Relocating to Seattle area

You will LOVE living in this area. It is always green. Unlike what you hear, it does not rain all the time. When it does, it is usually in the winter months and it is more like a mist that a rain. The people are so nice and for the most part it is a safe place to live. The coast is beautiful. The one drawback is the cost of housing. It is expensive here but if you are going to buy a place, get on it now. With the economy like it is here, some places are not selling well and the prices are coming down. You might be able to get a real deal right now.

I moved here from the NW suburbs of Chicago about 8 1/2 years ago.

Its not unreasonable to live on Whidbey and commute to Everett (I live in Everett). However, it'll add a lot of travel time onto his day.

There are two ways off the island. By ferry that goes into Mukilteo (and then its about a 20 min drive down to the naval base) or a drive up the island, thru Anacortes and then down I-5 which would be about a 60-90 min drive.

I live in South Everett which tends to get a bad rap. I guess many years ago this was a bad place to live, crime wise. I have had NO problems in the 8 1/2 years I've lived here. I've watched them clean up the area and I have no problem living here. Housing is expensive though because of Boeing, and the Naval Base.

The new "place to be" is in the Smokey Point/Stanwood/Arlington area. Far enough out that its more country, but close enough in that you still have everything you need available with a short drive.

The biggest shock for you will be the weather. Our summer is late to start. Cold weather (our cold is around 30*-40* in the winter) lasts until about mid April. But our summer, warm, open your doors and windows weather usually doesnt start until mid June. Then its gone in August....lol

We dont get bitter cold or extreme heat usually. Here in the Everett area we only get snow 1 or 2 times a winter. If it snows, it generally doesnt stick around for more than a day. During the summer we have nice, sunny days. The winter is generally grey, with or without rain.

BUT, you wont find more beautiful terrain! Nothing beats looking west and seeing the ocean, and looking east and seeing the mountains.

And its fun to learn the little quirks of living in the PNW. Like juding a "beautiful day" by whether you can see Mount Rainier from I-5 south while in Everett

Welcome to the state! And if you have more specific questions, please ask!