Hello World! Welcome Friends! The Pacific Northwest is probably best known for its lush green landscapes and coastal getaways. Washington is arguably the crowning jewel of the PNW, with its stunning scenery and vastly different regions that offer a little something for everyone.
If you’re considering moving to Washington state, here’s everything you need to know to make sure it’s the right one for you.
An Overview of Washington State
The Pacific Northwest is made up of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and small slivers of Montana and Wyoming. Of the 16 million people that live in these regions, almost half of them live in Washington state. And for good reason.
Washington offers diversity in the way of climate, lifestyle, and landscape. The state is divided by the Cascade mountain range, cutting it into Eastern and Western regions. Both are vastly different.
The Western side of the state is heavily populated and has the largest cities, like Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and Vancouver. The weather is temperate, the landscape outside the cities is lush and green, and there’s no end of things to see and do.
The Eastern side is less populated and is largely dominated by farming and orchards. You’ll find outdoor opportunities, pick your own produce stands, and a slower way of life on this side of the state.
Washington has five active volcanos, although almost four decades have passed since an eruption last occurred. Towering over it all, and visible to almost half the state, is the monumental Mount Rainier, a beacon for seasoned climbers and novice hikers alike.
Lifestyle and Cost of Living
Surrounded by this natural beauty, it’s no wonder that the quality of life in Washington is considered high.
It’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean, along with hundreds of lakes, streams, and rivers means plenty of water fun in the way of surfing, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, and swimming.
And with over 100 mountains and thousands of acres of state parks, you’ll always be near outdoor adventures.
The one downside is that Washington is one of the more expensive states to call home. Especially on the Western side of the state, where you could pay up to eighty percent more to rent an apartment than the national average, living in Washington can cost you.
However, the average salary is also higher here so in many cases, it balances out. Further, you can argue that the high quality of life is worth the extra money you’ll be paying to move to Washington.
As a general rule, you’ll pay more for housing and gas than the national average, but less for healthcare and utilities.
If you’re considering a move to Washington for retirement, you’re in good company. It’s seen as a friendly place to retire to, as it doesn’t tax accounts like social security or pensions. With its vast array of outdoor opportunities, locally grown and organic foods, and world-class healthcare facilities, you’ll also likely stay healthier as you age!
Climate
Split into two by the mountains, there are two distinct climate regions in Washington.
The Western side of the state, closer to the ocean, is considered temperate. The summers are mild and humid, with temperatures around 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are rainy, with temperatures rarely dropping below 46 degrees.
The Eastern side of the state, however, has hot summers and cold winters, with a good amount of rain in the spring. You’ll experience all four seasons in their extremes on this side of the mountains.
The Job Market
Washington is being hailed as the “new Silicon Valley”. Led largely by cities in the Western side of the state like Seattle, Washington’s economy is thriving. Huge innovations in tech, engineering, and patents have come from Washington companies in the last five years.
Washington is also home to longstanding corporate giants like Boeing, Amazon, Starbucks, and Microsoft. The job market in Washington is hearty, and new jobs in a variety of fields are added every year, making Washington an enticing place for new opportunities and fresh starts.
Washington Real Estate
As mentioned, the cost of living is higher in Washington, meaning you will pay more to live here. With that said, the housing market is still competitive and growing. What you’ll pay largely depends on what area of the state you choose to live. You can take expert help from GZ Homes Real Estate professionals to find the best home according to your needs and budget.
You’ll pay more to rent or buy on the Western side of the state in the bigger cities. If you’re looking for slightly lower prices in a fairly good-sized city, check out Spokane, on the Eastern side of the state.
Spokane is roughly the same size as Tacoma, with plenty of amenities and opportunities. However, it’s also within an hour of over 50 lakes, almost a dozen rivers, and Lake Couer d’Alene, one of the biggest and most beautiful lakes in the country.
Check out this article from RH Cooke about the best up and coming Spokane Neighborhoods to consider moving to.
The Crime Rate
Again, crime rates vary largely depending on the region you choose to settle in. Larger cities will always have higher rates of crime than smaller cities, meaning the Eastern side of the state is the “safer” place to live.
Considering how many larger cities the state holds, it has an impressively low crime rate. There are only 284 offenses per 100,000 people each year. Washington boasts an 18.4 percent lower violent crime rate than the national average. The property crime rate, however, is 35 percent higher.
Moving to Washington State
Are you considering moving to Washington state? With its expansive and varying landscapes and climates, job opportunities, real estate growth, and high quality of life in terms of healthcare and outdoor experiences, Washington should be at the top of your list of potential new home states.
Looking for more information articles on real estate and home matters? Check out the rest of this site to read even more!
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Tips for Successful Replacement Window Installation
The Best Materials for a Stylish Home
Create a Hampton Style Living Space
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