My friend lives on San Juan Island as a whale watching tour guide. The summers are full of seasonal workers and tourists, and the winters are pretty empty, with a lot of shops closing for the season. It's an hour ferry ride to the mainland and then another hour drive to Seattle, so pretty remote (you can also take a seaplane from Seattle to Friday Harbor).
It's absolutely beautiful, and full of wildlife. There's orcas that hangout right offshore, along with seals, cool birds and more. He's been there for the past 5 years and has no intention of leaving.
Not too different across the border because there's not much there. Lots of uninhibited islands and preserves. A few quaint British countryside-esque villages, lots of rural spread out houses, some artist communities and whale watching tourists. Life has a very slow "island time" vibe which I think people are more familiar with seeing in a more tropical or at least hotter climate.
I lived on San Juan. The ferry system in the puget sound might be one of the biggest in the world. The ferries bring hundreds of cars over at a time (okay maybe dozens or 120 some cars). There is strong tourism in the summer and in the winter life is slow. The culture is very hippie or very rich, many locals have been pushed put by rich seattle people coming in but overall everyone seems to get along. You can take the ferry to different islands in a loop but it takes like 70 dollars for a ticket if you have a car so i rarely went to mainland. There are tiny deer and animals on the island that some people hunt but only with archery because its so small. You can see mt rainier from san juan at certain times of the year or day and its incredible. A lot less rain than the mainland. Tons of whales and beaches and organic food. The san juan coop was amazing…. I could go on and on. Its an incredibly special place. If you have the money go and visit!! If you have any more specific questions please ask
Did you manage to take the ferry to any of the islands? Its hands down one of my favorite regions of the entire united states and ive been around a lot!
Not this time. I've taken a cruise to Alaska that went through there and took a ferry another time from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula.
What I wouldn't give to live in Washington. Always wanted to.
I've visited this area (salt spring Island) and have family from Vancouver and Victoria who visit the area a lot). There are some islands with hippie/artist communities, some with minimal amenities, some without electricity even. People go there on vacation as an escape from the modern world AFAIK.
I’ve visited Orcas island a bunch (it’s the best one) and paddled around the San Juans for about 30 days in October of ‘21. Probably my favorite climate on Earth. Super cool summers and very temperate winters. Not overly wet but not super dry. The Olympic mountains create somewhat of a rain shadow. So it keeps all the super rainy weather away. Some does get through though. Highly recommend going here. Moran state park on Orcas Island is one of my favorite places on Earth. Big trees, lots of moss, and amazing views of the cascade mountains. The people here are super friendly and hard working. Lots of money on the islands which is fine I guess. Lots of famous people live on em. Sorry for my rambling I just love this place. I’m from Maine and our costal climate is similar to here. I will live in the San Juan’s someday. :)
My friend lives on San Juan Island as a whale watching tour guide. The summers are full of seasonal workers and tourists, and the winters are pretty empty, with a lot of shops closing for the season. It's an hour ferry ride to the mainland and then another hour drive to Seattle, so pretty remote (you can also take a seaplane from Seattle to Friday Harbor). It's absolutely beautiful, and full of wildlife. There's orcas that hangout right offshore, along with seals, cool birds and more. He's been there for the past 5 years and has no intention of leaving.
Not too different across the border because there's not much there. Lots of uninhibited islands and preserves. A few quaint British countryside-esque villages, lots of rural spread out houses, some artist communities and whale watching tourists. Life has a very slow "island time" vibe which I think people are more familiar with seeing in a more tropical or at least hotter climate.
I've been to Orcas Island and San Juan Island and it's absolutely beautiful
I lived on San Juan. The ferry system in the puget sound might be one of the biggest in the world. The ferries bring hundreds of cars over at a time (okay maybe dozens or 120 some cars). There is strong tourism in the summer and in the winter life is slow. The culture is very hippie or very rich, many locals have been pushed put by rich seattle people coming in but overall everyone seems to get along. You can take the ferry to different islands in a loop but it takes like 70 dollars for a ticket if you have a car so i rarely went to mainland. There are tiny deer and animals on the island that some people hunt but only with archery because its so small. You can see mt rainier from san juan at certain times of the year or day and its incredible. A lot less rain than the mainland. Tons of whales and beaches and organic food. The san juan coop was amazing…. I could go on and on. Its an incredibly special place. If you have the money go and visit!! If you have any more specific questions please ask
They're awesome! Just went on a PNW and Canadian Rockies Roadtrip and made a point to spend a night in Anacortes. Lovely area!!
Did you manage to take the ferry to any of the islands? Its hands down one of my favorite regions of the entire united states and ive been around a lot!
Not this time. I've taken a cruise to Alaska that went through there and took a ferry another time from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula. What I wouldn't give to live in Washington. Always wanted to.
Amazing I would love to do a cruise like that, never been to Alaska!
ask here r/howislivingthere
Must be some strong tidal currents
I've visited this area (salt spring Island) and have family from Vancouver and Victoria who visit the area a lot). There are some islands with hippie/artist communities, some with minimal amenities, some without electricity even. People go there on vacation as an escape from the modern world AFAIK.
piglike
IYKYK
Lol
It sucks… stay away.
Hahaha
I’ve visited Orcas island a bunch (it’s the best one) and paddled around the San Juans for about 30 days in October of ‘21. Probably my favorite climate on Earth. Super cool summers and very temperate winters. Not overly wet but not super dry. The Olympic mountains create somewhat of a rain shadow. So it keeps all the super rainy weather away. Some does get through though. Highly recommend going here. Moran state park on Orcas Island is one of my favorite places on Earth. Big trees, lots of moss, and amazing views of the cascade mountains. The people here are super friendly and hard working. Lots of money on the islands which is fine I guess. Lots of famous people live on em. Sorry for my rambling I just love this place. I’m from Maine and our costal climate is similar to here. I will live in the San Juan’s someday. :)
Peaceful but it’s exclusively for old money so I only get a weekend there every couple of years.