"My old town, / Never lets me down. / Things change, / But Anacortes has a secret love. / My time. / Cars are passing by. / I'm here, / Happy by myself." -- The Microphones
Anacortes sits on the northern half of Fidalgo Island, which is surrounded by the blue waters of Puget Sound. But you can escape quickly to the mainland through two bridges or take a ferry to other islands. The forested southern half highlights the area's status as a nature lover's wonderland. Yet the city is hip enough to offer shopping, restaurants, museums and a casino.
You have about a half-dozen or so apartment complexes to choose from, all located in the northeast part of the city
"My old town, / Never lets me down. / Things change, / But Anacortes has a secret love. / My time. / Cars are passing by. / I'm here, / Happy by myself." -- The Microphones
Anacortes sits on the northern half of Fidalgo Island, which is surrounded by the blue waters of Puget Sound. But you can escape quickly to the mainland through two bridges or take a ferry to other islands. The forested southern half highlights the area's status as a nature lover's wonderland. Yet the city is hip enough to offer shopping, restaurants, museums and a casino.
Where to Live
You have about a half-dozen or so apartment complexes to choose from, all located in the northeast part of the city. They're all within walking distance of the main drag, Commercial Avenue, as well as near the Island Hospital, John Storvik Playground and Fidalgo Bay. Don't be fooled by such monikers as Bayside or Harborview. None of them are at the water's edge.
Apartments for rent in Anacortes don't include such perks as clubhouse, fitness centers or swimming pools. Instead, you'll get lots of greenery, off-street parking and on-site laundry facilities. Rental apartments max out at two stories and typically don't allow pets. They also prefer leases over month-to-month occupancies.
Your choices open up if you go for rental homes because over 82 percent of residential property in the city consists of single-unit houses. Places are relatively new, with about a third coming up from 1980 to 1989, and another 20 percent in the 21st century.
The most desirable rentals are those that are on the water or have views of it. Those near the forested spaces are also high on the want list. Naturally, these homes have less affordable prices. You'll have to settle with differentiating Anacortes between the waterfront and the forest because there isn't much in terms of separate neighborhoods here!
What to Do in Anacortes
Commercial Avenue, which runs south to Fidalgo Avenue and north to the water, contains nearly all the shopping, restaurants and bars. The northern part of the thoroughfare is also within walking distance to the Anacortes Museum, which interprets the history of the area, and the William T. Preston Museum, a working paddle-wheel steamboat. The gaming delights of the Swinomish Casino and Lodge also tempt off this avenue on 12th street.
The city features several marinas but "The Marina" only means one thing: the Port of Anacortes. It's near downtown with parking for up to 200 boats. Live-aboards are allowed on vessels from 32 to 66 feet long.
Much of the forested land, especially in the south, is part of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, which boasts over 2,800 acres of hiking and biking trails. Rock climbers can gain their footholds at nearby Mount Erie Park. Another major stretch of green is Washington Park in the northwest. It allows camping and has beautiful views of the surrounding sound.
Many city events attract outsiders. During August, the Anacortes Arts Festivals turn six blocks of downtown into a showcase for fine arts, crafts, food and beverages. The Oyster Run in September is billed as the "largest motorcycle run in the Pacific Northwest." And in July, the Shipwreck Festival offers treasures in a community-wide garage sale.
