Readers Ask “Why Did You Move to Washington State from your Hometown of Los Angeles?
September 15, 2024
Birch Bay, Washington
Birch Bay Sunsets over the San Juan Islands
Several readers have asked me, “Why did you move to Washington State from your hometown of Los Angeles?”
A number of reasons, actually, the first being FAMILY.
I have a son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren living in Seattle, a ninety-minute drive from my home in Birch Bay, Washington.
I have a second son, his girlfriend, and their new baby, my granddaughter, who lives in Bellingham, just twenty-five minutes away from my home in Birch Bay, Washington.
So, now, I get to see them once a month or more rather than once every year or two. Seeing them is Numero Uno. It has been great these past two-plus years.
Also, as an Octogenarian, I doubt there are any more books left in me. (Well, maybe one or two? We’ll see?)
A second reason is that moving from a rented apartment in “The Valley” near Studio City, with its congestion, high rents, and “no dogs allowed,” to a rural life with open space, privacy, and reasonable prices allowed me to buy a home again.
I found a new 1200sqft manufactured home, a 3bdrm, 2bath on a private lot with a view of the bay and the San Juan islands, for sale for $330,000. (You can’t buy a “fixer-upper” apartment in Studio City for anywhere near that.)
Then there is the countryside. It is rural, with no traffic and quiet. Black Bears are occasionally seen nearby on the county roads. Squirrels, rabbits, coyotes, and possums are all very polite, and the river salmon hardly make a ripple.
Birch Bay is actually unincorporated and is a part of the city of Blaine and we are five miles south of the Canadian Border and a thirty-five-minute drive to Vancouver B.C. Bald Eagles abound and on four out of five drives to market, I will see the Great Blue Herons fishing in the shallows at the mouth of the creeks that meet the Bay.
The third reason, once I settled in, was the hunt and finding of a new love! It didn’t take me long; she was just one county away at Skagit Rescue. Rima, a one-year-old (Chorkie, Chihuahua/Yorkie mix, now three), was waiting quietly behind bars for me. I sprung her, and we have been best buds ever since. Strong bonding. As soon as I got her home, she checked out the place and suggested I add a good-sized desk off the back with a view of the Bay and Islands.
Done! Now, that has become our favorite room. (See photos below.)
There were other reasons, but these were the main ones. A Quiet Life, before existing stage left.
And the great part is that I’m just a Zoom away from my good friends and other family in Los Angeles, Da Valley, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Rancho Palos Verdes.
Rima (middle) inspecting construction work on the new deck
Congratulations on your decision. Much as I love the Los Angeles area, the cost of living there is just too insane. Just looking at the listings for condos in Los Angeles nabes like Hancock Park, Los Feliz, or Fairfax makes me vertiginous, and even relatively moderate Long Beach makes me a little woozy. A condo in a fine old Long Beach building that is ALMOST as nice as my Chicago comparable costs 3X as much. The only reason I’d ever move there is to be with my remaining family, who are now all in coastal Orange County.
Coastal Washington and Oregon have sublime scenery, moderate prices, aren’t crowded, have friendly people and great cultural climates, and even better for you, your beloved kids and grandkids are near you. I think you made a great move.
Laura:
Thanks, yes feels great to be close to them and Rima now in my life has made a world of difference.
Loving the cycles of Nature (think Seasons) too. No longer living in just hot and hotter. Best to you and yours.
I’ve been following your blog for probably 15 years and check in from time to time. I was happy for you to see you had moved to Washington state, which is one of my favorite places in the world. Thanks for this glimpse inside your retirement. It looks like a lovely life, and I am so happy for you and your precious rescue pup! I would love to live in the San Juan Islands some day!
Hi Emily. Thanks. Yes, loving it here, and so enjoy the changing seasons. And as far as the rescue pup, I have discovered in truth, she rescued me. Thanks for being a loyal reader. So much has unfolded in the past fifteen years. Best to you and yours. Steve
Steve…you are back in Whatcom County!!!! Loved your first book. Need to read the rest. Have you reconnected with Jeff (Thigpen)? Miss the good old days.
Hi Laura:
No, haven’t reconnected with Jeff T. I’m out in Birch Bay now. Love it here. Just me and my dog, Rima, who is the cutest “Chorkie” (half Chihuahua/half Yorkie) that I found at Skagit County Rescue. Close to my two sons one in Seattle and one in Bellingham and grandkids. Best to you and yours. Steve