Washington State is a great place to live. For job opportunities, access to majestic outdoor spaces, no income tax and moderate temperatures throughout the year. Like all states, Washington has its own advantages and disadvantages. Overall, Washington State residents enjoy the lack of a state income tax, the incredible outdoor landscape, and the booming labor industry.
On the contrary, Washington residents complain about the climate and the high cost of living in cities. Washington offers refuge to some of the largest companies in the country and the world. Microsoft, Google and Amazon have several offices here and together employ more than 100,000 people on their own. Olympia is one of the 100 best places to live in the country and has been for four consecutive years.
Spokane also has a diverse economy and high-level institutions. Western Washington offers a mild climate with 80-degree summer days and 45-degree days during winter. Snow is a rare (but beautiful) occurrence, and temperatures drop at night. In the east, the waterfalls swallow the rain but let the snow settle.
While Seattle or Tacoma rarely see flakes, eastern Washington enjoys 200 inches a year. Unlike the clouds in the west, the east also receives 300 days of sunshine a year. Is Washington more expensive than Portland? Yes, for some Portland is about 10 percent cheaper. There are few states in the country as good as Washington State.
The state ranked fourth in health and education, third in economics and second in infrastructure. Washington State income tax is set at 6.5%, but each city has an additional sales tax that can cause this figure to skyrocket to 10.4%. Like housing, the cost of renting can also vary widely depending on where you live, and Seattle is obviously a much more expensive place to rent in Washington State. There are also other legendary businesses such as Amazon, Expedia and Zillow that call Washington State home.
Eastern Washington experiences a generally dry climate throughout the year, with warm summers and cold winters. With more than 100 mountains in Washington, it's safe to say (or not so safe) that it's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts who love hiking, mountain biking and climbing. While 16 million people live in Cascadia, almost half of them live in Washington State alone, which is quite a sizeable share. On the opposite side of the state is Washington State University, another research school with about 27,000 students.
The Western Washington University of Bellingham is the northernmost university in the contiguous United States. Despite its reputation for rain and fog, the weather in Washington varies greatly depending on where in the state your home is located. The University of Washington in Seattle is one of the world's leading universities and is home to a renowned medical center. Washington State has earned a reputation as a center of technology, urban epicenters, booming businesses and incredible nature.
Located across Lake Washington from Seattle, Bellevue offers its own high-tech and shopping mall among downtown skyscrapers. No matter if you're looking to move up the corporate ladder, open your own business, or start a new career, moving to Washington is a great first step. The environment is also a hot topic in Washington, and more people generally recycle, take public transportation and ride bicycles than in many other parts of the country. All this to say, Washington residents take outdoor recreation very seriously, and fortunately, there are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.
Lake Washington, which surrounds Mercer Island and is adjacent to Seattle, is the second largest lake in the state and is home to expensive waterfront real estate. .
