Moving to WA from VA.

[EMNofSeattle]

Where should i look to live around the area? Any suggestions?


Tapatalkin' it

Well if I remember your previous postings correctly you're in the navy and assigned to NAS Whidby Island. Unforuntatley the unique geography of our region limits the range of practical areas you can live. But it really depends.

If you prefer to live reasonably close to base then the towns of Oak Harbor, Coupeville, and Anacortes are the closest towns. Anacortes is across a strait of water with a two lane bridge however, and traffic can sometimes get nasty. If your commanding officer will allow it and you don't mind doing the ferry commuting lifestyle, that expands your options a little bit.

If you prefer living in an urban area the City of Everett is practical, it's about a 50 minute drive to base up north if you go through anacortes, probably the exact same time to use the Mukleteo Ferry if you time the boats right. If you have a family and want to try a reasonably safe surburban environment then my marks would be for Lake Stevens, which is only 4 or 5 minutes outside of Everett but is otherwise it's own town.

Port Townsend is a nice town with victorian archetecture and some nearby state parks like Fort Worden park which is always a fun place to take walks and the like, of course it's guaranteed you'll have to take the ferry every day for a commute, which may or may not be appealing to you, the ferry commuter lifestyle is almost a uniqueley Kitsap County lifestyle here where I live, and some people treasure it and others absolutely hate it.

I but I mean it's like asking "what kind of apples should I eat"? well I can help you more if you already have in mind what you like in a community, what's important to you in where you live, and other considerations that change the discussion (ie living in downtown seattle may be fun for a young, single guy, but there is no way I'd live there if I was married with children) so with more details you can probably get better suggestions.

also I am not familiar with local politics outside the Kitsap-Seattle-Tacoma area so if local government is something important to you you'll need to ask someone else, I do know however where towns are located and what in general there is there.

 

[PackinXD40]

well, we have no kids, just two dogs. We were looking at Anacortes, but we haven't really decided yet. i guess it all depends on whats available and something we can afford and accepts pets.

 

[PackinXD40]

no i haven't been there, ill take a look. Thank ya.

 

[SigGuy23]

If you don't mind me asking. What's your rate? What command will you be with. I'm at NAS Whidbey. Don't live in everett or lake stevens unless you want a long drive and to waste gas. I lived in North Marysville for over a year and it takes an hour and 10 min at least to get there driving north through mount vernon and anacortes. I now live in Freeland in south Whidbey. It's a pretty small town, but nice place. I recommend living anywhere on the Island or anacortes and no farther than mount vernon. Anything more than that will be a hour or more drive. The ferries also are expensive. It's cheaper to drive around then to take the ferrie. If you have any questions about the area and the base don't be afraid to pm me.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

well, we have no kids, just two dogs. We were looking at Anacortes, but we haven't really decided yet. i guess it all depends on whats available and something we can afford and accepts pets.

Well then you're pretty much free to most of Whidbey and Anacortes then. Anacortes is a nice little town, you're right at the ferry to the San Juan islands which are pretty nice for a weekend hike or fishing trip. It's also next to all the oil refineries, although strangely enough gas always seems more expensive there....

 

[PackinXD40]

Well i don't mind a drive so i guess ill have to look around. My drive to work right now is about 33 miles one way. I guess when the time gets closer to me getting out there ill start looking more in depth on where i wanna live.

 

[hermannr]

The area between Anacordes and Oak Harbor is quite rural, as is the area to the south of Oak Harbor. There are a lot of places available, the NAS has been there since WWII and the area is geared to support the base. I think that you will find your commute a bit easier than in VA.