Most beautiful small towns?

[longlostmango]

Edmonds, just north of Seattle is pretty sweet. A nice little downtown with a cinema, bakery, restaurants, French bistro, independent book shop, wine bar, fantastic farmer's market in the summer, post office, ferry terminal, beaches, dive bars, coffee shops - The Loft and Walnut Street Cafe (unfortunately a Starbucks too!) along with a great library with a great roof that has a fantastic view of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. We often go roller skating up there and many weddings are held up there on weekends along with the Arts Festival on Father's Day weekend (I think) -- a real gem! Also a great place to watch fireworks on July 4th. It's very safe and picturesque. We walk pretty much everywhere and our kids can hang out in the little downtown with their friends without us worrying about them.

Bothel is also sweet, as is Kirkland (if not a bit upmarket!) and I adore White Center, which is rough and tumble but full of character -- and Burien. Good Luck.

[missy watts]

Olympia (salt water, scenry, government, college, art, smallish downtown area with good eats and interesting people)
Port Angeles (salt water, scenery, ferry to Canada)
Just recently visited Grapeview and Allyn, Treasure Island and Stretch Island in Mason County....darling!

[NCWmark]

Originally Posted by jertheber

Most of the towns listed above are tourist driven and offer little in the way of "small town feel" let alone remoteness. Washington is like the midwest in that our big cities are alive and well but the small towns are like going back in time. Our real small towns are those in the 1000 to 3500 range and have poor economic prospects, that said, it isn't all bad news on the small town front. Schools are good in the main but like I said we have a true poverty in the rural areas, plenty of churches and VFW halls, Eagles, and Moose clubs but don't come expecting any grand welcome, this is life at ground zero for many, and outsiders are seen as part of the problem, not part of any solution. More retiree's are moving to small washington towns and they have mentioned having a difficult time adjusting to the pinned down populace that doesn't socialize much in winter. It's all about local high school sports and hoping for some juicy gossip, but all in all, it's layed back and nobody bothers you, crime can be higher in some areas due to Meth making but no more of a threat than California's pot growing in the forest. Look at our real small towns on the map and see if you can't find one that's suitable, you'll really need to look for yourself as most folks here have a wide range of opinion. Good luck.

I'm not sure if I could disagree with you any more strongly than I do. The stereotypes you offer are like something from a made-for-tv movie. It would be like someone saying that all big cities are impersonal places where people value money and material things more than their fellow man. It might play well on late night television or in a Hollywood movie, but it is hardly realistic. I have found the small towns of both Western and Eastern Washington to be nothing but inviting and welcoming. Even if you say that most small towns are tourist driven, which I don't think is the case, that would prove even more that they are welcoming as it is hard to be tourist driven and exclusionary at the same time... tourism doesn't work like that.

While small towns have fewer economic prospects, this comes from having a smaller economy and less people, there are many that are quite active and viable.

I don't think poverty is much more prevalent in small towns, but I do think there is usually less of a "keeping up with the jones's" and doing things for appearances mentality there. Just because one person's house could probably use a paint job and a little landscaping doesn't mean they are poor... they possibly just could have other priorities in life.

Small town life in Washington is great, but like big cities, vacation destinations, and good outdoor recreation areas you have to pick your spot wisely. Describing life in Washington's small towns as "ground zero" is a little over dramatic at best.

As far as being "all about high school sports", this is part of the charm of a small town. A community of 2000 people doesn't usually have a first class modern arena, convention center, professional sports team or concert venue... yes, high school sports may rank a little higher on the entertainment list of the residents there. This may even be more true because almost everyone in the community knows some of the players or at least some of their parents. Coming together at a high school sporting event is an important way that the community bonds and socializes... even when some describe the population of the community as "pinned down" or not socializing much in the winter. Community spirit and placing an importance on the activities of its youth should be seen as strengths in any size city, big or small.

There are communities that do seem to be a "step back in time", but many people are seeking that nostalgic feeling when looking for a place to settle. Washington's smaller communities are very advanced though too thanks to the state's emphasis on the tech industries, the abundant hydroelectric power, and the importance the residents place on education among other things. In fact, there are even rural counties in Washington that rank higher than their urban counterparts in terms of things like students with access to computers and residents with access to fiber optics.

Before anyone stomps their feet too hard about not feeling welcomed by a community, small or large, I would like to point out that this is a two way street. How hard did they attempt to become a part of the community? Did they hole up in their house expecting neighbors to line up at their door with homemade pies and casseroles or did they venture out and try and become involved in the community's life? Socialization and inclusion is a give and take and can only be achieved when both the community and the new resident put the effort in.

There are many great and diverse communities offering a wide variety of benefits all across Washington State and with a little research and first-hand visiting of them it shouldn't be too hard for almost anyone to find one that they feel comfortable in. Each community... big or small, west side or east side, suburban or remote, coastal or inland, has strengths and weaknesses. Yes, there are areas that can be described as "bad apples", but this is true of large cities and suburbs as well. Are there small towns in Washington that I would say are places I wouldn't move to or even visit? Yes, undoubtedly... just as their are large cities and suburbs that I feel the same way about.

[Zizza]

Sultan and Gold Bar along Route 2 have some beautiful views of mountains and the Skykomish River. Definitely rustic.

[KAILANI]

Originally Posted by jertheber

Most of the towns listed above are tourist driven and offer little in the way of "small town feel" let alone remoteness. Washington is like the midwest in that our big cities are alive and well but the small towns are like going back in time. Our real small towns are those in the 1000 to 3500 range and have poor economic prospects, that said, it isn't all bad news on the small town front. Schools are good in the main but like I said we have a true poverty in the rural areas, plenty of churches and VFW halls, Eagles, and Moose clubs but don't come expecting any grand welcome, this is life at ground zero for many, and outsiders are seen as part of the problem, not part of any solution. More retiree's are moving to small washington towns and they have mentioned having a difficult time adjusting to the pinned down populace that doesn't socialize much in winter. It's all about local high school sports and hoping for some juicy gossip, but all in all, it's layed back and nobody bothers you, crime can be higher in some areas due to Meth making but no more of a threat than California's pot growing in the forest. Look at our real small towns on the map and see if you can't find one that's suitable, you'll really need to look for yourself as most folks here have a wide range of opinion. Good luck.

OUCH.

I didn't know pot growers in CA are causing such a high crime threat..

WOW, your opinion is quite grim. I'm sorry but I don't quite agree with it.

I think, with anywhere nowadays, it's all what you make it. I could say a lot of negative things about living in a rich neighborhood, middle class suburb, farm area, or city. It's all perspective.
When I moved to my small town, I did not get a grand welcome, but I immediately felt at ease knowing that there was a variety of people who all seemed to be getting along, no matter what personality or financial status.
There's ups an downs everywhere.

[WA state]

Port Townsend is cute and walkable, but unless you can afford a HUGE mortgage, you will not be eithin walking distance to anything.