Looking to move to a small town/city with LOTS of cool, rainy, and cloudy weather (Seattle: how much, find a job)

[s.emily21]

Hi all!

I am considering moving to Washington next year to lay down the foundation of starting a family with my fiance and two pugs. We would be looking to purchase a home. I am from Phoenix, Arizona, and I've always disliked the big city feel, and most of all, the always hot, always sunny weather.

Our preference would be a small town/city, with as much cool temps/cloudy/rainy weather as possible. I have read about the Hoh Rainforest, so being nearby there would be amazing too. Not being too far from water would be ideal as well.

Do you have any particular suggestions?
Thanks so much in advance-I appreciate any and all input more than you know!

-Emily

[Seacove]

You don't mention work so perhaps you've figured that out already. There's not much over on the Olympic Peninsula. I would recommend something like Anacortes. Small, couple of hours from Seattle, on the water.

[s.emily21]

Originally Posted by Seacove

You don't mention work so perhaps you've figured that out already. There's not much over on the Olympic Peninsula. I would recommend something like Anacortes. Small, couple of hours from Seattle, on the water.

Thanks, Seacove! I will definitely check out Anacortes. ALso, wheny ou say that there's not much on the Olympic Peninsula, what do you mean by 'not much?' I only ask because I have read about a number of towns in that area that seem inviting, so I am curious to hear what you have to say about them.

I knew I didn't give enough info in my original post.
I am currently working as a senior administrative assistant at a university in phoenix, as I will be going back to school soon to continue working on getting my degree. I am currently open to all work fields. My fiance is from California, where he worked as a millwright in a carpenter's union, so that is where his work background lies.

I appreciate youre response very much, Seacove.

[Inkpoe]

Not much as in.... not much in economy, i.e, jobs.

Obviously, for OP, anywhere in Western WA would work. Just look on the map.

ETA: I agree with poster below. Olympia definitely would work. It even has all the gov't jobs.

[Hemlock140]

Out by the Hoh Rainforest there are no jobs. The only real towns are
Forks and Amanda Park and both have little employment. As for the weather, anything west of the cascade mountains would suit you,
though Sequim and Whidbey Island get less rain. Like most places the construction work is very slow now, especially in less populated areas, or I'd suggest Port Angeles. There could be a few jobs there but with a lot of competition. Another area to look at is Port Orchard and Poulsbo, where you could both easily commute to Silverdale or Bremerton for work.

[Seacove]

So you actually need a town with businesses. And the Olympic Peninsula is primarily little logging towns and a lot of trees. Anacortes may not even have enough businesses, I'm not sure. There's lots of rain all around the Seattle metro, across the Sound on the Poulsbo/Bremerton side, North to Bellingham, South to Olympia. Maybe Olympia would be good for you since they get more rain. You should come here for a week and look around. It's not realistic to say "I like rain so how's the Hoh Rainforest" if you are like everyone else and need an economic environment that allows you to find a job to support yourselves. Anacortes is great if you are retiring and have income but I'm not sure how much business is there otherwise. You didn't mention work in your OP so now I'll say Olympia.

[scirocco22]

I'd suggest going where you can find jobs as first priority. Anywhere in western Washington will have a lot of wet, cool, rainy weather. And anywhere in the western part of the state, you'll be able to find a place where you can get away from the "big city" feel and/or be near water. It's just a short drive in getting away from the major population centers in western Washington so make jobs the first priority.

[NW Crow]

No openings at this time but you could watch for some at this community college in Port Angeles Welcome to Peninsula College - Employment (http://www.pc.ctc.edu/about/employment.aspx - broken link)

Here are a few other college job links on the Olympic Peninsula or at least near the water
GHC Human Resources Office: Emplyment Opportunities
Employment [Olympic College]
Bainbridge Graduate Institute · The Pioneer of Sustainable Business Education · Employment
Employment | Northwest Indian College
Lower Columbia College: Jobs at LCC



Olympia has 2 4 year colleges, a community college and some satellite operations of other schools.

Here is a full list of colleges for the state
Higher Education Coordinating Board (http://www.hecb.wa.gov/links/colleges/collegesindex.asp - broken link)

[brninaz]

Hi Emily, I just moved to WA from Gilbert AZ three months ago. I know how you feel about Phoenix, I lived there all my life, and even worked for the U of P before. I know how you feel about the Sun, and after I came down with basal Cell Cancer at 36 yrs old, I said to my wife and two daughters, lets get the hell out of hell. We moved to Gig Harbor, family oriented, small town feel but close to Tacoma, Olympia, and Bremerton. You don't want to move to Forks, nothing there...

Start your family in Gig Harbor!!!!!!!

[Sandy Nelson]

I would also suggest Olympia, but it's actually a medium sized town. For a smaller town with amenities (commerce, college, culture etc) I'd recommend Centralia.