Best/Worst places in Washington (Seattle, Spokane: new home, living in, military)

[Alcon]

The Olympic Peninsula, ghetto by what definition? Sequim certainly is not as working-class (although city proper is actually rather poor), but I can't imagine how you can call Port Townsend "ghetto," or Port Ludlow, or most any of northern Jefferson County...

Shelton does have major crime issues, though.

[chris]

Best: Ballard

Worst: Kent

(worst based on areas that I've spent considerable time in - obviously the list of bad areas would be much more obvious).

[chris]

Just to add to posts above, the only areas I'd consider ghetto on the Olympic peninsula would be parts of Port Angeles, and parts of Bremerton.

Property crime is a problem in many areas though.

I'm not sure if Hoquiam is part of the peninsula but parts of it would definitely qualify.

[zilfondel]

Best for culture? Seattle, obviously.

Best for what exactly?

This is just waaaaay to open-ended. And I don't live in WA, so... =P

[Smbepple]

Are you looking for info on places other then seattle?

[beanpod]

How are you defining "ghetto"?

[Linson]

why is there so much property crime up there?

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by beanpod

How are you defining "ghetto"?

Fair question. I never really considered most of the penninsula "ghetto" aside from Sequim. That's ridiculous! Some parts are quite depressed due to the logging and timber industry but for some reason, to me, ghetto really doesn't apply.

Originally Posted by Linson

why is there so much property crime up there?

My suspicion is drugs? Meth problems lead to more property crime, burglaries and such because the addicts can turn the stolen property over for continued personal drug activity? Just a guess.



Thanks.

--'rocco

[anhony b]

Aberdeen and the rest of Grays Harbor I would say is very ghetto looking. The homes are known for there dry rot, most burn down, there is alot of vancant lots and garbage everywhere. Aberdeen is a mess. For Seattle area I would say Tacoma particuallry around Lakewood, if you dont count the mansions on the lake. White Center isnt to great either. I think Everett is kind of palin and dumpy

[Dancingearth]

You know it's bad when you hear yourself and others say "it's a town with potential" Bremerton and Aberdeen qualify but probably not in my lifetime. Lots to do in Seattle but expensive and too much traffic. So far, nowhere I've been beats Olympia. Best town I've lived in--feels very safe, on the water, lots of parks, three colleges, a Farmer's Market, an arts community, and still has a downtown area. It has not turned into a big shopping center; it still retains its character and uniqueness. Sometimes the people are a little oblivious to others but I've made good friends. I visited Vancouver WA and it was dead. I heard it is a bedroom community to Portland and it seemed like it. I'm hoping I can find a job in Olympia when I am finished with college but if not, I might consider moving back to NM for the sun and dancing since I don't want to live in Seattle or Tacoma.