Luanne Highlander

So you think you want to live on an island? Some romanticize island life and find it has all the charm and relaxed lifestyle they are imagining. Others realize soon after moving that there are too few restaurants, cultural activities and events within an easy commute to suit their personal tastes. There are a few islands where one may easily drive where you want to go without long ferry lines, and wind or tidal charts having to be part of your itinerary. These have easy access with great lifestyles.

Camano Island
This pristine Northwest Island has been rapidly growing the past 5 years. It is just adjacent to Stanwood-a town/small city with restaurants, new shopping centers and expanding local businesses. Camano's land area is approximately 40 square miles and elevation is 47 feet above sea level. It easily accessible by bridge and has many acres of evergreen forest and shoreline. The Native Americans originally called Camano Island, Kol-lut-chen: "Land jutting out into a bay". Looking at the map it really is a slender island with water views at every turn. It has not been developed for tourists, but locals enjoy the rural feeling with local beach parks, eagle nesting and other northwest wildlife, picnic areas, campsites, and boat launch. Many homes boast views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Don't expect sandy beaches. This area seems to be a convergent zone for logs and other smaller driftwoods so the beaches can be filled with wood...a beachcombing/woodcarver's dream!
Homes on Camano are relatively affordable as compared to other island real estate. The average home in a water view neighborhood averages around $330,000-$360,000. View homes start around $370,000 and water front homes, with all the extra finishes, begin at $650,000. There is the occasional 5 million dollar waterfront estate property, but not as many as one would think with so much waterfront and view potential. It is a buyer's market here as everywhere in the Northwest. Home prices have fallen somewhat, as elsewhere within the past two years...Expectations are that it will remain so for at least the next 12-18 months.

Whidbey Island
Whidbey is a diverse community, located about 30 miles north of Seattle and about 45 minutes from Bellingham, WA,
The Whidbey Island Naval Air Station near Oak Harbor is the island's main economic influence and is its largest employer. The sound of freedom can be heard throughout the island as naval jets fly over doing practice maneuvers.
South of Whidbey offers tourist attractions such as the Penn Cove mussel farm, small-scale truck and lavender farms and the historic towns of Coupeville and Langley. The South end of the island is primarily a bedroom community for residents, who work in Everett and Seattle and commute on the Washington State Ferry System.
Washington State Parks located on the island include Deception Pass, Joseph Whidbey State Park, South Whidbey and Fort Casey. Most of the beaches are sandy with interesting rock formations- great for fishing, picnics and beach combing. Shopping, restaurants and live theatre are abundant. There are also six golf courses. It also has a local hospital (Whidbey Island General).
Housing is affordable. Oak Harbor's homes range from well under $300,000 to approximately $450,000. Other areas outside of Oak Harbor start at around $400,000 with water views starting at $500,000. Waterfront homes start at around $850,000 and waterfront with some acreage starting at over 2 million.
Are you considering living on Whidbey? There's a little something for everyone's tastes.

Lummi Island
Lummi is situated off the coast of the Lummi Nation reservation. Many non-residents think that Lummi Island is part of the reservation, but it isn't. Its residents are artists, writers, farmers, fisherman and those who just want to kick back and live the island way. Some residents commute to work in Ferndale, Bellingham or Blaine. There are a few restaurants and a Bed and Breakfast (The Willows and The Beach House near the ferry terminal) and some of the prettiest little home sights that I have seen. Lummi Island is 9.25 square miles.
There is one road that almost circumnavigates the island, so if you plan on going to tour it's hard to get lost. I included this island as one of the easiest to live on, because the ferry system is just six minutes or so to cross and the crossing is every half hour-making it accessible as compared to the other San Juan Islands using the big car ferries. There is easy access to urban areas (about an hour and a half drive to Vancouver, BC and two hours to Seattle, WA).
The local Artist Studio Tours (Memorial Weekend, Labor Day weekend and the first weekend in December) are quite popular. There is a local library, a little church and a country store (The Islander) and lots of opportunities to watch the sunrises, sunsets and appreciate local marine and wildlife. Not a touristy community-yet a fun place to go and relax. Boating and fishing people would love to live here!
There is very little is for sale on this island. As I write, I see just six homes ranging from a small 1 bedroom for $200,000 to water view homes at $500,000-$750,000 and a waterfront home with 4.3 acres for 1.3 million. Water rights are hard to get on raw land so be careful and use an agent familiar with the island so you don't get surprised.
Well...here are just a few places you may be eyeing for retirement living. All three islands are more rural, quiet and affordable than some of the adjacent mainland cities without a huge commute if you want to go for an event, dinner or shopping. I hope you take the time to visit them for yourself.

Many appreciate living in the Northwest because of the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound from the mainland. Now you know a bit more about these island pearls.

Luanne Highlander is a relocation Specialist and realtor with RE/MAX Whatcom County Inc. She offers area tours, maps and real estate services to those are considering a move to the Northwest. For more area information visit www.RelocateNW.com or call her at 888.583.5678.