Vancouver, Olympia, Mount Vernon (Seattle, Everett: transplants, sales, real estate)

[mamacourt]

Hello everyone,

We're a family of four considering a move out of the central california valley heat. I wouldn't mind paying these prices if I was near anything fun to do, but Fresno has zip., zlich, nada..I was born and raised here and I can tell you it bites! I don't want to raise my girls in these conditions.

Washington has always appealed to my husband and I, we both like colder weather and I personally love the rain. we're looking for somewhere green, with normal/low housing prices.

A coworker of his lived in Washington and she suggested:
Mt Vernon
Ferndale
Central/Centralia (not sure if these are two different places)
Longview
Yakima
Kennewick

From what I've researched, Tri-Cities doesn't look like what we're looking for. (even though the housing prices are to die for!) It looks like the Central Valley all over again but with wind. Yakima was iffy.

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 .

I was thinking Vancouver/Portland or Olympia might be a better option for jobs and a city "feel." Seattle is out of the question....just too much!

Any thoughts on Mount Vernon, Vancouver or Olympia? Or any others on the list? We've looking for a moderately priced place (200-250,000), but with a big city in driving distance. We also have kids so family friendliness is a must.

Thanks!

[Ultrarunner]

All good choices... I'm very happy with Olympia.

I have friends that love Vancouver. One works across the river in Portland. Seems that quite a few people do that. From what I've been told, it can be the best of both worlds, except for getting across the bridge at certain times of the day. No income tax in Washington and no sales tax in Oregon with all the big city stuff within reach.

Prices, like everywhere else have risen quite a bit. The good news is that inventory is up and prices seem "fairly" stable. Over a thousand new homes in the pipeline for the greater Lacey area. Lacey is adjacent to Olympia to the North.

Hey, I thought everybody in Fresno had a cabin in the mountains at Bass Lake to get away from the summer heat???

[gallo]

I'd shoot Vancouver/Portland or Olympia. The rest are very rural and thus lack lots of employment opportunities.

[mamacourt]

Ultrarunner--Don't I wish! When I was kid, my mom worked at a summer camp so that's how I used to beat the heat. It seems like it's gotten worse, or I've gotten less tolerant as I get older.

Gallo-Thanks so much!

Now are prices in the mid/low 200s a possibility in either area? And are those ranges safe to live in? Because here they are iffy...

[UmbrellasYearRound]

I would not live in Longview! Kelso-Longview are the 2 main side-by-side cities of Cowlitz County, a south-western county. I spent just a few months there about 18 months ago, and it seemed extremely economically depressed. The downtown part of Longview (if you can even call it that) had many empty store fronts, and from my perspective Kelso is just a blip with no real town. Crime is unusually high for that area. My understanding is that once upon a time, that area was a logging town, but as logging has decreased as an industry in Washington, the area became economically depressed.

Housing is pretty cheap in Longview, but because it's not so desireable!!

Also, do NOT speed through Cowlitz County on I-5. The state patrol in that area are quite aggressive, and the prosecutor in Cowlitz County aggressively prosecutes every little tiny thing. It's very easy to pick up a reckless driving or DUI case in that area.

Mount Vernon is growing fast! I've lived in Seattle for 14 years and over the years I've had many quick trips up to Mount Vernon. Everytime I see that town it's get more and more desireable. To some degree, it looks to me like it's becoming a bit of a bedroom community of Everett. I think a housing investment in Mount Vernon would serve you much better than Longview!

The downtown of Mount Vernon has an adorable grocery store with lots of organic and natural type foods. In Longview, you'd seriously be limited to just about Safeway Stores only. The very downtown area of Mt. Vernon has lots of cute little shops, and doesn't look like the depressed shell that Longview is.

Good luck!

[Ultrarunner]

I just checked Realtor.com and found over 500 homes under 300k. I was surprised to see a few new single family homes under 200K. It all depends on what you are looking for.

I have read several letters to the editor in The Olympian complaining about new homes having small lots and about the number of subdivisions that are being built in the area. There really is a construction boom in the area... I guess that is how we can support 3 Home Depots and a Lowes within a 20 mile radius. No shortage of up scale homes either, but I did not check for specifics.

To be fair, most of the building boom is happening around Olympia proper. I would say that Lacey and Yelm have the most activity, followed by areas in unincorporated Thurston County. Retail in Olympia is struggling due to all the construction just outside the city limits. One of the older Safeway Stores in Olympia actually closed it's doors for good this week. Safeway said that it's customers are drawn to it's new stores and the older one was no longer profitable.

Shelton, near Olympia, is also starting to see some activity. I believe that area will see much more construction in the coming years.

Maybe, it is due to Washington State having the highest minimum wage... at least I think it is still the highest. No doubt, you will find many transplants from California and a large active and retired military presence with Fort Lewis being just up the road.

Happy Hunting!!

[StealthRabbit]

Vancouver really has lots of options w/o the hassle of living in a metro area. But... if you work (or live) in OR you will pay ~ 8% income tax. There are quite a few employers in Vancouver and area, and pretty diverse jobs, and people. Mountain and serious snow is 1 hr away (both XC (Mt Adams or St Helens) and downhill (Mt Hood) ) It is a quick getaway to the east side (Goldendale - 1.5 hr) and Columbia Gorge (20 min) has lots of recreation options. One of the biggest plusses is the very well served and convienent International airport (10 - 20 min) $39 One way flights to selected CA airports ! We often fly to Sacramento (another EZ airport) and run over to Yosemite, or Tahoe, or 'the city'. Lots of regional flights to get connections to Asia and Europe. An a couple international non-stops. Portland has all the social variety you would need, and the region is full of medical care and school options. Housing prices can vary significantly, but market is strong for 'quaint' homes and locations. Bargains abound if you are a stealth house hunter. (avoid real estate agents and dig for bargains)

The Vancouver downside, is 1.5 hrs from the coast, but... there is a huge river (or two...) with ship traffic, sailing and windsurfing in town and Portland. The advantage is... when you get to the coast, it is beautiful and pretty wild (not the inland waters of the Puget Sound, which would be preferred if you want to kayak, or do something 'mild' at the coast) Tho there are some nice canoe and kayak spots nearby too, and estuaries at the coast.


Mt Vernon is nice too, and close enough to Vancouver BC for a frequent trip. BC has some awesome camping, skiing, water sports, culture... But it is a drive and also a border crossing hassle. (sometimes...)

I personally am not keen on Olympia, and just sold my commercial holdings in Chehalis, (which is 7 miles south of Centralia, and 30 miles south of Olympia). Timing was right for me, as we need to leave WA due to high property taxes. No Income Tax is not much incentive when you have no income... retired 'pre-50'... but the benefit of no income tax helped fund our current status. That is a good thing !

[gallo]

Originally Posted by gallo

I'd shoot Vancouver/Portland or Olympia. The rest are very rural and thus lack lots of employment opportunities.

I realize that the op knows what I meant to say, but 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. The rest are very rural and thus lack lots of employment opportunities.

Don't want to start any conspiracy theories here. LOL.

[Ultrarunner]

Janb I always look for your posts and the wisdom of your experience.

If you don't mind me asking, where have you moved to since leaving Washington? The part about Washington not having income tax not being so important when you have no income has peaked my curiosity... maybe I can follow in your footsteps???

[mamacourt]

This is a wealth of information! Thank you all so much. You've given me a lot to think about. Although Mt. Vernon sounds wonderful, I think we'll be between Olympia and Vancouver/Portland. I'm going to keep my eyes and ears open over the next year (our estimated move time).