If you plan to move to Washington, you need to know the best places to live in Washington State.
Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States and is officially called the District of Columbia.
Washington is home to all three branches of the U.S. government and many international organizations. It is home to embassies of so many foreign nations as well.
Despite being the center of the U.S. government, Washington is also known for its history.
It is a beautiful city in the Pacific Northwest filled with spectacular scenery and impressive architecture.
There are so many historic national monuments and well-known museums. The Nation’s Capital is filled with diverse job opportunities and fantastic nightlife and entertainment options.
Before you finalize moving in, here are a few things to know about living in this beautiful city.
Things to Know If You Are Living In Washington
Washington has a reputation for being a busy political and business hub. It is said to be ranked among the top cities in the U.S. to live in.
Because of this, this city draws various people from different cultures and personal backgrounds, thus creating a colorful and electric effect.
Here are a few things you need to know if you are planning to live in Washington:
1. Central Hub
Washington is a central hub for travelers with an international and national airport, topped with the grand Union Station for bus and train travel.
It is also a prime location for businesses looking to expand.
2. Filled With Nature
If you are new to Washington, you will be surprised by the multitude of parks and wildlife here. There are numerous large and popular green areas in the city with long winding trails.
3. Political Parties
Washington is a professional town where so many newcomers from all over the world pursue their careers in various fields like politics, law, healthcare, education, non-profit work, and much more.
4. Living History
You get to see famous buildings and sites on nearly every block in Washington. It is thus hard not to get wrapped up in the past stories while walking through and watching history unfold.
The downtown area is filled with iconic monuments and well-known museums, and they are free to visit, and there is always something to discover here.
5. A Live Event Destination
This capital city is never at a loss for live events or nightlife.
Many reputed theatre companies here with collections ranging from modern plays to Shakespeare.
The city is known for live music and comedy tours, and you can get to see live events at the Anthem concert venue to the prestigious Kennedy Centre of Performing Arts.
6. The Joy of All Four Seasons
Unlike the other cities in the U.S., you can experience all four seasons at Washington in full force. Summer gets pretty swelter, and humidity is relatively high.
Fall is beautiful, and winters are cold but not unbearable. Snow is a rare event, and perhaps Washington is most bright in spring when the famed cherries bloom, and everyone finds an excuse to stay outside.
7. Gourmet Delight
Food is a favorite issue here in Washington. There are thousands of restaurants, each unique for its American and international cuisine.
Several thriving organic supermarkets and various farmers’ markets supply fresh produce throughout the week. Community gardens can also be found around the state.
8. Beacon For Education
Most of the people living in Washington are natives of elsewhere but got attracted because of the high education that this city offers. Those seeking exceptional education mostly preferred this capital city.
9. House Prices
Washington has a reputation for having a very competitive real estate market. In some neighborhoods where you can find historic homes combined with high-end local businesses, housing prices are a little high.
But not all houses are above the average price range here. You can find reasonably priced homes too without having to sacrifice much on your surroundings.
So now that you know what the city is like, let us explore which are the best places to live in Washington State.
Best Places To Live In Washington State
Washington is no doubt one of the U.S.’s secret treasures of outstanding natural beauty. It is full to the brim with natural beauty, a thriving economy, friendly residents, and a booming property market from some of the great cities.
It is the gem of the Pacific Northwest that has towering evergreens and perfect city life, whether it is the urban core or a modern apartment.
On the flip side, just like any state, the average property value can be high in certain areas and less in some compared to the national average.
If you are planning to move in, check out what is the immense city feeling here and check out some of the best places to live in Washington State.
1. Seattle
Seattle is the largest city in Washington State and the 15th largest in the U.S. It boasts world-class facilities and reliable public transportation, a walkable downtown, bike paths, and various attractions for its residents, just like San Francisco.
One of the best places to live in Washington State is a booming job market with various industries like environmental engineering, genomics, biotech, lumber, and industrial machinery manufacturing. The city boasts of significant employers like Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, and Zillow, a rage among young professionals.
It opens new opportunities for students through Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University. The iconic Space Needle and Seattle Art Museum are situated here.
The Pacific Northwest Ballet and Pop Culture Museum are part of the city’s cultural life and add to the vibrant nightlife of this place.
Despite the high cost of living, Seattle has a population above 785,995 and year-round greenery. It has earned the nickname Emerald City for its sparkling waterfront and outdoor wonders. Don’t forget to check out the Seattle coffee and food scene that is legendary here.
2. Tacoma
Founded in 1872, Tacoma is one of the best places to live in Washington State.
It got the name The City of Destiny because of being located along the western part of the North Pacific Railroad.
Tacoma, with a population of nearly 222,975, is home to millennials and families who desire a quaint city life with affordable housing combined with some best schools. There are various industries for young professionals like healthcare, military, insurance, aerospace, finance, and trade and logistics.
The University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University are some good colleges, and there are various other private higher education institutions.
Tacoma is famed for its world-renowned glass art and is home to the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. This museum has some of the most impressive glass sculptures that are suspended innovatively.
3. Olympia
Even though Seattle is the biggest city in Washington, it is not the capital of the state. Olympia has the honor of being the capital city and is just an hour away from Seattle. Olympia is a small town than Seattle, with a population of nearly 46,000, and is built along the water.
The city is a hub for theater and art lovers, with the reputed Olympia Family Theatre and Olympia Symphony Orchestra.
Residents enjoy weekend get-aways with their family on hiking trails, relax near the waterfront with clear views of Mount Rainier National Park, or enjoy a visit to the Olympic National Park.
It is indeed one of the best places to live in Washington State, regardless of where you work, whether in the government or elsewhere.
4. Vancouver
One of the best cities to commute to Portland, Vancouver, is situated across the Columbia River from Portland.
Vancouver is a small town that is just a 15-minute drive to Portland, though if there is traffic, it may take longer. One of the best benefits of living here is the lack of state income tax, and this could help you save aplenty!
You can enjoy the parks, art exhibits, and green rolling space around the city. There is access to the Columbia River’s waterside trails and mountain biking, and you can also enjoy a perfect paddling race along the river.
5. Spokane
People prefer to stay in the western part of Washington, but one of the best places to live in Washington State is found on the east side. Spokane is situated along the border of Idaho and is the 99th populous city in the U.S.
Spokane, a small town, is a haven for those people who love to get outside. The Spokane River goes right through the city, and there are various ski resorts, hiking, and rafting within a few hours from the city.
The well-known Gonzaga University is located here, and this college’s basketball team attracts people from all over the country.
6. Bellevue
Bellevue means beautiful views in French, which is exactly what this city is. Nestled in King County between two lakes, Lake Sammamish to the east and Lake Washington to the west, this thriving city is just a 25minute drive from Seattle proper.
The Lake Trail is a trail that connects these two lakes making it easy to explore and enjoy the various activities offered in both these places.
This city, with a population of about 151,464, has the Cascade and the Olympic Mountains in its background, and this natural scenery is what most of the people in this neighborhood revel in. There are various hiking and bicycle trails and a botanical garden too here.
Bellevue is not only a natural gem but also a thriving business spot with many star companies based here. Couple this with many local fairs and annual festivals and top-rated schools that make it one of the best places to live in the Washington Area.
The Bellevue Strawberry Festival celebrates this city’s rich strawberry farming, and colorful nightlife is an added attraction.
7. Maple Valley
If you prefer the great outdoors more, then Maple Valley is one of the best places to live in Washington State. Even though the topography of the entire state looks like an outdoor haven, places like Maple Valley add to the beauty.
The schools here have been recognized as Green Ribbon Schools because of their attribution to environmental promotion and education. The schools take various initiatives to preserve the famous Lake Wilderness Park and the other parks bordering the city.
There are plenty of community activities to support art, golfing, and wilderness parks.
8. Pullman
Located in Whitman County towards the southeast of Washington, Pullman attracts many people for its scenic beauty and low cost of living.
This city is known for its low crime rate, shops and entertainment options, a high number of restaurants, good education, and various outdoor activities.
Washington State University is located here. The University of Idaho is also only a few minutes away as Pullman is located near the border, across from Moscow, Idaho.
Pullman is one of the best places to live in Washington State as it has affordable living, plenty of college vibes, natural areas, and dozens of parks. It has also won many national awards and honorable mentions for its beauty.
9. Redmond
Redmond is home to Microsoft, the largest employer of the place, and other tech giants like AT & T, Genie Industries, Nintendo, and Solstice.
The Marymoor Park, the most popular park in King County, is located today and has a sprawling 640 acres of space that is used for festivals, concerts, picnics, sports, hiking trails, and much more.
One of the best places to live in Washington State sits at a convenient location of about 16 miles from the state’s largest city Seattle.
Redmond has a highly bikeable community and has earned the name of the bicycle capital of the Northwest. There are tons of bicycle paths here, and if you are someone who loves bicycling, you can hike along the trails in Idylwood Beach park or various other trials. Redmond is the right place for you if you want to contribute to the environment.
10. Richland
Finding a home at an affordable cost and low crime rate can be daunting. But as far as an excellent affordable option goes, Richland is one of the best places to live in Washington State.
This town in Benton County is trendy for golfing, with four golf courses. Like other areas of this Evergreen State, various parks are located, especially along the Columbia and Yakima Rivers.
You can enjoy every imaginable outdoor fun or water sport here like biking, boating, bird watching, golfing, salmon fishing, and whatever you can name.
11. Issaquah
Nicknamed Trailhead City because of the abundance of trails nearby, Issaquah is one of the best places to live in Washington State. This place takes pride in itself being a clean and safe community, having some of the most outstanding schools, restaurants, and other attractions like Cougar Mountain Zoo.
Issaquah sits in the shadows of the Issaquah and Cascades Alps. There are tons of urban green areas dotted in the city, and the mountain ranges give you lots of hiking options.
Apart from its mountain beauty and outdoor activities, Issaquah is known for its salmon hatcher and holds an annual Salmon Festival during the fall season to celebrate the return of the salmons to their native waters.
Wrapping Up
Washington is called Evergreen State because of its outstanding beauty and stunning scenery. It has the status of being the only state in the U.S. to be named after the President.
Washington has bragged about the rights to hold the headquarters of some of the world’s biggest employers like Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, and more.
No wonder you will find some of the best places in Washington State that are suited for big city living.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
