Islands That are Interesting and Safe? (Seattle, Bellevue: how much, houses, neighborhood)

[alternativeview]

Hi. I just noticed what you're asking about and would like to talk to AlwaysSmiling about living in the Seattle area generally. I'm thinking of making a move there myself. What areas are good for singles. Is there sun anywhere? Is Vashon really remote? What about Bainbridge. Are there areas off island in the outskirts of Seattle that are interesting and safe?

Thanks for your help.

Alternativeview

[gallo]

I'm not AlwaysSmiling, but maybe I can help. As a whole, the entire Seattle area tends to be fairly safe in comparison to most metros similar in size. Pretty much all of the island communities/suburbs in the Seattle area are both interesting and safe. They are pretty remote. Most of the access to these places is exclusively by ferry. As such, people living on the islands report feeling a certain sense of cabin fever.

As far as the sun, you won’t see much of it in western Washington for seven or eight months of the year. We do have some of the best summer weather in the country, however. I know there are a few areas of western Washington that are referred to as “sun pockets.” That is, they get more days of sunlight than the rest of the western Washington. I am not sure, however, that any of these areas are in the immediate Seattle vicinity. I think the few “sun pockets” that do exist sit right up against the Olympic Mountains, which serve to block the clouds and rain from them.

Areas that are good for singles would be downtown Seattle (Belltown) and perhaps downtown Bellevue, and downtown Kirkland (along Lake Washington). Besides the islands, there are a lot of areas outside of Seattle that one might consider interesting and safe. Please elaborate a little more, and tell us what you are looking for.

[alternativeview]

Hi Gallo, That's pretty helpful. I want to be in a neighborhood where I can have a social life. I'd like to be around the 30's/40's crowd. I'd like to entertain so I want to be in a community that isn't too far away so people would want to come hang out. That's the key, a place where people would visit. I had thought of the islands, Vashon maybe but I didn't know how folks felt about traveling there. I like country life. My ideal is to get off the grid. If I can't do that here, I'd just like a place that's not too fast paced.

That's why I thought to ask about areas surrounding Seattle, the suburbs what are they like?

Thanks for your help
av

[scirocco22]

Vashon might have a more isolated feeling for you because it's only accessible by ferry. Bainbridge and Whidbey are so big that you might not even know you're on an island and both have a bridge that you can drive off if you had to.

I don't know if you necessarily are going to find place where you'll have a "country life" and be "off the grid" but yet have an active social scene at the same time. The locations that gallo mentioned (Bellevue and Kirkland) are not considered "country" nor "off the grid" ...they are busy and congested suburbs of Seattle. Belltown is right in the heart of Seattle located just north of the CBD.

I'm thinking perhaps Duvall. I don't know about the single life there, though. Mostly families but more countryish than Bellevue or Kirkland. Or Snoqualmie or Carnation; but definitely not noted for their single life.

It's almost like you'll have to live somewhere and socialize somewhere else. I question whether you can have both.

Let's see what other responses you get here.

[alternativeview]

Thanks scirocco,

By a social scene, I mean hanging out at home with friends or at their houses..going to concerts, good restaurants etc. I don't mind going to bars, I just don't go very much. A country feel is the best for me, but I'd be ok with just being out of congestion. I figured I'd have to live on an island to even condsider getting off the grid..and is there enough sun anywhere there for solar power?

I'll look into Duvall. Is Duvall overcast most of the time?

I heard the San Juan islands are pretty warm but not much to do. Is that true?


av

[scirocco22]

Actually the San Juans might fit ...definitely isolated and you could very well live off the grid. Isolated because they are only accessible by ferry. Prices tend to be pretty pricey now though. Yeah, not much to do although locations such as Friday Harbor may be a bit more eclectic places to be on the San Juans.

Most of western Washington is overcast the majority of the time. However, much of the San Juans is in the western Washington "banana belt." I don't know how much sun you need to be totally self sufficient but I do know that there are solar powered homes in western Washington. I have no idea if they are totally self-sufficient or not. Perhaps somebody else with more knowledge can chime in on this aspect.

[AlwaysSmiling]

Well, good morning! Thanks for calling me out personally!! Made my day!! You can also send private messages, and I'll make sure and get them.
The biggest question I have for you is: Where do you live now? That way I can give you a better perspective of what living on the island is like. If you live in Portland, you will love it here. If you live in Phoenix, well, then, we'll have to talk!!
Let me know what you will be doing as a job, or hopefully, you won't need a job. Good paying jobs are non-existant on the south end of Whidbey. You have to travel to the base in Oak Harbor or cross the ferry to Everett to work at Boeing.
What are you plans? Can't wait to help you!!

[StealthRabbit]

Off grid is possible, I'd definately check out Friday Harbor, tho it is isolated.

this might help
Solar Washington