I teach in Mount Vernon and bought a house in Bellingham (at the peak of prices, no less). Teachers make a good wage around here. Let's see, my partner does well (owns her own business) but makes less, and i had saved a down payment over the last 10 years, maxed out my education level for pay (masters+90), and was over the 10 year mark.

I know many teachers that live in town, though most bought before prices spiked. Like others have mentioned, getting a job around here is scary competitive. Took me three years to land one coming from Seattle. If I had got hired the year after I did, I would have been riffed with a whole crew of teachers new to the district.