Retire in Seattle Washington?

[Harritwo]

The admiral is looking into wanting to move to Seattle so she can work with the marine life type environment. If this comes to fruition, I intend to retire. What type of inland boating is available in that area? What is the weather like? Being born and raised in the south, I am not to sure i can handle the cold winters. Any info or thoughts anyone can offer are greatly appreciated.

George

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

I am not to sure i can handle the cold winters. Any info or thoughts anyone can offer are greatly appreciated.

It's not that its cold, it's just constantly wet! My parents both grew up in Seattle. That is why they moved to Southern California! My best friend from college works for Boeing. Once she is eligible for retirement, she is also heading south.

Its beautiful, and if you can handle the constant rain, its a great place...I would rust if I moved there.

Boating is great there, My grandfather had a place on a lake. Just be prepared to do a lot in the rain. Late July and August is great weather. Short summer compared to what I am used to.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

People in Seattle don't tan, they rust. Last year, two hundred kids fell off their bikes and drowned. If/when the sun comes out, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Slush, black ice, more wardrobe, the p word, cabin fever induced alcoholism. I'm in socal because of western Wash. PS: Crystal clear freshwater fishing and unbeatable saltwater feasts. Set dungeness crab traps on the way out, Salmon fishing till the low tide, Beach for steamer clams and oysters, Fish back to the traps, Pickem up and go home. Talk about the best gorging/overeating possible. Miss it but never to return!!

 

[Harritwo]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Does anyone have any more info on Bremerton? What and Where can i run a boat inland? We would like a house on the water as long as the wife can work and i can enjoy the scenery, we are good. Thoughts? ideas?

 

[dockrash]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

I live just south of Bremerton. As long as you have enough fuel you can boat from the San Juans(north) to Olympia(south).

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

We would like a house on the water

Only takes a fistful of money. WA is not cheap and houses on the water definitely aren't.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Was in Bremerton ship yards years ago.(Navy) Traversing Puget Sound (spelling) was like traveling in the dark because of the fog. To balmy for me. It's said Seattle and Pgh weather are pretty close. Well i can tell you i don't like this weather.

 

[java230]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Seattle is awesome. Yes it rains, but the summer is awesome fall is nice and its never ungodly hot or cold for the most part.

The peninsula will get more or less rain depending on where exactly, but there is a ton of great places to see by boat.

 

[oldandintheway]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Check out Whidbey Island.

Try to get to work by public transportation. The bus systems use dedicated lanes and buzz by the standing traffic.
Tax on everything. If you buy a $1.50 hot dog and coke at Costco, the total price is $1.63.
They also tax you boat and car with sales tax and charge a personal property tax on them every year.

There is also good news, hemp is legal.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Tax on everything. If you buy a $1.50 hot dog and coke at Costco, the total price is $1.63.

That's around 8.5% sales tax. Not sure why that is surprising except that you are in Oregon and get taxed a different way. He's already paying a sales tax in Florida. Oregon actually has a higher tax burden than Washington if you include all taxes.

Washington does not have income tax.

Check out Whidbey Island.

Only if the wife doesn't mind a 2 hour commute each day if she needs to go to the city.

Question for the OP...have you actually been there?

 

[Harritwo]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

That's around 8.5% sales tax. Not sure why that is surprising except that you are in Oregon and get taxed a different way. He's already paying a sales tax in Florida. Oregon actually has a higher tax burden than Washington if you include all taxes.

Washington does not have income tax.

Only if the wife doesn't mind a 2 hour commute each day if she needs to go to the city.

Question for the OP...have you actually been there?

Bruce,

I have never been on the West Coast in my life. I have been up and down the eastern Seaboard, All across the south to Nevada, visited Sin City a few times, Been as far north as Indiana, New York, Philadelphia, Groton, Norfolk, Charleston, and Jacksonville. The Wife has the idea she would like to go to Washington, she lived there as a child and is in love with the Marine Life Environment. I can be happy anywhere i can put in the water and fool around.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Bruce,

I have never been on the West Coast in my life. I have been up and down the eastern Seaboard, All across the south to Nevada, visited Sin City a few times, Been as far north as Indiana, New York, Philadelphia, Groton, Norfolk, Charleston, and Jacksonville. The Wife has the idea she would like to go to Washington, she lived there as a child and is in love with the Marine Life Environment. I can be happy anywhere i can put in the water and fool around.

Wow, she let's you fool around?
Well then you should be happy just about anywhere.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Wow, she let's you fool around?

Didn't you read his signature?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Didn't you read his signature?

Oops, I missed that.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

I used CityData forums to assist me in my move. They are forums dedicated to the city you are researching and many posts about relocation.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Seriuosly check the weather patterns as far as boating. I think a compomise is in order, considering your present location.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

I grew up in Washington, have done a lot of boating in the sound as well as up and down the OR and WA Coast, I would not move there to retire if they paid me to, wet, damp, cool and downright depressing climate, just not a place I would want to go back to, you guys might look at some alternatives.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

OK, time I chime in here. Been here 19 years now South Puget Sound, near Olypmia on waterfront too. Retired in 1994, at 44 too.

Out here for a reason out Illinois..(long story, but involves my mom, sis and BIL)

OK, as it "rains here?" Yep, winter and its more a mist, than rain. Just gray. Still don't own a umbrella. Its the gray season, mild, little if any snow..(me anyway, sea level)., and worse months are "wind storms"Nov/Dec". Damn, Georgia has twice the annual rain here! And ZERO T storms too! Maybe one a year over the mountains. SUMMER TO DIE FOR!.Hot sun, but ya don't sweat! June to late Oct, little if any,,"measurable rain". THATS WINTER!

But, if ya an outdoorsman, love nature, ..well, 3 Nat parks a hour away, as the ocean. (Retired, build a "shop".."man cave"

On water, salt or fresh lakes? Take yer pic..EVERYWHERE! AND a lake front house here, HA! 1/2 the cost anywhere else in the US. No hurricanes, not any lack of trees, and wood heat, as CHEAP hydro power, out the damns.

Taxes?, Hey OR, you have no sales tax, but? (why I do the big mayor purchase down thee too") simple money the gov comes from somewhere right? We have zero unprepared food tax, as no (think service like a doc thing, service tax either)
On moving ANYWHERE? Simple "learn up and think". (RENT BEFORE A BUY!..PLEASE!)

As coming from a Illinois "transplant"...?...I LOVE the coming fall, prep "winter"! Stuff (boats/bikes, put away),

And Bremerton is cool, ..(my side the sound too, 90 miles north)..but stay the hell out Seattle, or ANYWHERE when a commute involves I-5..daily tangled mess idiots.

Been here 19 years, and love it! But retired, town once week is a one way 15 miles, easy. (no stoplites until town too!) Still reminds me of why I like .."rural", with good neighbors too! ..(town is fulla fat idiots!).

Get some more opinion's elsewhere the web, but just my 2 cents here.....wish the best the "whatever coming"!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Out here for a reason out Illinois..(long story, but involves my mom, sis and BIL)

Of course ANYTHING is going to be better than Illinois!!!!!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Retire in Seattle Washington?

Well, I own a lake front home here in Montana, and paid less than half of what I would have paid in Washington, but to each his own, I would not move back to Washington on a sure bet. I think looking at alternatives as well as spending a few months renting in various areas would be very prudent, by the way I am retired as well and have been for a number of years now, I went into semi retirement in '91 and full retirement in '06. I do still work every once in a while, but not seriously. I do like the fact, that my closest good neighbor is over a mile away, and I can't say how close the bad neighbors are, I would say in town, which is 20 miles away.