Washington is the only state named after a U.S. president and has more than 7.7 million residents. It’s no surprise that many people call this place home due to its unique culture, delicious food and closeness to nature. The Evergreen State has many different cities to choose from. So wherever you’re looking Seattle Homes for Sale or just browse Spokane Apartments for Rent, you’re sure to find a place to call home. If you’re considering moving to the Pacific Northwest, we’ve broken down some of the pros and cons of living in Washington. Read on to learn what makes Washington a great place to live.
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Basic information about Washington
| population | 7,705,281 |
| Median home sales price | $658,500 |
| Average rent in Washington | $1,731 |
| big cities in washington | Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma |
1. Advantages: Residents do not need to pay state income tax
Washington is one of only nine states that does not impose a state income tax. This means you don’t have to pay taxes on the income you earn in or from Washington state, giving you the opportunity to make a little more money per paycheck than you would in other states.
2. Disadvantages: Traffic congestion near Seattle
Traffic conditions tend to be worse on the west side of the state compared to the east side. SeaTac, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the suburbs surrounding downtown Seattle can be choked by traffic during rush hour. To help alleviate the situation, Washington is working Expand light rail system Serving various Seattle suburbs, including Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.
3. Advantages: Close to nature
Washington is home to three beautiful National Park – Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and North Cascades National Park – as well as several state parks such as Palouse Falls State Park and Deception Pass State Park.
In the summer, you can paddle along one of the many lakes, including Lake Union and Lake Washington. Or, venture into downtown Washington and spend time on Lake Chelan or the Columbia River. In the winter, you can enjoy skiing or snowboarding at Crystal Mountain Resort, Mount Baker Ski Area, Stevens Pass Resort, Mission Ridge Ski Resort or Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.
If you enjoy biking, you can enjoy the Burke-Gilman Trail, Centennial Trail and Green Lake Trail. If you want to enjoy the view, take one of the many ferries operating around Puget Sound.
4. Disadvantages: high housing prices
Home costs are particularly high in Washington state, where the median sales price is $658,500. This number is significantly higher than the national median of $439,716, reflecting the state’s prime real estate market. Rising home prices in Washington highlight its economic boom but also pose affordability challenges.
5. Strengths: Washington has a strong athletic base
Washington has a strong sports base and is home to several professional league teams. Popular local teams you can support include the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Sounders (MLS), Seattle Kraken (NHL), Seattle Storm (WNBA) and OL Reign (NWSL ). Not to mention, Washington has produced many sports legends, including Sue Bird, Ken Griffey Jr., Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. When you live in some of Washington’s best places to live, like Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond, you might find yourself attending games at venues as diverse as Climate Pledge Arena, Lumen Field, and T-Mobile Park.
6. Disadvantages: The weather is gloomy and rainy for several months of the year
The Evergreen State is known for its cloudy and rainy weather. However, it is not. Summers on the west side of Washington tend to be crisp and dry, while summers on the east side are warmer. While summers are pleasant, if you don’t like the cold and humidity, the few months of winter may not be for you. Winters tend to be rainy and cloudy starting in October, which is a drawback for many people who live in Washington.
7. Pros: The job market is booming
Another advantage of living in Washington is the abundant employment opportunities. Many companies have regional and national offices in Washington, including:
- Amazon
- boeing company
- Alaska Airlines
- costco
- Microsoft
- Nordstrom
- Starbucks
- weilhauser
- Paca
- Express International
8. Disadvantages: High sales tax
Washington state’s sales tax is a whopping 6.5%, compared to the state average sales tax of 5.1%, which means you’ll pay a little more for goods and services.
9. Pros: Food and drink options are endless
It’s no secret that Washington is the coffee capital of the United States, but there are plenty of other dining options around the state. Be sure to visit wineries like Chateau Ste. Michelle, Col Solare, Columbia Crest and Hogue Cellars as well as breweries such as Stoup Brewery, Fremont Brewery, Reuben’s Brewery, No-Li Brewery and Iron Goat Brewery. You should try local favorites including Musang, Matt’s at the Market, Beecher’s Cheese, Dick’s Burgers and Ivar’s Seafood.
10. Disadvantages: Threat of natural disasters
Washington sees its fair share natural disaster Including wildfires, landslides, earthquakes and more. Wildfires are common in central Washington and around the Cascade Mountains in the Evergreen State during the summer. Additionally, Washington’s unique topography makes certain areas prone to landslides. Washington can also experience earthquakes because it lies on three major fault lines.
