Vancouver, Olympia, Mount Vernon

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by gallo

...I just wanted to clarify that I don't want to shoot Vancouver or Olympia.

What I meant to say was I'd shoot FOR Vancouver/Portland or Olympia. ...
Don't want to start any conspiracy theories here. LOL.

feel free to shoot our tax assessors / board of equalization / elected officials (failed promises? )) and the judges who've rejected the initiative to cap taxes

BTW; I'm still looking for an affordable place to 'retire'. Low expenses are more important than low capital investment. Paying twice as much for taxes as house payment would indicate a rusty, 'leaky bucket'. (and no way to patch). 10+ yrs to senior deferral age for me, and by then the assessor will be living in my house. (he offers to buy it every year.... ). National Scenic area restrictions won't allow me to convert it to one of the many 'tax deferred' uses.

For the OP... just look into each area, and especially the diversity of employment and benefits. Quantify the tax burden, and needs for future services (education, entertainment, healthcare, regional transportation).

Be cautious of Olympia, that's where all the legislators hang out... you don't want to get into gallo's 'cross-fire' My percieved downside of Oly, would be 'cabin fever', surrounded by WA, and lots of people (traffic + smog). It is a hike to a pretty (and accessible) coast, and mountains are limited. But, The Olympics are pretty nice! There are nice spots in each location, and adequate rain . Vancouver does have the advantage of shopping in OR (no sales tax), and possibly the advantage of NO WA NEWS (all news is from Oregon, they have some interesting legislative battles.)

[RiftReaper]

vancouver :P im not bias at all

[kc2sweet4ne1]

I hear you with the TINY lots for the new housing developments. They seem to be going in EVERYWHERE!. What I have learned in my recent house shopping experiences is that its OK to buy an "older" house". The older houses may need a little more "prettying up" than the brand new houses, but the yards are 10 times as big in some cases and the older houses aren't cheaply built.

If you want a good, solid, stable, established home---- buy the "older" ones.

As for towns.... I live in Centralia and I love it here. There are houses and jobs available. (new houses, even, if you want)

[Horsepoet]

[quote=mamacourt;858415]Hello everyone,


Mt. Vernon has potential, but I'm wondering about jobs there. My husband is in graphics and is getting his business degree. I'm a freelance writer, so I can move anywhere .

Hi,
My first post so not sure if I am doing this right or not but...

What type of freelance writer are you? I want to break into this market so I can live where I like though I am not sure where that is yet.

We lived in Snohomish, 30 minutes east of Seattle, and made a move to Ellensburg, just over the mountain on I90. It is beautiful here but no jobs and not enough shopping or other things for me so we are looking at another move.

I am not sure where, also looking at Vancouver, Mt Vernon, maybe into Oregon.
Not sure I want to go back to the rain but not much in the way of jobs or shopping, etc on the east side of the mountains.