Sausalito, CA vs Mercer Island, WA - where you would own a house

[KerrTown]

I like the reliable cool weather in S.F. I was surprised that Seattle was approaching Houston-style heat last summer.

[Zachj7]

I voted for Mercer Island although I come from the bay area. I love the bay area, and would slightly rather be in the bay area, however Seattle is very nice. I love the scenery on Mercer Island a lot more than Sausalito.

[Iconographer]

Both communities are awesome. If I lived in the Bay Area, I would definitely want to be in Marin. However, in Seattle I think I'd rather be on the western side of Lake Washington.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Both communities are awesome. If I lived in the Bay Area, I would definitely want to be in Marin. However, in Seattle I think I'd rather be on the western side of Lake Washington.

Or Vashon Island.

[toughguy]

Mercer Island is not really touristy though. Unless Jewish professionals are considered exotic.

[bentstrider]

I like that majestic view of Mt Rainier as a backdrop better than the urbanized, Bladerunner-ish backdrop the skyline of SF has to offer.

Yeah, I've been raised in CA for 23 out of my 27 years alive, but I've always felt like an outsider here.

Then I stepped beyond and actually discovered places like Mercer Island.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by bentstrider

I like that majestic view of Mt Rainier as a backdrop better than the urbanized, Bladerunner-ish backdrop the skyline of SF has to offer.

Yeah, I've been raised in CA for 23 out of my 27 years alive, but I've always felt like an outsider here.

Then I stepped beyond and actually discovered places like Mercer Island.

*snap*

[AcroJimmy2]

To be honest, I think Bainbridge Island is a better comparison to Saulsalito than Mercer Island.

Mercer Island is more of a wealthy bedroom community without much tourist appeal (besides the natural beauty). The downtown has a lot of chains and the waterfront docks, etc arent as great or accessible.

Bainbridge may be a half hour ferry ride from Seattle, and is also a bedroom community, but it feels a lot more like Saulsalito to me. It has a fantastic walkable downtown with all independant shops and restaurants. The waterfront/docks area is more accesible and the whole town somehow feels more authentic.

Both Mercer Island and Bainbridge have amazing natural beauty, but in terms of the town itself Bainbridge is more majestic and has more tourist appeal. As a side note, the ferry runs from nearly 6pm-2am so accessibility to Seattle is pretty easy.

[pwright1]

From Mercer Island looking at Seattle

[SeattleSue1]

Mercer Island is not a place I would refer to as "touristy." It is an upscale suburban residential area, but touristy doesn't quite describe it. Sausalito has much more in the way of restaurants, public spaces, etc.