation, and is very safe. Olympia has been ranked as the safest mid-sized city in the US by Sperling's Best Places these past two years in a row.
If you can stop by for a visit, make sure to check out the quaint and eclectic downtown, stroll the Capitol Campus and visit the Farmers Market.

[mthomson]

Gig Harbor would be my choice. Great public school system, has a branch of Tacoma Community College, is 15 min from Tacoma, about an hour from Seattle. Gig Harbor proper has about 6000 people, but the unincorporated area that is considered Gig Harbor is about 18-20k. Great water and mountain views, gorgeous place, wonderful community feel.

[kc2sweet4ne1]

Take a look at Centralia or Chehalis as well. They are both centrally located - 2 hours to the beach, 2 hours to the mountains, 2 hours to Seattle, 2 hours to Portland.

[StealthRabbit]

Camas, good school w/ lots of community support. (teachers really like it)
Branch campus of Clark just opened in East Vancouver ~ 10 min from Camas.
3 Community college within 20 minutes + Dozens of higher EDU choices within 30 min (Portland and Vancouver)
Columbia Gorge Scenic area 10 min east. Mt Hood & Mt St Helens 45 min - 1 hr
Oregon Coast 1.2 hr
Portland Culture 20 min.
Portland Airport 10 min

Income Tax free WA (If you live AND work in WA), Sales tax free OR. Work in Oregon, pay 9%+ income tax.

[Stelinzoe]

I say MountVernon as well. It is within 30 minutes of Bellingham (college town); it is very green, beautiful, quiet. My parents moved there two years ago. They are in love with it. Lots of places around to visit, take road trips etc. Friendly people. New homes being built. Close to mountains and lakes.
Ck it out.

[Macrina]

AND, Mount Vernon has many views of Mt Baker Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Photo Gallery which stays snow-capped year 'round..I've heard the skiing is fabulous, though I'm just a mountain watcher, not a skier.

Honestly, Mount Vernon is a great little town. There's a land bridge to Camano Island not far away and as Stelinzoe said: LOTS of green. I can't say enough good things about this little town. It has character.....there's a THERE there, to paraphrase Gertrude Stein.