What is your favorite thing about living in Western Washington State? (Seattle: house, property tax)

[notnamed]

50-70 and overcast is my ideal sort of weather. Possible to walk on the beach and hike in the mountains on the same day. No income tax. Low property tax. Sales tax free shopping 20mins away. Little crime to speak of compared to everywhere else I've lived.

[elkotronics]

MarciaMarshaMarcia - did you ever fear for your life while in So-Cal? I wouldn't like living in So-Cal. Anywhere. Washington beats California hands down for quality of living. But don't tell Burton Cummings of The Guess Who. He lives on a "hill" in Los Angeles. Sherman Oaks. He likes LA for the beautiful drive on 101, his gorgeous mansion on a "hill" in Sherman Oaks, and some music store downtown that I think he spends about 50% of his time in when he's in LA.

So I'm not going to put down an area just because I don't know it very well. I've been to LA once. I was on vacation, 14 years old, with my cousin from Sanger. He was taking oranges down to LA. It was dark out when we got to LA, all the time we were there, and dark when we left. All I remember was someone dumping a crate of my cousin's oranges all over the floor and hearing and seeing my cousin laugh a great belly laugh when he discovered the oranges rolling fast along the floor.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Originally Posted by elkotronics

MarciaMarshaMarcia - did you ever fear for your life while in So-Cal? I wouldn't like living in So-Cal. Anywhere. Washington beats California hands down for quality of living. But don't tell Burton Cummings of The Guess Who. He lives on a "hill" in Los Angeles. Sherman Oaks. He likes LA for the beautiful drive on 101, his gorgeous mansion on a "hill" in Sherman Oaks, and some music store downtown that I think he spends about 50% of his time in when he's in LA.

So I'm not going to put down an area just because I don't know it very well. I've been to LA once. I was on vacation, 14 years old, with my cousin from Sanger. He was taking oranges down to LA. It was dark out when we got to LA, all the time we were there, and dark when we left. All I remember was someone dumping a crate of my cousin's oranges all over the floor and hearing and seeing my cousin laugh a great belly laugh when he discovered the oranges rolling fast along the floor.

Yeah, & Tom Petty lived in Malibu & loved it, George Thorogood, too, but most of us peasants didn’t live like that, lol!

Nah, never feared for my life...was nearly raped, but that could happen anywhere. I understood the culture there, & how to deal with it.

TBH, I have had a much more difficult time dealing with the crazy drivers in rural Washington, than driving the freeways of SoCal...there are some loony people here...

Also, I am not used to the veiled passive-aggressive attitude here...I am accustomed to people being direct, in-your-face, & it’s over.

It’s also very hard to make friends here, but I realize part of that is just small-town dynamic. I grew up in a small town in SoCal (it’s not all urban!); it was the same way there.

But, really, Elko, there was a lot of natural beauty in ALL of California...it just got stomped on & destroyed. Too many people moved there...same complaint that people here in Washington have.

That’s my take. Hopefully, I don’t get flamed. My parents moved from Oregon to California for J-O-B-S, so that makes me a PNWer by default.

P.S., I love your hometown of Edmonds...you were lucky to have grown up there! But, yeah, to live there now, you need $$$$$$.

[homesinseattle]

The incredible natural beauty, clean air and great food of the Pacific Northwest are the obvious choices. If I had to pick one thing though, it's the open mindedness. Straight, gay, black, white, Asian? Doesn't really matter out here. People are treated as people.

[Botev1912]

The outdoors, the mild weather compared to Eastern Washington and the east coast, the greenery compared to the desert east of the Cascades.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

..... People are treated as people.

Where else in the USA have you lived?

I find PNW congenial to each other, but a great fear is to still be living in PNW If stricken with a debilitating / home bound disease. Compared to the many states where you would have a steady stream of food and help.... don’t count on it in WA. When you get to smelling... the neighbors may call the cops, but don’t expect a hot dish meal, everyday, and help with the kids and chores, especially if ill for a few yrs. (does still happen in rural PNW ag areas)

I have great neighbors, but can go yrs without sharing a meal together. Tho we make it a point to frequent invite and host weekly FREE GTG (homemade ice cream every Sunday during summer. Soup next to the wood stove during winter.). Smoked Salmon Chowder this week! You ought drop by!

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Where else in the USA have you lived?

I find PNW congenial to each other, but a great fear is to still be living in PNW If stricken with a debilitating / home bound disease. Compared to the many states where you would have a steady stream of food and help.... don’t count on it in WA. When you get to smelling... the neighbors may call the cops, but don’t expect a hot dish meal, everyday, and help with the kids and chores, especially if ill for a few yrs. (does still happen in rural PNW ag areas)

I have great neighbors, but can go yrs without sharing a meal together. Tho we make it a point to frequent invite and host weekly FREE GTG (homemade ice cream every Sunday during summer. Soup next to the wood stove during winter.). Smoked Salmon Chowder this week! You ought drop by!

Well, that was an accurate summation, although haven't consistently experienced that congeniality, shallow & insincere as it is.

So, I’m down for salmon chowder...what’s your address?

[CrazyDonkey]

The weather, actually - neither too hot nor too cold. And an ample amount of rain, to keep everything lush and green.

What isn't rational is to expect what you don't want, and want what you can't expect.

[MJ5150]

The coffee from the countless small batch roasters.
Oh, and bacon crack cookies from Cupcake Royale.

-Mike

[fluffydelusions]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Oh, and bacon crack cookies from Cupcake Royale.

-Mike

That sounds delicious! Being that you are in Lacey I was hoping that place would be somewhat in the area and am now disappointed I would have to go up to Seattle to try that lol