Moving to the Seattle area...

Brina Bean

Hi!  I posted a while back about the possibility of my family and I relocating from Las Vegas to Maple Valley.  Well, it was recently confirmed that we will be doing so in the next 3-5 months!  I'm super excited but, after having grown up in Las Vegas, I'm also quite curious as to what I can look forward to(good or bad) with the move and from our new home in Washington.  So, if you have any insight, tips, advice in regard to moving in general, about the Maple Valley area, about being a SAHM in WA, activities with kids, the weather, wet-weather wardrobe must-haves...anything really, I'd love to hear it.  Thanks!

gina000

Welcome.  Washington is a great place to live.  Polar fleece and rain coats are the only real must haves for Washington (oh and rain boots for the kids).  We layer a lot here as it gets cold but not really super cold.  One of my favorite places to get the essentials is www.llbean.com

I live further south than Maple Valley so I don't have any specific recommendations for you but hopefully some of the other ladies do.

Welcome again!

tfarabians

Welcome!  I think when you get here you will figure out pretty quickly how people deal with the rain.  Honestly I don't own a raincoat.  I have some peacoats, leather jackets and ski jackets but I just run in and out of stores from the parking lot in the rain.  I keep an umbrella in the car for super rainy days. 

My oldest has a raincoat and boots and I often send him out in the rain in the backyard to play.  I think you will find local community centers have playtimes indoors and those are great for rainy days as well as indoor play areas at local malls!

 

 

 

 

eitaknna9

I don't live in the Maple Valley area, but am guessing that like most places around here, there are toddler play activites at local community centers, etc. Also, there are tons of parks/trails/outdoor activites in the greater Seattle area, so look for those if you like get outside.

You will definitely need warmer clothes (I layer a lot), and some rain gear for the winter. Like PP said though, it does not get extremely cold, but definitely cold compared to what you are used to.

Good luck with the most, and let us know when you arrive!

 

snucks03

I live about 10 mins from maple valley. Great place to live. Good state parks very close! and right in maple valley there is the lake wilderness park area with a beach area and places for your kids to have fun. there is also a smaller parks department in the city I would recomend you looking in to. They probably have some programs and ways to get invoved. I work for the city of puyallup, and we offer lots of kids programs, some are free! and i believe they do too. Snow activities will be only a 20 min drive for you from about Nov through march at least. If you dont ski, there are lots of oppertunities for sledding, and alot of locals get christmas tree permits and go up and cut their own! A fun holiday tradition!

 Yes rain coats, boots, gloves, and all those things great. All the local malls have indoor free playgrounds for little ones that are fun. Its really is a great area to live for outdoor activities though. I could go on and on abotu the different parks to try. State parks have a $30 a year discovery pass that is well worth it when living in our area.

 Hope this helps!

kristalovesjared

I am from Maple Valley and it is a really great place for families! Tons of stuff to do with kids and lots of parks in the area. Once you're moved in and looking for things to do post again and I will tell you the names of kid friendly places.

Brina Bean

You ladies are great...thanks so much for the suggestions!  It gets chilly here in the winter, but nothing a long sleeved shirt and a lightweight jacket can't handle.  It's really the wind that gets us.  When it rains here, we stare out of the windows like cats, lol.  And I hadn't even thought about how different the holidays might be up there.  Sledding sounds so fun and cutting down our own Christmas tree...very cool.  The pumpkin patch thread above has got me excited too.  Vegas just doesn't have the community feel we crave after having our boys.  I can't wait to get up there and will be peeking in here from time to time until we arrive.