Living in Bainbridge (Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo: schools, restaurant, shop)

[Tulkas]

Looking at possibly relocating to Bainbridge Island from the Northern Virginia area. Wondering what living in Bainbridge is like. My main concern is that Bainbridge is too upper crust type A. My wife and I are pretty laid back, jeans, T-shirt, and dogs type of folks. Any thoughts appreciated.

[Ira500]

Bainbridge is jeans and t shirts, laid back, and upper crust all at the same time.
Not every restaurant there is fancy, but they do exist. There's a restaurant there called " The Four Swallows" that some detractors say refer to their portion sizes.
It's an expensive place to live, but not especially pretentious.
Up the road a bit, Poulsbo has a lot of the charm of Bainbridge but is less expensive.

[xcalgal]

I think Bainbridge is very laid back. We have also started a Newcomers Group if you ever do make it here. You can always send me a private message and I will relay the information. Good luck.

[Tulkas]

Ok another dumb question here. Are there any good places to get good dog food?

[evergreentori]

I am in the process of trying to get out of Bainbridge Island. I have found most of the mothers here to be extremely exclusive and snobby. It seems like upper crust entitled families disguised as hippies, IMO. I have had so many experiences where I leave a park or a city event feeling bad b/c of an encounter with an Islander. That added onto the inconvenience of the ferry and no shopping has done us in. Yes it is beautiful and the schools are (on paper) very good, but it is not worth it for my family.

[evergreentori]

Tulkas - As far as dog food, there is a small pet store on the Island and then 10 miles or so away in Poulsbo is a new Petco. Good luck!

[LMB]

Also in Poulsbo is Superior Pet Foods (7th Ave, next to Albertson's) with high quality pet foods and supplies.

[AzDreamer]

We have some friends that are moving back to Seattle from Bainbridge because they want to live where they don't have to drive everywhere for daily needs. While their kids were in school the tradeoff was ok. Now the kids are grown and the schools aren't as important.

[HOTSKIS]

I'm moving to the area from out of state and am wondering how inconvenient living by ferry is? I would be commuting to Seattle -- do able?

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by HOTSKIS

I'm moving to the area from out of state and am wondering how inconvenient living by ferry is? I would be commuting to Seattle -- do able?

Lots of people do it everyday. The ferry ride is 35 minutes long. If you live not too far from the ferry dock on the island, and then work not too far from the ferry dock in Seattle, it's not too bad.
But it is kind of inconvenient. Ferries are delayed in very windy weather. And if you're bringing a car on the ferry, it's very expensive.
But if you can live a five minute walk or bus ride from the Bainbridge dock, it's a fun way to commute. Though regular ferry commuters are always complaining about it. Strikes me as a lot more fun than riding a bus to work.