What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Moving
Here's the thing about Port Townsend that the tourism websites won't tell you: it's not for everyone. The nearest Target is over an hour away. The "nightlife" is a poetry reading at the brewery. And yes, you will eventually know everyone's business because there's exactly one coffee shop worth going to.
But here's what they also won't tell you: I've never felt more creative in my life. There's something about walking past Victorian buildings that house actual working artists—not "artists" who moved here to become Instagram influencers—that makes you want to make things.
The town was supposed to become the next San Francisco back in the 1890s. The railroad never came. The boom busted. And somehow, that failure became its greatest asset. The wealthy merchants' mansions became artists' studios. The industrial waterfront became a school for wooden boat building. The abandoned fort became a center for world-class arts festivals.
Honest Confession
I moved here planning to stay two years. That was eight years ago. The town has a way of keeping you—and I mean that in the best possible way.
Water Street, heart of downtown
The Quirks You Should Know About
You Will See Goats
Downtown. On leashes. This is normal. The local hardware store sells both marine supplies and artisanal goat soap.
Ferry Delays Are Real
The Keystone ferry to Whidbey is your lifeline to civilization. Wind cancellations happen. Always have a backup plan.
Everyone Is Writing a Book
At any given moment, roughly 40% of the population is working on a novel, memoir, or poetry collection. The coffee shop wifi is precious.
Costumes Are Year-Round
Victorian dress, Renaissance faire garb, and "I just came from yoga" are all equally acceptable attire for grocery shopping.
Old House = Character + Work
That gorgeous Victorian mansion needs a new roof, updated wiring, and probably has ghosts. Budget accordingly.
Everything Closes Early
Dinner at 8pm? That's closing time. Plan your life around a schedule that values sleep and early mornings.
The Town in Pictures
(Click any photo to explore)
Why Artists Actually Move Here
This isn't a place where art is a hobby—it's the economy. The town runs on creativity, craftsmanship, and the kind of people who make things with their hands.
The Secret Nobody Mentions
Port Townsend sits in the Olympic Rain Shadow. We get about half the rainfall of Seattle. While it's pouring in the city, we're often bathed in sunshine. It's not a marketing gimmick—it's geography. The Olympics block the weather systems.
Annual rainfall: ~18" (Seattle: ~37") • 200+ sunny days per year
Port Townsend Neighborhoods
Each area has its own character—from historic Victorian to rural farmland. Here's what I've learned about each.
Downtown Historic District
Victorian commercial buildings with apartments above. You'll hear the ferry horn, smell the bakery, and never need a car for daily life. Parking during tourist season is a nightmare, but you won't care because you live here.
Uptown Victorian
The merchant mansions of the 1890s boom. Grand staircases, water views, and ongoing restoration projects. Many have been divided into apartments. Pro tip: check for earthquake retrofitting and updated electrical.
Fort Worden State Park
Live in historic officers' quarters inside a state park. Yes, really. "An Officer and a Gentleman" was filmed here. You'll wake up to beach access and arts programming. Limited availability—these go fast.
Kala Point & North Beach
Gated community with private beach access. Popular with retirees and remote workers who want views without the downtown bustle. HOA covers amenities. Quieter, but you'll need to drive for everything.
Chimacum Valley
Agricultural valley 10 minutes south. More affordable, larger properties. The Chimacum Cafe alone is worth the commute. Local farms, goat yoga (yes, really), and an excellent school district make this ideal for families.
Marrowstone Island
Connected by bridge, this tiny island offers genuine solitude. Fort Flagler, oyster farms, and a population under 1,000. Rentals are rare—when one opens, it goes fast. The ultimate escape within an escape.
What I Actually Spend Each Month
Everyone asks about cost of living. Here's my real budget—a single person in a one-bedroom downtown apartment. Your mileage will vary, but this gives you a baseline.
Reality Check
The cost of living index is 112 (national average = 100). Lower than Seattle (172), but not cheap. Washington has no state income tax, which helps. The biggest expense is housing—always housing.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
| Rent (1BR downtown) | $1,550 |
| Utilities & Internet | $130 |
| Groceries (local + Costco runs) | $450 |
| Gas & Ferry fees | $180 |
| Car Insurance | $85 |
| Health Insurance | $380 |
| Dining & Coffee | $200 |
| Art supplies (occupational hazard) | $75 |
Things I Learned the Hard Way
So you don't have to
Get the Ferry App Immediately
The Washington State Ferries app shows real-time wait times and cancellations. The Keystone-Coupeville route is your lifeline. Learn the schedule. Respect the schedule. Missing the last ferry means a very long drive around through Tacoma.
Historic Homes Need Historic Budgets
That gorgeous 1890s Victorian will need constant maintenance. Old wiring, drafty windows, plaster walls that crumble when you hang a picture. Get a thorough inspection and budget 10-15% of the home value for repairs in the first few years.
Find Your Third Place Fast
Small towns can feel isolating at first. Find your thing—contra dancing, the writers' group, sailing club, pottery class. Port Townsend rewards participation. The community is tight-knit but welcoming if you show up consistently.
Stock Up When You're Out
No Costco. No Target. The nearest big-box stores are in Silverdale (1+ hour). Many locals do monthly supply runs. The local Food Co-op is excellent but pricey. Consider joining a buying club or coordinating orders with neighbors.
Hire Movers Who Get Victorian Homes
Tight staircases, narrow doorways, irreplaceable woodwork—moving into a historic home is an art form. Find movers who know how to wrap antiques and navigate without dinging the original millwork.
Get a specialized quoteEmbrace the Slow Pace (Or Leave)
Shops close early. Service is leisurely. People stop to chat. This isn't inefficiency—it's the culture. If you're still in Seattle-mode after six months, Port Townsend might not be your place. That's okay. But if you settle in, you'll wonder why you ever rushed.
Port Townsend is where people come to live the life they always imagined but never had time for. Suddenly, you have time.
— Overheard at the coffee shopThe Schools Are Actually Good
Small class sizes, outdoor education focus, and a community that genuinely values teachers. The district uses the natural environment as a classroom—sailing, tide pool studies, sustainable farming. It's the kind of education city parents pay private school tuition for.
Port Townsend High School
Strong arts, sailing program, environmental science focus
Blue Heron Middle School
Project-based learning, outdoor education
Salish Coast Elementary
Nature-integrated K-5 curriculum
Learning happens everywhere here
Your Victorian Adventure Awaits
We specialize in moving to historic homes—careful handling of antiques, navigating tight Victorian staircases, and respecting the craftsmanship that's lasted 130 years. Let's get you home.