Hoquiam's Castle, a stunning 19th-century mansion turned bed and breakfast, is the first thing you might see upon arriving in this picturesque town. In 1887, construction of this stately castle began, coinciding with the lumber and exporting boom that supported Hoquiam's early growth. This town shares its humble economic beginnings, and Myrtle Street, with Aberdeen to the east.
In less than a day, you could walk across the nine square miles of land that make up Hoquiam
Hoquiam's Castle, a stunning 19th-century mansion turned bed and breakfast, is the first thing you might see upon arriving in this picturesque town. In 1887, construction of this stately castle began, coinciding with the lumber and exporting boom that supported Hoquiam's early growth. This town shares its humble economic beginnings, and Myrtle Street, with Aberdeen to the east.
In less than a day, you could walk across the nine square miles of land that make up Hoquiam. Despite the small area, this region houses more than 8,000 people.
Moving to Hoquiam
After visiting Hoquiam just once, you will want to unpack your bags and stay forever. Luckily, you can find tons of different housing options here, including houses, apartments for rent and rental condos. You could spend hours just going through the plethora of rental options. However, do not gape over the options forever -- remember to prepare yourself for the move as well.
Available Housing
With 40% of the homes available for rent, it should not be hard to find a house rental that fits your needs. Only 11% of the available homes sit vacant for any length of time, so you will not have to reside near an empty dwelling for long. However, this also means that if you are looking for a particular layout, it could take a few months to find the perfect unit. Consider a two-bedroom apartment or studio for rent in the meantime to immediately start enjoying this area.
Take Heed
Hoquiam is the only town on Washington's coast that features a full-size, jet capable airport. If you love airplanes, you will feel right at home next to this bustling travel hub. However, if the sound of planes overhead makes you bristle, select from housing options a bit further inland. Remember though, moving to this town means embracing the sounds of cheering for sports teams year-round.
Time Your Search
Avoiding the travel season may help you net the best deal. Washington residents often flock to the ocean side as soon as the sunny weather appears. Start your search in the fall and winter months to see the beauty of the city on the off-season. Although many rental property owners will meet you on the weekend, you will have the best results touring units during the workweek. Consider taking a brief work week vacation after identifying a few suitable properties to find a unit fast.
Make it Official
Once you find the perfect dwelling, do not hesitate to make it official. Make sure you have the right amount of funds available for the first and last month's rent, deposit and application fee. You should also have some money put away for utilities and furniture, unless you prefer to sit on crates in the dark, of course. You will need to sign the rental contract and receive the keys before moving in. On moving day, consider hiring a dedicated company to haul your belongings over for you.
Hoquiam Neighborhoods
Since Hoquiam is such a small town, there are not many separated neighborhoods. However, you will find these two neighborhoods during your search for suitable house rentals or apartments for rent.
Ocean Terrace: Located right on the beach, Ocean Terrace gives residents and visitors a good look at Grays Harbor. Since this water feature gave life to Hoquiam, many residents honor and respect its presence. Head out to the Port Viewing Towers and Boat Launch to check out activities going on at this deep water port. Afterward, have some noodles at Casa Mia or eat burgers at Lana's Hangar Cafe to finish your trip through this neighborhood.
Spinnaker Ridge: Higher up on the cliff side rests the neighborhood of Spinnaker Ridge. Although it is a bit of a walk, this community also enjoys beach access. Collecting seashells, starfish and driftwood make up the bulk of weekend trips down to the beach. You can travel down the length of the Hoquiam river by waltzing down the Riverside Dike Trail, accessible from this neighborhood. Check out the mansions along this trail to see the real housing gems of Hoquiam. Be sure to stop in at the 8th Street Ale House or the Backstage Cafe to fill up your belly after this long walk.
Living in Hoquiam
Although Grays Harbor transit serves Hoquiam, you can easily walk to in-town destinations in less than an hour. As a result, most people foot it or drive their cars to their favorite attractions.
Locals love to learn about their city's history at the Polson museum. Antique tools, artwork and artifacts from the birth of this region rest in this expansive mansion for all to see.
After learning about the area's history, you may want to stop in at the 7th Street Theater for an engaging show. This theater is so huge that 1/8 of the town, or 1,000 people, can stop in and watch a show together if they want.
