Project "Target Cave"

With my anticipated move to the Puget Sound area, a lot of gray area becomes readily apparent.  I have a friend on the USS Lincoln who was stationed in Bremerton and bought in Bremerton.  Now he has a 2+ hour commute each way to work.  Considering the retarded trend in gas prices, I don't know how I'd do in his situation.  But as far as I know (Navy wise) there are 3 places to get stationed...  Whidbey, Everett, and Kitsap (bangor +bremerton).  I don't really know how large each of these bases are, nor the real capabilities.  I know as an ET I can go with EOD at Whidbey, or pretty much anything else at Everett or Kitsap.

Currently my family consists of myself, spouse, 2 kids, and 2 cats.  Would like to extend it to two cars as well.  My preferred area is outside of the city proper, and usually on the outskirts of the 'burbs'.  Willing to drive through traffic for a better home.  I also want to be within reach of common services (high speed internet, decent sized grocery stores).  Want to settle into an area we can stay in.  I should have a decent chunk of equity from the sale of my Guam house for a house there.

I have no clue...  Based on maps alone, I think somewhere in Snohomish (Lake Stevens, Granite Falls) may be viable...  But I've no clue how feasable that really is since I don't really know what all is going on out there.  So any suggestions, critiques, or comments are much appreciated.  The wife and I already spend quite a bit of time on Zillow watching market trends in your area...  But I'd like to pick out a couple of target areas.

So what is the target area?  For you I mean.  If you were in my shoes, had a couple of tours left to do (aka, moving between commands/jobs/bases), where would you try and move to.  My target price range/size is currently ~ 300k ~ 2000 sq ft.


Edited by Wagnbat - June/13/08 at 12:34pm

My preference would be Hawaii  

My 2 cents and Help I go along with CT. Personnel the best is Whidbey Island but as the others have layed out the best is not always the best choice.

I suggest that you sit down and figure out what kind of work you and your Wife want to do. What kind of area you want to live in and last where do you want to end up at the end of this tour. We as a group can help fill in the gray areas and can help paint a clearer picture.

If you want a direct contact to Whidbey Island I have a personnel friend there so if you want more info let me know and I can get in touch with him.  FYI: He was just on the USS Lincoln with the air wing from Whidbey. If you need help in this area let me know because they are leaving for a Med Pak (kind of)I believe. Also CINIMINI is a very good source and like Jack says traffic and gas prices are a give horror of the area so I would move that down you list on where to relocate.

Like I said at the start just my 2 cents if I can help just shout.
Good Luck.
John

CINIMIN wrote: Wingbat, you don't know what gray is until you spend a year in the Puget Sound area!

Wingbat, eh? 

Just kiddin...  I've vacationed twice to the area so far...  As well as did a 'mandatory fun' month at Everett in November 2000.  I really liked the area up there.  I can definitely deal with gray.  I wouldn't say I'm anti-sunlight, but I am pro-overcast. 

scoop wrote: However, taking a lesson from the CPO in the family (dad), you should go for Bremerton. I remember him weighing Whidbey and Bremerton and finally deciding on Bremerton because of the cost of living, relative proximity to Seattle (i.e fun times), and other factors (such as natural beauty, closeness to Olympic National Park and others). Everett was not a choice in 1974. -- Scoop

Bremerton is pretty nice.  I guess my only concern there would be getting to Whidbey if I had to.  Would be 100% reliant on the ferries.  But I suppose that is the case with Whidbey regardless, eh? 

CosmicTraveler wrote: My 3 4 5 cents ...   Shouldn't you guys start with what you and your wife want to do workwise?  Can you be happy doing anything these 3 places have to offer?  Does your wife plan to work?  Doing what?

Sorta.  She doesn't really have a career preference, doesn't want to go to school, and wants to go where-ever I want to go.  She would like to be close to her family (southern california), but also far enough away not to warrant unwanted house guests (common with her nationality).  She is pretty, very friendly and people oriented, speaks Spanish, good with computers, and learns fast.  I'm pretty sure she could easily find a job in any area regardless of where we moved.  Our kids will just be starting school (currently 5 weeks and 15 months old) when we get to Washington, so she'll probably be focusing on house-hold stuff first.

For starters after that, it was my personal choice in 1979 when I moved here to not depend on the ferry system for anything but occasional pleasure trips.  That feeling has only gotten stronger over the years.  I don't like having to live according to someone else's schedule (or fares for that matter).

But are there people that are able to rely on the system?  Especially with gas prices the way they are now?

No worries!!!  I really just wanted to use that big emoticon. 

Edited by CINIMIN - June/14/08 at 9:27am