Driving around washington (Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma: how much, houses, YMCA)

[operaphantom2003]

I'm debating about driving up to Washington to have a look around for two weeks in March. I want to go to Olympia, Port Angeles, Anacortes, and maybe Seattle area. I am looking for work at the same time. Still no leads but I'm not giving up hope yet. Thing is...I am not sure about mountain driving. I'm not a very experienced driver and prefer to stick to the side roads. How will the roads be around that time, any particular areas I should avoid...etc. Also are there laws against sleeping in your car? I want to save as much money as I can.

[Inkpoe]

... You're not exactly driving in the mountain. You'll be driving around it when you get to Port Angeles. I know you said that you would prefer to stick to the side roads, but it is convenient and better if you stick to the main freeways/highways.

Obviously i5 connects Seattle to Olympia.

Anacortes: go North on i5, when you hit Mt. Vernon you can take 536, just go straight to 20, which will take you directly to Anacortes.

To get to Port Angeles: you'd get on hwy 16 from Tacoma and go north on 3, then get on 104, then 101.

Roads should mostly fine, but always check WA-DOT before starting on the trip. Yes, there is a law against sleeping in your car on the side on the road (not really safe to do)---> you must drive to a rest stop (or find a parking lot).

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by operaphantom2003

I'm debating about driving up to Washington to have a look around for two weeks in March. I want to go to Olympia, Port Angeles, Anacortes, and maybe Seattle area. I am looking for work at the same time. Still no leads but I'm not giving up hope yet. Thing is...I am not sure about mountain driving. I'm not a very experienced driver and prefer to stick to the side roads. How will the roads be around that time, any particular areas I should avoid...etc. Also are there laws against sleeping in your car? I want to save as much money as I can.

By March weather is rarely a problem.

You aren't supposed to stay more than eight hours at a rest area, I think, but I doubt anyone sits there with a timer. Or, for that matter, gives a rip, unless you decide to Occupy Rest Area.

[StealthRabbit]

roads should be fine, but it IS spring (subject to change).
Keep you eye on this Climate Prediction Center - 8 to 14 Day Outlook
in general weather is quite predictable on we_tside of Cascades. (marine influence) If it says rain at noon. best be prepared by 11:59 cuz it will be raining by 12:10 (in my experience).

There are some places that you will get chased off from sleeping in your car.. I do it all the time, and spent a week this summer doing so in central WA attending a conference. I had shower and a swim daily, but was not keen on spending $$ for a room. Rest areas are not the safest place to sleep, I prefer hospitals and the nicer truck stops and quiet parking lots where cars may be parked at night (colleges, grocery...). Eastside will be real chilly in March.

I highly recommend couch surfing, or the equivalent (private guest houses). Been traveling that way for 20+ yrs ~ $10 / night and LOTS of free advice on the area from locals. Not knowing your age, I cannot refer you to my guesthome sites. As a single, you can get cheap fare at a hostel. My kids thought they were fun and called them "Foster Homes for College kids". I often use public swimming pools for showers, and libraries for naps.

Give us some clues what you desire to see / interview / qualified for, and what your monthly budget for food / housing, and we can tell you where to most valuably spend your time. If you need future schooling, let us know your subject of study, and we can direct you in that regard as well (Not knowing if you are age 15 or 150).

You want to do your loop so that you are on the west side of Puget Sound (Olympia > Port Angeles) as ferry is free for passengers eastbound (still need to pay for car). I often loop north to Bremerton, then ferry to Seattle if I have business on the peninsula. Taking an evening ferry can be quite pleasant, as you get the lights of Seattle inbound.

Coming from UT, w/ intention of looking for places to live / work in WA... I would head to Walla Walla, across to Kennewick / Richland, then back to I-84 and up to White Salmon / Hood River, Stevenson and on in to Camas / Vancouver via SR 14. then up to Chehalis / Centralia, Olympia, Tacoma, Bremerton / Silverdale / Poulsbo. Across to Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend, ferry to Whidbey, stop in Anacortes, then on inland to Mt Vernon, Burlington, and a quick loop up to Bellingham, and back to Seattle area. Across to Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Spokane, Post Falls, Courd'alene, Down though Moscow, Pullman, Lewiston ...

I would consider living in all the 'bolded' areas + many not listed that you might find agreeable.

[operaphantom2003]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Give us some clues what you desire to see / interview / qualified for, and what your monthly budget for food / housing, and we can tell you where to most valuably spend your time.

Living in a downtown construction zone for the past 7 years....
see: TREES BIRDS (you get the point)

I am "qualified" for anything from washing dishes to management. Have BS in Economics, and an MBA. I don't really care what job I have as long as it can afford the rent. I know many places do not post jobs online and WILL NOT even consider out of state applicants. 165+ applications/resumes last week and nadda.

For the two weeks I will be up there, I will be alone. Son will be staying with grandma. He's 7 so that needs to be taken into consideration as far as housing goes. Right now I spend $150 a month of food for the two of us (he gets 3 meals a day and I get one) but I make do with anything I can. Housing will have to depend on job. Right now I pay $800 for a 1bed apt.

[Seacove]

$150. a month for food? I hope you can afford the move and that things turn out better for you. Wishing you good luck for you and your son.

I've never slept in a car and it would not have occurred to me to sleep in a hospital parking lot as someone suggested. Be aware that there are good areas and bad. There is a big difference between Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland and Harborview in Seattle. I don't know if you've ever been here but you will likely fall in love with the place. Your concerns are more practical though and the metro areas where there are more jobs will have higher rents, longer commutes and if he's seven, you will need before and after school care. Good luck and be careful.

[operaphantom2003]

Originally Posted by Seacove

$150. a month for food? I hope you can afford the move and that things turn out better for you. Wishing you good luck for you and your son.

I never said I ate well...lol

I hope I have enough money for the move. Can't find a straight answer to how much it may cost. I have 5k in cash and access to 1600 more if needed. Direct moving expenses (moving truck) is covered by family. If I go to Olympia, the Y has before/after school care that costs around $400 a week depending on what school he goes to. That seems quite a bit to me but I want him taken care of.

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by operaphantom2003

I hope I have enough money for the move. Can't find a straight answer to how much it may cost. I have 5k in cash and access to 1600 more if needed. Direct moving expenses (moving truck) is covered by family. If I go to Olympia, the Y has before/after school care that costs around $400 a week depending on what school he goes to. That seems quite a bit to me but I want him taken care of.

The Y operates on a sliding scale, so if you were to get a job and still can't afford to pay $400/wk, please look into this: Child Care They have an application and you would have to demonstrate your need.

[Count David]

I've slept in my car in many places, and a hospital ranks down near the bottom of my preferred places, especially one in a dense area. So, if you must, I would only recommend doing so for a few hours, and preferably in a quieter area.

[pw72]

What is interesting is these type of threads are apparently occuring more often. This is sad.

A "car" addresss is hard to explain, and will limit your future benefits. (unless you have exhausted them.)

Find social benefits that fund the homeless. They do exist. Unfortunately, many will not admit they are homeless if they still have their car. My advice, drop that, and take advantage of services that may be available to you. Perhaps this might get you back on track.