There are places you want to visit or maybe live in for a year or two, and then there are the places that feel more like a forever kind of home. There’s really no “bad” place in Washington to put down roots since it really depends on your preferences, but we happen to have a few areas that are especially amazing. If you’re looking for somewhere to spend a generation or two, one of these locations might be right for you.
- Woodinville
bhenak / Flickr It may be a mere 25 minutes from Seattle, but Woodinville has its own unique character. Between the beautiful wineries, excellent school system and overall great quality of life, this Western Washington gem is truly a wonderful place to live.
- Anacortes
Dana / Flickr If you’re craving a laid back lifestyle near the water, Anacortes might be the place for you. The scenery here is truly unbelievable, and the downtown area is touristy and pleasant. While the economy here isn’t amazing due to it being a small town, it’s a great place to be if you’re self-employed, retired or in the hospitality industry.
- Richland
Colleen Lane / Flickr Richland has a solid job market, the cost of living is about 15% lower than the state’s average, and the region happens to get a lot of sunshine. The Tri Cities area also has good shopping and great restaurants.
- Ephrata
Emily Neef / Flickr If small town living is what you prefer, consider calling Ephrata home. The cost of living is reasonable, the community is friendly, and the location is fairly convenient if you plan to explore the state—it’s about 2 hours away from Spokane and about 3 hours from Seattle.
- Tumwater
atomic taco / Flickr Located just south of Olympia, Tumwater has a population of around 20,000 people. The area offers plenty of recreational activities for those who love to get outside, and despite the fact that it’s a small town, it’s close to cities with more job opportunities.
- Sequim
PT Murphus / Flickr Who wouldn’t want to put down roots in sunny Sequim? The mild climate, abundance of lavender and the excellent quality of life make it an incredible place to call home.
- Millwood
Wikimedia This quiet community is a small suburb of Spokane, so it’s the perfect place for someone who wants to live in a peaceful place while still enjoying the amenities of a city. It offers a low cost of living and some great housing options.
- Olympia
Jim Culp / Flickr Our state’s capital is also a remarkable place to live, especially if you’re interested in a government job. But even if that doesn’t interest you, the reputable school system, mild climate, great restaurants and beautiful mountain views will.
- Montesano
cmh2315fl / Flickr Did you know there’s a small town in Western Washington that is safe, affordable, pleasant, AND fairly close to Seattle, Olympia and the coast? Monsanto has a lot to offer someone looking to be part of a community.
- Newcastle
Jkl sem / Wikipedia Whether it’s the scenic views, nearby hiking trails, cool coal mining history or its close proximity to Seattle, this hilltop town consistently makes a lot of “Best Places to Live” lists.
- Walla Walla
David Burn / Flickr The cost of living in Walla Walla is 18% lower than the Washington average, so you’ll have more disposable income to enjoy all the wine and charming shops.
- Wenatchee
cmh2315fl / Flickr If truly experiencing all four seasons is a must for you, you may like Wenatchee—their summers are scorching and their winters can get quite cold. People tend to enjoy life in this agricultural community that happens to be close to two major tourist towns, Chelan and Leavenworth.
The cities and towns on this list are all wonderful places to live. But if you’re looking for a small town where everyone knows your name, one of these places might be right for you.
bhenak / Flickr
It may be a mere 25 minutes from Seattle, but Woodinville has its own unique character. Between the beautiful wineries, excellent school system and overall great quality of life, this Western Washington gem is truly a wonderful place to live.
Dana / Flickr
If you’re craving a laid back lifestyle near the water, Anacortes might be the place for you. The scenery here is truly unbelievable, and the downtown area is touristy and pleasant. While the economy here isn’t amazing due to it being a small town, it’s a great place to be if you’re self-employed, retired or in the hospitality industry.
Colleen Lane / Flickr
Richland has a solid job market, the cost of living is about 15% lower than the state’s average, and the region happens to get a lot of sunshine. The Tri Cities area also has good shopping and great restaurants.
Emily Neef / Flickr
If small town living is what you prefer, consider calling Ephrata home. The cost of living is reasonable, the community is friendly, and the location is fairly convenient if you plan to explore the state—it’s about 2 hours away from Spokane and about 3 hours from Seattle.
atomic taco / Flickr
Located just south of Olympia, Tumwater has a population of around 20,000 people. The area offers plenty of recreational activities for those who love to get outside, and despite the fact that it’s a small town, it’s close to cities with more job opportunities.
PT Murphus / Flickr
Who wouldn’t want to put down roots in sunny Sequim? The mild climate, abundance of lavender and the excellent quality of life make it an incredible place to call home.
Wikimedia
This quiet community is a small suburb of Spokane, so it’s the perfect place for someone who wants to live in a peaceful place while still enjoying the amenities of a city. It offers a low cost of living and some great housing options.
Jim Culp / Flickr
Our state’s capital is also a remarkable place to live, especially if you’re interested in a government job. But even if that doesn’t interest you, the reputable school system, mild climate, great restaurants and beautiful mountain views will.
cmh2315fl / Flickr
Did you know there’s a small town in Western Washington that is safe, affordable, pleasant, AND fairly close to Seattle, Olympia and the coast? Monsanto has a lot to offer someone looking to be part of a community.
Jkl sem / Wikipedia
Whether it’s the scenic views, nearby hiking trails, cool coal mining history or its close proximity to Seattle, this hilltop town consistently makes a lot of “Best Places to Live” lists.
David Burn / Flickr
The cost of living in Walla Walla is 18% lower than the Washington average, so you’ll have more disposable income to enjoy all the wine and charming shops.
If truly experiencing all four seasons is a must for you, you may like Wenatchee—their summers are scorching and their winters can get quite cold. People tend to enjoy life in this agricultural community that happens to be close to two major tourist towns, Chelan and Leavenworth.
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