Where to live on the Olympic Peninsula (Seattle, Bainbridge Island: house, camping)

[johnwmackay]

Hi, my wife and I are retired. We live outside of Atlanta. It's a little too hot here, and it's more religious and socially-conservative than we prefer. The Olympic Peninsula seems to offer what we want, but to be fair I've only been camping there.

We're financially sound. We'd like some acreage 10, 20, whatever we can find and afford near a small, liberal town. We don't need ritzy and we don't need super close. We just want some land, a decent house, safety, and privacy with nice, open-minded people not too far away.

Any suggestions? JM

[TrueTimbers]

Might want to post this in the general Washington forum, not the Seattle one.

Pretty much eastern Jefferson county, Port Townsend, Marrowstone Island, Port Ludlow..... Or Clallam county around Sequim.

Not so sure I would call it "liberal" but surely not "southern conservative".

I would strongly suggest making sure a community is a fit before making the move... Most love it, some hate it, finding the people not friendly.

[Hemlock140]

A neighbor of my parents in unincorporated Port Angeles just sold their house and 25 acres for $300k. Look from Hooker Road in Sequim to about Deer Park Road in Port Angeles, above 101 (toward the mountains). Port Ludlow is more conservative, with many rich retirees, Port Townsend doesn't have as many homes with acreage but you might like it there. There are less expensive properties with acreage around Quilcene but it gets a lot more rain.

[beautifulseattlehomes]

Sequim...a lot of retirees like it because it is in a rain shadow! Port Townsend is quite nice too and charming as well and offers a lot in terms of culture, restaurants and a real sense of community! If it were the time for me to retire I would be drawn to PT : )

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Bear in mind, Sequim is conservative, not liberal, many, many churches, not very welcoming or friendly. Other than that, it's great!

[Kalex]

Port Angeles would probably be a good bet to use as the nearby town. It's in the rain shadow as well - not too shabby!

[TrueTimbers]

OP you really need to do more than camp in the region. You need to spend time in different communities.
We do not know you and only can express our opinion...

You can entertain us with sharing your values and more about you then maybe we can give you something more than our own personal opinions...

[johnwmackay]

Thank you all, Lorena and I will come take a look in a few weeks. Then, TrueTimbers, I'll entertain you with my observations/opinions. JM

[Votre_Chef]

I used to live in Brinnon on acreage with a nice pond, on Duckabush Road. A lot to like about it, but it is a looooooong way from anywhere. When you were "in town" you really had to make sure you stocked up on everything you needed, or else you'd be at the mercy of the high-priced small local stores. If I went back to the peninsula, I'd probably want a slightly more populated place like Sequim, Port Townsend or Port Angeles.

[RustinginSeattle]

I vote for Port Townsend, areas near Port Ludlow, or areas around Poulsbo (obviously Bainbridge Island is too expensive for acreage) and I really like Kingston.