Need some insight on your state. looking to move still.

[GODEEP]

Hey guys..

I have been looking into moving out west for a couple years now, and with things going south with my business. I am very close to making the move.

I am very much into a couple places in Montana, but the wife is really interested in living near the coast in WA.

Now, being a republican and beliving in my rights, what county is best to be in over there? All I hear is how liberal the state is. but I couldnt see it being any worse than where I am.

I'd like to be near the water, near the mountains and close to areas where there are good schools and work.

How are they about gun rights over there?

Im looking into the bellingham area.

Any insight would be great. I appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Kyle.

 

[graveler]

We still have our guns and you can still conceal carry...........but we just don't let anyone move to washington.....you have to meet a certain criteria.....I'll let the other explain!!!!!your the second one this month....

 

[ericbigbore]

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155277 Read this thread.

Great riding near Bellingham on Mt Baker but it's gotta be the hippy capital of the state. Put it this way, the city councel is trying to make Bellingham a safe heaven for AWOL solders.

You might like Eastern Washington.

 

[GODEEP]

We still have our guns and you can still conceal carry...........but we just don't let anyone move to washington.....you have to meet a certain criteria.....I'll let the other explain!!!!!your the second one this month....

whats the criteria?

 

[GODEEP]

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155277 Read this thread.

Great riding near Bellingham on Mt Baker but it's gotta be the hippy capital of the state. Put it this way, the city councel is trying to make Bellingham a safe heaven for AWOL solders.

You might like Eastern Washington.

Thanks for the link. I personally would like eastern WA, but the wife wants to be able to raise our kids where there are good schools and work. My trade off would be wanting to live near the water for good boating.

I own a place in Stewart BC and will prob. still do most of my sledding up there, so thats not my first priority.

Any good tips on areas that would work good for me would help alot.

Thanks again.
Kyle

 

[graveler]

What's your line of work

 

[GODEEP]

What's your line of work

Excavating, I currently own an excavating and land development company. but the crap economy is about to take everything away from me. If I make the move, I will just work for someone. I grew up doing this stuff and taking sh*t from the best, Im not afraid to do it again.

On a side note, I have been doing graphic design and web development for like 15+ years. Worked for 2 years for a large company 7-8 years ago, but decided the outdoors was what I was breed for. I never gave up this skill though. so thats an option if need be.

 

[yammadog]

It's an option you'll need. Construction related trades are WAY slow.

Talking to my clients on the land development side of things is depressing. There are some projects in the works for infrastructure but next to nothing on any residential or light commercial. Up north you have some stuff happening for the olympics but not much. Mostly stories of CHEAP bids.

I would think anything on the west side of the cascades would be plenty good access for water and close to the mtns. And Eastern Wa (spokane) has plenty of lakes/rivers with a bit more conservative population. all 4 seasons also.....

 

[GODEEP]

It's an option you'll need. Construction related trades are WAY slow.

Talking to my clients on the land development side of things is depressing. There are some projects in the works for infrastructure but next to nothing on any residential or light commercial. Up north you have some stuff happening for the olympics but not much. Mostly stories of CHEAP bids.

I would think anything on the west side of the cascades would be plenty good access for water and close to the mtns. And Eastern Wa (spokane) has plenty of lakes/rivers with a bit more conservative population. all 4 seasons also.....

Very very depressing for sure. I worked my A** off to build a good company. We put everything into it. We did really good and had our 1 year buffer in funds saved up, had great lines of credit and loans. then it all went down hill. No lot sales, Little work to bid on, Lines of credit taken away, Loans not getting renewed. We slimmed down big time and thought well, maybe in 6 months things will turn around. Not looking good.

My wife is a CFO for a Development company & ski Resort. She and I both are thinking we are done with the go get em, 24/hr stress of doing what we do. Just thinking we want to focus on our family and living an easier life.

Im not sure WA will be what we want, but figured here was a good place to get some feedback on your state.

Thanks by the way..

 

[graveler]

If your in construction then this is not the place currently........maybe next year Obama will save us with his change but right now its quite slow.....if you have other options then good luck..

 

[4Z]

Maple Valley

 

[CATastrophe]

As for moving to WA, I couldn't think of a better place to move if you are a snowmobiler ( except maybe AK ) and as for being a Rebublican... there are more of us here than you may think...but yes, we could use more, so please come on over!

I don't like mixing work with pleasure... I sell Real Estate and I'm thinking about Sledding at this moment, but there are a lot of great areas and deals out here right now on houses.

The opportunities are endless right now for starting over with "what we want to be when we grow up" as I see it... My kids are for the most part grown and my boyfriend and I are now OBSESSED with sledding. Thinking of opening a retail sledding accessory store actually soon... wish us luck

I don't really know how to post to forums, so I may sound like an idiot, but I just thought you shoud know we have alot of great people and areas out here. Hope to see you here soon.

 

[GODEEP]

Maple Valley

Thank you. I will look into it.

 

[GODEEP]

As for moving to WA, I couldn't think of a better place to move if you are a snowmobiler ( except maybe AK ) and as for being a Rebublican... there are more of us here than you may think...but yes, we could use more, so please come on over!

I don't like mixing work with pleasure... I sell Real Estate and I'm thinking about Sledding at this moment, but there are a lot of great areas and deals out here right now on houses.

The opportunities are endless right now for starting over with "what we want to be when we grow up" as I see it... My kids are for the most part grown and my boyfriend and I are now OBSESSED with sledding. Thinking of opening a retail sledding accessory store actually soon... wish us luck

I don't really know how to post to forums, so I may sound like an idiot, but I just thought you shoud know we have alot of great people and areas out here. Hope to see you here soon.

Thank you. Very kind and helpful post. You did good. and good luck to you.

 

[GODEEP]

I will throw this out there. I realize as much as everyone how bad the job market is everywhere. Im not looking for a job here, just a good location to live and raise my family.

It will take me atlease a year to wrap things up to make a move. I have alot of research to do, so again any input will be very much appreciated.

 

[graveler]

Ok then if you dont need a job and want pretty good schools, close to the water, snow, Mtns and a direct shot into Seattle or the east side of the state then Its North Bend.....except for Fordman the schools do a pretty good job..... the only requirement is you need an Orange coat in live in NB....

 

[yammadog]

Ok then if you dont need a job and want pretty good schools, close to the water, snow, Mtns and a direct shot into Seattle or the east side of the state then Its North Bend.....except for Fordman the schools do a pretty good job..... the only requirement is you need an Orange coat in live in NB....

yeah, job not being an issue...NB is about as good as it can get. 30 minutes to riding, 30 minutes to salt water in downtown seattle(which is one of the best downtown cities I've been to) and you pass 2 lakes good for boating on the way....the quality of life here is unmatched with all the places I've live throughout the US. I also have 2 boys in elemetary school and it's a good school system with the teachers that are neighbors and active in the community. in the city we are at 500ft elevation with up to 4k moutain peaks withing a couple miles surrounding the city. In the winter we have rain in the valley and most of western washington with tons of snow in the mountains. the rain isn't really a dumping rain like a thunderstorm, but almost a drizzle. I'd say an average of 37 for winter time temps. summer time it's dry and most of the time in the upper 70's for normal temps, with periods of maybe a week or so in the 90's and even down in to the 60's. You can boat year round and sled for 7 months or so. if you go towards maple valley you start getting into more affordable housing, but they park cars in their yards next to the couches and washing machines..........it's also nice...

 

[GODEEP]

Thanks so much for the input guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[graveler]

I love Maple Valley for........thinking.........

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

go deep...consider alaska...soldotna..or anchorage..soldotna is a small town..anchorage a small city..awesome everything outdoors wise..economy is still busy construction wise(and should remain so) we have excellent schools..and friendly people....cost of living is slightly more then in the states..but the pay is quite a bit higher...several forum members have moved here recently if it interest you you can start a new thread and get some input...