CA to WA? (Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma: houses, income, income tax)

[Joe2112]

Hi I'm Joe. I'm 19. I'm trying to move to another state but I'm not sure which one exactly. I just want to get away from Cali. It's just too expensive, full of plastic/materialistic people, extravagant people. Not saying other places don't have this, but Cali has more. I'm more of a chill/laid back/low key kind of person.

I LOVE nature and woodsy areas, but at the same time I don't want to live in a tiny city. Any suggestions for good areas in WA? Thanks!

[Count David]

Seattle/Tacoma and the entire Puget Sound region, Spokane, Vancouver.

[Joe2112]

Thanks for replying^

After some research and home searching, I am really liking what I see. I'm definitely going to make a visit in April.

Can someone answer the following for me?
1. Pros/Cons of living in this state
2. Is Redmond a good city?

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Joe2112

Thanks for replying^

After some research and home searching, I am really liking what I see. I'm definitely going to make a visit in April.

Can someone answer the following for me?
1. Pros/Cons of living in this state
2. Is Redmond a good city?

Pros:
It's Washington, and it gives me a feel-good feeling.
Seattle Mariners
Pine trees/green
Hardly ever hot on the west side of the Cascades
Mount Rainier and all the other volcanoes
People are chill IMO

Cons:
Online poker is illegal
Gas is expensive
High cost-of-living west of the Cascades
Some people don't like the rain (west of Cascades again)
No NBA team

Redmond is a good city.

[NW Crow]

Redmond a good city but it is pretty expensive and might be called fairly "materialistic" or sort of "like California" by some, though people vary and people's opinions about people vary.

Also near Seattle but lower key, you might want to check into North Bend. Near the woods / mountains but also near enough to the big city for jobs and / or nightlife. And look at Woodinville, Lake Stevens or Maple Valley.

Outside of Seattle, look at Olympia and also Vancouver WA and Spokane as previously suggested.

There is Bellingham too. Lots of folks from California ask about it / consider it. Pluses and minuses there... and most places.

Depending on how big a city you want / need, there might other good or decent options.

[Joe2112]

Thanks a ton guys. I appreciate all the info. I'm looking at 3-4 different states right now and Washington is definitely in the lead. Just seems like my type of place!

Anyone else who wants to add something is more than welcome!

[Ultrarunner]

I was surprised by the number of Ex Californians living in WA... also, the large military presence brings people from all walks of life and from every State and some choose to stay.

I like WA a lot.

It is not a low cost State in my opinion. I find taxes on par with most other places with the exception there is no personal state income tax which is great for those making lots of money... maybe why Microsoft and others have corp headquarters here.

People are friendly, but they tend not to get into each other's personal business.

One thing no one likes to here is newcomers always talking about the way things are somewhere else.

You may want to line up a job and that will help you zero in on an area to settle.

Be aware... not everyone falls in love with the climate... some, especially those from the sunny parts of CA have difficulty adjusting...

[NW Crow]

If you have interest in Redmond but wanted other options, with lower average prices on homes, you might also look at Bothell or Issaquah.

[Joe2112]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

I was surprised by the number of Ex Californians living in WA... also, the large military presence brings people from all walks of life and from every State and some choose to stay.

I like WA a lot.

It is not a low cost State in my opinion. I find taxes on par with most other places with the exception there is no personal state income tax which is great for those making lots of money... maybe why Microsoft and others have corp headquarters here.

People are friendly, but they tend not to get into each other's personal business.

One thing no one likes to here is newcomers always talking about the way things are somewhere else.

You may want to line up a job and that will help you zero in on an area to settle.

Be aware... not everyone falls in love with the climate... some, especially those from the sunny parts of CA have difficulty adjusting...

Thanks.

How far is Mercer Island, Redmond, and Bellevue from Seattle? The job might be in Seattle so I was wondering if it was possible to commute from either of those cities? Although I will say...the houses in these areas seem more expensive than the ones in other places in WA.

[chris]

Bellingham is what you're looking for. Possibly Olympia.

I don't really think there is much of a difference between SEA and most of CA anymore, except for the antisocial nature and bad weather for most of the year.