Looking for best place to move that is affordable and places for the horses in western WA or OR.. Info wanted :) (Seattle: real estate)

[dani3071]

I am looking for information on the more affordable, better towns in Washington and Oregon to move to. I am in Eastern OR and am not digging the environment, want to be back along the Northwest. Have growing kids from toddler to teens, horses and looking for a place to settle. Information please

[jacqueg]

What about your environment don 't you like? My sister keeps a horse in the Seattle area and she tells me that foot problems are common because of the continuous dampness.

If you are wanting access to more culture, I suggest the central/eastern part of the Columbia Gorge.

[StealthRabbit]

Hockinson, WA great schools, lots of horses, and close enough to Vancouver use Running Start for HS age.

Camas also good bu both are kinda spendy, but affordable places exist.

I like my West Columbia Gorge WA location (East end of Washougal district), and there are some terrific horse properties adjoining National protected lands. and only 20 minutes to PDX or Clark College.
Belle Center, Mt Pleasant, Strunk, and Marble Rd 98671. This was the horse deal of the decade. (2 covered Areas within 1/4 mile). 291 Mt Pleasant Rd, Washougal, WA 98671 - Zillow

If you can deal with the rain in SW WA, Portland is very close. I like having 20+ colleges to chose for free cultural events. and a CHEAP ez airport for sun escapes (San Diego direct for $19!)

And yes... hoof issues need to be cared for in soggy climate, and horses can really tear up the terrain. Do not over graze! even tho grass is plentiful.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by dani3071

I am looking for information on the more affordable, better towns in Washington and Oregon to move to. I am in Eastern OR and am not digging the environment, want to be back along the Northwest. Have growing kids from toddler to teens, horses and looking for a place to settle. Information please

As far as the "moving to the Northwest" comment, I'm not sure what you mean, since I'm fairly certain that Eastern OR still counts as the Pacific NW. Idaho generally counts as the Pacific Northwest and that state's borders are further Southeast than Eastern Oregon.

If your definition of the "Northwest" is Western WA, then the highest concentrations of horses are in the Vancouver area and the Monroe area.

And, like Stealthrabbit said, anywhere in Western WA's dampness and mud will predispose horses to seedy toe, sole abscesses, rainrot, scratches, etc.

[sll3454]

Originally Posted by PS90

And, like Stealthrabbit said, anywhere in Western WA's dampness and mud will predispose horses to seedy toe, sole abscesses, rainrot, scratches, etc.

. . . although plenty of horses, like mine, have none of these problems. Shelter, good drainage, a thick layer of wood chips or gravel in the paddock, plus the freedom to move around rather than be fully stalled, and they will be fine. Are you planning to buy/rent horse property, or will you be boarding your horses?

Will your kids be in school? Do you need to find work? Do you care about being close to a city? An airport? Other people who ride in a particular discipline? Pony Club and 4H? Other activities for the kids?

The "affordable" part can be found by looking at some real estate websites. Just pick an area and do a search for what you're looking for. Maybe spend a week browsing properties in the three top counties (Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish), then a week looking below Seattle. That should give you an idea of prices.

[StealthRabbit]

Check out my Post to your OR question...
If I had kids nearing HS age... choose WA hands down for Running Start (free College instead of High School).

Get a home within commute of a College or U.