Raising a family in aberdeen area (Chehalis, Ocean Shores: low income, YMCA, schools)

[pattyabeyta]

Thoughts on raising a family in the aberdeen area? How are the schools? Housing? We are an outdoorsy family, what recreational activities are close by? Thanks in advance!

[Diana Holbrook]

Aberdeen is pretty low income and depressed, as has been discussed on several recent threads, but it's an inexpensive place to live. If you can find a place OUT of the flood plain (definitely check the flood maps for any place you look at in town) and out of the downtown core, I would probably recommend that, over downtown.

Outdoorsy recreation include the ocean beaches, and the vast forests of the Olympic Peninsula. It's a good place to enjoy the outdoors.

I see that you have been exploring all kinds of towns along the NW coast over the past couple of years. It would help us to know what your budget and expectations are. Aberdeen would be considerably cheaper and grittier than the other towns you've sought info about.

[CrazyDonkey]

5)

Originally Posted by pattyabeyta

Thoughts on raising a family in the aberdeen area? How are the schools? Housing? We are an outdoorsy family, what recreational activities are close by? Thanks in advance!

I was raised in Aberdeen, from age 5 to 13, although it was a good while back. Can't speak to the schools these days.

1) Ocean Beaches: Activities: beachcombing (rocks, shells, agates, driftwood, etc.), razor clam digging, surf/jetty/dock fishing, crabbing, kite flying, surfing (and boogie-boarding), bird watching, wading, beach campfires (marshmellows, hot dogs).

2) Harbor: Bowerman Basin/Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge System - "one of four estuaries in North America that supports more than one million shorebirds during migration."

3) Swimming: Lake Aberdeen, Lake Sylvia (Montesano), Grays Harbor YMCA (pool).

4) Harborena Roller Skating Rink (since 1953).

5) Chehalis River Sloughs - Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing.

6) Horseback Riding (Ocean Shores).

7) Summer Camping: YMCA Camp Bishop at Lost Lake (since 1954).

8) Camping and Hiking.