Washingtonians- Do you like where you live? Either way, why?

skyriver

skyriver

Legend
Forum Supporter
My wife and I are starting to think of places we might want to move to in the next 4-6 years for retirement. I just hit the big 55. Yeah...
I work remote so the move could be even sooner, before I retire. Just need good internet and I can work anywhere.

We want to take more and more vacations that are essentially renting a house for just a few days, all the way up to a few weeks, in various towns/regions that we think we would enjoy. In fact, a few guys on here mentioned that as a good strategy to try and figure out where we want to live once we do retire.

For now, we're just looking in Washington for a few different reasons. Idaho, Oregon and California are all options, as are a few foreign countries, but we think the first move will be in WA.
Obviously, I'll want to be fairly close to decent fishing no matter what species. I enjoy steelhead, but know that could be a fantasy very soon. I also enjoy trout, salmon, bass, musky and carp. I'm not real picky for species. I enjoy both rivers and lakes. And Puget Sound. And bird hunting.

Town needs to be big enough that I don't have to drive 2 hours (one way) for groceries. And not super interested in tiny towns. I grew up in a small town (3k) where we had to drive 35 minutes to a bigger town for decent restaurants or a movie theater. I can do 30-45 minutes, but not 2 hours. So NE Washington might be out, but maybe you can convince me.
And my wife doesn't really want us all alone out in the woods so even if in a rural area, would probably still prefer in town, close to town or at least a neighborhood.

And I don't really want this to turn into a debate amongst everyone. Just want to hear what you like, if you do like it and what you don't, if you you don't.
And no politics please! I really don't care what anyone thinks of the governor or any of that. I mean, if you don't like your town because of the crooked police or sheriff or something then fine, but I don't want to see words like libs, liberals, libtards, Trump, Inslee, Biden, Brandon, rednecks, nationalists, racists etc. I think you get my point on that one.
Obviously, products/results of policy or economics are legit concerns- high taxes, high crime, etc. Those are useful details and facts that I would be interested in.

I would love to try and keep this a positive post.

Thanks for the input!
 
skyriver said:
My wife and I are starting to think of places we might want to move to in the next 4-6 years for retirement. I just hit the big 55. Yeah...
I work remote so the move could be even sooner, before I retire. Just need good internet and I can work anywhere.

We want to take more and more vacations that are essentially renting a house for just a few days, all the way up to a few weeks, in various towns/regions that we think we would enjoy. In fact, a few guys on here mentioned that as a good strategy to try and figure out where we want to live once we do retire.

For now, we're just looking in Washington for a few different reasons. Idaho, Oregon and California are all options, as are a few foreign countries, but we think the first move will be in WA.
Obviously, I'll want to be fairly close to decent fishing no matter what species. I enjoy steelhead, but know that could be a fantasy very soon. I also enjoy trout, salmon, bass, musky and carp. I'm not real picky for species. I enjoy both rivers and lakes. And Puget Sound. And bird hunting.

Town needs to be big enough that I don't have to drive 2 hours (one way) for groceries. And not super interested in tiny towns. I grew up in a small town (3k) where we had to drive 35 minutes to a bigger town for decent restaurants or a movie theater. I can do 30-45 minutes, but not 2 hours. So NE Washington might be out, but maybe you can convince me.
And my wife doesn't really want us all alone out in the woods so even if in a rural area, would probably still prefer in town, close to town or at least a neighborhood.

And I don't really want this to turn into a debate amongst everyone. Just want to hear what you like, if you do like it and what you don't, if you you don't.
And no politics please! I really don't care what anyone thinks of the governor or any of that. I mean, if you don't like your town because of the crooked police or sheriff or something then fine, but I don't want to see words like libs, liberals, libtards, Trump, Inslee, Biden, Brandon, rednecks, nationalists, racists etc. I think you get my point on that one.
Obviously, products/results of policy or economics are legit concerns- high taxes, high crime, etc. Those are useful details and facts that I would be interested in.

I would love to try and keep this a positive post.

Thanks for the input!
Click to expand...
Dallesport WA.
Close to fishing for.

Summer steelhead 20 minutes
Winter Steelhead many options ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes

Trout 40 minutes to the Deschutes 90 minutes to the Yakima. Mountain lakes 30-90 minutes
Smallmouth, out your back door
Coho and Chinook 20 minutes
Low land trout planters 5 minutes

Good sushi and teriyaki 10 minutes
Groceries : Safeway and Fred Meyers 5 minutes

Great pizza 15 minutes
Best winery in WA 15 minutes
Fresh local fruit 15 minutes
 
What!? as an Oregonian, I feel triggered....just kidding.

I spent my formative years in Walla Walla. As a young buck, I couldn't wait to get out of there. Now? even though I'm a ways off of retirement, I'd absolutely love to live there (especially after seeing all of Tom's fishing reports!!!), but aside from that the wine scene that exploded after I left the area, decent size, great weather, mountains (Blues are awesome!---not to mention a short drive to the Wallowa's). So basically, there's my vote: WW.

shit, 2-3 hrs to excellent Spokane area Tigers too!
 
Rob Allen said:
Dallesport WA.
Close to fishing for.

Summer steelhead 20 minutes
Winter Steelhead many options ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes

Trout 40 minutes to the Deschutes 90 minutes to the Yakima. Mountain lakes 30-90 minutes
Smallmouth, out your back door
Coho and Chinook 20 minutes
Low land trout planters 5 minutes

Good sushi and teriyaki 10 minutes
Groceries : Safeway and Fred Meyers 5 minutes

Great pizza 15 minutes
Best winery in WA 15 minutes
Fresh local fruit 15 minutes
Click to expand...


This, although I'd say anywhere between cascade locks/Stevenson and The Dalles/dallesport would offer similar perks. I live in Hood River and it's nice but I couldn't afford to move here now. Having Portland(and PDX) 45 minutes away is a huge plus.
 
clarkman said:
What!? as an Oregonian, I feel triggered....just kidding.

I spent my formative years in Walla Walla. As a young buck, I couldn't wait to get out of there. Now? even though I'm a ways off of retirement, I'd absolutely love to live there (especially after seeing all of Tom's fishing reports!!!), but aside from that the wine scene that exploded after I left the area, decent size, great weather, mountains (Blues are awesome!---not to mention a short drive to the Wallowa's). So basically, there's my vote: WW.
Click to expand...
Cracks me up. Grew up in Walla Walla and felt the exact same way when I left town. And feel the same way you do about it now. It's a dang nice town.
 
I like Anacortes. It is getting more crowded and a lot of "would be buyers" have nicknamed it "Can't afford us". But dang this small town would be a great place to grow old. Today I was offshore Guemes Island (just next to Fidalgo/ Anacortes.) The properties and coastline there are truly amazing. For me, the shear beauty of the twisted trees and rugged coasts, would weigh heavy against any fishing opportunities. That being said, the fishing opportunities are abundant, and for those that know, can be spectacular.
 
DoesItFloat said:
That's a long drive just to shoot up and take a shit on the sidewalk.
Click to expand...
DoesItFloat said:
The Dalles is gonna blow up in the next 5-10 years. Good investment. Minimally-methy Home Depot. Cheap liquor. Killer dam.
Click to expand...
Great contribution to the thread...🙄. Please refer back to the original post for the preferred rules....yes, I see the irony.


DoesItFloat said:
Equally paramount contribution.
Click to expand...
edit, so as to not take anything else away from this thread. Perhaps look up Brad Bohen's favorite saying.....and do that.
 
Last edited:
I split my time between Edmonds and Seattle. For a large urban city, Seattle is amazingly natural. I see the cascades from my window, am a 15 minute walk from a forest, and see Mt Ranier on a clear day at school. I think for a major city, Seattle is horribly lacking in culture. There are many times where I feel like I have nothing to do. Edmonds has fewer younger people and I was hoping to have an easier time meeting people, but the fact of the matter is Seattle‘s culture is just unpleasant. Most people I meet seem to be anti-social, or cliquish. For a lot of people, it feels like they never want to get out of the social groups they were in since high school. As someone who didn’t have a good time in high school, this works against me, especially as a college student trying to form study groups to better understand difficult courses. The drug encampment problem is real. I hate to bring politics into this but it is necessary to give examples of Seattle culture. I‘ve known many people who were threatened or assaulted on public transportation in front of dozens of bystanders with no offer of help. When I took a walk back in 2021 in a public park without wearing a mask, I was immediately confronted. A lot of people don’t want to help others in meaningful ways, but are obsessed with appearing to be in the “moral right”. So people will poke their nose into others business about things that neither affect nor concern them, but turn a blind eye when someone is in serious danger.

Edmonds is an amazing place to live and I am so happy to have grown up there, Streets are very safe, even though crime in the aurora neighborhood is becoming a problem. “Seattle freeze” exists there, but it is much less acute. Downtown feels far more like a small town than a suburb. Lots of gorgeous forested parks, and it is pretty close to lots of great fishing opportunities.

I have mixed feelings about Washington. I strongly dislike the culture, and while there are lot’s of good people here, there are lot’s of good people anywhere. Part of me also wants my kids to grow up with better social opportunities than I did in a culture that I better fit in with. However, I don’t know anywhere else that provides the same kinds of natural opportunities so close to a major city. Yes plenty of our rivers are tweaked out, but gut feeling hasn’t failed me yet. The backpacking and hiking here is unparalleled anywhere in the country, and for me personally the world.
 
clarkman said:
Great contribution to the thread...🙄. Please refer back to the original post for the preferred rules....yes, I see the irony.

edit, so as to not take anything else away from this thread. Perhaps look up Brad Bohen's favorite saying.....and do that.
Click to expand...
He saved it with the 2nd input. We're all good. (y)
 
clarkman said:
Great contribution to the thread...🙄. Please refer back to the original post for the preferred rules....yes, I see the irony.



edit, so as to not take anything else away from this thread. Perhaps look up Brad Bohen's favorite saying.....and do that.
Click to expand...
Don't confuse irony with sarcasm.

"No results containing all your search terms were found.

Your search - "brad bohen's favorite saying" - did not match any documents."

What now?

Sorry, @skyriver , didn't mean to hijack the thread. Maybe look into Ellensburg.
 
Kashf said:
I split my time between Edmonds and Seattle. For a large urban city, Seattle is amazingly natural. I see the cascades from my window, am a 15 minute walk from a forest, and see Mt Ranier on a clear day at school. I think for a major city, Seattle is horribly lacking in culture. There are many times where I feel like I have nothing to do. Edmonds has fewer younger people and I was hoping to have an easier time meeting people, but the fact of the matter is Seattle‘s culture is just unpleasant. Most people I meet seem to be anti-social, or cliquish. For a lot of people, it feels like they never want to get out of the social groups they were in since high school. As someone who didn’t have a good time in high school, this works against me, especially as a college student trying to form study groups to better understand difficult courses. The drug encampment problem is real. I hate to bring politics into this but it is necessary to give examples of Seattle culture. I‘ve known many people who were threatened or assaulted on public transportation in front of dozens of bystanders with no offer of help. When I took a walk back in 2021 in a public park without wearing a mask, I was immediately confronted. A lot of people don’t want to help others in meaningful ways, but are obsessed with appearing to be in the “moral right”. So people will poke their nose into others business about things that neither affect nor concern them, but turn a blind eye when someone is in serious danger.

Edmonds is an amazing place to live and I am so happy to have grown up there, Streets are very safe, even though crime in the aurora neighborhood is becoming a problem. “Seattle freeze” exists there, but it is much less acute. Downtown feels far more like a small town than a suburb. Lots of gorgeous forested parks, and it is pretty close to lots of great fishing opportunities.

I have mixed feelings about Washington. I strongly dislike the culture, and while there are lot’s of good people here, there are lot’s of good people anywhere. Part of me also wants my kids to grow up with better social opportunities than I did in a culture that I better fit in with. However, I don’t know anywhere else that provides the same kinds of natural opportunities so close to a major city. Yes plenty of our rivers are tweaked out, but gut feeling hasn’t failed me yet. The backpacking and hiking here is unparalleled anywhere in the country, and for me personally the world.
Click to expand...
I think Seattle is very picturesque, but I'm 99% most likely moving out of King County. Mostly just to get somewhere different and also, I was just telling this story last night- I can go on a fishing trip 5-8 hours away. I can drive 5-8 hours back to home and have a nice drive. Don't encounter any assholes (occasional jerk "Coug Dad" or someone with a Fireman's sticker...anyone know why so many that have that sticker are twats? I know lots of great fire fighters) until I'm about 45 minutes away. Usually about the time I get on HWY 18 headed back here to CovTown. So the Seattle area, in general, won't be it.
 
Ellensburg is a nice enough, little town. We moved here as a family around 2002 and it has been good for us. It doesn't really have the best of anything (though there may not be a better year-round trout river in WA) but geographically, it is situated pretty well. Thirty minutes to the forest, 30 minutes to shrub steppe bird hunting. CWU has a fair amount of arts/entertainment for those searching to be culturally enlightened. Easy trips to Yakima, Wenatchee, Issaquah or Spokane. I doubt I'll stay here after retirement but it has been a good compromise for much of my working life so far.
 
@DoesItFloat my man, if ya know, ya know.....it's something I tell myself every single day....:LOL:

@skyriver apologies for thread hijack. But man, can't wait to see where this journey takes you!
 
A few other considerations to evaluate (to help narrow down the choices/locations - maybe)
1) Do you and your wife enjoy long, cold winters and hot summers or wetter, milder winters/summers?
2) Is an airport and good hospital(s) nearby important?
3) Housing cost - is it a factor? The further you get away from Seattle the more reasonable housing is. Also WA. has high property taxes - especially greater SEA.
4) How much does bad traffic bother you? It can take 45 minutes to go 10 miles in rush hour (which seems to go from 6am to 8pm) in greater SEA.

Just saw that you live in Greater Seattle - you understand but still valid points in your searches.

My wife and I have been discussing and looking much like you. Bellingham (actually Fairhaven) intrigues us. Also like western Oregon (college towns) a lot. Oregon state income/retirement/property taxes approach is holding us back from looking further. We are not fond of long, cold winters so that limits a lot of choices/locations for us...
 
RCF said:
A few other considerations to evaluate (to help narrow down the choices/locations - maybe)
1) Do you and your wife enjoy long, cold winters and hot summers or wetter, milder winters/summers?
2) Is an airport and good hospital(s) nearby important?
3) Housing cost - is it a factor? The further you get away from Seattle the more reasonable housing is. Also WA. has high property taxes - especially greater SEA.
4) How much does bad traffic bother you? It can take 45 minutes to go 10 miles in rush hour (which seems to go from 6am to 8pm) in greater SEA.

Just saw that you live in Greater Seattle - you understand but still valid points in your searches.

My wife and I have been discussing and looking much like you. Bellingham (actually Fairhaven) intrigues us. Also like western Oregon (college towns) a lot. Oregon state income/retirement/property taxes approach is holding us back from looking further. We are not fond of long, cold winters so that limits a lot of choices/locations for us...
Click to expand...
Bellingham is really nice. I went to college there and I can assure u that the winter isn't terrible, but it's worse than Seattle. More wind and colder temps in general.
We love Bellingham and would have stayed there if we could have found good jobs in the early 90s. Had a hard time finding a good job anywhere in the early 90s. 😁

Yeah, I don't like the cold much anymore, but she doesn't like the heat. Haha. And hospital and airports are good items to keep in mind. We have 2 adult sons. The oldest is in Spokane, but may not stay. Not the greatest place for a 25 yr old. And my 22 yr old will probably stay in Cali. He is currently a student at Azusa Pacific and will probably stay in the greater LA area for jobs and music gigs. He's a piano/keys guy and is plays at a local church, campus chapel band and gigs with his buddies in a jazz quartet. He has some pretty legit connections by now so probably won't leave. Has a serious girlfriend from there too.
So...summers in the PNW or even farther north and winters in Cali? Maybe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RCF
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top