Phoenix to Washington...but where exactly? :) (Seattle, Tacoma: unemployment rate, school, universities)

[where2now]

Hi everyone. Ive decided to move to Washington. Ive got about $7,000 saved up. I might have a job lined up but I'm not holding my breath. Im single and in my late 20's. I hope to attend school and work whatever city in WA I end up moving to...you can call me a late bloomer.

I've done some research and so far Ive come up with Olympia and Vancouver as possible cities I would be happy living in. My biggest criteria, if I may use such a word and in no particular order, would be for the city to be very liberal and close to regular 4 year college as well as community college...and hopefully have jobs!

also, what cities around Olympia would be easy to travel to and back for a job? thank you.

[Sobefobik]

Olympia is about as liberal as you can get in Washington State. Vancouver itself I wouldn't say is all that liberal, but the neighboring Portland, OR. is. More colleges are going to be available to you in Portland than in Olympia.

[Wolf14016]

Bellingham would also qualify; Western Washington University is the biggest employer in town, and there's also a community and technical college. It's also a very liberal town (like most college towns), though a good chunk of the rest of Whatcom County is pretty rural and more conservative.

Olympia, as was mentioned, is also a good choice. I don't know much about Vancouver.

[Inkpoe]

How did you presume Vancouver to be a great choice? Vancouver and its county has a very high unemployment rate, and while Vancouver does have 2 big colleges in the area (Clark College and WSU-V)... it has no border reciprocal agreement with any of the Portland area colleges/universities. If you wanted LIBERAL... Portland is it. Vancouver is simply a family town, Portland suburb.

Olympia and Bellingham are better options to look at. I would also suggest looking into Tacoma, but Tacoma itself isn't thoroughly true blue liberal town. And of course, Seattle as well!

[Sobefobik]

Originally Posted by Inkpoe

How did you presume Vancouver to be a great choice? Vancouver and its county has a very high unemployment rate, and while Vancouver does have 2 big colleges in the area (Clark College and WSU-V)... it has no border reciprocal agreement with any of the Portland area colleges/universities. If you wanted LIBERAL... Portland is it. Vancouver is simply a family town, Portland suburb.

Olympia and Bellingham are better options to look at. I would also suggest looking into Tacoma, but Tacoma itself isn't thoroughly true blue liberal town. And of course, Seattle as well!

I don't know about the universities, but Portland Community College DOES have an agreement, and I believe that if you live in a bordering state, which includes Washington, you pay in-state tuition. I have worked and attended PCC, and I would say it's one of the best.

I agree, though, that Vancouver is simply a suburb. As far as having it's own individuality, it doesn't. The biggest advantage of living there is that you're close to Portland and you don't have to pay Oregon taxes. It's also close to many outdoor activities in the Gorge, Mt. Hood, etc.

[where2now]

well thanks everyone. living or working in Oregon is not an option....but im sure ill make plenty of day trips to portalnd. ill look into Bellingham, thx.what Sobefobik said is pretty much my reasoning.

[longton52]

for liberal, Evergreen College

[choliscott]

If you want Liberal, you need to move to any city in King County. They alone decide which person from the democratic party will be voted into office.

[sean98125]

Bellingham would be a great choice. Olympia has Evergreen, but there is more 'there' in Bellingham. Plus you don't have the sad spectacle of the Protest Group O' the Day on the Capitol grounds.