Where is the greenest/most beautiful area?

[cakimmer]

I grew up in WA (Lake Quinault area), went to grad school in Fullerton, CA, lived in Sacramento, CA (ugh) for about 8 years, then finally moved back to WA. We live in Olympia now and I find it to be a great mix of big city (and if not big enough, you can drive to Seattle easily enough) and country. It's an hour drive or so to Aberdeen. Just outside of Aberdeen is the Stafford (sp?) Prison. That would be a bit of a commute from "Oly" but it depends on what you're used to...and traffic is not too bad unless it's a weekend during the summer when the tourists flock to the beach!

I must say that people in Grays Harbor (aka Aberdeen area), Forks, etc., DO tend to have an attitude towards Californians. As you go further towards Oly, Lacey, etc., there are a lot more Californians here and it's a big enough place that you don't have to deal with the attitude as much! Also, Olympia is much more liberal than Aberdeen, Forks, Quinault. They are very conservative in "that neck of the woods" but Oly has Evergreen State College (a VERY Liberal Arts school) and there's definitely an eclectic community around here.

Sorry if this sounds scattered -- it's my Friday and I'm almost off work!

Originally Posted by cinhawaii

I know this is going to sound dumb, but Im in love with the city in "Men in Trees"! I know its actually filmed in Canada, but I was wondering if any of the places in northern WA are comperable. I want a place that rains alot, but also snows. I am prefer a small town feel, with a liberal mindset, but with at least some of the options of a bigger city (ok mainly I need a target (or something close to it) near by decent shopping a and restaraunts) I am working on my masters now, but when I finish I will eventaully working in corrections, so it needs to be somehwere near a prison. Any suggestions?

[Lexi_2cute11550]

Haha I see that some ppl are twilight fans. Or stephanie meyer has been reading your info.!
Good luck to who ever is looking 4 that.! Ever since I saw that movie, I fell in love with the rain and how the shade the clouds bring [[when it rains]] it somehow brings out the true beauty of the green.! It's everywhere.! I love the rain, and I love trees.!
But Vegetarians.? Come on guys.! We are eating the only things that help us live and breathe.
But we avoid eating the things that kill our earth.[[carbon dyoxcide]]--excuuse my spelling. Im usually very literate.! And our teath werent made for eating just veggies. Our canines are for biting the stuff you all hate.! lols. We arent herbivores we are omnivores.! We are supposed to have both.!
Stop trying to pose as Bella.! Save our Planet.!!! ) Much Love.!

[yukiko11]

Look into the area north of Everett on the I-5 corridor. Along that freeway there is every possible shopping, and entertainment possibility.
10 miles to the east or west is totally rural and like living in the forest. There are lots of lakes and rivers for recreation. Eagles fly overhead and deer visit your yard. The basic towns are over 100 years old and only about 3 blocks long. It is a really hometown feel.
Look at Arlington, Stanwood, Camano Island and Marysville.
This does not come at a cheap price. Rents are 900-1500 and house prices average 300-500K and above.

[nikdahl]

You could look at Bellingham. It is on the Puget Sound, is very liberal, and has lots of vegetarian options. It's also very beautiful. There are many houses available on Lake Whatcom (big lake, and the most expensive), and smaller lakes like Lake Samish or the even smaller Toad Lake. They get plenty of rain and snow in the Winter. And it's really close to Mt Baker, which pretty much gets the most snowfall in the Country. Mt Baker is a GREAT mountain if you are interested in skiing/snowboarding.

Problem is, while there is the Whatcom County Jail in Bellingham, there is no prison.

[hamellr]

Hoh National Rainforest is home to the officially designated "Quietest Spot in the World."

BUT, the key to the spot is that you have to find it yourself.