Beautiful, liberal, walkable? (Seattle, Spokane, Bellingham: employment, theater, good schools)

[NewHomeOregon]

What area fits this bill in Washington. I'd like to live in a place with a lot of natural beauty that also has enough ammenities (Trader Joe's, health food coop, maybe even Costco. An independent movie theatre is good too!) I like a liberal, open-minded environment, too. It doesn't hurt if the city is walkable or has good public transportation.
I'm not particularly interested in Seattle because of the high cost of living and I hear it's becoming more trafficky.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[Count David]

Yeah, not Spokane.

[OGTSO]

They are building a Trader Joe's on the South Hill. They are openening a farmers market downtown. I have heard people say downtown is liberal while outlying areas are conservative. Lots of nature areas surrounding Spokane. Centennial Trail is a 50 mile long walking/riding path from Nine Mile Falls to Post Falls that goes right through downtown Spokane. There are tons of buses here. While some people claim there is traffic here, they have never experienced a true traffic snarl as was common in Southern California on a daily basis. Spokane sounds to me like it meets most of your criteria.

[OGTSO]

There are two Costcos here and an old movie theatre on Garland or called the Garland-I believe.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by NewHomeOregon

What area fits this bill in Washington. I'd like to live in a place with a lot of natural beauty that also has enough ammenities (Trader Joe's, health food coop, maybe even Costco. An independent movie theatre is good too!) I like a liberal, open-minded environment, too. It doesn't hurt if the city is walkable or has good public transportation.
I'm not particularly interested in Seattle because of the high cost of living and I hear it's becoming more trafficky.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

If you're willing to consider Spokane (which is not particularly liberal), you may want to cast your net a little further east and consider Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. It's only another 40 minutes or so down I-90, it's on a lake with wonderful walking trails, with a nice Downtown right on the lake. It is a college town so there is somewhat of a liberal presence, and while it doesn't have a Trader Joe's, you can hop over to Spokane and stock up. And you'll have easy access to all the beauty of North Idaho and NW Montana.

[NewHomeOregon]

Thanks for all your responses!! I'm curious about Coeur D Alene, ID. What are the temperatures like in the Summer?

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by NewHomeOregon

Thanks for all your responses!! I'm curious about Coeur D Alene, ID. What are the temperatures like in the Summer?

You can scroll down and see the stats for temperatures, precipitation, etc. here: //www.city-data.com/city/Coeur-d-Alene-Idaho.html
A few days may reach 100+, otherwise expect temps in the 80s and 90s for July and August. Summer doesn't really start until the end of June.
The website also has nice pics, population stats, and so forth.

[redhead]

even though coeur d'alene is close to spokane; it has different weather then spokane especially in the summer. it has what i call mountain weather, meaning in the summer you can get lots of thunder storms and dramatic temp changes. it get less sun then spokane. it's sits right in the mountains whereas spokane is on the edge of the mountains and on its south and west starts the high plains. and as was said below summer doesn't even start until july, long after spokane has enjoyed lots of sun. so much shorter summer and longer winter then spokane.

[mkeller]

If income tax bothers you stay out of Idaho. If bigets bother you stay out of Idaho. If Tea Party conservatives bother you stay out of Idaho. If good schools bother you stay out of Idaho. If you like the ability to pack a gun any where then go to Idaho.

[SHALOM YA'ALL]

Port Townsend sounds like the place for you... has an independant theater (the rose) lots of real health food stores- very liberal. As far as employment there are a few options.. Otherwise I would suggest Bellingham..