Pros and cons of Aberdeen? (Olympia, Chehalis: real estate, insurance, homes)

[Mopac1980]

What are the pros and cons of Aberdeen? Also what are the best/worst areas in Aberdeen?

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by Mopac1980

What are the pros and cons of Aberdeen? Also what are the best/worst areas in Aberdeen?

Good Morning Mopac:

Your post count tells me that you've been around this forum for a while so that means you've probably already searched the prior threads regarding Aberdeen. So I'll try not to repeat that information for you here!

Briefly, down sides in my mind would be first and foremost... the weather. Gray, damp, rainy much of the time with a fairly good chance of big winter storms (as in big wind, big waves, big rain and big flooding). The economy of the area has taken a beating over the years but has bounced back slightly of late due to tourism. The downtown area looks abandoned and run down in places. There is a problem with street drugs (meth) similar to many places in WA (and elsewhere). The lower (flat) areas of town, particularly across the river, are in the flood plain. If you own a home there you'll need flood insurance as part of a mortgage. Maybe a bit of "small town mentality" in terms of making new friends if you're new to town. Lastly, one typically needs to drive to Olympia or elsewhere for major shopping (or job opportunities). Not a lot of employment opportunities in Aberdeen.

Upsides are a quiet little town on the coast where you can pretty much be left alone to "do your own thing" if that's what you're looking for. Real estate is affordable. Property taxes aren't bad. There are several neighborhoods on "the hills" of the area with homes offering nice views of the river and harbor. Convenient beach access. Easy drive up to the southern part of the Olympic park (Kalaloch is our personal favorite).

Those are a few things that come to mind for you!

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by Dendrite

Good Morning Mopac:

Your post count tells me that you've been around this forum for a while so that means you've probably already searched the prior threads regarding Aberdeen. So I'll try not to repeat that information for you here!

Briefly, down sides in my mind would be first and foremost... the weather. Gray, damp, rainy much of the time with a fairly good chance of big winter storms (as in big wind, big waves, big rain and big flooding). The economy of the area has taken a beating over the years but has bounced back slightly of late due to tourism. The downtown area looks abandoned and run down in places. There is a problem with street drugs (meth) similar to many places in WA (and elsewhere). The lower (flat) areas of town, particularly across the river, are in the flood plain. If you own a home there you'll need flood insurance as part of a mortgage. Maybe a bit of "small town mentality" in terms of making new friends if you're new to town. Lastly, one typically needs to drive to Olympia or elsewhere for major shopping (or job opportunities). Not a lot of employment opportunities in Aberdeen.

Upsides are a quiet little town on the coast where you can pretty much be left alone to "do your own thing" if that's what you're looking for. Real estate is affordable. Property taxes aren't bad. There are several neighborhoods on "the hills" of the area with homes offering nice views of the river and harbor. Convenient beach access. Easy drive up to the southern part of the Olympic park (Kalaloch is our personal favorite).

Those are a few things that come to mind for you!

I actually can't recall if I've had ever seen anything based on Aberdeen or not to be honest with you

[jertheber]

I've posted on here regarding Aberdeen before. Just type in "aberdeen" on the above "search this thread" bar, it will direct you to most all of the past posts on Aberdeen and the surrounding area.

[Harbor-ator]

Aberdeen is a small community. We're spoiled traffic-wise in the respect that we can get anywhere within 10 minutes. The worst areas are under the main bridge and probably the 1st St/B St. Areas. This is my opinion anyway. The best part about Aberdeen... well, downtown is getting better. Some great little shops down there like Violet's Children's Boutique, Whitamakii's Jewelers, The Popcorn Factory and Scoops Ice Cream. The history of Aberdeen is the best part of all though. The Lady Washington is beautiful (AND the Hawaiian Chieftan) and we always love seeing it (them) docked down on the river. IF you're in the area, definitely try Billy's Restaurant.

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by Harbor-ator

...The worst areas are under the main bridge..

Here’s what Aberdeen’s most famous citizen said about that bridge that goes across the Chehalis River:

“I used to hang out with the bums and share Thunderbird wine with them underneath the bridge.
There's a little tent bum community there.
They live in tents and just drink wine and roast marshmallows.“

He chose to socialize under the Chehalis River bridge, but he chose to live under the Young Street Bridge across the Wishkah River.

Here’s what he said about that:

“Underneath the bridge
The tarp has sprung a leak
And the animals I've trapped
Have all become my pets
And I'm living off of grass
And the drippings from my ceiling
It's okay to eat fish
'Cause they don't have any feelings

Something in the way, mmm
Something in the way, yeah, mmm“

[Harbor-ator]

Yes, Kurt was very strange from what I hear, his songs could be proof of that too... just maybe... I know someone that he lived with for a while and she didn't like him much.

[coastalsteelheader]

Pros: Some great scenery, and sites on many of the backroads. Great salmon and steelhead fishing, hunting , some pretty good people here if you can get past the druggies, alkies, and chronically depressed residents

Cons: Few living wage jobs, lack of opportunity, schools suck, corruption, favortism, nepotism, crime, drugs, and a large amount of homeless alcoholics

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by coastalsteelheader

Few living wage jobs, lack of opportunity, schools suck, corruption, favortism, nepotism, crime, drugs, and a large amount of homeless alcoholics

In other words, it's just an average American town, except that it gets a lot of rain.

[coastalsteelheader]

Originally Posted by Fat Freddy

In other words, it's just an average American town, except that it gets a lot of rain.

Pretty much, but our homeless do have the best signs in the state.