Craig:
We've lived in Washington for all but three years since we emigrated from England in 1968. After I retired, we had a good look around for somewhere smaller and more attractive than Everett. We found Anacortes and have lived here for 18 years.
It's a small town (less than 20,000 people) but a very active one. A high proportion of residents are retirees. Houses aren't cheap, though. Ours is a 3-bedroom rambler, just over 1700 square feet + a 2-car garage and would sell for around $300,000. We're across the street from some big homes on the waterfront of a salt-water marina. They can run beyond the $1M mark. Anacortes is quite a hilly town, though not much over 600 feet high, and there are lots of nice view homes also.
The climate is just right for us - very similar to the UK. Summer highs are in the middle 70s. Winter highs rarely stay below freezing. It can get gloomy and wet in winter, but we're just in the wind shadow of the Olympic mountains and our annual rainfall is around 25", compared to 36" in the greater Seattle area.
I don't plan to leave here unless I develop major health problems requiring us to be closer to family, or if I'm wearing a wooden overcoat.
