Help me narrow down some areas? (Seattle, Vancouver: sales, house, purchases)

[Where2Next2022]

Hello there,

I've spent a few hours reading through the forums this morning and realize there's a ton of good info posted, but would love to get some direct insights by anyone willing to help me narrow down my very broad field!

BACKGROUND
I've been living in Vermont for the past 16 years. While beautiful, the winters are too harsh and too long, and the property taxes are incredibly high. We considered heading south a bit, but high humidity/dew point is a problem for me and, well, I just prefer the feeling of the west. I moved to VT from Santa Barbara/Ojai CA to "get out of the rat race." I'm originally from England, although not sure that's relevant, except that I'm familiar with that weather and want to avoid it!

For me, the west feels expansive, has friendlier people, great topography, and good weather. I have no interest in Southern/Central CA.

Politically speaking, a couple of years ago my partner and I would have considered ourselves democrats. Now, neither side appeals what-so-ever, but the unveiling of the deep corruption in big pharma/FDA/CDC/big tech/big government, along with medical mandates, has us leaning more red than blue. I am not here to debate or cause an argument, just mentioning in case helpful towards the cause of finding home. I realize that WA is more blue and the governor has just implemented a mandate - no comment from me for the sake of civility!

I was looking into ID but I think the winters might be too long and cold. My partner lived in Portland, OR for a while - he's not a fan of the weather there.

I have been drooling over a few places on your islands that seem too good to be true! This one is out of my price range and I haven't looked closely at the details (I imagine there's all sorts of restrictions) but wow. Gorgeous. https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...1_M24937-36279.


Once I'm able to narrow things down a bit, I will fly out to visit.

IDEAL WORLD (I realize it's impossible to get all of this)
We are homesteaders so looking for:
1. A longer growing season (7a or better - plant hardiness map in WA looks good)
2. 5+ acres (more = better) with 1+ good soil to grow in, ability to have a horse, ducks, chickens, etc.
3. Private water supply (e.g. well - not on city water)
4. Ideally a creek/stream/pond or spring on the property
5. Beautiful area/views (you seem to have lots of that!)
6. Quiet area (away from sound of traffic)
7. Not in a flood plain or high fire hazard area
8. Good Air Quality and not near heavily polluted waterways/areas (but on or near good water would be fab)
9. Within 20 mins of a small walkable town for socializing (coffee shop, bars, couple of good restaurants, live music, farmers markets) but away from big box stores, strip malls, factory farms, big Ag, etc.
10.We love seasons and don't mind a bit of snow or cold, or rain and grey, or a few days of crazy hot, just as long as it doesn't last for too long. Rain is important for growing, so not too dry.
11. Not in an HOA
12. Deciduous trees a plus. We love openness, but not completely bald hills or flat plains:-)
13. Less likely to get trapped in smoke wafting in from other firey areas
14. Live and let live attitude with friendly folks who help each other out
15. Internet is, unfortunately, a necessity
16. If on small acreage, the ability to hop on a horse and go trail riding from the property without having to go on a busy road (I once lived in Topanga Canyon and have fond memories of galloping up the ridgeline of the state park).


BEAUTY
I once stayed at the Murie Center near Jacksonhole, WY. Weatherwise it just won't work, but the beauty of that area brought tears to my eyes. You know when you find a place that just speaks to your soul? Meadows, river, foothills, mountains...it doesn't get any better than that for me. Mentioning just in case anyone is familiar with that area and can compare.

BUDGET
$650k max, less is obviously better

Sorry this is so long and thanks in advance for anyone who has some ideas of towns/areas to look further into.

Thank you!!

[Hemlock140]

Look into Sequim, WA and north to the unincorporated part of Port Angeles, up to about Deer Park Rd off of Highway 101. All of your list is met, though in the Olympic Mountain "rain shadow" so much less than the typical northwest rainfall.

[mayfair]

You won't find deciduous trees in western wa unless you head to a wetter area where there are alders and bigleaf maple. Cottonwoods also. Skagit County would fit much of your list, but many areas flood, the growler jets are noisy overhead and you'd have to increase your budget for 5 acres dry enough to support a horse.

Possibly up near Sedro Woolley you might find something. That's also close to North Cascades National Park. Internet can be spotty- you'd have to check out each individual place.

[rantiquity]

Incorporated Sequim Dungeness Valley seems to have the best of everything including the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north and Olympic Mountains to the south. Both within minutes by car.

And yes Sequim is noted for its Blue Hole which is a reprieve from Washington rain reputation. Sequim and the Valley averages about 16 inches of rain but still remains green most of the year around.

Comparing for example, Seattle which is about 50 miles as the crow flies to the east, get about 38 inches of rain and to the west about 80 miles on the edge of the rain forest in Forks averages nearly 10 feet of rain which would be probably okay if you were being assigned to a witness protection program. Just kidding, not about the rain but......

[Where2Next2022]

Thank you mayfair & hemlock. I've read a lot of good things about Sequim & Skagit so will dive more deeply into those spots, as well as check out Sedro Woolley & North Cascades. Much appreciate your help.

[Where2Next2022]

Not in the witness protection yet!! Thanks so much - another vote for Sequim. Ocean AND mountains would make me so happy!!

[rantiquity]

Originally Posted by mayfair;63786341[B

]You won't find deciduous trees in western wa unless you head to a wetter area [/b]where there are alders and bigleaf maple. Cottonwoods also. Skagit County would fit much of your list, but many areas flood, the growler jets are noisy overhead and you'd have to increase your budget for 5 acres dry enough to support a horse.
Possibly up near Sedro Woolley you might find something. That's also close to North Cascades National Park. Internet can be spotty- you'd have to check out each individual place.

May I invite you to my home in Sequim where the neighbors maple and my oak and birch trees dump their leave all over the place in the fall. Maybe you could help rake a few leaves.

With only an average of 16 inches of rain I wouldn't consider Sequim a wetter area but still mostly green year around.

[texasdiver]

Honestly, everything you describe points to the more remote corners of Clark County which is Vancouver WA (across the Columbia from Portland) but includes a lot of more remote rural lands running up into the foothills of the Cascades. Lots of homeschoolers here doing exactly the thing you are describing.

For example, just to pick some random Zillow listing in rural Clark County (town of Amboy): https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...23332656_zpid/

Here's another example: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...46689429_zpid/

[MechAndy]

To get acreage in the unincorporated areas of Sequim or Port Angeles for 650K with a house on it means you will probably be going up the hill.
Nothing wrong with that to me but be fore warned we have micro climates here and not far up the hill there will be more snow, black ice and a different vegetation zone.
I visit friends in the unincorporated hills and I like it up there.
YMMV.
Good luck to you.
Andy.

[ejisme]

Everyone so far has pointed you around the general Seattle area. How about something different. Look east of Walla Walla, WA towards Dayton, WA. The mountains are to the south. Dayton is a nice little town, with Walla Walla not too far away. Just a few miles further is Milton-Freewater, OR which is sales tax free for major purchases. Here's one property that might fit your needs. The area is much drier than Western WA. Only average 16 in of rain per year. Less cloud cover in the winter. Anyway, it's another area of Washington to investigate that is often overlooked.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...08178724_zpid/