Puget Sound hoping (Seattle, Federal Way, Bellingham: apartments, rental, condos)

[Alinka]

My goal is to relocate to the Puget Sound. A friend and I initially planned to purchase land and build. He lived in Longbranch, Federal Way and Issaquah. And so is very familiar with much of the general area.

However that plan vaporized and I will be making the move, next spring, very much solo.

Considering my circumstances I am interested in a condo. Not Seattle. For the first time in my life I want to live in a small city or town. Gig Harbor and Edmonds appeal to me.

For the past far too many years I've been in the SW. At my current property; no bird life, no views (certainly no water or sunset views).

And that's what I crave, the sounds and sightings of birds, and a view of water and sunsets. This in addition to a collegial community feel. Also necessary are a balcony or terrace and an elevator building.

I am used to a gated community and that would be a +.

My work is done remotely; this has nothing to do with Covid and will not change.

My price range is going to top at $850.

Thank you.

[Sockeye66]

Hello Alinka, hope you find your way here. The $850 range puts you in a strong position for finding a good place.

Both Edmonds and Gig Harbor have beautiful areas ans scenery, you won't go wrong there. I was part of a 4th generation family that moved from Gig Harbor, no one from the family there any longer. It's simply getting to crowded. A small town with traffic issues is frustrating for ol' locals. That said, if commute and traffic isn't your issue it's worth exploring the area.

Lot's of other communities near there, Port Orchard, Fox Island, Vaughn etc. Can't say how the Condo options look to that area.

One PS community that always caught my fancy is Poulsbo, it's be worth looking at too.

[Diana Holbrook]

You're saying $850/mo rent, right? Not to buy? Still sipping coffee and when I first read that, I thought wow.... $850K for a condo is quite generous... you can go most anywhere! But I read again. It's not a high rental amount for this area... Contrary to the above, you may find it a bit limiting.

Browsing the MLS, I have noticed a lot of apartments and condos quite reasonably priced, in Bremerton and Port Orchard. Probably more volume of them and lower priced than Gig Harbor because of the Navy influence. I would start looking there, and see what you find. Not hard to find water views with either one, there. Or a woodsy feel.

[CrazyDonkey]

You might also look at Bellingham:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...23610396_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...82220347_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...23617952_zpid/

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

You might also look at Bellingham:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...23610396_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...82220347_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...23617952_zpid/

Are those the links you meant to post? For this OP?

Maybe it's not just me that needed more coffee this morning.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

Are those the links you meant to post? For this OP?

Maybe it's not just me that needed more coffee this morning.

I'm assuming <$850k. Close to water access, natural settings (plenty of birds), single-level ("elevator" comment), "collegial" feel (college town), not Seattle (but not too far from it). Bellingham is not short on sunsets and views (not a lot of "view" listings right now, but that doesn't mean there won't be). Just a quick sample, as much to show comparable values.

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

I'm assuming <$850k. Close to water access, natural settings (plenty of birds), single-level ("elevator" comment), "collegial" feel (college town), not Seattle (but not too far from it). Bellingham is not short on sunsets and views (not a lot of "view" listings right now, but that doesn't mean there won't be). Just a quick sample, as much to show comparable values.

I think it's $850 a month rent.... but we'll see when the OP comes back!

[Alinka]

It was interesting reading your responses. I haven't looked at the links but will soon.

I meant $850k to purchase. When my friend and I were making plans he strongly felt that to purchase land and build on it was the best option. He cited it being less expensive in the long run and getting exactly what we wanted in terms of design. But surely not something I will/can undertake on my own!

Geographically I don't know many of the areas of the country well. What I do have memories of is the Hudson River Valley in NY where while the City was always an influence each town had its own uniqueness. That's probably the best I've got in describing what I'm looking for.

Do Bellingham, Port Orchard and Poulsbo have that "town" feeling?

I'm getting from Sockeye66 Gig Harbor not so much?

My veterinarian grew up in Edmonds/Bothell and highly recommends it- any thoughts?

Thanks again and thank you Crazy Donkey for the listings- that's where I'm going right now.

[Sockeye66]

Thanks for the clarification on the budget. Once again $850/k should be very doable.

Your friends opinion maybe changing now if he knew the rising building materiel cost and lack of available contractors. He is correct it needs to be managed and your correct not something to take on if unqualified.

All the towns, including Gig Harbor, have that "town" feeling. Downtown GigH is beautiful, it's simply that downtown is only a small part the area. Edmonds area is very nice too.

Your budget and flexibility put you in an envious position. If I were in your situation I'd research any coastal areas along Puget Sound. Open Google map, start from the NE side, Bellingham, zoom in and follow south to Olympia. Head up the other side to Port Townsend. There some Island communities that may fit well. I love Vashon but don't know of Condos there.

[Botev1912]

Point Edwards in Edmonds are condos with great views of Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains.