Given the Manhattanization of Seattle, arguably the fastest-growing metropolis in America, who wouldn’t dream an island escape that’s close yet a world apart from the hustle and bustle of city life? This collection of 172 named islands and reefs in San Juan County have long been a secret getaway for Pacific Northwest families. But increasingly the San Juan Islands have been found by a new generation of affluent homebuyers, so it’s little surprise that the tides are rising.
The opportunity to explore these homes firsthand was seized during a recent Legacy Home Tour hosted by RSIR and Wally Gudgell, an Orcas Island resident and real estate broker with Windermere Real Estate. From October 5 – 9th, dozens of brokers and prospective buyers arrived by land, sea and air to visit Legacy Homes ranging in value from below $2 million to $17 million. The lifestyle showcase included harbor-to-harbor seaplane transfer by Kenmore Air, accommodations by Rosario Resort and wine tastings by DeLille Cellars.
The Legacy Home Tour was a slice of San Juan heaven. With breathtaking locations, gorgeous homes Delille wine, good food and some very cool people, the Legacy Home Tour was definitely an experience not to be missed or taken for granted. I appreciate all the time and effort to pull this together. Thank you RSIR!
The San Juan Islands enjoy an enviable microclimate, which benefits from a rain shadow effect from the Olympic Mountain Range and has 20-percent less precipitation than nearby Seattle. The moderating influence of the ocean means summers are generally less hot and humid while winters are mild. In fact, the inland waterways of Puget Sound that extend north through British Columbia’s Inside Passage all the way to Alaska’s southeast panhandle is noted to be one of the planet’s greatest maritime experiences, drawing global citizens and a parade of extraordinary yachts each year.
Getting to the San Juan Islands is as easy as it is beautiful. Regular car ferry service is offered from the mainland port of Anacortes; Kenmore Air flights via seaplane or wheeled aircraft depart regularly from Boeing Field – the flights are about an hour and make for quick commutes during the workweek. Private planes are frequent at local island airports and larger private jets and commercial flights can land in Bellingham International Airport with quick transfer to the San Juan Islands. Many families prefer to commute by private yachts; after all, they can cast off from their homes on Lake Washington and Lake Union, transfer to Puget Sound via the Ballard Locks and arrive in the San Juan Islands within a few hours.
“As the Seattle area prospers, it’s easy to imagine the continued discovery and increasing demand for homeownership in the San Juan Islands,” adds Dean Jones.
A website has been established at LifeintheSanJuans.com for prospective buyers to learn more about Legacy Homes being offered for sale.