Aberdeen, Wa (Seattle, Centralia, Hoquiam: transplants, real estate, apartment)

[kathryn56]

Originally Posted by Ryan

If your the oudoorsy type, there's lots to do. It's next to the beach, and lots of forests, rivers and lakes. There is a nice new YMCA in Hoquiam. A few really good restaraunts also. There is a mall with a movie theater and a large new shopping center as you come into town. There are also two good bars in town. Aside from that, there isn't too much else to do in town. There is a privately owned bookstore downtown and a Waldenbooks in the mall. Lots of private daycare centers around. The Y also has one that is nice. There are a couple nice cafes downtown for sitdown coffee etc. and Starbuck's as you come into town. Lot's of drive through coffee shops. It usually precipitates about 70% of the time in one form or another (maybe 30% drizzle, 70% rain) from November through March, before it starts to ease up. Figure on about 5 days a week. Summer's (May-Sep) are unbeatable, warm with little rain, but there is tourist traffic. If you do a search for some of my older posts, you'll probably find all the info you'd ever want to know about this area. If you don't, let me know.

hi, i too am considering moving to that general area. i have work in healthcare, so fortunately that is set. i like the idea of being closer to the ocean. i had considered toledo, oregon which is a similar set up but that is a paper mill town, and wow, the chemicals used are really toxic. anyhow, i am in salem, oregon now and i used to live near the ocean in coos bay; before that northern arizona. i came upon the aberdeen area by accident searching for less expensive housing. i own my home now but will sell. what about hoquiam? i found a nice place there online. south of 101 according to the map. i would spend a lot of my free time at the ocean beaches or days when i work late, drive there for a while and come home before work. i am concerned about crime; one reason i left my home in coos bay. i read most of your posts. i love the outdoors so anywhere northwest seems great, but after being back in the city for a year i realized i really do not like the city although salem is a nice place with lots to do as is portland. thanks for your help.

[TheHarvester]

I love the Pacific Northwest, and I hate Aberdeen. It stinks. The lumber mills were horrible last time I was there. Maybe it has changed. But it seemed like a terribly dreary, smelly, redneck place stuck in the middle of a natural paradise. Please note the distinction between natural paradise and man-made disasters. But even without humans, I don't think it would be a very nice place to live due to the climate. It's much nicer on the other side of the Olympics. Or, if you're really into rain, then go north of Aberdeen along the coast and just get REALLY into the rain. It's more beautiful up that way, except for the fact that the towns don't have trees because people cut them down in order to permit the tiny bits of sunlight that actually hit the ground a few days out of the year.

[Fat Freddy]

Aberdeen/Hoquiam has a Walmart, a Home Depot, and a Tops Grocery.
What more could anyone need?

It also has lots of rain, plenty of meth, and one of the highest percentage of registered sex offenders in the nation.

A good day in Hoquiam is any day that it's not raining.

[bmsea]

I live in Westport (telecommute to a Seattle job) and I love it out here in Grays Harbor county. The Aberdeen/Hoquiam area is what you might expect from a small town that is working its way out of economically bad times.

I work from time to time with people form the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area, and we do a lot of our week to week shopping at the Home Depot, Safeway, and Walmart there. We also go into town to watch movies at the South Shore Mall (which is a sorry mall, but has a very good theater).

I believe that area is not bad, if you're looking for small town spirit, decent schools, low housing prices, and being near the coast. I don't believe the crime is as bad as some of the naysayers on this forum (you can check the statistics and see for yourself). I know out here on the beach, crime is almost non existent. Registered sex offenders - lets just say I worry a LOT less about these here than I have when I lived in Los Angeles and downtown Seattle (although the high school teachers seem to have a penchant for sleeping with their students).

I do know that housing prices are very low compared to anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest. I know that there have been some major infusions of capital into the area - like the largest Biodiesel plant in the US being construction in the Port of Grays Harbor. I know that there are good jobs if you're flexible and skilled or semi skilled. I know that I have met a lot of really good, down to earth people out here.

Anyway, its definitely worth a look. And no matter where you move to in the state, Westport (Discovering Westport) is a fantastic place to visit for fishing or beachcombing in the summer; or clamming, crabbing, and stormwatching in the fall and winter.

Good luck!

[bmsea]

Originally Posted by TheHarvester

I love the Pacific Northwest, and I hate Aberdeen. It stinks. The lumber mills were horrible last time I was there. Maybe it has changed. But it seemed like a terribly dreary, smelly, redneck place stuck in the middle of a natural paradise. Please note the distinction between natural paradise and man-made disasters. But even without humans, I don't think it would be a very nice place to live due to the climate. It's much nicer on the other side of the Olympics. Or, if you're really into rain, then go north of Aberdeen along the coast and just get REALLY into the rain. It's more beautiful up that way, except for the fact that the towns don't have trees because people cut them down in order to permit the tiny bits of sunlight that actually hit the ground a few days out of the year.

One more note... there is a lot of negative energy about Aberdeen and Hoquiam on these forums, which I suspect is due to the fact that these commentors left the area when it was in major economic decline (which just started to rebound recently). It seems like people who once lived here, but left the area, are the most critical of it.

It's not perfect, but definitely worth a look.

[TheHarvester]

Originally Posted by bmsea

...there is a lot of negative energy about Aberdeen and Hoquiam on these forums, which I suspect is due to the fact that these commentors left the area when it was in major economic decline...

I never lived in Aberdeen, I only visited once and it was about 20 years ago so perhaps the stench from the lumber mills has been solved and maybe the place has changed a lot. Most likely it has. My comments were "first impression, long time ago" comments, not connected to any of the people who used to live there.

Didn't Kurt Cobain grow up in Aberdeen? And some other Grunge luminaries?

[wythors]

Originally Posted by TheHarvester

I love the Pacific Northwest, and I hate Aberdeen. It stinks. The lumber mills were horrible last time I was there. Maybe it has changed. But it seemed like a terribly dreary, smelly, redneck place stuck in the middle of a natural paradise. Please note the distinction between natural paradise and man-made disasters. But even without humans, I don't think it would be a very nice place to live due to the climate. It's much nicer on the other side of the Olympics. Or, if you're really into rain, then go north of Aberdeen along the coast and just get REALLY into the rain. It's more beautiful up that way, except for the fact that the towns don't have trees because people cut them down in order to permit the tiny bits of sunlight that actually hit the ground a few days out of the year.

This is the most accurate portrayal of the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area that I have seen on this forum. The area is dingey and econmomically depressed, very far from "quaint" or "cute" and even lacking in much scenic beauty in the area. In the summer months the traffic through town heading towards Ocean Shores can be pretty horrendous. Other than being quite affordable to live, I can imagine no reason to end up there.

[bmsea]

Originally Posted by wythors

This is the most accurate portrayal of the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area that I have seen on this forum. The area is dingey and econmomically depressed, very far from "quaint" or "cute" and even lacking in much scenic beauty in the area. In the summer months the traffic through town heading towards Ocean Shores can be pretty horrendous. Other than being quite affordable to live, I can imagine no reason to end up there.

That's like judging Seattle after sitting in traffic on I-5 from Portland to BC!

Like I said before, Aberdeen/Hoquiam (I don't get the distinction) are not perfect, but they have their positive elements, and to say that its "lacking in much scenic beauty", well, you've probably never turned off the highway to visit the Poulson Museum, the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, areas along the Wishkah River, or Bottle Beach State Park.

[wythors]

Originally Posted by bmsea

That's like judging Seattle after sitting in traffic on I-5 from Portland to BC!

Like I said before, Aberdeen/Hoquiam (I don't get the distinction) are not perfect, but they have their positive elements, and to say that its "lacking in much scenic beauty", well, you've probably never turned off the highway to visit the Poulson Museum, the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, areas along the Wishkah River, or Bottle Beach State Park.

I'm talking about from town itself. Obviously, there is a lot to see around the area, but the cities themselves are very lacking in scenery. Downright ugly to my eyes. And yes, I've spent a lot of time in the area. In fact, we're heading out to Long Beach on Friday and will be passing through twice.

[bmsea]

Originally Posted by wythors

I'm talking about from town itself. Obviously, there is a lot to see around the area, but the cities themselves are very lacking in scenery. Downright ugly to my eyes. And yes, I've spent a lot of time in the area. In fact, we're heading out to Long Beach on Friday and will be passing through twice.

Have you ever driven through the neighborhoods of victorian homes on Aberdeen Highlands/Broadway area that are as nice as neighborhoods in Astoria and Seattle? Ever given a second look at the historic 7th street theater? What about the Log Pavilion and Morrisson Riverfront park right next to Walmart. How about the pocket parks all throughout town adjacent the many bridges. Or Pioneer Park, which is like a small central park with picnic tables, playfields, and a skateboard park facility? The Hoquiam farmer's market? Have you visited the Gray's Harbor Historical Seaport, home to the State Ship "The Lady Washington" and its sister tall ship, the Hawaiian Chieftain, and also where many of the technical ship masts and sets were made for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies? Have you ever stopped by the Cooney Mansion or the adjacent Cosmopolis City Park where they stock the creeks with trout that is reserved for only kids to fish? Ever taken a kayak out on one of the many rivers that go through the town?

There is way more to Aberdeen and the surrounding areas than meet the eye, you might try stopping there sometime instead of just "passing through". You might be surprised.