Moving to washington But where (Seattle, Bellingham: real estate, house, to live)

[sandy1258]

My wife and I are planning on moving to Washington hopefully in June, just after we sell the house but we don't have a clue as to whats best for us. My wife's son lives there in Bellingham but we want to live some where without rain and of course cheaper. We are retired people and just want to live somewhere nice. We are leaving Maryland because it is so expensive here. And i would want her to be near her son. So if anyone has any ideas we would surely appreciate your input.
Thanks
Sandy

[j_k_k]

It's pretty hard to live near Bellingham without getting rained on. Sorry. All the places that get neither heavy rain nor heavy snow are several hours away, and in winter, the trips involve formidable mountain pass issues. B-ham is on the wet side, and that's just how it is.

In the eastern half, maybe Wenatchee, though winters there can be hard. That or Ellensburg would be the urban areas (of a sort) closest to B-ham that don't get a lot of rain. Leavenworth, I suppose, if you don't mind a whole community doing Kraut* cosplay with inflated real estate prices.

If you're willing to be farther from Bellingham, much of eastern WA opens up, including the quiet and affordable Tri-Cities with about 220,000 people, 300 days a year of sunshine, and relatively little snow.


*I am half German, my wife was born in West Germany, I follow a Germanic religion, and thus I am allowed to refer to German things using this term because I proudly associate myself with it.

[Moon Waffle]

Wenatchee would likely be your best bet for affordability, sunshine, proximity to Bellingham.

It's also loaded with retirees - mostly from Seattle - and is a decent little town.