Olympia area vs Bremerton/Port Orchard/Silverdale (Seattle, Tacoma: real estate, rental)

[Bluefox]

Planning to move out of Seattle in about 6 months and I’ve narrowed my list to the Olympia area and Bremerton/PO/Silverdale areas. I will continue to work out of Tukwila where I have to be in the office at most twice a week (rare) and at least once every two weeks. I’d previously considered Tacoma but I don’t think it’s going to be a good fit.

I know the commute into Tukwila is going to be grueling from both areas but given the infrequency of it I’m willing to do it.

Coming from PO or Bremerton, does it make more sense to take the Southworth-Fauntleroy Ferry or Bremerton-Seattle? I’ve heard mixed things about both. Fauntleroy puts me much closer to work but a further drive from western PO. Bremerton is closer to PO but a further drive from Seattle to Tukwila.

Which area is preferable? What I like about S Kitsap is the partial ferry commute, access to OP parks, small town atmosphere. However, seems like it lacks a lot of amenities (not necessarily a bad thing) outside of Silverdale.

I probably wouldn’t be near downtown Olympia, rather outside or somewhere like Lacey or Tumwater. I’ve done that drive to Seattle and it sucks, but besides that any negatives?

[sylentvoyce]

If you chose Port Orchard, (or Gig Harbor) you could just drive around on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Could cost less overall then Ferry rides. Plus you could have an easy jump to Tacoma for amenities. I live in Bremerton now and the people I work with around here always recommend Gig Harbor.

[Ruth4Truth]

I'd say, take the option that has you doing more driving on the west side of the Sound, and less through the Seattle area, since that will be by far the most congested part. So--Fontleroy would be best. Or the bridge, as voyce said, above.

Or...consider a movie to West Seattle, if you can afford it. The neighborhoods around Lincoln Park and the ferry are nice... And the farther south you go, the lower the RE prices... You can luck into some real gems home-wise and price-wise, backing onto some of the parkland on the east side of W Seattle...

[Sockeye66]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I'd say, take the option that has you doing more driving on the west side of the Sound, and less through the Seattle area, since that will be by far the most congested part. So--Fontleroy would be best. Or the bridge, as voyce said, above.

Or...consider a movie to West Seattle, if you can afford it. The neighborhoods around Lincoln Park and the ferry are nice... And the farther south you go, the lower the RE prices... You can luck into some real gems home-wise and price-wise, backing onto some of the parkland on the east side of W Seattle...

I've been watching condo prices in W. Seattle, they are dropping and I think will continue to do so. Haven't been watching single family homes though.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Sockeye66

I've been watching condo prices in W. Seattle, they are dropping and I think will continue to do so. Haven't been watching single family homes though.

Check out the housing co-op / intentional communities in West Seattle as another option (LT rental or purchase)
I have looked at several nice (but practical) homes in these communities. None were age restricted. (Families, singles / seniors)

But for West sound, I like area near Manchester State Park. (East of Port Orchard)

[tommy64]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Check out the housing co-op / intentional communities in West Seattle as another option (LT rental or purchase)
I have looked at several nice (but practical) homes in these communities. None were age restricted. (Families, singles / seniors)

But for West sound, I like area near Manchester State Park. (East of Port Orchard)

Manchester has the ferry that goes from Manchester to Vashon to West Seattle. Would be a very practical commute.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

Planning to move out of Seattle in about 6 months and I’ve narrowed my list to the Olympia area and Bremerton/PO/Silverdale areas. I will continue to work out of Tukwila where I have to be in the office at most twice a week (rare) and at least once every two weeks. I’d previously considered Tacoma but I don’t think it’s going to be a good fit.

I know the commute into Tukwila is going to be grueling from both areas but given the infrequency of it I’m willing to do it.

Coming from PO or Bremerton, does it make more sense to take the Southworth-Fauntleroy Ferry or Bremerton-Seattle? I’ve heard mixed things about both. Fauntleroy puts me much closer to work but a further drive from western PO. Bremerton is closer to PO but a further drive from Seattle to Tukwila.

Which area is preferable? What I like about S Kitsap is the partial ferry commute, access to OP parks, small town atmosphere. However, seems like it lacks a lot of amenities (not necessarily a bad thing) outside of Silverdale.

I probably wouldn’t be near downtown Olympia, rather outside or somewhere like Lacey or Tumwater. I’ve done that drive to Seattle and it sucks, but besides that any negatives?

Hi Bluefox, I’ve had a couple of clients move to Port Orchard, they seem to like it a lot. Yeah, just easiest to take the Port Orchard-Vashon-West Seattle Ferry. You’ld always have the option to drive around as well. I also love the historic neighborhoods and community vibe of Olympia. That commute from Olympia to Tukwila can be pretty easy if you are flexible about when you go in. An underappreciated part of Olympia is the easy drive to the Pacific Ocean.

[elkotronics]

Port Orchard is nice if you want a smaller town fairly close to the "big city," Bremerton. I was last there on a sunny day, so that helps with my impression of it, but the Kitsap Peninsula is gorgeous. You're closer to those sparkling gems, the Olympic Mountains. If you're thinking of living over on the "mainland", and you can live in Port Orchard, forget that, live in Port Orchard.

If you need something in the way of a store and Port Orchard doesn't have it, drive the 20 minutes north to Bremerton and you've got it. I just remember a nice, small-town vibe while driving through that town. Doubt it's changed much.

But I've been wrong before. No - just kidding.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Sockeye66

I've been watching condo prices in W. Seattle, they are dropping and I think will continue to do so. Haven't been watching single family homes though.

I just took a look at RE prices there--yikes! Little 2-br. homes with some basement bonus space, that in early 2019 were going for $$375K to around $430K are now well over $600K! So much for W Seattle, as a source of bargains!

[elkotronics]

Hey, West Seattle is nice. I hear they're having trouble with the West Seattle Bridge, though. Still true? But that view of downtown from West Seattle is so beautiful. Seattle is the prettiest city in the world, it really is.

I'm not surprised that West Seattle real estate bargains are gone, however. It's so close to Boom Town!