Poulsbo : Washington

Nestled in a valley between the majestic Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges, Poulsbo, Washington, is an authentic Norwegian community settled in the 1800’s by immigrants from Norway and Finland, who were drawn to it because of the similarities to their native countries.  The city is located on Liberty Bay in Kitsap County, that provides for breathtaking scenery and has a population of just under 10,000.  Today, the Scandinavian theme is prevalent in its downtown with its storefronts, art galleries, shops, and specialty bakeries.   The town has become a popular regional tourist destination, and with a town harbor, many visitors arrive by boat.  Poulsbo celebrates its proud Norwegian heritage each year with a popular Viking Fest. King Olav V of Norway visited  in 1975, when the town celebrated 150 years of Norwegian settlement in the United States. Photo of Front Street courtesy of Wikipedia and Steven Pavlov, photo of Liberty Bay courtesy of Wikipedia and Joe Mabel.

Poulsbo, commonly referred to as "Little Norway on the Fjord", has the old world charm of a Norwegian community; the vibrant, very walkable downtown has specialty shops and historic attractions;  The town also has its own harbor with boat slips for visitors, and several parks which offer many outdoor activities, including a waterfront park with boating;  And you would never tire of the panoramic views of Liberty Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

As with many tourist destinations, Poulsbo can become crowded during the summer months; high cost of living; winters can be long with cool temperatures

Retirees who want a quaint, walkable town on the water would enjoy living here;  Olympic University has a satellite campus in Poulsbo which makes it a college town;  Poulsbo crime rate is lower than the national average

The economy is diverse and is driven by manufacturing, defence, tourism and professional and technical services.

Poulsbo's average January temperature is 41 degrees, and the average July temperture is about 61 degrees. The city receives approximately 35 inches of rain annually, and just a few inches of snow each winter.

Poulsbo is full of shops, waterfront restaurants and art galleries, and is home to Sluys' Poulsbo Bakery which is known worldwide for it famous Poulsbo Bread;  The town is proud of its Norwegian heritage which it celebrates with many festivals throughout the year, including the annual Viking Fest with artisans, food, and a parade;  The Summer Solstice is celebrated Norwegian style with the St.Hans Mid-Sommerfest that includes folk dances and a bon fire; The Lighted Boat Parade is a Christmas tradition held each year by the Poulsbo Yacht Club.