What's going on guys,
So i finally got some movement today on a Job offer I've been waiting for and looks like i might be moving to Seattle within the month.

Just wanted to bounce some stuff off you guys.

So the job i think will be in everett.
But from what i have heard that isnt somewhere a 25 year old is exactly dying to live.

Dont need to be in the city proper (probably cant afford it) but would like to have easy-ish access to it. At the same time paddling is the big priority and would want to have easy access going north or south from what i understand.

When push comes to shove having access to green spaces (very active dog) and easy access to highways for paddling is definitely the higher priority.
Any suggestions as to which area's i should be looking into?

Oh and i'm a solid class 4 paddler occasionally poking my nose into the 5's. Would love to paddle with some of you guys soon!

Thanks!

(sorry for the rambler^, all jacked up right now!)

Thanks Daniel!
Good to hear. Obviously not commuting a long way will be a big plus so definitely going to check out everett harder.

So glad i asked you guys. Clearly been talking to schmo's.
Will let you guys know where i end up going then hopefully we can go hit the treats!

Yo Imeansa--

I've had my eye on Everett for some time.
Stay on the east side of I-5 if you are a whitewater kayaker. Stay west of I-5 if you were salt yakkin. Since we're obviously talkin whitewater goods here, I'd say stay as far east of I-5 as your commute will allow.

Snohomish would be cool, but I think downtown Everett or similar would be fine too. Snoho would be right on HWY 2, gateway to the Mighty Skykomish and all of its lovely tributaries. Keep driving on HWY 2 over the pass and you get to Leavenworth, as Dan pointed out, where you got several awesome options from may-july.

Now if you want to just cut to the class V heavy rotation, you'd want to target Lake Stevens for equidistant Quick Access to Everett or Robe Canyon. But if you are more into class IV at the moment, I'd break in easy to Washington's whitewater scene, as several transplants seem to be of the opinion that WA rates their whitewater on the stiff side. Some claim that there isn't much class IV here, or that what class IV that does exist tends to have a gnarly grit to it.

I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in that last statement about Wa's class IV, and not sure where you are coming from, but I had an adjustment period here myself. I guess it was getting to know the geology and the various styles of runs, and getting to understand the seasonal weather patterns here. I think there is plenty of class IV though. The key is following the weather (from October to about May). The weather that moves through here is super dynamic during the rainy season.

Gotta mention Pilchuck Creek (catch it IMMEDIATELY after it spikes, or as it spikes). And The Sauk is closer for you than for Seattle. Its got some cool stuff going on, and some upper tribs if you don't mind a blurry line between IV-V...

As far as Everett itself is concerned, it probably has enough going on for ya, as some of these guys have already pointed out. And Seattle isnt that far away. Everett is much much much more easy to escape on that river-bound trajectoey than Seattle. The only downside being you are further upstream of Seattle's Southbound Flow toward the waterfall strewn Paradise Northwest known as The Lewis Drainage and White Salmon/Little White Salmon. South has all the basalt creeks full of waterfalls, HWY 2 has the cornicopia of gushing water (more glacier carved river valleys = more boulder gardens and Big Water paddling)

Anyway, welcome to Paradise Northwest!

What runs are you used to? I would say the main difference I experianced, boating in VA and NC, was the low volume in the rivers. There are also very few slides here. Most drops are short and vertical. I would say the SE (from my limited experiance) is all about rock contact and staying out of undercuts. Here, its all about keeping your nose up and not pulling your skirt! Ha.

Been Jonesing for my first Green Narrows decent. On the "before i leave" bucket list for sure.

I'd vote for staying out of Everett proper - or at least doing some super in-depth recon and a comparing it to Snohomish and Mukilteo before you commit to a lease. Pay special attention to Jon's feedback.

Offer is coming next week. Looks like i'll be out there mid november. JACKED! Will be heading out in the next couple weeks to find a place to live. Any suggestions for south of everett and north of seattle?