If you enjoy outdoor activities, whether it be hiking through nature-preserved wooded areas, boating and fishing on lakes or from seaports, or relaxing at the beach, Bainbridge Island accommodates all of these interests and more. For instance, Fort Ward Park contains walking trails, a two-lane boat ramp, and an underwater park for scuba divers. At the same time, Fay Bainbridge Park, nine miles on the other side of the island from Fort Ward Park, offers beachcombing, picnicking, and sunbathing opportunities.
For those who enjoy city conveniences, you're not far from that either. The downtown area, Winslow, and the surrounding areas offer museums, shopping, dining, and winery experiences, in addition to grocery stores, banks, and pharmacies. If you need a more exciting city experience, Seattle is accessible with just a 35-minute ferry ride, with the last ferry leaving Seattle to take you back to Bainbridge at 2:10 AM on Saturdays and Sundays and at 1:35 AM Monday through Friday.
The cost of living on Bainbridge Island
When you're living in luxury on Bainbridge Island, enjoying spectacular views from your waterfront property, the cost of living compared to the national average is about 20% higher. However, living costs are the same compared to living elsewhere in Washington.
While food, transportation, housing, and health costs are less affordable on Bainbridge Island than the national average, the state tax rate is the 6th lowest in the U.S. In fact, there is no personal income tax required when residing in Washington. Property taxes are Bainbridge Island's single largest source of revenue.
While food, transportation, housing, and health costs are less affordable on Bainbridge Island than the national average, the state tax rate is the 6th lowest in the U.S. In fact, there is no personal income tax required when residing in Washington. Property taxes are Bainbridge Island's single largest source of revenue.
Bainbridge Island and nearby Seattle offer unlimited employment options
Although Bainbridge Island is only about five miles wide, 10 miles long, and 28 square miles, there are many employment opportunities on the island. Far Bank is a manufacturing company that produces fresh and saltwater fly-fishing rods and reels and has about 160 employees. If you're a medical professional relocating to Bainbridge Island, Wash., Bainbridge Health and Wellness Center in the downtown area of Bainbridge Island may have employment options. The center can provide employment opportunities under medical services such as:
- Ophthalmology.
- Chiropractic.
- Physical therapy.
- Dentistry.
- Family practice, internal medicine, and cardiology.
- Mental health.
- Speech pathology.
- Nutrition.
Other healthcare employment opportunities are sprinkled throughout the downtown and surrounding areas, including Bainbridge Pediatrics, Bainbridge Island Health and Rehabilitation Center, and the Center for Integrative Medicine at Virginia Mason Bainbridge Island. The Center for Integrative Medicine specializes in combining Western medicine with holistic, natural therapies.
If you can't find what you're looking for on Bainbridge Island, Seattle is only a 35-minute commute by ferry. Drive your car onto the ferry and enjoy fresh air and spectacular views during your commute. Get off the ferry and drive to major companies, such as Amazon, Boeing, and Microsoft. Ferries leave Bainbridge Island, Monday through Friday, as early as 4:45 AM, ensuring you get to work on time.
What to expect from Bainbridge Island schools
For a population of about 25,000, Bainbridge Island offers many primary, elementary, and high school education opportunities, both public and private, for children of families who reside on the island. Most Bainbridge Island Public School District schools are conveniently located near the Bainbridge to Seattle ferry terminal and offer education opportunities for preschool through 12th grade. Schools in the district include:
- Capt. Johnston Blakely Elementary School: Preschool through fourth grade.
- Capt. Charles Wilkes Elementary School: Preschool through fourth grade.
- Ordway Elementary: Kindergarten through fourth grade.
- Sakai Intermediate: Fifth and sixth grade.
- Woodward Middle School: Seventh and eighth grade.
- Bainbridge and Eagle Harbor High Schools: Ninth through 12th grade.
The school district also offers Bainbridge Special Education Services for preschool through senior students, while the Odyssey Multiage Program and Mosaic Home Education Partnership are provided for kindergarten through eighth grade. The Odyssey Multiage Program is a multi-age learning environment that encourages high parent involvement. At the same time, the Mosaic Home Education Partnership conducts monthly meetings and on-campus enrichment classes for students who receive the majority of their instruction at home, with the parents being the primary educators.
Private schools for children of all ages are available. For example, Montessori Country School, a private school located in the northwestern area of Bainbridge Island, offers classes to meet the developmental needs of infants from birth through 18 months of age and toddlers from 18 months to three years old. They also provide for primary- and elementary-aged children's intellectual, emotional, social, and physical developmental needs.
Other private schools, such as Hyla School, provide educational needs for middle and high school students in grades 6-12, while St. Cecilia Catholic School tends to the educational needs of preschoolers through eighth graders. Hazel Creek Montessori and the Island School are other private schools available to Bainbridge Island residents.
Private schools for children of all ages are available. For example, Montessori Country School, a private school located in the northwestern area of Bainbridge Island, offers classes to meet the developmental needs of infants from birth through 18 months of age and toddlers from 18 months to three years old. They also provide for primary- and elementary-aged children's intellectual, emotional, social, and physical developmental needs.
Other private schools, such as Hyla School, provide educational needs for middle and high school students in grades 6-12, while St. Cecilia Catholic School tends to the educational needs of preschoolers through eighth graders. Hazel Creek Montessori and the Island School are other private schools available to Bainbridge Island residents.
Travel around Bainbridge Island and beyond by cars, buses, and ferries
When you move to Bainbridge Island, you can mostly expect to get around the island and to the Kitsap Peninsula by car or boat. However, there are taxis and ride-sharing modes of transportation if needed. Bainbridge Island also has scenic trails and roadways promoting bike riding as a mode of transportation to get from one place to another.
Kitsap Transit provides public-use buses that travel throughout the island. They are available to take you elsewhere on the island or make sure you get to a ferry on time. The ferries provide the only link to the mainland and Seattle.
Kitsap Transit provides public-use buses that travel throughout the island. They are available to take you elsewhere on the island or make sure you get to a ferry on time. The ferries provide the only link to the mainland and Seattle.
Waterfront and International Dining on Bainbridge Island
In the downtown area of Bainbridge Island, you can enjoy waterfront views as you appreciate casual American and seafood dining at Doc's Marina Grill or farm-fresh pub grub at the Harbour Public House. Savor extra waterfront dining experiences along the Kitsap Peninsula or take a ferry ride to Seattle to relish fresh seafood and breathtaking sunsets.
When you have a taste for international cuisine, you can visit the following restaurants on Bainbridge Island:
When you have a taste for international cuisine, you can visit the following restaurants on Bainbridge Island:
- Bainbridge Thai Cuisine.
- Restaurant Marché for French-inspired food.
- Isla Bonita for Mexican staples.
- SuBI Japanese Restaurant.
- Ba Sa Restaurant for casual Vietnamese cuisine.
The Islander is a casual pub-style restaurant serving steaks and seafood. At the same time, the Agate Restaurant offers rustic fine dining with a seasonal menu. You can also taste wine at Bainbridge Island's numerous wineries and vineyards.
Consider moving to Bainbridge Island, Wash.
When you move to Bainbridge Island, you'll experience a friendly and social community, but at the same time, you'll have access to big-city experiences. You'll get to enjoy unprecedented outdoor activities and spectacular views that are found nowhere else in Washington. Although small, the island offers ample employment opportunities, good schools, and excellent dining experiences. Now that you know all the positive aspects of living here, consider owning your luxury home on Bainbridge Island and contact The Catherine Arlen Team for more information.
