Need expert on mountains (the cascades especially) for picky relocater (Seattle: apartments, crime rates)

[Count David]

OP, to avoid Picture 1, don't go around Coulee Dam, and some areas along US 2 east of Wenatchee. Skip I-82 as well.

Picture 2 is in New Zealand. Check out Norway, and possibly Alaska. But if you like the green/mountains/water thing, also consider North Idaho (Sandpoint & Coeur d'Alene).

I'll also note, that my current adoptive state (Colorado) doesn't have too much in the way of water, but places like Grand Lake & Lake Granby (far from any sort of non-tourist industry) and Silverthorne/Frisco (very $$$, and winter based tourism primarily) are the only places that 'kinda' come to mind. Don't bother looking at anything east of, or within 30 miles of I-25.

[nei]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Picture 2 is in New Zealand. Check out Norway, and possibly Alaska.

Yea, I was thinking the same thing. There's not really anything to that scale and style in the continental US. Washington has a few places that approach it but there are no towns nearby:

[gemcraver]

I've been combining what I've learned here with some research I've done on my own and I was wondering if anyone can tell me if the Skagit area fits what I'm looking for. It's hard to tell based on google so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I can't begin to convey my gratitude for the assistance I've received here...my visit to Washington is mostly organized and I was really overwhelmed before I read everyone's responses so sincerely thank you all so very much.

[Inkpoe]

Mt. Vernon is the "largest" city of that county (@ ~30K people), roughly about 40-45 mins from Bellingham and a little over an hour from Seattle. Definitely would have the views you're looking for; my friend owns some property up on Lake Cavanaugh-- oh, gosh, the views all alpine with the water-- hard to beat, just über-glorious. With that said... it is a depressed county with not a lot of opportunities within. A lot of people commute long distances for their work.

I have another friend who was born and raised in Darrington-- she absolutely loves it... so much, now she's raising her first child there. Her husband has to commute all the way down to Lake Stevens for his work. A former class-mate lives in Sedro-Wooley, she's the kind of girl that likes fishing, hunting, hiking and all that stuff. The only "bad" about SW is the... sex offenders that live there (from what people tell me; I have no idea if SW has more than normal amount of sex offenders or not).

You asked about hospitals.... well, Mt. Vernon does have a hospital (Skagit Valley) but I wouldn't attach the word "prestigious" to it (for those, you'd better come down to Seattle).

Burlington is cute. Not much going on there though, very sleepy (well, actually that applies to just about all the cities/town in Skagit county). Anacortes is such a charming sea-side town.

[samnsara]

seriously i couldnt tell a difference between what you wanted and what u didnt want.. move to ellensburg.. youre in the middle of the state.............. but the best hospital is in wenatchee

[gemcraver]

Originally Posted by samnsara

seriously i couldnt tell a difference between what you wanted and what u didnt want.. move to ellensburg.. youre in the middle of the state.............. but the best hospital is in wenatchee

In the photo I did not like the texture of the mountain was very smooth and the peaks were at nearly the same even height, the image I do like had a stark contrast in peak heights and much more jagged looking texture. I'm an artist so I'm very particular, hence the title. Thank you for your advice about the Wenatchee hospital, that is very good to know.

[samnsara]

you are no more than an hour away from any topography in wash state. there was a movie made in Umpanaum canyon just a few miles from here.. it was chosen because of its primitive appearence. any place around here i think you would appreciate. Ellensburg has a big artists population. we have mt rainier.. we also have the north cascades..all are scenic and rugged.

[skinem]

Couple places I didn't see listed...

Stehekin
Winthrop
Sequim
Packwood

Of course, a couple barely qualify as towns...

[nei]

Stehekin is by the far the best at jagged mountain views. But I assumed a place with only satellite cell phone service and requires a 50 mile ferry ride to access wasn't what the OP had in mind.

[seattlesq]

Gosh, Leavenworth DOES have the 'guy with the horn'...at the Enzian during various festivals, in the mornings during the buffet breakfasts there (at the Enzian).
That was the whole idea behind Leavenworth's efforts to pull itself up by the bootstraps, when the town was about to 'go under'...create a Bavarian Village! Gosh, it has worked! I try to visit there at least once a year. It is a wonderful town!