Top 4 Reasons People Love Living in Anacortes

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and the state of Washington has many wonderful communities. The Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, and the other waterways provide cool breezes and invigorating fresh air. Cities like Seattle and Tacoma are great to visit, and many people enjoy living there. Those who like a quieter lifestyle in an idyllic community may wish to check out Anacortes homes for sale.

Anacortes is a lovely community of 17,000 on the northern tip of Fidalgo Island in Washington. It’s the location of the Washington State Ferries dock that allows easy travel to the San Juan Islands in Washington.

There are many beautiful luxury homes to be found on the Anacortes real estate market, many of which have waterfront views. Several marinas in town make Anacortes a boating mecca. The people of Anacortes love their community for numerous reasons.

There is something almost magical about living near The Salish Sea. In Anacortes, you are never far from the water, where you can watch ships of all kinds sail by. The proximity of the Puget Sound provides a temperate climate in Anacortes. Summers are cooler, and winters are warmer than communities located further inland. Anacortes is also located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, so rainfall is lower and sunny days are more abundant than in other Puget Sound locations, like Seattle.

Parents with school-age children who are looking at Anacortes homes for sale will naturally be concerned with the quality of education. They can feel confident as the Anacortes School District is very highly rated. Some of the top elementary schools include:

 

Tweens in grades 6-8 attend Anacortes Middle School.

There are two high schools in town. One is Anacortes High, a grade 9-12 school with an A- Niche rating and 89% of its students are proficient in reading. The other high school is Cap Sante. It’s a small school with only 57 students, allowing it to give extra attention to each one of them.

You might not expect such a small and out-of-the-way town to have much in the way of shopping, but Anacortes does have its share of stores. There are numerous places to buy fresh, locally sourced food. Not surprisingly, seafood is in abundance.

Sea Bear Wild Salmon is a local market with fresh-caught, delicious, smoked Pacific salmon available every day. Another local delight is the Anacortes Farmer’s Market. Fresh, delicious fruit and vegetables, including the tastiest berries, are sold along with coffee, yogurt, scones, and crumpets.

In addition to food, lovers of all things vintage can visit Smuggler’s Cove Antiques and browse furniture, clothing, and knickknacks. You may find something that will go perfectly in your new home.  The Pacific Blanket Trading Post is a great place to stop by after looking at Anacortes real estate. It sells beautiful, handmade Native American clothing, artwork, and blankets. Add a little local history to your home. 

Foodies will be happy to learn that Anacortes has some great places to get a good meal. The ATown Bistro is an American cuisine restaurant with excellent seafood, steaks, and vegetarian and vegan options. It also has incredible soups, including the best clam chowder on the island.
 

Sometimes, you just need a cup of coffee. Moka Joe’s Coffee House is a coffee shop and breakfast place where you can have tea, coffee, decaf, or a delicious latte. Breakfast is served daily with the usual eggs, pancakes, and French toast. Hearty foods to start your day right. They also do takeout if you’re in a hurry.

Who doesn’t love pizza? A good pizzeria is essential to many people, and Anacortes has a great one in Village Pizza. Enjoy a pie with your favorite toppings or dine on pasta and your favorite Italian dishes. Village Pizza also offers vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Fans of authentic Mexican cuisine will love Frida’s Gourmet Mexican. It serves tasty tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes, as well as paella, flan, and cuisine from Spain. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.

For the adventurous, Seattle and Vancouver, Canada, are easily accessible for a day or weekend trip. Both cities are packed with great restaurants, theaters, and professional sports.

Anacortes has the charm of a small town, the beauty of maritime living, and easy access to large cities. It also has some beautiful luxury homes. The people of Anacortes love their hometown. If you are thinking of joining them, contact The Taylor Team. The group, led by Heather Taylor, has the experience and real estate savvy to help you find your Anacortes dream home.