The only state named after a US President, Washington is home to just over 7.7 million residents. And it’s no surprise that so many people call this place home due to its unique culture, delicious food, and access to nature. There are many different cities you can choose from in the Evergreen State. So whether you’re looking at homes for sale in Seattle or just browsing apartments for rent in Spokane, you’ll be sure to find a place to call home. If you’re considering moving to the Pacific Northwest, we broke down some pros and cons of living in Washington. Keep reading to see what’s to love and not love about this state.
1. No state income tax
Washington is one of only 9 states that doesn’t have a state income tax. This means you won’t have to pay taxes on income earned in or from Washington state, giving you the opportunity to pocket a little more money from every paycheck compared to other states.
2. Access to nature
Washington is home to three beautiful national parks – Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and North Cascades National Park – and a handful of state parks like Palouse Falls State Park and Deception Pass State Park.
During the summer, you can go boating along one of the many lakes like Lake Union and Lake Washington. Or, venture towards central Washington and spend time on Lake Chelan or the Columbia River. During the winter, you can enjoy skiing or snowboarding at Crystal Mountain Resort, Mt. Baker Ski Area, Stevens Pass Resort, Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort, or Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.
If you like biking, the Burke-Gilman Trail, Centennial Trail, and Green Lake Trail and among the many that you can enjoy. If you’d rather enjoy the views, you can take one of the many ferries operating around the Puget Sound.
3. A strong sports base
Washington has a strong sports base being home to teams across multiple professional leagues. Local favorites you can root for include the Seattle…