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Old 06-03-2016, 07:08 AM
 
8 posts, read 6,386 times
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We are thinking of moving to the NW and would like to be within 2 hours of Seattle. Want 4 seasons(doesn't need to be equal). I am fine with snow sticking sometimes but doesn't need to be full 3 months of it. Would like a decent amount of sunny days but know I'm pushing it since not interested in eastern Washington. Need good schools and very outdoorsy. Love culture but am happy with a small town if we are close enough to drive to things. We love Hood river, Oregon but would like to find something similar.
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Old 06-03-2016, 07:20 AM
 
1,630 posts, read 3,876,630 times
Reputation: 1116
Are jobs involved? Where would you be working? Commutes don't matter? You're not going to get everything on your list - sunshine, good schools, 2 hours from Seattle (many times it can take over an hour to get here from Everett), 4 seasons, culture ... What is most important? Why not just move to Hood River if you love it?
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Old 06-03-2016, 08:19 AM
 
8 posts, read 6,386 times
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Self employed contractor. Love hood river but want to be closer to Puget Sound and lots of friends spread around that region. School/ family friendly and access to outdoors are the top priority.
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Old 06-03-2016, 09:58 AM
 
Location: Seattle
1,882 posts, read 2,070,729 times
Reputation: 4894
Places to investigate -

Snoqualmie/North Bend
Snohomish
Arlington

I'll think of more...
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Old 06-03-2016, 10:03 AM
 
Location: Seattle Area
1,716 posts, read 2,030,124 times
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Snoqualmie Ridge to Snoqualmie Pass, 35 +/- miles between the two, with more snow the further up you go.
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Old 06-03-2016, 11:11 AM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,346 posts, read 80,679,251 times
Reputation: 57356
The perfect place that meets all of your needs probably doesn't exist, so some compromise has to be made. Cle Elum gets snow that sticks, but also more sun, since it's just a bit over onto the east side of the mountains. It's well within your drive time, at only about 90 minutes to Seattle except in winter storms when the pass could be nasty or closed temporarily. Beautiful, and affordable area, with many outdoor activities available. Really good schools in outlying areas are not common, however, and Cle Elum is rated about in the middle (average). The best schools are on the eastside of Lake Washington, such as Bellevue, Mercer Island, Issaquah and Sammamish. They are much more expensive to buy/rent and more like 3 seasons. There is a chance of light snow that rarely sticks in winter, beautiful 2-3 months of summer, and both spring and fall are cool with a lot of rain or at least light drizzle. We do have a lot of outdoor activities, but for all but the hardiest they are mostly limited to May-September. Those of us that embrace the weather here will go fishing, boating, or for hikes on muddy trails in the rain, and wear a waterproof jacket with hood or carry an umbrella to watch the kids play soccer. Snoqualmie/North Bend as mentioned by others is in between, with good schools and good access to both the snow in the mountains and Seattle. Not much sun, though.
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Old 06-03-2016, 03:17 PM
 
Location: Seattle
8,165 posts, read 8,253,464 times
Reputation: 5983
Try Port Townsend. This area falls in the "banana belt" of WA state (as it is in the rain shadow), absolutely less rain than the Seattle area but within reach still with ferries and a short drive. A bit west of Port Townsend, toward Sequim, gets I believe the least rain in Western Washington. This means more sun, more deciduous trees and more feeling of seasons.

Port Townsend is very groovy, filled with artists, culture, music, great food, punching many times above it's weight in these ways. The Victorian architecture is quite interesting and dates back to 1860-1890, as Port Townsend was originally conceived as the big town in Western Washington before the railroad went to Seattle and fate was sealed. Some added benefits are that you are on your way to the magical Olympic National Park in no time or a ferry from Port Angeles direct to Victoria on Vancouver Island. So, go there, you will be captivated.
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Old 06-03-2016, 03:38 PM
 
Location: Seattle
1,882 posts, read 2,070,729 times
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Getting from PT to Seattle in two hours requires assistance from Scotty.
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Old 06-03-2016, 03:40 PM
 
Location: Seattle
8,165 posts, read 8,253,464 times
Reputation: 5983
Gardy, depends on traffic, time of day and good fortune. I have done it. Hour to Bainbridge boat, drive right on. 2 1/2 is probably more realistic. I'd tack on 30 minutes for the chance to live in magical Port Townsend, beam me up! Alas, my business is here.
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Old 06-03-2016, 04:44 PM
 
21,989 posts, read 15,671,227 times
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Two hours from Seattle isn't even Seattle. This could be a suburb of Olympia.
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