Anacortes' climate is mild, with annual rainfall of 26" and daytime temperatures averaging in the 40s during the winter and 70s in the summer.  The city typically receives several inches of fleeting snowfall each year.

The cultural attractions are many and varied.  The community theatre has been operating continuously since 1964, staging six plays each year.  There is a vibrant restaurant and gallery scene, with an art walk on the first Friday of each month.  The Old Town area hosts a number of pubs with nightly music.  The Anacortes Arts Festival in August draws 80,000 visitors over a busy weekend.  Other annual events:  the Salmon Derby (March), Spring Wine Festival (April), Trawler Fest and the Waterfront Festival (both in May), Shipwreck Day (July), and the Oyster Run (September).  The close proximity to two major metropolitan areas provides added variety.

The school system is excellent.  The district consists of three elementary schools, a middle school, a high school, and a "school ready" campus, encompassing Gates grant-sponsored pre-school and kindergarten classes.  Every year, Anacortes sends many high-school graduates on to university careers.

Fidalgo Island boasts over fifty miles of forested trails, ideal for running, hiking, and mountain biking.  The island is dominated by Mt. Erie, with four lakes, and wonderful scenic views of the sound.  Anacortes is home to the second-largest bare-boat charter fleet in the world, as well as burgeoning whale watching, kayaking, and fishing operations.

Housing is available in a wide variety of price points, ranging from starter homes to those over $1 million.  Property taxes are moderate and the local sales tax is 8.2%.

Anacortes is a wonderful place to call "home."  It combines the best of a number of worlds - small-town values with culture, scenic beauty, and an accessible location.