Friday Harbor questions (Seattle, Port Angeles, Vashon: living in, airport, relocating to)

[Moxiebot]

Hi, my wife and I are considering relocating to Friday Harbor and are hoping someone pretty familiar with the area could help with a few questions we have.

We're considering the north end of the island and are wondering if the noise from Roche Harbor airport is significant just north of the airport around Petrich Rd and Gull Cove Ln. We're on Bainbridge now and it's too noisy for us, especially because we get the jets from Seatac flying over.

Also, is there any significant weather differences between north of island and south? Sunnier, foggier, etc?

Thanks so much!

[Moxiebot]

One other thing.. we'd love to hear any general feedback too.. any issues with the area you don't like or know of that might not be immediately oblivious. Any feedback at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[cjg5]

I have only visited Friday Harbor, and have never been to Roche Harbor (even though I really wanted to but I wasn't the one driving). I have been to other parts of San Juan Island and recall it being very quiet and peaceful, especially at night, and you could actually see the stars in the night sky. Orcas Island too.

San Juan Island (as well as parts of Orcas and Lopez Islands) sit in the rainshadow of the Olympic Mountains, but that doesn't necessarily make them less cloudy than the rest of the area, just that they get less annual rainfall on average. The San Juan Islands also have milder summers (more like Sequim and Port Angeles) than what Seattle gets, with similar (although drier) winters.

Hopefully someone who lives there, has lived there, or has otherwise spent more time there will chime in.

[Apathizer]

I've been to the San Juan Islands a few times and absolutely love it there. If I didn't have to work and could afford it, they would be near the top of places I'd like to live. I'd they're quite a bit like Vashon before it became somewhat gentrified.

Yeah, hopefully someone who lives there will be able to provide you with a more informed/experienced perspective. I'd also suggest you maybe spend a few days exploring the area to familiarize yourself.

[cjg5]

Originally Posted by Apathizer

I've been to the San Juan Islands a few times and absolutely love it there. If I didn't have to work and could afford it, they would be near the top of places I'd like to live. I'd they're quite a bit like Vashon before it became somewhat gentrified.

Yeah, hopefully someone who lives there will be able to provide you with a more informed/experienced perspective. I'd also suggest you maybe spend a few days exploring the area to familiarize yourself.

Same here. The San Juan Islands are one of the very few places on this side of the state that I actually would love living in.

[Moxiebot]

Thanks for the feedback, it's much appreciated! Not sure if any Friday Harbor locals visit these forums or not, but any additional information is certainly helpful. Thanks!