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Old 11-24-2012, 05:04 PM
 
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Would you retire on the San Juan Islands?

Have considered San Juan vs. Orcas. Thoughts?
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Old 11-24-2012, 06:09 PM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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We have looked into into it and decided no. You can buy a decent house/cabin for under $200,000 still, but it's just too far to get to amenities, family, medical care which people seem to need more after retirement age. Beautiful place though. Whidbey and Bainbridge are far more likely for us, if we decide on an Island retirement, but some other waterfront communities such as Poulsbo and Port Townsend are high on the short list.
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Old 11-24-2012, 06:20 PM
 
Location: Capital Hill
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mclaurin View Post
Would you retire on the San Juan Islands?

Have considered San Juan vs. Orcas. Thoughts?
Make sure you retire on an Island that's easy to drive off of instead of taking a ferry, just in case you need medical attention, which can happen a lot with retired people. (Hint: San Juan and Orcas are not them.)
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Old 11-24-2012, 06:57 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Vinylly View Post
Make sure you retire on an Island that's easy to drive off of instead of taking a ferry, just in case you need medical attention, which can happen a lot with retired people. (Hint: San Juan and Orcas are not them.)
Last time I was on San Juan Island (about 4 years ago) one of the residents told me that all island residents pay a small annual fee (can't remember how much, but I think it's about $30) for medi-flight: In the event of a medical emergency, it's an expedient helicopter flight to a hospital. Granted, this isn't like having a hospital nearby, but should work for most situations.

As far as which island, I think San Juan is the only one with any kind of population, and it's only about 7000. Orcas is the second most populated of the San Juans, with about 4500 residents. All the other popuations have even less, so none of the islands is heavily populated by a long shot.
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Old 11-24-2012, 08:51 PM
 
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I'd probably pick Orcas, and near Eastsound, Orcas's "downtown". Eastsound has a bunch of restaurants, and a little bit of culture. Friday Harbor can get overrun with tourists.
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Old 11-25-2012, 10:15 AM
 
Location: North Edmonds area
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My pick would be Whidbey, as medical services are probably the best of all islands mentioned so far, and you can drive off the north end if needed.

Vashon is where I grew up, very nice, but ferry access only. Smaller and more intimate.

Of course neither of these island are San Juan islands. Personally I would want to avoid all those
summer tourists. Both Whidbey and Vashon, have tourists but nothing like the San Juans. Plus
when you do ferry, the trips back and forth cost more and are lengthier.
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Old 11-25-2012, 11:44 AM
 
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Some information on Airlift Northwest and it's AirCare program:

AirCare | UW Medicine, Seattle


Life Flight - Airlift Northwest @ Orcas Island - YouTube

$79 per year.
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Old 11-25-2012, 07:46 PM
 
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Thanks everyone, for your responses. Aging on an island does seem complicated.

Interesting the medical unit flys to Bellingham.

I hadn't considered the tourists. Having lived briefly around tourists, I had forgotton how frustrating that can be a times.

I too love Orcas however.

Many of the locations you mention are lovely. Thanks again.
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Old 11-26-2012, 08:19 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Ira500 View Post
I'd probably pick Orcas, and near Eastsound, Orcas's "downtown". Eastsound has a bunch of restaurants, and a little bit of culture. Friday Harbor can get overrun with tourists.
+1

I agree that Orcas is probably the most desireable - at least more desireable than San Juan. While Orcas has some tourists, they are probably fewer than on San Juan. Also, it's my understanding that tourism is only prevalent during the summer. I spent about a week on San Juan Island in October of 2008, and aside from the locals it was deserted.
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Old 11-27-2012, 12:44 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Apathizer View Post
+1

I agree that Orcas is probably the most desireable - at least more desireable than San Juan. While Orcas has some tourists, they are probably fewer than on San Juan. Also, it's my understanding that tourism is only prevalent during the summer. I spent about a week on San Juan Island in October of 2008, and aside from the locals it was deserted.
It might have been on San Juan Island that I saw the bumpersticker that read:
If it's tourist season how come we can't shoot them?
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