Port Townsend was once called the "City of Dreams" because its citizens expected its shores to turn into the largest harbor on the West Coast. Unfortunately, the Northern Pacific Railroad didn't share this grand vision and never connected the port city to the larger metropolis of Tacoma. So instead, the city turned its historic waterfront into a tourist mecca.
What do you expect from a charming Pacific Northwest port town, especially one that's listed on the U
Port Townsend was once called the "City of Dreams" because its citizens expected its shores to turn into the largest harbor on the West Coast. Unfortunately, the Northern Pacific Railroad didn't share this grand vision and never connected the port city to the larger metropolis of Tacoma. So instead, the city turned its historic waterfront into a tourist mecca.
What do you expect from a charming Pacific Northwest port town, especially one that's listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places? How about brick Victorian buildings overlooking a wooden dock? Sailboats leisurely exiting a small marina? A still-working lighthouse that also sounds a horn when a fog descends? You've already guessed that Port Townsend fulfills these expectations and adds enough daily and annual events to keep its locals occupied.
It's a peninsula, people. Which means you should be able to reach Port Townsend anywhere from Puget Sound, including Seattle, if you take a boat. Too bad that the ferry system won't let you take your moving boxes onboard. And there's no such thing as a U-Haul barge you can rent.
Unless you own a floating barge that's big enough to hold all your furniture, your only other option for bringing your household to the city is through Highway 20 and its connections to circuitous land thoroughfares. Allow plenty of time to negotiate the roads that sometimes have only one lane in each direction. Why not do yourself a favor and spring for professionals, so you can wait leisurely at your new rental for your belongings to arrive?
The best season for all this to happen is in summer when the longer days are not only warmer but give you more time to unpack. Ordinarily, you'd avoid a winter transfer. But the city doesn't get as much rain as the rest of western Washington, maybe three inches tops. And while temps get to the teens during the coldest months, rain is more likely than snow. So a winter move may be slightly more inconvenient but not undoable.
Even the barest knowledge of real estate should tell you that the waterfront commands the highest prices because that's where everybody wants to be. So expect to pay a premium when you search for apartments in these neighborhoods.
Downtown: Talk about convenience to commerce: if you rent a second-story condo in the historic waterfront, all you have to do is walk down the stairs to reach trendy boutiques, happening bars, and delicious restaurants. The ferry terminal is also here.
Admiralty Apartments: If you need a place to launch your watercraft, this rental property in Port Townsend is right by a dock. The apartment complex only contains one-bedroom units and has some parking as its only perk. But you probably won't care about not finding two-bedroom apartments if you can view Port Townsend Bay from your window. You need to meet maximum income limits to live here.
Uptown: Only the eastern part of this neighborhood is by the water. The rest of it rises on a hill overlooking downtown. Architectural time periods range from the Victorian era to 21st century. You're also next to the Port Townsend Golf Club, a public facility with nine holes.
Lawrence Street Condo: This isn't exactly an apartment home but it's a great example of what a condo rental can get you. A top-floor unit has views of the water, naturally. It also includes a parking space plus slots for guests, shared laundry facilities, a balcony and double-pane windows to insulate you from heat, cold and noise. Sadly, you're going to have to leave your dog, cat or cockatoo with friends because pets aren't allowed.
Morgan Hill: If you really want to lord it over your neighbors, then start your search for places for rent in Port Townsend on this elevation. You can walk quickly to nearby parks and greenery or down Lawrence Street for a shopping fix. You're also close to any events held at Fort Worden. Forget about finding an apartment for rent -- you'll need to concentrate on single-family homes for your lease.
Many annual events take place on the water, which is the obvious first draw of Port Townsend. The Annual Classic Mariner's Regatta, for instance, brings sailors, wooden boats, and racing vessels together to hail the city's maritime heritage. Summer concerts on the dock let you dance by sunset waters. If you don't own your own boat, a facility like the Northwest Maritime Center teaches you how to negotiate the waves and allows you to rent a vessel to try this yourself.
If you're a landlubber, the National Historic District can delight with graceful churches, solid government buildings, and whimsical homes from times past. Museums like the Jefferson County Historical Society Museum, the Rothschild House, and the Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum can tell you what life was like way back when. You also have your choice of several galleries, boutiques, and restaurants to visit on foot.
You can indulge in your love of the outdoors at several parks run by the city, county, and state. At the 80 acres of Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park, you can watch waterfowl nest and feed while at the Memorial Field, sports like soccer, football, and baseball take to the playing areas, cheered on by spectators on the bleachers. Your dog is welcome at North Beach County Park and Fort Worden, when it's not enjoying the treats given out by several local businesses.
