Is Moving to Washington State Right for You?
If you’re considering moving to Washington, you’ve come to the right place. Washington is truly a gem in the Pacific Northwest… and not just for its breathtaking natural beauty.
In this state guide, we’ll cover everything from the stunning landscape that makes Washington so lovely, the booming economy that is beginning to give the rest of the nation some Silicon Valley deja vu and a few cities that are worth considering if you decide to actually make a jump here.
Grab a cup of coffee and settle in, we’re about to give you everything you need to know about moving to the wonderful state of Washington.
Washington just might be the most beautiful state in the Pacific Northwest.
The Pacific Northwest, often referred to as Cascadia, is quite possibly the prettiest region (or bioregion) of the United States. Cascadia is made up of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of both Montana and Wyoming. While 16 million people live in Cascadia, nearly half of them live in the state of Washington alone –– that’s a pretty sizeable chunk.
Why is this noteworthy? Because of the fact that Cascadia’s landscape is known for being unparalleled in natural beauty.
The Cascade Mountain Range knifes through the state of Washington dividing it into two parts –– Western Washington and Eastern Washington –– the pair are very diverse in both features and weather.
The states most heavily populated cities like Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma and Vancouver land on the Eastern side of the mountain.
Perhaps, the crowned jewel of Washington’s landscape is the colossal 14,411 feet high Mount Rainier that can be seen by half of the state… take a moment and think about that.
With that said, Washington’s landscape isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. It’s also home to five active volcanoes (Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak, Mount Baker, and Mount Adams). Don’t worry, though. It’s been about four decades since the last eruption.
The pros and cons of moving to Washington.
Washington lucked out with a pretty gorgeous canvas. With this naturally comes both a higher quality of life and plenty to do in the great outdoors.
With Washington being home to over 100 mountains, it’s safe to say (or not so safe to say) that it’s a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast that adores hiking, mountain biking and climbing. But, if you’re the type of individual that feels more comfortable in the water, Washington has a lot to offer in this department too.
With it being in such close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and too many lakes, streams, and rivers to count… surfing, wind-surfing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, and just some good ole fashion swimming is always an option. And, finally, if you get an early enough start to your day, you might even find time to get a run or two down one of Seattle’s many slopes.
And, while the cost of living is quite a bit higher than other parts of the United States (more on that here momentarily)… some might argue it’s a fair trade to have such incredible access to the great outdoors.
Make no bones about it. Washington is an expensive state to call home. The state’s most popular city, Seattle, will cost you a whopping $2,400 for a two bedroom apartment… if you were wondering… that is a mind-boggling 80% higher than the national average.
While other cities in Washington are slightly cheaper to live in, be prepared to pay a little more than you are probably paying in your current city (unless you’re living in New York City, Los Angeles or San Francisco).
Fortunately, the average salary in Seattle is right under $70,000 a year, making it a little easier to cough up the two grand you will owe your landlord each year. And, speaking of money, let’s discuss Washington’s economy. Afterall, you’ll need a job once you get there.
Washington, believe it or not, was America’s top state for business back in 2017. It grew by 3.7% back in 2016, which was roughly two and a half times the national average. So, it’s not only winning the race; it’s dominating it. With this, the state of Washington is massively innovative, too. It followed right behind California back in 2016 with the most patents filed by any state.
It is certainly safe to say that over the past decade, Washington has lived up to its nickname, The Evergreen State. Though, we are pretty sure they were referring to the state’s vast evergreen forests when it was given this nickname.
The state’s thriving economy makes it the perfect place for professionals looking to chase down an opportunity.
Now the only question to ask is when are you coming? If you need to decide where to live.
Gabrielle Ritter 206-866-8136 [email protected]
by: Bellhops Seattle Movers
