[ihugtrees]

We are a Navy family who recently moved to Whidbey Island into a short term rental and are looking to buy. Originally we thought we may buy in Coupeville or Oak Harbor, but every time I go into Mount Vernon I wonder why we aren't looking there? It seems like a great place.

And yet, when we mentioned Mount Vernon to the real estate agent who has shown us a few houses in Oak Harbor, he said he 'wouldnt raise a child there' because there is a lot of crime. So, I started Googling, and am coming across some real conflicting information. Some say it is in the drug corridor from Vancouver BC and Seattle, and that there is racial conflicts (what does either of those things mean?? That since there are Hispanics its a bad area

? That big bad scary marijuana dealers live there? or is it more serious things like gang type activities, and hard core drugs?)

What is Mount Vernon like? Are there things to do with little kids? Is there a lot of crime? What areas are best to live in? What is the political climate like (Glenn Beck lives there, right? Eek!

)? I don't care about school districts, as we plan on homeschooling. Is there anything I need to know about the area before I buy a house there? We are looking for a 2-3 bedroom house that's at least 1100-1200 sq ft, in the $175ish range, as the taxes will bring up our monthly payments so much. Is that do-able in a good part of town?

 

[sarabecca]

I don't consider Mt. Vernon to be a dangerous place. I don't think it's the safest place in the world but it's a long way from dangerous, imo. The most dangerous thing in Mt. Vernon IMO is one of the midwives who does births there.

Charlotte Geddis. Stay far away from her and you should be good.

 

[ihugtrees]

Thanks, sarabecca. No babies in my near future but if I should be looking I will stay away from her

To everyone else...I shortened my big, long post to make it more readable. If anyone else has any input, that would be great...we are viewing houses over the next few weeks & need to make a decision in the next month or so.

 

[MCsMom]

I had this really long post all finished, then I went to hit submit and my internet connection was gone. I am so sorry.

So the short re-type, is that I think it is more likely that your agent doesn't have any houses in Mt Vernon and is trying to stear you away, no really.

I would take my kids for a walk in any area of town (even the bad ones) any day of the week, in fact a few times we have for various reasions, with no hesitation at all.

There is a Skagit Thread, I'll go bump it for you.

No, Mt Vernon is no more 'dangerous' then Oak Harbor. There are lots of good things about it. A - we have the Skagit Valley Food Co-Op and Deli B - The Childrens Museum of Skagit County (which is technically in Burlington, but started in Mt Vernon) C - Jungle Playland is an indoor play area and D - by June will have a spray park in the city limits and right by my house (Burlington has one already) are four off the top of my head.

The drug thing - it is simply because Mt Vernon is located on Interstate 5, seriously.

No, Glen Beck does not live here, I believe he did as a kid, and a bunch of the businesses downtown had signs saying that they did not support the mayor turning the keys over for a day to him. (I don't even know who Glen Beck is and I know this, is how irritated the local population was about it)

 

[dynamicdoula]

I think what you'd find about Mt Vernon is that it is picturesque and charming, overall. My whole family lives between Mt. Vernon and Anacortes. I'd much prefer Mt. Vernon to Anacortes but they both have their merits.

And I had to chime in and say how ironic it is that when I loaded this page, the advertisement is for the WA state Department of Health saying, "Get Vaccinated. Stop the Flu".

 

[ihugtrees]

Thanks for the input, everyone! All of your responses are assuring me of my gut feeling...that Mt Vernon is a wonderful place! The real estate company has a ton of houses there in Mt Vernon, but they are WAY cheaper, so maybe that's why he's steering us away? Well, we dropped him...we just weren't comfortable with him, & he was NOT very available to us at all for questions or showings, so yesterday we went with a different agent (whom we really like!) to look at some houses in Mt Vernon. We found one we LOVE LOVE LOVE on 3rd street, within walking distance to the co-op and the rest of downtown. It was built in 1920s and is GORGEOUS...has a huge, 1/4 acre lot. The big downside...but only downside...is that the train runs right behind the yard. Ouch. Then again, I know trains are loud & can be heard for miles around, and if we were in Oak Harbor, we'd get jet noise, too...

I'm excited that there are some other Mount Vernon mamas on MDC! Does anyone do the Stroller Strides class? I did something similar in Florida that was very fun (and a great workout!), so I was thinking of signing up. I applied yesterday for a part time position at the co-op...I love places like that & think it would be so fun to work there nights or weekends!