Thinking of moving to Oak Harbor. Opinions ? (Arlington, Stanwood: military, flight path)

[MechAndy]

A pie shop on Whidbey w/a vinegar oil shop at Anacortes?
I like the way you shop .

On another note,
I dig planes and even was in aviation during my military time.

One of our neighbors got a new seaplane last year and did a “touch and go” close to us.
The wife and I were all like “ewww and aww” cool.
After 10 or so passes we were kinda like ok now.
After what seemed like 25 or so we couldn’t hardly wait until he called it a day and stopped bothering us.

I view plane noise similar to gunfire.
One, two or a few not a big deal.
Turning your property that’s next to mine into a gun range not cool.

[dipan2222]

From what I am reading, jet noise seems to be a serious problem (for most).
Is it frequent ? I can go there today and visit for couple of hours. Will I get a feel, what it is like ?

[rkcarguy]

A couple hours isn't really a good gage. You may not hear any for a couple days or whole weekend, or you could end up in the flight path of a pair on an exercise in the middle of the night for hours.

[Diana Holbrook]

They aren't running exercises ALL the time. It will be periodically active, and then not. If you can check their website or social media for the base or their community pages. (I can't right now or I'd help with that!) they may announce when there will be air exercises and especially night exercises.


If you lived there, you'd definitely want to follow all that.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

They aren't running exercises ALL the time. It will be periodically active, and then not. If you can check their website or social media for the base or their community pages. (I can't right now or I'd help with that!) they may announce when there will be air exercises and especially night exercises.


If you lived there, you'd definitely want to follow all that.

Years ago we were camping overnight on Cranberry Lake near Deception Pass, and there was probably only 2-3 hours of noise the whole weekend. It was during the day, and we enjoyed seeing the jets flying by.

[mayfair]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

They aren't running exercises ALL the time. It will be periodically active, and then not. If you can check their website or social media for the base or their community pages. (I can't right now or I'd help with that!) they may announce when there will be air exercises and especially night exercises.


If you lived there, you'd definitely want to follow all that.

They also run exercises off that schedule. In spite of the published schedule, there's no way to know exactly how intense the noise will be on any given day or night.

They used to stick pretty close to a schedule and have fewer flights (and a different type of plane that didn't rumble and shake the ground) years ago. Now you just never know.

[wolfdog]

We bought a retirement condo, near the harbor, 4 years ago. We love it here. Living in the Olympic Shadow is fantastic. We came from 60" a year.
We can go all day without hearing a jet, and even then, they are just passing high over. But certainly different, as you go north of town. We gladly signed the noise awareness form. I golf at Gallery, with jets (and bullets) flying(gun range off the first tee. LOL). I just pause, and look up in awe. I respect that our US Navy was here, first. And they perform a critical mission here.
The base benefits I have now, came from President Trump, meaning, when we moved here, base benefits were not part of our decision, since I had none. So, Yes, it's an even better area for veterans.
Perfect size town, blue-collar demographics, great weather and outdoor activities. I would absolutely raise a family here, though I can see where it could be boring, for young folks.

[wolfdog]

Originally Posted by wolfdog

We bought a retirement condo, near the harbor, 4 years ago. We love it here. Living in the Olympic Shadow is fantastic. We came from 60" a year.
We can go all day without hearing a jet, and even then, they are just passing high over. But certainly different, as you go north of town. We gladly signed the noise awareness form. I golf at Gallery, with jets (and bullets) flying(gun range off the first tee. LOL). I just pause, and look up in awe. I respect that our US Navy was here, first. And they perform a critical mission here.
The base benefits I have now, came from President Trump, meaning, when we moved here, base benefits were not part of our decision, since I had none. So, Yes, it's an even better area for veterans.
Perfect size town, blue-collar demographics, great weather and outdoor activities. I would absolutely raise a family here, though I can see where it could be boring, for young folks.

I'll also add that politically, Oak Harbor is as close to evenly-divided you'll find in NW WA. Just north or south, Anacortes or Coupeville, not so much. Again, the military influence.

[Ruth4Truth]

Take a look at Stanwood. It's on the mainland, and connects to Camano Island by a bridge. Some people love Standwood, others like Camano Island. Both are worth Checking out.

[wolfdog]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Take a look at Stanwood. It's on the mainland, and connects to Camano Island by a bridge. Some people love Standwood, others like Camano Island. Both are worth Checking out.

You'll need a rowboat in Stanwood, today.