Moving to the Gig Harbor, WA area In August. How are the people? (Vancouver: real estate)

[Landslide84]

Hey Guys! I had a thread in the Olympia Forum area last year because I thought that my wife and I would be moving there but long story short it looks like the Gig Harbor area will probably be home here in August of 2013!

A bit of info on us. We are currently in Nashville, TN where I have lived most of my life and my wife is from Long Island, NY. I am 29 and she is 30. We don't have any kids either. I am a musician (Nashville...go figure right?) and have toured the country but have now hung up touring for doing studio/recording work. My wife is credit union teller and is probably about to get a job offer for a credit union in Key Center, WA on the Key Peninsula that pays a good bit more than here. She also has a work from home job on the side. I do odd jobs on the side when I'm not recording people.

We've been trying to get out to western Wa for 3 years now so I've done a good bit of research on every town up and down Puget Sound so I won't ask the regular questions but simply this; how are the people in the Gig Harbor/Port Orchard area? When I say that I guess I'm really asking from your personal experience... is it easy to make friends there?

My hope is that we can get there and I can start meeting other local musicians, playing and start doing some mixing for any small area bands and once we actually get a decent house, set up a legit recording studio for these local bands to get quality music out. Personally I'm in the rock genera of music but have worked with folk, semi-country and punk artists. On top of that we really would just like to meet some laid back genuinely nice people who are 25-early 30's since our closest friends will be south of Portland, OR and the other in Port Angeles, WA.

We really despise the hot, humid temps we get here in the south and the size and congestion of Nashville so when she got this possibility it obviously excited us. We are looking forward to a small town with cool temperatures, cloudy days, awesome scenery and just all around good people. As for politics I guess I'd consider myself a live and let live kind of person. Independent I suppose you'd call me but that isn't really a big issue for us.

From anyone that lives in the area, does it sound like we'll like it there? I know there are all kinds of people everywhere but I'm just asking in general what's the attitude?

Thanks!
-Marshall

[jillburg]

We just moved to the area in May and had the same concerns. The people here have been great! We've already made new friends in the area and find most everyone very friendly and welcoming. We're retired, so in a bit different life situation, but I definitely would recommend Gig Harbor.

[reddot556]

Hey jillburg...any water view lots available??

[jillburg]

Haven't kept up with the current listings, but be aware that the real estate taxes here are on a sliding scale. Highest is waterfront, then water view, etc... I was surprised by how high they can get the closer you get to the water. If you need a good real estate agent let me know, ours was great and knows the area well.

[Landslide84]

Thanks for your input Jillburg! If older people like it then its probably good for us. The crime rate in Nashville is getting crazy for me so an overall friendly and safe place is good. I turn on the news here and its just stabbing, murder and rape everyday (well not everyday but its alot too me) so a smaller place is ideal in my opinion. We're still waiting to see if my wife got the job up there so time will tell!

[lookingforpease]

Originally Posted by jillburg

Haven't kept up with the current listings, but be aware that the real estate taxes here are on a sliding scale. Highest is waterfront, then water view, etc... I was surprised by how high they can get the closer you get to the water. If you need a good real estate agent let me know, ours was great and knows the area well.

I may be interested in this realtor of whom you speak. I'm getting put off the more northern towns ie poulsbo etc due to needing the ferry. It's pricey for a car, and I don't want to end up not going anywhere because it costs too much, so thinking having a bridge access may be preferable, even if it's a bit out of the way southwise to get to seattle and up to Vancouver.

Can you message me your realtor? Cheers!