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With three nationwide parks, over 8,000 lakes, and 155 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline, Washington stands out with its pure magnificence. However the Evergreen State can be one of many most prosperous in the country, with a median family revenue of $84,247 in 2022 — which was about $6,000 greater than the nationwide common. As the house of main corporations reminiscent of Amazon and Microsoft, Washington has many good employment alternatives. And whereas the Seattle area stays one of the crucial sought-after relocation locations, there are many different cities positioned up and down the shoreline and within the state’s inside that draw new residents with their idyllic settings, outdoor-focused way of life, tight-knit communities, and family-friendly facilities.
Listed here are 10 of the very best locations to stay in Washington, in accordance with native specialists.
Associated: 10 Most Beautiful and Affordable Places to Live in the U.S.
Seattle
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Because the Pacific Northwest’s tech hub, Seattle has lengthy been a pretty place to stay because of high-paying jobs, alternatives for skilled progress, and tech innovation. Nevertheless, even in the event you do not work in tech, there’s something for you within the Emerald Metropolis. Its music scene has given the world a few of the greatest rock bands of all time, and there are nice art museums and eating places. The town can be surrounded by beautiful nature, excellent for individuals who wish to get outdoors and benefit from the nice outdoor.
“Numerous summer time and winter actions wait proper outdoors our doorstep. Water followers can sail on Puget Sound or stand-up paddleboard on Lake Washington. Scenic peaks close by current challenges for each the novice and skilled hikers. When winter arrives, a fast 1.5-hour drive results in quite a few snow sports activities locations. Seattle, undeniably, is a leisure fan’s paradise,” Cassie Walker Johnson, a managing dealer at Windermere Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, the most important actual property firm within the Western United States, mentioned.
The town can be house to many neighborhoods, every with distinct vitality and character, reminiscent of laid-back Magnolia, historic Ballard with its Nordic roots, upscale Laurelhurst on Lake Washington, and vibrant Queen Anne with breathtaking metropolis views.
The one draw back to life in Seattle is that it comes at a steep worth, particularly for brand new owners. The median sale worth is $834,000, and houses get snatched off the market after about eight days, in accordance with Zillow.
Bellevue
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Nestled between Lake Sammamish to the west and Lake Washington to the east, Bellevue is thought for having a few of the greatest views of Seattle and Mount Rainier. The younger metropolis — it was integrated within the Nineteen Fifties — is a favourite amongst households for its many parks (2,700 acres of them) and top-notch faculties.
“Our metropolis council designed Bellevue’s skyline as a ‘tiered wedding ceremony cake’ design with the bigger skyscrapers within the coronary heart of town and the constructing heights slowly cascading down as you pan out. This gives everyone ample daylight, stunning views, and superb facilities,” Joseph Brazen, an agent at Windermere Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, mentioned.
The town’s actual property market is scorching sizzling, although, with 45 % of properties pending inside per week of itemizing, in accordance with dealer Eric Dang of John L. Scott Real Estate. He recommends wanting in Eastgate, a hub for new-construction properties with “wonderful faculties, easy accessibility to downtown, and nice worth for the worth.”
Walla Walla
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The residents of this stunning city on the border of Oregon and the Walla Walla Valley have entry to over 120 close by wineries. And in comparison with different wine areas within the nation, reminiscent of Napa or Sonoma, actual property is comparatively reasonably priced right here — median house worth is $407,000, in accordance with Zillow.
“A rise in new-construction properties can be giving patrons extra alternatives when buying,” Allison Stensrude, an agent at Windermere Real Estate, defined. “A favourite neighborhood that patrons ought to think about is the Pioneer Park space. Right here, you will discover mature landscaping and delightful historic properties, and you may be inside a brief strolling distance to parks and downtown Walla Walla.”
Mercer Island
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Island residing between two of Washington’s largest cities? It is onerous to imagine that residents of Mercer Island, positioned in Lake Washington, can escape the hustle and bustle of Bellevue and Seattle in just some minutes and luxuriate in waterfront residing at its best. With over 473 acres of parkland and inexperienced areas, strolling trails, three public seashores, and beautiful views, residing on Mercer Island appears like a lakefront trip. And there are many house types to select from.
“The Island’s architectural panorama is a journey by means of time and types,” Lori Holden Scott, a John L. Scott Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International dealer, defined. “Mercer Island was initially a trip island, so there are cozy classic cottages relationship means again to the 1900s. The ‘50s and ‘60s launched mid-century aesthetics, whereas the ‘70s noticed a surge of Northwest Up to date or the ‘tree home’ fashion residences. The ‘80s introduced forth conventional two-story designs with brick touches, adopted by a ‘90s emphasis on Craftsman parts.”
The one draw back is that out there properties promote shortly and sometimes above the asking worth, which is across the $2 million mark on common.
Woodinville
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If Woodinville’s stunning setting in a scenic river valley isn’t sufficient to make you wish to transfer there, we’ve just a few extra issues to persuade you. The world is house to over 130 wineries — from large names to many up-and-coming companies. There are parks, eating places, boutique retailers, and wonderful faculties, and in the event you miss big-city residing, Seattle is simply 20 miles south.
“Among the many standout neighborhoods in Woodinville, we might advocate exploring the enchanting Wellington, the place lush landscapes harmonize with beautiful structure. Moreover, Hollywood Hill boasts a sublime rural appeal, whereas Saybrook’s tranquil streets supply a really perfect haven for households looking for a close-knit group with entry to many top-tier faculties and leisure facilities,” actual property dealer Chelsey Samonte of John L. Scott Real Estate urged.
In keeping with Zillow, the median house worth is $1,239,000, down 5 % since final yr.
Olympia
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“Olympia hits the mark for these seeking to stay in a mid-sized metropolis with little site visitors, decrease housing prices than markets north and south, and proximity to every little thing Seattle has to supply,” Missy Watts, a dealer with Olympia Sotheby’s International Realty, mentioned. Washington’s capital is about an hour away from Seattle and two hours from Portland, Oregon, and its residents have entry to many seashores, lakes, and a variety of city facilities. The town’s downtown inventive district spans 30 metropolis blocks and is a hub for native breweries, galleries, theaters, and a farmers market.
Watts defined that town is very common with retirees. “With our lively arts scene, ample medical amenities, unbelievable entry to the outside, and superb Pacific Northwest surroundings, it is a pretty city to name house. Moreover, Washington has no state revenue tax, so any revenue from pensions, Social Safety, and withdrawals from retirement accounts is tax-free,” she added.
Bainbridge Island
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“Bainbridge Island is the Nantucket of the West,” Ty Evans, an agent with Windermere Actual Property, defined. “It gives an exquisite array of life, from essential avenue to small-town residing to waterfront estates.”
Situated a 35-minute ferry experience from downtown Seattle, it affords its residents a novel mix of two distinct life. The island is house to the Grand Forest, a 240-acre nature protect with many mountaineering and biking trails, high-ranking faculties, retailers, and eating places. Waterfront properties are probably the most sought-after sort of actual property in areas reminiscent of Port Madison, Crystal Springs, and Lynwood Middle.
“The Island is eclectic in the case of the fashion of properties. A lot of the properties are Pacific Northwest-style properties of pure wooden, embracing nature and the great thing about the Pacific Northwest,” Caron Anderson, an agent at John L. Scott Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, added.
Spokane
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With the Spokane River passing by means of its downtown and lots of extra pure websites in its quick neighborhood (together with Spokane Falls and Riverfront Park), Spokane is a haven for these looking for a tranquil and laid-back city setting to stay in and lift a household. Add to that the numerous mountaineering and biking trails, the 5 winter resorts positioned inside an hour of city, over 70 lakes, a dozen golf programs, and wineries, and also you get a superb image of what makes this metropolis of about 229,000 an exquisite place to name house.
Additionally, not like different cities in Washington, actual property in Spokane would not include eye-popping worth tags. The median sale worth in July 2023 was $386,000, in accordance with Zillow. “At the moment, the market is barely slower than it has been prior to now years as rates of interest preserve climbing, placing a maintain on plans for promoting and shopping for. Nevertheless, individuals lastly have extra stock to select from after the huge scarcity throughout the pandemic,” Marissa Lewis, a John L. Scott Actual Property dealer, defined.
For those who’re in search of a house with a lot of character, then the Perry District on the decrease South Hill of Spokane is a wonderful alternative. And in the event you want a contemporary townhome or a rental, then Kendall Yards, overlooking the Spokane River, could be an ideal match.
Whidbey Island
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“Whidbey Island is among the most unusual locations on Earth,” John L. Scott Actual Property agent Cheryl Keefe mentioned. “You’re surrounded by pure magnificence from the Salish Sea to the towering forest.”
This 37-mile-long island in Puget Sound is positioned about 30 miles north of Seattle and treats its residents to beautiful views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Life there may be all about having fun with the outside — by mountaineering, boating, fishing, wine tasting, and strolling alongside its many public seashores.
Louis Muniz, an agent with Windermere Actual Property, defined that whereas the median sale worth in July was about $715,000, that quantity was considerably decrease on the island’s north finish, the place it was about $475,000. “One in all our hottest waterfront places is Mutiny Bay, additionally identified by some because the ‘Gold Coast of the Northwest.’ It’s sought-after for its 180-degree views of the Olympic Mountain vary, sandy seashores, and night sunsets that may take your breath away,” Muniz added.
Bellingham
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This coastal faculty metropolis of about 100,000 lies 90 miles north of Seattle and gives a style of the basic Pacific Northwest way of life with beautiful surroundings, proximity to North Cascades National Park, many water actions, winter sports activities, and loads of craft breweries and farm-to-table eating places. And yow will discover a wide range of house types right here — from basic Craftsman-style bungalows to newer, extra modern residences. In keeping with one actual property agent, now is a superb time to put money into actual property in Bellingham.
“Whereas our stock is barely greater at the moment, we’re nonetheless in a secure market. Median house worth in Bellingham is simply over $700,000 as of July 2023,” Renata Mason of Windermere Actual Property added. “As soon as rates of interest stabilize, the demand from pent-up patrons will surge.” And her primary tip for potential new residents? “In case you are seeking to relocate to Bellingham, I might advise visiting a number of instances and experiencing all of our seasons.”
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