Most Beautiful Historic Residential Neighborhood in Washington (Seattle, Spokane: homes, refrigerator)

[tg9999]

We are fortunate enough to be retiring in our early 50's in 2011.

Question: What is the most beautiful historic residential neigborhood in Washington?
We are only interested in 2 criteria:
1) a high concentration of beautiful, historic homes;
2) decent weather for most of the year.

(Assume emloyment , housing costs, and all other factors irrelevant.) Feel free to post any photos if you have them.
Thanks in advance.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by tg9999

We are fortunate enough to be retiring in our early 50's in 2011.

Question: What is the most beautiful historic residential neigborhood in Washington?
We are only interested in 2 criteria:
1) a high concentration of beautiful, historic homes;
2) decent weather for most of the year.

(Assume emloyment , housing costs, and all other factors irrelevant.) Feel free to post any photos if you have them.
Thanks in advance.

Port Townsend ...

[j_k_k]

We have historic neighborhoods? Where?

[dubfan]

Definitely Port Townsend. It has loads of Victorian homes built when the town was forecast to become a major harbor. It's also partially sheltered by the Olympic Mountains to the southwest, so the weather is better than most places in western Washington. There's plenty of pictures of PT online as it's a rather significant tourist draw.

[StealthRabbit]

Waitsburg gets my vote (for high concentration per capita, since I consider nothing on the we_t side has decent weather)

Guess you would have to consider Walla Walla or Spokane if you want a place with historic homes + more 'culture' and decent weather.

[Sandy Nelson]

The South Capitol Neighborhood in Olympia is a national historic district. Photos are here: www.southcapitolneighborhood.com

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by Sandy Nelson

The South Capitol Neighborhood in Olympia is a national historic district. Photos are here: www.southcapitolneighborhood.com

yes, but, Olympia is notably lacking in the "decent weather" department

[Jake840]

North Slope Historic District in Tacoma is nice. I believe it is one of the largest if not the largest residential historic districts in the state. North Slope Historic District- Tacoma, WA

If you have some big $$ the Stadium-Seminary Historic District next to North Slope is the place to go.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by Jake840

North Slope Historic District in Tacoma is nice. I believe it is one of the largest if not the largest residential historic districts in the state. North Slope Historic District- Tacoma, WA

If you have some big $$ the Stadium-Seminary Historic District next to North Slope is the place to go.

... once again, yes, for the historic homes ... not weather ...

btw, for the OP: you DO know about the weather in the Puget Sound region?

While Port Townsend absolutely hands-down hits the two criteria you cite, its being in the *famous* Puget Sound rain-shadow doesn't mean much. The annual rainfall inches (of which Pt. Townsend has almost only half of Seattle's) is not the big story out here. Next to Alaska we *enjoy* the least winter daylight in the U.S. due to our northerly latitude ... and what daylight we get from Oct. thru March rarely rarely rarely includes any sun to note; despite what the Sequim Chamber of Commerce tries to sell. Rain-shadow areas get only the very briefest more occasional, fleeting flashes of sun now and again. (I live in the rain-shadow.)

The real story here for "decent" weather, as you cite, is that the entire region is gray as an elephant's butt and WET from nearly perpetual mist and light rain and marine humidity. This area does NOT dry out AT ALL until at least well into July - thru half of Sept. Everything stays wet over 8 months every year. So the seemingly mild temperatures, compared to Minnesota for instance, are compromised by the persistent sensation that you've put your clothes on after taking them out of the dryer a bit too soon -- but well after the dryer's heat has worn off -- and then stepped in front of a fan blowing air at you from your refrigerator

Some of us do fine, or at least are willing to endure, this eternal gloomy cycle. You may be one who can thrive in it. But forewarned, it is no sunny picnic here about 8 months a year.

Good luck ... Pt. Townsend is stunning and characterful.

[Sandy Nelson]

Originally Posted by nullgeo

yes, but, Olympia is notably lacking in the "decent weather" department

"Decent" is relative. To me no extremely hot temperatures in the summer and no extreme cold in the winter is decent.