Need help in choosing area to retire in W. washington

[StealthRabbit]

Utility Local Improvement District (or something to that effect)
summary - a small region of untility improvements (roads, water, sewer, electricity, street lights...) where the property owners it serves and benefits?? get to pay a pro-rated amount, so the developer and the city get off 'scot-free'. These are often "rammed-down-the-throat" of innocent landowners and can be contentious for years, or... can be a benefit too, in the case of failing septics. (at least the city / untility provider likes to think so...)

example....
random rural houses exist on septic systems and on large lots, but are adjacent to a subdivision with city sewer service. Joe (Big Bucks) developer buys a parcel on the far side to the rural houses and wants to build a zillion houses but needs sewer. (too small of lots for septic). So... the city planners tell Joe; "You will have to extend the existing sewer line from the subdivision, and across the frontage (and public road) of the rural land owners" (who have perfectly working septic systems). Joe whines and moans and the planners say "we will give you a 'credit' for your expenses (reduction in fees / use taxes / permits) if you do this, AND we will create an ULID so that the existing or future homeowners either
#1) will be required to hook up AND pay for the sewer line extension in front of their house (~ $100/ft + road repair expenses~ $100/ft for sewer ~ $20/ft for water, IF no curbs are broken) PLUS connection fees, AND the eternal monthly bill that follows... or (all told this can run $15,000 > $150,000+ to innocent homeowner... they WILL lien your home if you don't pay, plus add interest and fees...)
#2) Homeowner will have to pay that amount at anytime in the future when their system fails OR AT THE TIME we (city) decide to annex their previous 'pastoral' setting with a perfectly functioning septic system. (which will no longer be legal if annexed)
#3) Future users of the extended line will have to pay a portion of the line expenses TBD by their location and proposed utilization of the service in ERU's (hint... ERU = Equivalent Residential Unit. Thus places like Restaurants and plating shops and laundries have to pay A LOT) Wal-Mart and Home Depot don't pay as much, but... for water they pay for the Maximum Flow required (fire sprinklers...hydrants ...) That can be spendy, so.... when putting in a ULID, don't be skimpy on your flow sizes, as it is really expensive to dig up a 20' deep line that is in the center of the road. one of the most expensive things (depending on your area) is the backfill, which must be compacted every foot to go under a roadway.

[southhillgrandma]

Sometimes I feel like lying and saying it is awful here the way Governor McCall used to do in the 70's. You must remember the west side of the state is greener largely because they get more money for roads, programs, etc. Many politicians think our side of that state doesn't exist. I loved the innocence of Spokane when I first arrived. I loved knowing my neighbors, etc. You have to work at finding an income but there are opportunities if you make them. What I don't like now is that we're starting to get traffic issues (not near what we left). However, we are getting better ethnic restaurants so I guess it all works out. :-)

[Kmag2OOO]

Originally Posted by doni

You live in Freeland?? Do you know the Neuman family??? They have lived on the island forever.

Okay first of all, actually naming someone, especially in a community this small, on the post I kind of think that is uncalled for. You really should be using PMs or direct messaging is what they call it here, DM from you to the user your asking the question of. You probably shouldn't be posting some random families name, did they give you consent to do that? Are there moderators here?

Secondly, which Neuman's? Is that the right spelling? Just curious?

[Kmag2OOO]

Yes, some of that has been found on South Whidbey in recent years. (drugs, kids with nothing to do, or no direction maybe) I doubt anywhere near the rate it is in say Seattle neighborhoods. I still would contend it's more promising a place for a teen than the metro areas, if you don't need the city, why live in it for your kids? If you are concerned about two laners, you probably shouldn't be looking at any of these areas. Kitsap and Bellingham are both a bit larger in population and denisty and have support for larger roads. SW has very strong athletic activities and music and drama programs. Coupeville, while smaller, is very strong academically.