Greatest Locations to Dwell in Washington State

We’ve acquired excellent news in case you’re contemplating a transfer to Washington state: It’s stuffed with nice locations to stay! Washington has professional sports activities groups, loads of job alternatives, superior public colleges and faculties, a big-time open air scene, and a handful of lakefront cities with attractive views of the water. So long as you possibly can afford the price of residing (which may be expensive in some cities), you’ll most likely have a blast residing within the Evergreen State.

Likelihood is, although, you will have an essential query in your thoughts: “The place are the perfect locations to stay in Washington?” Let’s reply that query by an inventory of the highest eight cities that match the invoice.

Simply be sure you hold this in thoughts: The very best place so that you can stay in Washington (or anyplace else for that matter) will rely in your particular person scenario and preferences. Chances are you’ll be on the lookout for someplace to retire, begin a household, or launch your profession. As you undergo this record, take into consideration which locations are the perfect match for you.

The place Are the Greatest Locations to Dwell in Washington State?

Right here’s the record! In no explicit order, the eight greatest locations to stay in Washington are:

Let’s break all of them down.

Seattle

First up is Seattle, Washington’s greatest metropolis by inhabitants and land measurement. As the house of Starbucks, Seattle’s Greatest Espresso and loads of nice native espresso outlets, Seattle is principally the espresso capital of America. It’s additionally dwelling to the headquarters of a number of non-coffee companies like Amazon, Nordstrom and Expedia.

As you’d count on from a significant metropolitan metropolis, Seattle provides its residents tons of world-class leisure choices. Are you a sports activities fan? Seattle has an NFL workforce (the Seahawks), an NHL workforce (the Kraken), an MLB workforce (the Mariners) and an MLS workforce (the Sounders FC). Love music? Go watch A-list performers like Usher, Justin Timberlake and Olivia Rodrigo at Local weather Pledge Enviornment. Extra of a performing arts fanatic? The Paramount Theatre hosts a ton of touring Broadway reveals.

Now, Seattle positively isn’t for everybody. It’s costly, with a value of residing that’s a whopping 45% larger than the nationwide common.¹ It has most of the issues widespread to large cities, like homelessness and better crime charges. And naturally, Seattle sees a ton of rain.

However in case you love the hustle and bustle of residing in a giant metropolis—and you’ve got the monetary assets to afford that life-style—the Emerald Metropolis (Seattle, not the one in Oz) may very well be a fantastic match.

*Knowledge in tables collected in February 2024.

Olympia

Up subsequent is Olympia, Washington’s capital metropolis. Should you take pleasure in politics, you’ll love residing in Olympia. Loads of Olympia’s residents are actually energetic in native politics and tremendous concerned with environmental and social causes.

Plus, a giant chunk of the town’s inhabitants works in authorities jobs, a lot of them on the capitol constructing. However don’t fear—Olympia does have job alternatives outdoors of the political world in sectors like well being care and expertise. There simply aren’t as many as in among the different cities on this record.

Olympia isn’t the costliest metropolis within the state, however it’s additionally not the most cost effective. Its price of residing is 15% larger than the nationwide common.⁷

Spokane

In search of a vacation spot that’s stuffed with youthful vitality? As the house of three faculties (Gonzaga College, Whitworth College and Jap Washington College) with over 10,000 college students collectively, Spokane positively matches that invoice.

As a result of Spokane is a university city, it’s stuffed with cool locations to hang around and enjoyable issues to do. Wish to keep inside? Go seize a chew to eat at one among Spokane’s nice eating places (like Market Road Pizza) or store for distinctive classic gadgets at a downtown boutique. Extra of an open air lover? Spokane provides close by alternatives for trout fishing and snowboarding (relying on the time of yr, in fact).

Spokane can be dwelling to some enjoyable annual occasions just like the Lilac Bloomsday Run, a 12k run, and the Spokane Worldwide Movie Pageant. And with a value of residing that’s simply 1.3% larger than the nationwide common, it’s one of many extra inexpensive cities on our record.¹³

Redmond

Need entry to all Seattle has to supply with out having to truly stay in that large of a metropolis? Redmond, a suburb of Seattle, is a good various. Redmond might be greatest often known as the house of Microsoft’s world headquarters, which has over 100 buildings and appears extra like a university campus than an workplace complicated.

Redmond is a family-friendly metropolis with nice colleges, secure neighborhoods and tons of enjoyable actions for the kiddos. It’s additionally a fantastic place for bikers—however not the sort driving Harleys and sporting leather-based jackets. Bicycles are tremendous widespread in Redmond, and there are tons of motorbike lanes and trails all through the town.

Add to all that the flexibility to journey to Seattle in round 20 minutes and also you’ve positively acquired an superior place to stay. Simply pay attention to Redmond’s housing prices—they’re not precisely low-cost.

Kirkland

One other nice various to Seattle is Kirkland, a suburb of the massive metropolis that’s simply 20 minutes away. Along with higher public colleges and a stronger group really feel in comparison with Seattle, Kirkland provides lovely views of Lake Washington and loads of alternatives for boating, mountaineering and picnics.

Kirkland can be the house of Costco (now you lastly know the place “Kirkland Signature” comes from!), and its public college system is powerful. Plus, Kirkland has a cool arts scene with varied occasions and festivals all year long. You may as well catch some superior reveals on the pretty Kirkland Efficiency Heart.

As for Kirkland’s price of residing, the town is certainly on the rich aspect. (Noticing a theme?) So if you wish to transfer your loved ones there, be sure you have a robust earnings and loads of margin in your finances.

Spokane

In search of a vacation spot that’s stuffed with youthful vitality? As the house of three faculties (Gonzaga College, Whitworth College and Jap Washington College) with over 10,000 college students collectively, Spokane positively matches that invoice.

As a result of Spokane is a university city, it’s stuffed with cool locations to hang around and enjoyable issues to do. Wish to keep inside? Go seize a chew to eat at one among Spokane’s nice eating places (like Market Road Pizza) or store for distinctive classic gadgets at a downtown boutique. Extra of an open air lover? Spokane provides close by alternatives for trout fishing and snowboarding (relying on the time of yr, in fact).

Spokane can be dwelling to some enjoyable annual occasions just like the Lilac Bloomsday Run, a 12k run, and the Spokane Worldwide Movie Pageant. And with a value of residing that’s simply 1.3% larger than the nationwide common, it’s one of many extra inexpensive cities on our record.¹³

Redmond

Need entry to all Seattle has to supply with out having to truly stay in that large of a metropolis? Redmond, a suburb of Seattle, is a good various. Redmond might be greatest often known as the house of Microsoft’s world headquarters, which has over 100 buildings and appears extra like a university campus than an workplace complicated.

Redmond is a family-friendly metropolis with nice colleges, secure neighborhoods and tons of enjoyable actions for the kiddos. It’s additionally a fantastic place for bikers—however not the sort driving Harleys and sporting leather-based jackets. Bicycles are tremendous widespread in Redmond, and there are tons of motorbike lanes and trails all through the town.

Add to all that the flexibility to journey to Seattle in round 20 minutes and also you’ve positively acquired an superior place to stay. Simply pay attention to Redmond’s housing prices—they’re not precisely low-cost.

Kirkland

One other nice various to Seattle is Kirkland, a suburb of the massive metropolis that’s simply 20 minutes away. Along with higher public colleges and a stronger group really feel in comparison with Seattle, Kirkland provides lovely views of Lake Washington and loads of alternatives for boating, mountaineering and picnics.

Kirkland can be the house of Costco (now you lastly know the place “Kirkland Signature” comes from!), and its public college system is powerful. Plus, Kirkland has a cool arts scene with varied occasions and festivals all year long. You may as well catch some superior reveals on the pretty Kirkland Efficiency Heart.

As for Kirkland’s price of residing, the town is certainly on the rich aspect. (Noticing a theme?) So if you wish to transfer your loved ones there, be sure you have a robust earnings and loads of margin in your finances.

Mercer Island

So right here’s the take care of Mercer Island: It’s a very costly place to stay. Meaning, in case you’re on the lookout for someplace to start elevating a household or begin your profession as a younger skilled, it’s most likely not a fantastic vacation spot for you.

However in case you can afford to stay on Mercer Island, both since you earn a robust earnings otherwise you’ve already labored onerous to construct wealth, chances are high, you’ll adore it. That’s as a result of Mercer Island is attractive—like, we’re speaking the kind of place the place you’d count on a Hallmark film to be filmed.

A part of the Seattle metro space, Mercer Island is surrounded by Lake Washington and provides unbelievable views of each the water and the close by mountains. Town additionally doesn’t have a ton of economic improvement, which provides to its peaceable ambiance. And also you’re all the time only a fast ferry trip away from Seattle if you wish to expertise the massive metropolis.

Walla Walla

Subsequent up is Walla Walla, which has similarities to the opposite smaller cities on our record. It’s acquired nice colleges, quiet neighborhoods, a robust group vibe and many alternatives for out of doors recreation.

The distinction between Walla Walla and the opposite smaller cities? The associated fee. As you’ve most likely seen, a number of of the perfect locations to stay in Washington have actually excessive housing prices, however Walla Walla is rather more cheap. With a median hire of beneath $1,500, it’s among the many most inexpensive cities on our record.

However value isn’t the one factor about Walla Walla that stands out. It’s additionally a part of Washington’s wine nation, with over 100 wineries and tasting rooms. Plus, Walla Walla hosts a number of enjoyable (and distinctive) occasions all year long, just like the Walla Walla Chamber Music Pageant, the Candy Onion Pageant and the Balloon Stampede.

Vancouver

Rounding out our record is Vancouver. Positioned proper on the sting of Washington’s southwest border, Vancouver is nearer to the Oregon state line than to some other metropolis in Washington. Actually, one among Vancouver’s greatest perks is how shut it’s to Portland—only a 20-minute drive. Meaning folks residing in Vancouver have easy accessibility to Portland’s airport, sports activities groups and workplaces with out having to be there on a regular basis.

Portland isn’t the one factor Vancouver’s residents have easy accessibility to—the good open air additionally awaits! Vancouver is inside a 45-minute drive of just about each sort of panorama, together with the countryside, the seashore, the mountains and many rivers and lakes.

Vancouver has been rising like loopy recently, however it’s really a metropolis with a variety of historical past. It’s stuffed with well-preserved buildings from the Pacific Northwest’s pioneer period, together with Victorian properties. Better of all, Vancouver is household pleasant and finances pleasant.

Able to Transfer to Washington State?

Should you’re able to pack your luggage and relocate to one among these cities, be sure you can afford the housing prices earlier than you hit the highway—particularly since a variety of the areas we checked out have costly hire and residential costs.

So, how do you determine whether or not you possibly can afford the housing in any of those Washington cities? It’s easy! Simply be sure that your hire or mortgage cost is not more than 25% of your take-home pay. Should you’re planning to purchase a house, that quantity consists of personal mortgage insurance coverage (PMI), HOA charges and owners insurance coverage. You should utilize our free Mortgage Calculator to get a take a look at what you possibly can afford.

Preserve that 25% rule in thoughts, and also you’ll be properly in your solution to thriving in Washington state.