Washington State Relocation (Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham: apartment, employment, neighborhoods)

[Caribbean911]

Hello All. I am a lowkey gay caribbean male of color madly in love with nature and the outdoors and fascinated with Washington State that I have never visited. I am looking to relocate there next spring, but my research so far have shown that as liberal as the state may be it is not so diversed.
I have no racial hangups (especially since I am from a multiethnic background) but I worry about how I may be treated due to the color of my skin. The last thing I want to do is move somewhere and get killed or harrassed for being black.

I was trying to stay outside of Seattle preferable Bellingham, and somwhere that has easy access to a major airport and hospital. Transportation is also important as I will not be driving. Any employment tips would be great.

Any honest feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[CrazyDonkey]

Western Washington is very liberal and tolerant, especially in the more urban areas. Eastern Washington is more conservative, but more of the libertarian rather than religious variety.

Bellingham is cool, although good paying jobs can be harder to find. Best employment prospects are in the Seattle area, but rents are expensive. Seattle has a strong gay community on Capitol Hill. Maybe look for a roommate situation, or an apodment/micro-apartment.

For less expensive rents and walkable neighborhoods, look at Tacoma's North End.

[batemansbay]

I would make sure you bring your own friends, as Washington people are open minded but don't socialize very well. Its not their fault. It like their robots or something.

[Sandy Nelson]

You may want to take a look at Olympia. It's the Capitol and only an hour's drive from Seatac Airport and 60 miles south of Seattle. It's a medium sized, liberal town with a funky and friendly vibe. Lots of art venues, parks, trails, it's own Framer's Market and amazing views of the Sound, Mt. Rainier and the Olympic mountains. The Olympia area has a great number of job opportunities for Sate Jobs and Federal Jobs, as well as in the medical field (2 hospitals) and higher education (3 colleges/universities).