Tell me about Washington! (Seattle, Spokane: relocate, estate, apartments)

[kburton]

Thinking of moving...and need to know what towns to consider! I need to go to a city that is booming! Good jobs,good apartments,low crime,and of course thing to do....So if anyone can help...please do...thanks

[ShadowXOR]

Now I don't live there but I've been doing a ton of research from what I understand the main points in Washington are:

Vancouver area in Southern Washington. Relatively large city, with Portland near by. Can be a pain if you live over the border due to being taxed in both states.

Spokane area is I believe in Eastern Washington, gets more snow than the other major cities. I haven't heard too much about it.

Tacoma area, everyone here seems to dislike it and generally regard it as a crime-ridden area.

Seattle area is where the majority of the population lives and has a ton of traffic but is a nice city with a reasonable amount of crime for a city of Seattle's size.

I know that is a very basic idea of them but I hope it helps get your search started. If anyone from Washington wants to correct me feel free. This board has been great to me and I'm just trying to give back however I can!

[kburton]

Thanks!....anyone can tell me more?..JOBS?......

[janb]

WA has one of the most diverse economies and climates,

I think you better tell us more about what you want...

job - pay and career choices
things to do - indoor / outdoor - summer / winter
weather desires - rain or dry (check out the map on Banana Belt topic in WA forum)
any phobias? (volcanos, earthquakes, dust bowls, avalanche, crime, darkness, drizzle / rain, close quarters)

[kburton]

I plan on going back to school..I want to be a Rn...i've been a waitress for te past 7 years.I would continue to do that...to put me through college.Here in Detroit,you can't even get any kind of job! It took me 5 months just to find a serving job!I'm more of a city gil,although i love the country...i'm pretty easy to please...I have 2 dogs and I would be moving with my sister...I'm looking for a safe and fun place to relocate.I hate the heat, lived in SoCal for 8 years and HATED it.Don't really have any phobias..lived in many places with different things..so i'm like I said....pretty easy!My biggest fears are not finding a job....and moving into a bad place...I want to live a good life..and stop moving around! Thanks! for the help

[jwb123]

I think it would be very hard to move here, not being established financially, and with a career - if you didn't have someone else supporting you (parenting, someone else financially stable, etc).

I know plenty of people probably do it - but it's very difficult in my opinion.

You could easily find a job as a waitress, but I think it would be dead-end - and would likely just pay the most basic of expenses. You don't mention how you are going to pay for school - but I don't think it's realistic to move here, as a waitress, go to school and also expect a good life....

[kburton]

So where would one go?...I've been supporting myself since I was 14. Can't stay here, if I go back to Cali..is so high priced and would never beable to buy a house. I was also considering..Ft.Collins,Co,Salem or Portland,Boise,or Northern Cali..Around Redding or Chico...Being my age, and no help from any family...where would you move?

[Ultrarunner]

The city of Lacey WA is experiencing explosive growth.

For better or worse, several thousand homes are in the pipeline to built in the area and a new, from the ground-up, city center and retail is also happening.

Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater are roughly halfway between Seattle and Portland on I5

[jwb123]

If Cali is too high priced for you, then I would consider Seattle equal when comparing prices. It's really over the top.

You didn't mention your age...

We are a family of 5 and we were struggling on an income around $120k -130.

Have you looked South? San Antonio, perhaps? I hear the cost of living is still low there? Portland, is nice - I am not sure the cost of living though...

[jwb123]

Spokane, maybe?

Here is an article that may help you with some research.

http://realestate.msn.com/Buying/Art...mentid=3863709