living on camano island

[sraven]

I agree that Camano doesn't have much in the way of shopping. I get a bit worried about living there in retirement too due to the limited access to medical services. I drove all over the Puget Sound and even considered a property in Point Roberts. But finally ended up buying on the east side of Camano in the Country Club. I don't feel you could go to wrong with anywhere near Puget Sound with the views and tranquility once you leave the Seattle/Everett, Tacoma, Olympia areas.

[Bill Loney]

Originally Posted by sraven

I agree that Camano doesn't have much in the way of shopping. I get a bit worried about living there in retirement too due to the limited access to medical services. I drove all over the Puget Sound and even considered a property in Point Roberts. But finally ended up buying on the east side of Camano in the Country Club. I don't feel you could go to wrong with anywhere near Puget Sound with the views and tranquility once you leave the Seattle/Everett, Tacoma, Olympia areas.

My brother is selling his place on Utsaldy because of his health problems and the respective distance to hospitals.

[DebSta]

Just wanted to say thanks for the posts and replies. I'm in the Bay Area (San Jose), CA. Have a friend from high school on the island. I retired last March. It's too hot, political, tech, and loud, for me. Her pictures showed space, cool clouds, and forests.

I do like the nature in Santa Cruz, the library in Saratoga, being able to go to Peet's and options for buying food. Not a fan of eating out anymore because it's too loud, bright, spicy, carby, greasy, or sugared, now. I love the redwoods, but I hate the direction CA has become. This is from a political centrist.

I appreciate the discussion and all the factors considered and mentioned.

Any ideas on what to check out in various communities and places on a road trip up the west coast with limited time in each place? A co-op healthy market, bookstore, breath taking nature, temps under 80ish and above freezing (mostly), and library, coffeeshop/pub with wifi. and good food a plus. Where's that? Any comments about being ferry bound with other islands?

[Jiff]

My wife and I moved to Camano Island from Lynnwood last week.* Liking it so far.*

Retiring from working in downtown Seattle last year, we're now even farther removed from the entertainment in the city and metro area.* I've been missing the Out To Lunches, buskers and happy hour live music.* Now, out on Camano, we're also removed from the ballgames, nearby city festivals, cover band bars and touring band venues.* Not a big deal, I haven't been to the Tractor since The Gourds in 2011.* There will be more hotels and staying with friends.* We'll also miss the convenience of living in Lynnwood with so many businesses at arms length, including ethnic restaurants.* No more pizza and Chinese delivery.*

We lived in Lynnwood for 27 years and Brier for 5. We really liked Lynnwood, mostly because of its location. We'll be doing more driving here. They torn down a forest behind our Lynnwood and constructed two big houses there last year. Between that and retirement and tiring of the stairs, we decided on the more serene life, closer to family in Skagit County.

I'll post more about Camano when I have more experience here.

[wolfdog]

Originally Posted by Jiff

My wife and I moved to Camano Island from Lynnwood last week.* Liking it so far.*

Retiring from working in downtown Seattle last year, we're now even farther removed from the entertainment in the city and metro area.* I've been missing the Out To Lunches, buskers and happy hour live music.* Now, out on Camano, we're also removed from the ballgames, nearby city festivals, cover band bars and touring band venues.* Not a big deal, I haven't been to the Tractor since The Gourds in 2011.* There will be more hotels and staying with friends.* We'll also miss the convenience of living in Lynnwood with so many businesses at arms length, including ethnic restaurants.* No more pizza and Chinese delivery.*

We lived in Lynnwood for 27 years and Brier for 5. We really liked Lynnwood, mostly because of its location. We'll be doing more driving here. They torn down a forest behind our Lynnwood and constructed two big houses there last year. Between that and retirement and tiring of the stairs, we decided on the more serene life, closer to family in Skagit County.

I'll post more about Camano when I have more experience here.

Looking forward to it.

[Jiff]

Anyone interested in the nightlife on Camano and in Stanwood might find my post I made at the Western WA Music & More forum helpful. We went out Saturday evening and had a good time. For some reason the link doesn't always work:
https://mtheads.yuku.com/hwy-99-toni...50.html#p19682

[islandgirlpdx]

I'm looking to move from Portland to Camano, I would likely open a restaurant, any idea on what the needs would be? How much of the island is PT vs FT residents?

[Jiff]

We've only eaten out four times so far. Two American, Rockaway and Pub 282, and Ixtapa, Mexican. Those not that great.

There's a Polish restaurant. Probably don't need another one of those. Still haven't searched out some pho. Hope to find a good bowl of that.

I might be wrong, but I don't think there's a place with a good view, and only one waterfront place, at an inn. High end I think.

Not sure about FT vs PT. I hear there's a serious summer population increase. l