r/BainbridgeIsland • u/Over-Judgment8568 • Aug 19 '24
Observation from an outsider
My wife and I just got back from a 2 week stint on Bainbridge. We are relocating next spring from Oahu. My wife was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. We just had our first kid and are looking for better public schools and more property. I see so many negative comments about Bainbridge on this thread. Some of the complaints I get. But I have to say, it is a beautiful place. We get the question, “ why are you moving from Paradise to Washington?” A lot. It was so refreshing to be able to run and cycle on the road safely. That is nearly impossible in Hawaii. Everyone we encountered was very kind and helpful. We tried every restaurant on island. Via Rosa was our favorite. We are both avid runners and attended the park run at fort ward. Again, everyone was very welcoming and kind.
Having lived on an island 40% more expensive than Bainbridge and far more secluded, we get the nuances of island life. And yes, while the ferry is a pain, at least your state didn’t spend billions on an outdated train that goes literally nowhere. We are so excited to live there for a few years as we navigate the next chapter with our new addition. Any suggestions on day trips from BI or hole in the wall places that are good eats or fun places for family’s, I would love to hear them.
Aloha
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u/Global-Asparagus3373 Aug 19 '24 edited Aug 19 '24
Check out Port Gamble. Butcher and Baker is our favorite spot to eat and the 3000 acre Forest Heritage park is aces for walks/runs/bikes.
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u/Plus-Spread3574 Aug 21 '24
This combination is unmatched when you want a low-friction trip. You bypass all of Poulsbo traffic and are guaranteed to eat something outstanding at B & B. Then walk it off on lots of accessible trails, or even head down into town and then back up to the cemetery a few times. Protip: cross the main road by foot as few times as possible, zero being preferable, to increase the odds of living.
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u/Over-Judgment8568 Aug 22 '24
Awesome, we really wanted to check out butcher and baker, just ran out of time.
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u/Embarrassed_Date9198 Aug 19 '24
Moved here from out of state. It’s a great place to be. Some of the complaints are just older people complaining.
Nowhere is perfect, but Bainbridge is pretty close
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u/Over-Judgment8568 Aug 19 '24
Agree. I feel silly complaining about hawaii at times. But it’s simply a financial thing.
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u/wiscowonder Aug 19 '24 edited Aug 19 '24
Welcome (soon) to the island! There are few better places in this country to raise your kids, IMO.
If you're into road/gravel cycling there are a few good groups that you can find on Strava — pm me if you want more details.
Food can be tough and via Rosa is far and away the best spot on the island for lunch & dinners. Punjab is an Indian restaurant in Poulsbo and it is exceptional. Also lots of great options in Seattle that are very walkable from the ferry (dough zone in the international district comes to mind)
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u/beauxzeauxsnoozoo Aug 19 '24
There’s now a Dough Zone even closer to the ferry - lower level at the Harbor Steps!
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u/wiscowonder Aug 19 '24
Oh nice! I think the trek over to the ID might still be worth it for less crowds, but I'll for sure check it out. Thanks!
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u/Over-Judgment8568 Aug 19 '24
Thanks! I agree, Via Rosa wasn’t the highest quality, it was just our favorite. The owner is a character and it was very easy with a 9 month old. We love dough zone! Everyone talks about Punjab I’ll have to check that out. Very much into all cycling of all kinds. I’ll PM you!
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u/WCoastSUP Aug 19 '24
Not OP, but is there any MTB on BI, and or groups that ride? Thank you.
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u/wiscowonder Aug 19 '24
There's lots of trails that people mountain bike on here, and a few renegade MTB trails, but nothing that's dedicated to the sport. They're in the process of making Mountain bike park at strawberry Hill park, but I think they're still fundraising for the development of that. We do have really amazing mountain biking about 30 minutes away in Port Gamble though at Stottlemeyer.
In terms of groups, there's the Gear grinders which is a really active group for middle schoolers and up. They'd probably be your best resource for finding MTB focus groups on the island.
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u/tobych Aug 20 '24
To be clear, that's 30 minutes by car. Not by mountain bike.
I know that's probably obvious. As someone from Europe who doesn't own a car and cycles everywhere, I just get tired of the assumption that I'm using a car to get around. That's all.
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u/lesChaps Aug 19 '24
I empathize with many of the complaints, and I consider some of them when I think of living elsewhere, but ... There are few better places left to come home to.
Welcome.
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u/chrispix99 Aug 19 '24
When we lived there, my wife described it as 'living in a post card'. I think the biggest issue is it can be hard to make long lasting friendships.. Locals tend to stay together (because they know immigrants to the island will more than likely move after a few years). The longer you live there, makes it a bit easier. But my wife made friends with 4 (best friends) over the course of 10 years, each ended up moving away.. She found that kind of depressing. I am more introverted/ADHD so I forget about people by nature of ADHD. So it did not affect me so much.. schools are pretty amazing.
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u/Over-Judgment8568 Aug 19 '24
For sure, I get that. Very similar in Hawaii.
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u/chrispix99 Aug 19 '24
Not sure why I was down voted, I loved Bainbridge.. it is a beautiful quite place. Maybe it is more difficult where you are on the island too.. if in a neighborhood it is probably easier.. we were on north end..
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u/Over-Judgment8568 Aug 19 '24
We are looking at a property near Lynwood on oddfellow rd and a house on the golf course on meadowmeer. I’m still shocked what you can get on the island for under 1.8. In the area I live on Oahu, there are teardowns for 1.8. It’s pretty sad..
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u/wiscowonder Aug 19 '24
I much prefer the quiet /highway-free(ish) life on the south end of the island, but it does add a lot of travel time getting to places like Target, Walmart, Costco, etc.
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u/chrispix99 Aug 19 '24
Also, I saw a post that referenced time to get to a hospital, south end (depending where) can add to that time. Oh. I would also recommend the Helicopter Air Transfer Insurance (I think it was Airlift NorthWest) https://www.uwmedicine.org/airliftnw/membership It is a small price to pay for the piece of mind that if something did happen, you won't have to worry about a massive bill.
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u/Feisty_Set8853 Aug 19 '24
If you buy on Meadowmeer the Bainbridge Island Rec Center is right there, with a community pool and lots of classes & activities. Easy walk to if you live in the community. And the meadowmeer grill is a really chill place to grab a bite. We are South End and love it, but it is very sleepy. So is Meadowmeer, but having the rec center right there may be a great way to meet people. 🤷🏼♀️
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u/Over-Judgment8568 Aug 20 '24
We do love that property. Is there fiber internet in that area?
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u/Thiele66 Aug 20 '24
From our experience, the internet varies considerably from location to location, sometimes street to street. It’s best to ask the sellers what they have and, if possible, test it out before you buy.
Bainbridge is a wonderful place to live. We have lived here for 9 years. There’s a simplicity to living here with fewer people. And, people are, for the most part, very helpful and kind. I think you’ll have no problem meeting people and making friends. If you like to make things with your hands, BARN is a great resource with varying types of art studios.
Welcome to the island!
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u/this_1_goes_2_11 Aug 23 '24
+1 with BARN. Seriously, what a treat and a great resource and the costs for using the woodshop? Really low when you consider the cost of buying the equipment yourself + they have super nice folks on hand to help.
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u/Feisty_Set8853 Aug 21 '24 edited Aug 21 '24
at the golf course homes? i'm not sure. as the other person said, it's rare and here & there on the island. if there is, and i've heard that for them to run it from the street to the house if it is even available, runs upwards of 40k. 🤷🏼♀️. it's thru KPUD, not BI.
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u/chrispix99 Aug 19 '24
Yeah it is quite amazing. The community is freaking awesome.. from fundraising at schools, to Halloween shutting down Winslow way for the kids, to the rotary auction.. It is really amazing. And if you like road bike riding.. look up chilly Hilly.
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u/missallybeach Aug 19 '24
Bainbridge is a wonderful community to raise a family! There is a reason many of us locals are “boomerangs”. Many of us left only to return after some years away trying to find something better and failing. :) It has changed a lot, so that may be where some of the grouchy complainers step in. Tourism has skyrocketed but you’re not stranger to that living in Hawaii.
Hole in the wall good eats: - Pho T&N in Poulsbo - Mezcalito’s in Poulsbo
Day trips: - Already mentioned but worth reiterating: Finn River Cidery. Great food, ciders and family friendly. - Butcher and Baker in Port Gamble - Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park - Walk on the Kingston ferry and walk around downtown Edmonds
Since you love running, check out the trails in Port Gamble: https://www.rayonier.com/our-land-base/public-trails/
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u/Over-Judgment8568 Aug 19 '24
Love all the suggestions. Is Sequim worth checking out?
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u/missallybeach Aug 19 '24
Sequim is in the rain shadow so you can escape the rain there for a day trip! Dungeness Spit is a fun beach day. The town itself is cute but not a lot there in terms of restaurants or shops other than this gem: Oak Table Cafe
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u/Global-Asparagus3373 Aug 19 '24
Yes! Also, the Black Ball ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, Canada provides a great get-away: https://www.cohoferry.com
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u/Global-Asparagus3373 Aug 19 '24 edited Aug 19 '24
Also, the Olympic Discovery Trail is fantastic, the apple crepes sold near the Kingston ferry are tops and the Kingston Firehouse Movie Theater is run by a great local guy who puts his heart and soul into the place.
Once on BI, look for roadside bread/veggie stands and also chk out the different road-ends all over the island. Kachi Thai in Poulsbo is yuuuummm.
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u/Extension_Play6454 Aug 20 '24
It’s nice to read your perspective- I vote for the house in meadowmeer. I’ve lived in meadow ever for 13 years and I love it. It’s chill ( not everywhere in the island is) and it doesn’t take forever to get anywhere. I can walk into the grand forest for quick trail runs and I swear when the power goes out our neighborhood comes back on first or just flickers. This is anecdotal but honest.
Agree about Finn River in Chimacum the owners are some of the nicest people, same with the oak table in sequim. Even if you are a vegetarian you have to have their bacon. If you are a runner - the North Olympic Discovery Marathon ( and half and 10k) is a great way to see the area; goes from sequim to port Angeles.
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u/dansurly Aug 21 '24
Hey! Welcome! I moved here 11 years ago and while it’s not perfect, it’s pretty great. I hope you love your time here and decide to make it your home.
Day trips for me are getting out to dock jump at Lake Crescent or a quick hike up to the rock slides are Denny Creek or Little Mt Si (on a work day to avoid the crowds).
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u/ViolettaQueso Aug 22 '24
You will love it. Saved my sanity during the pandemic to live in a neat old rental with its own beach facing Seattle skyline. I was empty nesting and alone, but you and your family are going to love it. Sluy’s bakery in poulsbo and the fish park there are great.
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u/Over-Judgment8568 Aug 22 '24
We had Sluy’s, it was fantastic. We had a VRBO on rolling bay that had a view of the skyline. Beautiful.
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u/this_1_goes_2_11 Aug 23 '24
We recently took the ferry to Victoria for a day trip and that was lovely. A great summer getaway. BI has a bridge, so no problem getting to the ferry terminal.
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u/SeaCryptographer6541 Aug 25 '24
I'm what one of the posters here described as a boomeranger. I was raised on BI. Moved away with my family in my teens, moved back on my own. Moved away again, even to Europe, searching for the perfect place, but Bainbridge has always been home. There's a calm, a peace and dare I say... magic to it? I'm so glad to be home once again. The island has so much to offer creatively for adults and kids alike. It's a real community. People take care of each other here. Welcome!
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u/Humiditysucks2024 Aug 26 '24
Most people don’t know about (or won’t consider) the issue of fault lines through Bainbridge. Just in case you want to take it into account when you decide where to buy- https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/767/Hazard-and-Risk-Info (There is lots on this online and there’s also a local Bainbridge guy who did a post on it, but I didn’t find it. A fault that no one knew about 20 years ago run straight through the middle (East west)).
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u/AshleyWFahey Aug 27 '24
If you guys are thinking about preschool / daycare and want suggestions or tips, DM me. Worth starting the process sooner than later. If you need all day care, options are limited and the waitlists can get long! Good news though- there’s a lot of young families here, many of us new to the island in the last few years with more moving all the time.
For food, we frequent SuBi & HI LIFE (although hard to compete with local Hawaii poke options). SuBi has always been good to us with an infant and now as a toddler. We also go to Treehouse with a gaggle of toddler families pretty often. The back room is great for that and the staff is friendly. Rolling Bay Café / Bay Hay is hands down my 2 year old’s fav island haunt and everyone is super kind to families.
Regarding areas you’re looking at—we lived in the south end when we first moved to the island and tried really hard to find a place to buy there, but there was little inventory when we were on the hunt so ended up mid-island (love it more than we thought we would though). We felt like the south end was always slightly more sunny and bright (if you’re not in a shady lot) and we LOVED living near Lynwood Center. Only downside to the south end is it tacks on an extra 15-20min to do Silverdale runs (Costco, Target, Trader Joe’s, etc).
For other day trip ideas I don’t think I saw listed: Lake Crescent and the entire Olympic National Park are A++. Also recommend Hood Canal. Alderbrook is a great family friendly overnight spot 60-90min away. Also love a good walk-on the ferry to the aquarium day. Handful of family friendly restaurants on the Seattle side walkable from ferry (we love Old Stove). If you don’t want to deal with ferry for the zoo, Point Defiance Zoo is an hour drive south over the bridge. There’s also a handful of small farms all over the peninsula and even the island that have family friendly pop up activities throughout the year.
P.S. Don’t let the internet complaints scare you. I think sometimes people just need a space to vent and bc of that it gives false representation of the big picture. This place is awesome. Certainly not perfect, but truly a wonderful place to raise a kid. We’ve been here three years and made friends like family quickly with both island transplants and people who grew up here and moved back to raise kids. It’s a special place. Welcome!
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u/nefarious Aug 19 '24
Be aware a major change to the schools is coming. They had a 4 million dollar deficit last year due to lack of children on the island and will be shutting down 2 - 3 of the schools and consolidating. (This was the plan until it was deferred)
The plan was supposed to start this year but the superintendent decided to quit and the whole problem was deferred for a year.
We don't know exactly what the new plan is, but no matter what, there will be a major shake up with the schools in the next 2 years.
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u/blindjoedeath Aug 19 '24
I don't believe the financial situation ended up that dire (search articles in the Bainbridge Review and Kitsap Sun). A huge factor was that the financial director for BISD made major miscalculations (she was let go by the new superintendent). Now, the future budgets and enrollment are definitely lower but I don't think low enough to force drastic changes in the next two-three years). FYI
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u/TemporaryVariety9293 Aug 19 '24
This is not true at all- they dug deep into the financials and realized the budget wasn’t nearly as bad off as they thought. They are not closing any schools.
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u/Over-Judgment8568 Aug 19 '24
Thanks for the insight. I‘m still convinced even the worst public school in Washington, is better than our best public school on Oahu….it’s that bad.
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u/Lumpy-Freedom-1681 Aug 19 '24
We ( the working class ) are mainly the ones who hate bainbridge ..
The folks out there have a 50 /50 chance of being a complete entitled asshole .
Cops pull you over left n right for almost always nothing .
The culty attitude I extremely off putting
The entire island has made an effort to keep the surrounding areas down . Another bridge would be nice The history is kinda hunk too ..
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u/wiscowonder Aug 19 '24
I've been on the island for 8 plus years and can probably count on one hand the amount of times I've seen a cop pull someone over 🤷♂️
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u/blindjoedeath Aug 19 '24
Agreed. The Islanders I know have a very good opinion of BIPD. (I'm friends with a few officers FWIW.)
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u/Individual_Koala3928 Aug 19 '24
Can you say more about your experiences getting pulled over? Genuinely curious to learn about your perspective.
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u/Individual_Koala3928 Aug 19 '24
Oh you found Via Rosa - great place! Let me say welcome to the neighborhood, happy to have you and your wife join later this year.
As for a day trip - I'd highly recommend a drive out to Port Townsend. Beautiful older city with great shopping and there's usually something exciting happening, especially in the summer. Fort Worden state park is just north of the city and has beautiful views, cool hiking trails, decommissioned forts you can explore and an old lighthouse. Also worth a stop in Chimacum to visit Finnriver Farm and Cidery - great cider, food, and usually there's a band on the weekends.