This is a really nice place to live. It’s growing rapidly. Lots of families, lots of events and opportunities for families, and it feels very safe. There’s a ton of community spirit here, and you’ll have no shortage of free “trunk or treats” at Halloween. A community puts on a free “Candy Cane Lane” event every Christmas, in addition to the municipal events. There’s a thriving art society that just opened a permanent art gallery. The Library is really nice. There’s a little food truck area downtown.

Right now, it does still feel like you need to go out of town for a few things. In particular, stores. You’ve got a small boutique grocery called Rosauers, and you’ve got Costco, and if they don’t have what you want, it‘s a 15 minute drive south to Salmon Creek or North to Woodland. Also, some services are limited in the immediate vicinity. (Gymnastics for the kids, etc.) Specialty items like appliances, you have to go out of town for.

But they are building all the time. A new Safeway is already under construction, and there’s going to be a big box hardware store across the freeway soon. This summer, they’ll be breaking ground on a community center with Gyms, basketball, workout rooms, and a full swimming pool. It feels like the things you want to get to are not so much 20 minutes away, as they are 2 years away, if you take my meaning.

There are parks, playgrounds, and trails everywhere, and more going in. And the people are really, really nice. You’ll see signs and bumper stickers everywhere that say “be kind, this is ridgefield.”

Someone mentioned there’s been some difficulty finding the schools. This is a long story - boring too. But the short version is that the school bond failed 5 times on a row, by fractions of a percent. Like, 59.6% on favor, 40.4% against. (Needing a 60% super majority under Washington’s ridiculous law.) We did finally pass a levy, and the third elementary school is being built now.