$729,369Average Value$356Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Island living in northwest Washington
Oak Harbor is the largest city on Whidbey Island, which is, in turn, the largest island on the west coast of the continental U.S. The city serves as a hub for shopping, dining and nightlife for the northern half of the island. Puget Sound plays a large role in everyday life in town, much of which overlooks the waterfront. Whale sightings are common, and boating and fishing are popular pastimes. Just north of town, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island employs a sizeable chunk of the local population. “Oak Harbor is a great blend of nature while still having the amenities needed for everyday living,” says local Realtor Andrew Hosford, who has lived in the area for eight years. "Within 10 minutes you can be on a boat fishing for salmon, hiking the coastline, mountain biking the local trails, or browsing a farmers’ market for local goodies. The area is one of the more affordable places left in Washington with water views and access."
Whidbey Island's naval air station is a stone's throw from Harbor View.
Harbor View is on Whidbey Island in the scenic Puget Sound area of Washington State.
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Midcentury ranchers and modern subdivisions near Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
In contrast to most of the rest of Whidbey Island, there are relatively few vacation homes in Oak Harbor. Although the town was founded in 1915, the majority of the homes here today were built following the establishment of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in 1941. The residential market is largely made up of midcentury properties near the center of town, and an expanding ring of subdivisions mostly lined with contemporary Craftsman two-story homes. A selection of condos and townhouses are available as well. Condos and townhouses usually sell for $350,000 to $500,000, while the median sales price for a single-family home in 2024 was $545,000.
Oak Harbor has a Mediterranean climate, which essentially means that the sound keeps temperatures mild. The island is in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, so rainfall is substantially less than in nearby Seattle. The city is served by the Oak Harbor Police Department, but overall crime rates are not available.
Although many of the homes are of a similar style in Olympic Gardens, they are all unique.
Craftsman style homes are among the many types seen throughout the Utsalady neighborhood.
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Deception Pass State Park and easy water access
The city oversees a robust local parks system — most neighborhoods in town feature at least a couple of green spaces. Windjammer Park, located near downtown, is the largest of these and includes a beach, walking trails and harbor views. The town is also close to multiple state parks and other wilderness areas. “Many residents go crabbing clamming, salmon fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing even in the colder months," says Hosford. "On land, there are trail systems all around the island for scenic hikes, mountain biking, and exploring." To the north of town, Deception Pass State Park offers miles of hiking trails with stunning views of both Puget Sound and the iconic Deception Pass Bridge. Nearby Dugualla State Park is a little closer to town and a lot less visited, but it still offers scenic Puget Sound-side hikes. Boating and fishing are a big part of life for many locals, and multiple marinas and boat launches can be found in the area.
Ebey's Landing is a stunning beach with outstanding views in the Penn Cove Park neighborhood.
Harbor View visitors can easily pop up to Deception Pass for beautiful views.
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Route 20 shopping and waterfront dining
Shopping in Oak Harbor is concentrated along state Route 20, Whidbey Island’s major arterial road. Shopping centers and retail areas follow the road along its north-south path through town, housing multiple supermarkets and chain retailers along with a few popular local shops like The Book Rack. There are also a number of casual eateries along 20, but many of the city’s most popular eateries are located closer to the waterfront, in Oak Harbor’s historic downtown area. While most amenities are close at hand, it is a 10-mile drive south from Oak Harbor to the nearest major hospital, Whidbey Health Medical Center in nearby Coupeville.
Harbor View offers residents close proximity to downtown shopping.
Coupeville is a beautiful, waterfront town just a few miles south of Olympic Gardens.
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Oak Harbor public schools and Skagit Valley College
The Oak Harbor School District oversees the local public schools and has a B-plus grade on Niche. Oak Harbor High School also has a B-plus grade, and offers dual enrollment courses at Skagit Valley Community College, which has a campus in town.
Oak Harbor High school has a B-plus rating on Niche.com.
Oak Harbor Intermediate School is a public intermediate school in Oak Harbor.
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The Whidbey Island Marathon and other events
Every April, the Whidbey Island Marathon attracts runners from across the Pacific Northwest, while the simultaneous Holland Happening celebrates the city’s Dutch heritage with a parade, food and live acts.
Deception Pass Bridge or the Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry to Seattle
State Route 20 runs through the city, connecting residents to other island communities and Deception Pass Bridge, the island’s only permanent connection to the mainland. Island Transit provides free bus service throughout Whidbey Island, with routes that include stops in Oak Harbor and connections to the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry terminal. It’s about two hours to Seattle via either the ferry or the bridge.
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Photography Contributed By
Erik Knudsen
Video By
Jacob McAllister
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Oak Harbor, WA sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Oak Harbor, WA over the last 12 months is $457,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Escape to your own private retreat w/ this inviting 3-bed, 2-bath home, offering 1,566 sq ft of comfortable, light-filled living on 2.5 acres. The open floor plan creates a spacious, airy feel—perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in. The large kitchen w/ its sunny eat-in nook flows into a the bright living room & dining room with tray ceiling, making entertaining effortless. Each bedroom has
Enjoy all that Oak Harbor has to offer with this charming three level home. Minutes from the NAS, historic waterfront, and conveniently located for schools, parks, and shopping. Garage enters to cozy family room complete with wood burning stove, laundry and half bath. Just a few steps up to the main living area with kitchen, dining and living room. Find the primary with en suit and two more
Welcome to Heron House, a relaxing Whidbey Island waterfront retreat. Nestled along miles of sandy beach across from a tranquil wildlife sanctuary,this coastal gem offers sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains, San Juan and Vancouver Islands. Inside, the home is bathed in natural light.The open-concept living area flows seamlessly with a newly remodeled kitchen, 1/2 bath and a spacious beach
Spacious home nestled in the serene Shirona neighborhood just a short stroll to West Beach access. Foyer w/French doors leads to a light-filled LivRm w/2-story high ceilings w/expansive windows capturing the sunshine. Formal DiningRm is ideal for hosting dinners. Kitchen overlooks large FamRm w/slider onto large deck in the bkyard, perfect for outdoor entertainment/quiet relaxation. Upstairs, a
Premier waterfront living in this elegant Whidbey home—your private front-row seat to sailboat races, fireworks, and glowing sunsets. Short walk to the marina, historic downtown, shops, restaurants, parks, and public docks, this home offers both relaxation and convenience. The layout features vaulted ceilings, a large garage, and plenty of room for guests. The primary suite is a true retreat,
Light, bright, and beautifully maintained, this single-level Craftsman is designed for those 55 and better. Located in a charming neighborhood that borders Whidbey Golf Club with a real sense of community. The home features a circular floor plan with vaulted ceilings in the living, dining, and kitchen areas. A sliding door leads to the covered patio perfect for enjoying morning coffee or evening
Commercial Lease only. Great office condominium suite in the Cascade Place Professional Building on the corner of State Route 20 and Whidbey Avenue, right in the heart of the Oak Harbor commercial triangle. Suite 205 is a 1,010 square foot space was used as a counseling center. Public restrooms throughout building are available. High traffic and visibility. Close to schools, shopping and NAS
Make the dream of opening a business a reality in this 4600 sf building located in the busy downtown corridor of Oak Harbor. Zoned C-3 community commercial, there are multiple uses for this property: retail sales, office space, gymnasium, wellness center, antique mall, and more. The space is currently comprised of a reception area/storefront w/display cases and racks. Several framed-in rooms
Oak Harbor’s Harbor View neighborhood is a residential area known for its mix of suburban convenience and natural beauty. As part of the larger Oak Harbor community, it offers a range of housing options, shopping and dining venues, recreational activities and easy access to Whidbey Island Station. This neighborhood attracts a diverse population, including families, retirees and military personnel due to its proximity to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. “It’s definitely one of the most convenient places to live on the island,” says Realtor Cristie Arnold of RE/MAX Gateway, who has lived and worked in the area for over seven years. “Especially if you work on base, or you just want to live near town. I mean, Oak Harbor isn’t a big city by any means, but there’s definitely a lot to do here. And you’re still just a short drive from hiking and fishing and all the more outdoorsy parts of Whidbey.”
Most of the homes in Harbor View were built in the middle decades of the 20th century. The neighborhood’s housing inventory is composed almost entirely of midcentury ranch-style homes and cottages, making for a stark contrast with the adjacent Victory Hill neighborhood, which is composed entirely of 2-story contemporary duplexes. While Oak Habor isn’t next to the water, it isn’t far from it either, and many homes have decent views of the sound. Most homes in the area offer between 1,200 and 2,500 square feet and sell for $400,000 to $600,000.
Most students in the area attend Oak Harbor Public Schools. Oak Harbor Elementary and North Whidbey Middle School both have a B grade on Niche. Oak Harbor High School has a B-plus grade and is known across Whidbey Island for its student-run cable channel, Wildcat TV, which features everything from news to theater productions.
Harbor View is less than half a mile from Downtown Oak Harbor, the largest retail area on Whidbey Island. The area features several grocery stores, including Safeway and Haggen, along with big box stores like Walmart and Home Depot. But downtown Oak Harbor’s real appeal lies in its locally-owned shops and boutiques, which range from thrift stores like Garage of Blessings and Island Thrift to upscale home goods stores like Varner Candle Company. Dining options in Harbor View cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. Local favorites include Noe Jose Cafe, known for its casual atmosphere and Mexican-American menu, and Frasers Gourmet Hideaway, which offers a more upscale dining experience with a focus on Pacific Northwest cuisine. For those seeking a quick bite, there are numerous cafes and fast-food outlets scattered throughout the area.
One of the highlights of living in Harbor View is the access to numerous parks and recreational facilities. Windjammer Park, located along the waterfront features walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a beach, along with excellent views of the harbor. Additionally, the park hosts community events and festivals throughout the year, including the Oak Harbor Music Festival and Oak Harbor Carnival. There are also a number of other smaller city parks around the neighborhood, including Volunteer Park, which is home to the local skate park and pool. For those interested in hiking and nature walks, there are tons of preserves within a 10-mile drive, most notably Deception Pass State Park, which provides miles of trails and great views of Whidbey Island’s most famous feature. Oak Harbor’s titular harbor along with other nearby portions of Puget Sound offer endless opportunities for kayaking, fishing and whale watching.
Regatta Drive, which borders Harbor View to the east, connects the neighborhood to state Route 20, which in turn connects to Whidbey Island Station, Deception Pass and the mainland. It’s about 4 miles to the naval base, 10 miles to Deception Pass, and a little less than 30 miles to Mount Vernon, the largest city in the region. A number of bus routes, overseen by Island Transit, pass by the neighborhood, and it’s less than a mile to the Harbor Station Transfer Center, which serves as a central hub for North Whidbey Island’s buses. Harbor View is also one of the few neighborhoods on Whidbey Island that’s close enough to shopping and dining options to allow residents to get by without relying on some form of private transportation.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
