Moving to Washington
If you’re moving to Washington state and you enjoy the outdoors you won’t be disappointed. While urban living is progressive and upbeat, rural Washington is beautiful and breathtaking. There’s a lot to see and a lot to experience.
About 7 million people live in Washington state with an estimated 60% residing in the city of Seattle.
An agricultural state, Washington produces the most apples, sweet cherries, spearmint oil, hops, red raspberries and pears in the nation. Apricots, potatoes, dry edible peas, peppermint oil and asparagus follow close behind. Washington also leads in lumber production.
The metropolitan area of Seattle has become notorious for its’ high and seemingly ever-climbing housing prices, however there are areas of Washington state where the cost of living is much more reasonable.
Geography & Climate
Washington state has a beautiful and diverse geography that includes snow capped mountains, evergreen forests, coastal ranges and small islands.The Cascade Mountain Range runs north-south through the state. The tallest mountain in the range, Mount Rainier, is an active volcano with an elevation of 14,411 feet (4,392 m).
West of the Cascades, stretching toward the ocean, Western Washington experiences mild temperatures with wet weather in the spring, fall and winter, and moderately dry summers.
The Olympic Mountains are also located in Western Washington on the Olympic Peninsula. The peninsula is a unique climate zone and home to one of the largest temperate rainforests in the continental United States.
East of the Cascades, Eastern Washington experiences less rain and a more dry climate overall. There are even a few desert areas. Due to its’ dry nature, Eastern Washington is prone to more wildfires.
Community & Lifestyle
Washington state residents are a diverse group though on the whole they tend to be environmentally conscience and according to at least one study, tend to swear less than any other state.You’ll find a mix of families, retirees, and college students. The evergreen state can provide a mix of outdoor adventures and lively social activities.
Washington state values higher education and continuously strives to make it accessible to everyone. It is the only state in the country to cut tuition by 15-20% at four-year colleges.
More than 44,000 students attend the University of Washington and 27,000 attend Washington State University, accounting for quite a large resident student population.
Beer fans rejoice. Washington state is second in the nation with the most permitted breweries including well-known brands like the Elysian Brewing Company and the Fremont Brewing Company.
Outdoor recreation is popular and easily accessible in Washington state. Most Washingtonians, even metro-based city folks, enjoy taking advantage of numerous outdoor activities including hiking, biking, sailing, and skiing. The mild climate makes it easy to enjoy many activities year-round.
Many families choose Washington state to reside in. Among the Washington towns voted best to raise a family are: Sammamish, Yarrow Point, Medina and Laurelhurst.
Moving companies can help you plan your move to Washington state. Call local moving services to ask for details. Highly experienced movers will be able to handle all of the details of your move and provide a quote upfront. So, start collecting those moving boxes and drafting a moving checklist - a move to Washington state could be just the right fit!
Jobs & Local Economy
Washington state’s unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is slightly higher than the national average (June 2017).Job creation is driven by several industries in Washington including aircraft, technology, transportation, food processing and lumber. Top employers include Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Alaska Airlines and T-Mobile.
Washington is one of a handful of states that does not tax your income, however the overall cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, and significantly higher in the city of Seattle.
