Vacation (2nd) home in Washington? Top choices? (Spokane, Wenatchee: sublease, foreclosures)

[jstrohmanvel]

Hello,

I am new to the board and this is my very first post, although I have lurked for a while now.

We are toying with the idea of a vacation home somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. I grew up in the Salem, OR area but now live in Texas (Houston area) and really miss the area. We want a place to escape the horrible Texas summer heat and humidity. Mountains (in or close to), sunny days, cool nights, nature, a place for the kids to run is what we are looking for. We prefer a town under 50,000 for sure. Anything pop to mind? Is Leavenworth a place worth looking into? (We do NOT want the beach for sure!!)

Thanks!!

[Sobefobik]

Leavenworth is a nice little tow, but expensive. Do you not want to be by any water? I couple places I love are Hoods Canal, North Bend, and Cle Elum. It sounds like you want to be a little further east, because our nights down in the valley seem to get pretty warm sometimes.

[StealthRabbit]

Leavenworth is fine if money is no object, just a tad spendy. There is a good transit system linking Wenatchee, so Cashmere would work well too (Leavenworth will be slightly cooler, and ALOT more crowded, but fun in winter too. (definately beats Houston). You are already used to High Property Taxes, so WA will work. You might consider Bend, OR. (or areas nearby... Sisters, Sun River.) Props are very cheap there at the moment. (Way overbuilt, many foreclosures), OR is not in great shape for state finances, Property tax can be high there too. Leavenworth or the OR spots will suit your needs if you want to Sublease when not using. (winter or summer).

[Dendrite]

From your post, I'm not sure if coastal WA is off the radar screen for you as you stated that you "do not want the beach". If close to the ocean (Strait), yet not necessarily right on the water is acceptable to you, then you might consider parts of the Olympic Peninsula. One of our homes is in the Port Angeles/Sequim area and we have enjoyed living here part time. The PA/Sequim (maybe even Port Townsend?) part of WA would otherwise meet all of your "not the beach" criteria. Summer weather is very pleasant here. Winter weather would be somewhat similar to the winter weather you grew up with in Salem.

Again, if you're allergic to salt air then I'd probably look in the north central and northeast parts of the state. Several pretty little towns in the north of Spokane vicinity for example. Downside there would be winter weather, e.g. snow!

Good Luck!