Where's the next 'perfect' small town? (Seattle, Yakima: college, quality of life, live)

[mmhere]

After reading many discussions here about quality of life, liveability, and moving, I've concluded that whether a small town (Bellingham for example) is a wonderful place or totally overgrown depends on your perspective. That is OK - doesn't make anyone right or wrong.

What I want to know is where are the 'next' places? Where do you find a place that more closely fits the qualities you feel you've lost over the past 20 years where you live now? Do those places still exist?

(Just so we don't start a new stampede to, for example, the next Bellingham, let's all agree to keep the answers a secret ... just between all of us, OK?) <BIG wink, grin>

Cheers!
mmhere

P.S. For background, read several earlier, very interesting, threads that happened to focus on Bellingham. The same notion is discussed at length in the Sacramento thread under California.

[scirocco22]

I know I've brought this up before but I still can't believe that Ellensburg isn't more popular than it is.

The climate nicely reflects the four seasons. There's some temperature extremes occasionally in the summer and winter but since the humidity is relatively low, the near zero or 100 plus temps aren't as extreme as one would think.

The demographics have a nice mix. It's a college town. It's located centrally ...close to Yakima for shopping. Close enough to Seattle for a day-trip. Views of the Cascades, desert on one side, the Manastash on another side ...just nestled perfectly, imo.

Anyway, that's my vote.

--'rocco

[washinton native]

wenatchee should be considered.