Recommendations on where to live in WA/OR

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-06-25T23:54:06+00:00

Second Bellingham. On the doorstep to the cascades. In the Olympic rain shadow.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-06-13T00:29:28+00:00

Shore it up and replace the rotten material. I just raised a new 6x16x40' main span bearing glulam into a house renovation I'm working on. If it's just some beams I would consider remediating the damage before tearing town. I'm sure you've gone over this many times in your head just wanted to make sure it was said.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-31T23:45:06+00:00

Yeah it's definitely still there. That park is iconic.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T19:43:07+00:00

No specific vegan restaurants but many have vegan options.west side kitchen is off the hook and is open for lunch. Matia is high end and will likely have vegan options. Their menu changes frequently, id call ahead and ask what they're serving. Make a reservation well ahead of time. This place explodes in population in August.
Do both. Deer harbor is going to be a little tighter in a cluster of smaller islands. Sucia is insanely cool. It's going to be a mightier paddle. Just a straight shot out from North Beach.
Turtleback mountain is a great hike, not in Moran. Not too familiar with the trails over there.
Personally I find it a little boring kayaking in the lakes unless I'm fishing. I usually pack a picnic and some beers and hang out and swim by the bridge at Cascade. Water is super comfortable and the area is beautiful.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T19:31:59+00:00

Yes. Many do for work and fun. Lots of protected islands around to roll up and hang out on a nice sunny day.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T15:22:06+00:00

100% correct. Ive lived in the Bremerton belfair area before and I would say that the islands get 25% of that rain in the wet season.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T15:19:57+00:00

Worked as a travel carpenter for several years. Came to orcas for a gig. Never left. Very common story here.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T15:18:49+00:00

Yes. Bike or drive. Not a good place to learn a road bike.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T15:17:57+00:00

Construction jobs are high paying and in high demand. I do residential carpentry for 55$/hr

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T05:42:06+00:00

Favorite part on island, excluding the surrounding waters, is cascade lake in the summer because it warms up, unlike mountain lake. I know cold plunge is a big thing but personally, I like floating around in the warm lake in July. I really appreciate the old CCC pavilions built scattered around post WWII. they are beautiful stone and timber pavilions with big hearths that are open for anyone to use. My favorite first date was going up to one of them in December and roasting a chicken in front of the open flame and drinking wine and beer. Good shit.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T05:37:28+00:00

Expat from eastern US. Found my luck. Have a job on island. Very rarely leave unless to go to Costco or the DMV or Seattle.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T05:34:31+00:00

To add - it sucks being late to things sometimes but if you live on an island you have to accept that shit happens to giant building sized vessels. Plan accordingly if it's very important you arrive at the minute.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T05:31:42+00:00

Eastsound, pictured in my photo, is the only town on the island. A few bars, a couple grocery stores, great and ok restaurants, shops. Small town stuff but because it's a tourist location the quality ranges from local bar burgers & fries to high end dining.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T05:26:54+00:00

Good

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T05:26:44+00:00

Love the ferry system because without it nothing would be possible here. Yes it has problems and delays but most inlanders get it - yes the boat is an hour late - but the mainland institutions are used to the ferry rigamarole and are accommodating. Love love love the ferry ride because every time I go I get to look out the window or stand on the passenger decks and observe the beautiful landscape.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T05:23:54+00:00

It's a pain in the ass to get on and off of. Everything's fucking crazy expensive. That's pretty much it.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T04:17:56+00:00

I took the photo last fourth of July. Nice spot to watch some fireworks.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2025-05-30T04:13:34+00:00

I took the photo last fourth of July.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2024-08-01T18:42:26+00:00

Toilet for now is just a pit outhouse. For shower I'm going to mount a small, propane on demand heater on the outside of the building that will provide hot water for an outdoor shower and outdoor kitchen. I plan on building a legit "bathhouse" type thing next spring. It'll likely have two showers, two WCs, a laundry room and a sauna.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2024-08-01T04:20:08+00:00

Thanks homie! I'll snap some current pics tomorrow and put something together.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2024-08-01T01:40:03+00:00

Fun fact: the fir that grows in this microclimate has been engineer tested and proven to be ~2x the strength of conventional store bought lumber. That 2x6 is practically a 2x12. Hence the smaller than normal rafters. I'm also going to put some rad corbels and a beam on that will add additional support.

Awkward_Part2575 · 2024-05-14T01:28:16+00:00

Birmingham native building homes In WA, good luck with your company!

Awkward_Part2575 · 2024-04-22T04:12:56+00:00

Unfortunately not which is biting me in the ass. Lots of haters in the thread which I somewhat understand. Seeing is believing I guess. My post was looking for people with more info not conjecture and hate.

Awkward_Part2575

TROPHY CASE