Tips for Living in Kitsap and the Pacific Northwest
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Housing
Keeping Cool
The cozy rainy days of fall and winter do come to an end (we promise) and when they do it does get quite warm! Very few older homes have air conditioning, so we recommend purchasing portable air conditioners, and titanium heat control window film. Those items are best purchased outside of the summer season when prices are lower. You do not want to be running to the hardware store last minute during a heat wave! Other great ways to beat the heat are to head to the beautiful beaches, such as Point No Point. Or take a walk around Kitsap Mall! The summers here are fleeting, catch all the beautiful sunshine you can!
Is that Mold or Mildew?
Thanks to our Twilight worthy damp and chilly winters, many folks living in the PNW find themselves locked in a battle with mold and mildew. Both are much easier to prevent than eradicate. We recommend being proactive when cleaning areas prone to mold/mildew, such as around window frames, bathrooms, and kitchens. Keeping good airflow in these areas, using a dehumidifier, and purchasing a mold resistant shower curtain all go a long way! A simple and cost effective cleaning spray for prevention is plain white vinegar, and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil too.
Life in Kitsap and the Pacific Northwest
Night Life
You'll find that Kitsap county and surrounding areas are quieter than our neighboring cities of Tacoma and Seattle. Many stores and restaurants close up earlier, but you'll still find a great variety of fun and for those over 21 years of age, this area has some of the best craft beer and cider in the country! Bushel and Barrel and McClouds Grill House number among our member’s favorites. In the summer there are festivals and events, and it's always more lively when the sun comes out. Don't miss Whaling Days in Silverdale at the end of July!
National Parks Pass
Another great option for the lovers of the outdoors is the America the Beautiful Pass provided by our National Park System! Military members and their dependents are elligible for a hefty discount, and can even get a pass for free at sites that issue the pass. The pass lasts one year. For more information or to purchase a pass online, visit the USGS website.
Clothing
Because so much of the year is wet and cold, we reccomend investing in some good quality clothing. In particular, we reccomend a good quality rain jacket, sturdy shoes, warm socks, and a warm waterproof jacket.
One of the finer things about living in the Pacific Northwest is the beautiful nature that surrounds us! One of the best resources that grants access to the outdoors is the Washington State’s Discover pass. The pass costs $30 for an entire year, can be transferred between two vehicles, and grants access to more than 100 state parks, 350 primitive recretion sites, 700 water-access points, 2,000 miles of trails, 80 natural areas, and 30 wildlife areas. For information on the pass and how to purchase, you can visit the Discover Pass website via the link above!
Navigating the Area
Maps and Cellphone Signal
With it's beautiful mountain roads, towering trees, and impressive ferry system, this area can be a challenge to navigate when you are new, especially since cellphone signal can get pretty sparse! We reccomend downloading maps on their phone so that they maintain navigation ability even in areas with sparse service.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) App
In order to make navigating the area a little easier, the Washington State Department of Transportation has created a convenient and easy to use app taht gives information regarding ferry times, toll rates, mountain pass statuses, and live traffic updates. To download the app or learn more, you can visit the WSDOT webpage via the link above.
Washington State Ferries
Need to get across the Sound? Want to take a trip to the Orcas Islands? Take the ferry! The Washington State Department of Transportion runs an extensive ferry system, with multiple terminals on both sides of the sound. All WSDOT ferries are capable of carrying both walk-on passangers and cars. When driving on to the ferry, we reccomend showing up at least half an hour early to ensure that you get a spot on the ferry. For more information about the ferry system, you can visit the WSDOT ferry webpage via the link above.
Tacoma Narrows Bridge
When driving across the Tacoma Narrows bridge, be aware there is a toll! The cheapest and easiest way to pay is through a Good to Go pass, which will give you a discounted rate and allow you to drive past the toll booth waving at all those poor unfortunate souls who did not plan ahead like you! For more information on the pass, visit the website via the link above.
Kitsap Transit
Kitsap County is lucky to have it’s own fairly robust transit system, featuring buses, on-demand transit, fast ferries, transit for the disabled, vanpools, and car pools. For more information on their offerings, check out their website via the link above.