It is far from perfect. 6. And if you grow tired of the antique shops, galleries, wine, spirit and cider tasting rooms and the delicious restaurants, you can drive up the road and hike at Beacon Rock State Park. This tiny town sits right on the Columbia River, and for a place so small, it has plenty of things to do. No, it doesn’t mean you’re not going to make friends, but you will definitely have to pay your dues until you’re accepted as a “native”. It is Seattle. But, that’s just our opinion. We are talking super expensive. Tacoma is for the transplant that wants to experience Washington and all of its greatness without having to fuss with the high costs (and perhaps stress) of living in a much larger city like Seattle. Unpack. With that said, we imagine you’re experiencing a bit of analysis paralysis right now… with all the great places to choose from, where does one call home? There are many inexpensive coastal cities around the country. Methodology. Three cities we recommend you pack your bags and move to immediately. With picturesque views along the Olympic Peninsula, gorgeous Victorian era homes and a rich history, Port Townsend is a great city to settle down and raise a family in. Before diving into some of the best places to live in Washington, we wanted to share a few towns to checkout, just in case big city life is not the life for you. There aren't really any "cities" on the OR or WA coasts; there are small towns. Or, pick yourself up a fancy sun lamp. Located in the heart of Central Washington, Ellensburg is a great town with a lot to offer all types of visitors, whether they are art lovers or outdoor enthusiasts. But, if beer is more your jam, take a look at Leavenworth (located two hours east of Seattle), known for its Oktoberfest… who doesn’t like Oktoberfest. Sequim, pronounced “Skwim,” gets about as much precipitation as Los Angeles making is the sunniest town in Washington. The city is little, compared to Seattle… clocking in at 213,000 residents. The Tri Cities sit right on the beautiful Columbia River and have a lot to offer. These beautiful places are just a fraction of Washington’s charming waterfront communities. Gig Harbor, Washington. The NFL’s Seattle Seahawks have a training facility in the city. In order to determine the best beach towns in America, WalletHub compared 191 cities across six key dimensions: 1) Affordability, 2) Weather, 3) Safety, 4) Economy, 5) Education & Health and 6) Quality of Life, splitting the sample into ocean towns and lake towns. Washington Coast Resorts and Lodges. The Best Oregon Coast Towns We could go on and on about Oregon’s coast but for now, we’ve started off with 11 of our favorite Oregon beach towns AND the best adventures in the area. Rather than mope in the May/June drizzle, explore these dry oases in Western Washington. Ocean Shores is one of Washington’s most popular beaches. With the warmer months just around the corner, many of us are itching for a coastal escape. Of the three best places to live in Washington, we would say that Spokane gives residents the best access to the state’s beautiful outdoors. Take a look at the list. Home to five active volcanoes (Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak, Mount Baker, and Mount Adams)… Washington State is filled with a massive titan like peaks that could explode into a fiery storm at any moment. Admittedly, it would be difficult for anyone not living in Southwest Washington to make a day trip to Ocean Shores. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The only state named after a U.S. president, we define Washington as being a phoenix of sorts, a lovely living breathing place that never ceases to rise again from its ashes. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: Port Townsend is a 2 hour drive from Seattle and a 4 hour drive from Central Washington, and this Victorian village by the sea is an amazing place. If you are considering moving to Washington, we applaud you. And, if you are one that struggles with seasonal affective disorder (or notice lack of sun has a massive impact on your overall mood) we would recommend you don’t touch Seattle with a ten-foot pole. The best beaches are located a little bit outside of town and include the longest sand spit in the United States at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and public oyster and clam beds at Sequim State Park. Your jaw will drop as you look at Mount Rainier overlooking the city like a giant sleeping titan. Have fun. Check out Fort Worden State Park, take a walk on the waterfront and enjoy a meal at one of the many tasty restaurants before heading back home. 7. Most people envision retirement as relaxing on a bright beach without a care in the world. The town's just an hour from downtown Seattle and a few minutes across the bridge from Tacoma. But young farmers—and bakers, chefs, and winemakers— have put down roots in Sequim, and now artisanal and organic are becoming the norm. It is up to you, however, to decide which one to call home. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. Here are some of our favorite places to check out: Kalaloch Lodge; Lake Quinault Lodge Some might even argue the coolest towns in America. The city is within an hour drive of 76 lakes, a dozen or so rivers and one of Washington’s true gems… It's pretty much impossible to spend a day in La Conner without falling in love with it. And, she is right. We will be honest. Here are 15 affordable beach towns, based on median home values under $250,000, and ordered from most to … The 46 Most Quaint and Charming Beach Towns in America For Your Best Vacation Yet You don't even have to leave the U.S. for a warm weather getaway. Not to mention, we would say that Tacoma offers an even better view of Mount Rainier than Seattle does. But don’t let that stop you from seeing some of the best small communities in the region. Love Washington? From coastal gems to inland beauties, we’ve put together a list of some of the most beautiful smaller towns waiting to be photographed and explored. Seabrook is a family-friendly New England–style planned village on the Washington coast with an incredibly beautiful, sandy (yes, sandy!) In fact, there were so many, that we had to kick things off by giving you a list of three towns worth checking out, too. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable cities in the expensive Pacific Northwest. With plenty of shopping, dining, wine tasting, beach walks and island drives available, you may decide to make a weekend of it after all. It’s like pressing a cigarette against one’s lips and choosing not to light it. Tech enthusiasts will recognize Redmond as the home of Microsoft, the largest employer in town. Like, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco expensive. Luckily, Washington has plenty of beautiful towns that can be explored in a single day, and some of them sit right on the water. WalletHub, a personal finance website, just released a ranking of the best beach towns to live in, and many of them are in locations you wouldn't expect. Don’t miss visiting some of the very best of Washington State, where you’ll find everything from towns with picturesque waterfront to glorious mountain scenery. Or, at least we don’t think so… considering the last major eruption in Washington took place thirty-nine years ago. The city is within an hour drive of 76 lakes, a dozen or so rivers and one of Washington’s true gems… Lake Coeur d’Alene. Blaine is the closest you can get without bringing your passport, and the Semiahmoo Bay area is absolutely beautiful. Washington is home to some splendid cities, many of which we will be touching on in this article. Not to mention, with Spokane being home to Gonzaga University, the city has seen a pretty aggressive push in terms of startup growth with the help of StartUp Spokane. It is a city so stunning that it looks like it’s on another planet. The Best Places To Live on the Coast. Part mountains, part dense forests, part rugged, intricate coastline, Washington lies on the border with Canada and features all the natural beauty you could wish for in America’s Pacific Northwest. Most people in Colfax are huge fans of high school sports, and since Washington State University is only 20 minutes away, college sports. Friday Harbor on San Juan Island is easily the largest. A surprising number of our picks for the 50 best places to retire boast nearby beaches -- both freshwater and saltwater. Kennewick's historic downtown area has gone through a recent revival, and Columbia Park offers plenty of riverfront land to enjoy. It sits at a very convenient location that is just 16 miles from the state’s largest city, Seattle, and a home here will set you back $485,100 on average. Our capital city is located at the southern end of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet. Want a taste of the laid back British Columbia lifestyle without crossing the Canadian border? Seattle, Washington lands first on our list because it is a city of transplants, a rainy but vibrant haven for travelers, dreamers, creatives and entrepreneurs looking for a place to call home. 20 Best Places to Live on the Coast 20 Best Places to Live on the Coast ... Carved out along the spectacular Pacific coast of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, this 11-year-old New Urbanism community has quickly evolved into a place with substantial character and low-key sophistication. Want the draw of the coast with all the comforts and amenities of home? We recommend paying a visit to Chelan, if you want to sip from twenty different wineries while enjoying over 50 miles of lakefront. Located on the Hood Canal in Mason County, Belfair is a total gem. We love states like Washington because they offer so many great cities to choose from. On that day, the volcano spilled out 540 million tons of ash and took the lives of fifty-seven people. Margaret O’mara, the University of Washington History Professor told the Seattle Times that like San Francisco, Seattle is a gold-rush city… that it takes off like crazy during economic booms. So, it offers a small town feel that transplants grow to really appreciate. If you've ever been to the San Juan Islands, you've seen part of this beautiful waterfront city. Kennewick's historic downtown area has gone through a recent revival, and Columbia Park offers plenty of riverfront land to enjoy. But next time, stick around and make Anacortes your only destination - it has plenty to offer. The majority of the best place you have listed also have some of the highest crine rates in Washington. There is something about Seattle that grabs you by the shirt collar and pulls you in. Kristin Kendle. From the charming shops to the waterfront dining and wine tasting, you'll be instantly smitten. While the towns of the San Juan Islands are coastal towns in Washington, they’re not technically towns on the Washington Coast. You definitely don't have to live on the west side to enjoy a little waterfront getaway. With that said, Seattle isn’t the only place to make a name for yourself in Washington. Yet, despite this, Washington rose from its ashes, like it always has. If a major metro area with big-city benefits is ideal for you, Boston may be your best option. Want to enjoy some of Washington’s small-town charms? Located about three hours from Seattle, the town of Ocean Shores is a bit quieter than similar Oregonian cities, but has the requisite oceanfront hotels, seafood restaurants, places to buy saltwater taffy and family fun.Of course, it also has a beach — several miles of beach, actually. With Amazon and Starbucks (as well as a handful of other booming tech companies) being based in Seattle, money is flowing like liquid gold through the city streets giving rise to new business, new business, and more new business after that. We would say that Seattle is for the fearless and the ambitious. For one, it is cloudy. Kirkland was ranked one of the best cities to live in, in the whole United States and you have it listed as 168th. If you want a little more action, Myrtle Beach is still probably one of the best places in terms of affordable beach towns. Also, do yourself a favor real quick and Google ‘Tacoma, Washington’. Yet, with this, comes unparalleled beauty you would be hard-pressed to experience in any other U.S. state. Sometimes it’s just not possible to get away for an entire weekend, even a holiday weekend. The most obvious reason for this is that Tacoma is far more affordable than it’s “bigger sister”. With clean, sandy beaches and one of the largest tideflats in the state, this is a great place to dig for clams and oysters. Of the three best places to live in Washington, we would say that Spokane gives residents the best access to the state’s beautiful outdoors. But for those who can, they make very charming day trip destinations. In the words of Charles Dickens, “It was the worst of times, it was the best of times.” While Seattle Natives aren’t necessarily thrilled with all the changes and transplants, the city presents an exciting opportunity for young professionals looking to take the world by storm. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! Regardless of where you decide to call home, always remember, Bellhops will help you get there… and that’s a promise. Seabrook Seabrook is master-planned for the whole family;Courtesy of Seabrook It’s easy: Drive in. if you’ve heard of Sequim (pronounced skwim) and its sunny skies, you’ve probably also heard that its world revolves around lavender. It still is. The larger cities like Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia (which isn't really that large) are on Puget Sound (no surfing), or Portland, which is at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Seattle isn’t the friendliest of cities to newcomers. But if you want to live that salt life all year round, moving to a beach town isn’t an unattainable dream. And, in addition to this, Seattle is wildly expensive. The town of 58,000 people was named by Niche.com the #1 best place to live in Washington. Washington is wild. ... Gig Harbor, Washington. Our only critique of this mantra would be to add Northwest to the mix, too. But, if you’re open to living in a slightly smaller city, you can rule out Seattle and go with Spokane or Tacoma. Besides having just an incredibly awesome name, Walla Walla is home to 120 wineries and some of the loveliest green space in the entire state. Oh, and before we go any further, we’re Bellhops—Seattle movers, Bellevue movers, and movers throughout the country. It's bursting with charming neighborhoods, waterfront parks and marinas, and more outdoor activities than anyone could possibly do in a day. Perhaps, part of the draw to living in Washington is existing in a place one knows is dangerous, but choosing to exist there despite the danger. Folks in Washington like to joke that Tacoma is Seattle’s little sister. Yes, you, unfortunately, did read that correctly. For an apartment, expect to pay $2,000. You definitely don't have to live on the west side to enjoy a little waterfront getaway. Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State. Back in 2014, Tacoma was ranked by Forbes as being one of the top cities in the United States for young professionals. Better yet, Spokane is just slightly larger than Tacoma, sitting right around 217,000 residents. With its history rooted in trapping, fishing, logging, and mining, the small towns in Washington act like mirrors to the wealth of their respective pasts. If you decide to move in or to Washington, don’t hesitate to reach out. At $1,200/ month for an apartment, young professionals won’t find themselves blowing every bit of their paycheck to simply get by. But, Tacoma is little in a refreshing kind of way. Renton is perhaps best known as the final assembly point for Boeing 737 commercial airplanes, with 14,400 employees working for Boeing. The capital of Massachusetts ranks 15th for desirability out of all the metro areas on the Best Places to Live list. Best Places 2020-2021 Rank: 18 Metro Population: 4,811,732 Median Home Price: $441,358 Average Annual Salary: $67,370. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. La Push, Washington. This view, alone, is worth making the jump there. It’s growing, at a more modest pace and offers a more laid back culture than what can be found in Seattle. This Washington enclave astounds newcomers with its rare beauty and rich maritime history. Many have said that when Americans are running from something or to something, they head west. With that said, it really is hard to beat the opportunity present in Seattle, especially if you’re a young professional looking to make a name for yourself. Many of the best cities to retire in Washington give you access to beautiful bay views with the cooler weather of the Pacific Northwest. 3. Driest towns in Western Washington The official start to Seattle’s summer, 4th of July, is still weeks away. The coastal town of Seabrook, and lovely Seabrook Beach, is located in Pacific Beach close to Olympic National Park. The Tri Cities sit right on the beautiful Columbia River and have a lot to offer. It’s a city that feels more like a small town and in our opinion, the perfect jumping off point for folks wanting to get their toes wet in Washington.