Washington

As a native of the state, I'm likely not the most objective reviewer. But since I've spent more years outside it than inside, I suppose I can be at least partially fair. There is a lot of grousing from out of state people about the locals-only attitude in Washington. It's not that we're against people from out of state, it's just that we feel more comfortable around fellow North-westerners. Just because you decide to drop anchor in Washington, don't expect people to like you or think you are cool because you are from L.A. or another self absorbed place. I've worked in Washington along side a lot of out of state transplants. As long as they worked as hard as the locals and didn't try to impress anybody, everyone got along fine. Overall, Washington state is a tech-savvy, outdoorsy, and beautiful state. Industry thrives in Washington, and except for a few industries that have fallen on hard times, it has a strong economy. One of the first things a person notices about Washingto... Read more

While the western part of this state is extremely beautiful, the eastern half is something else. I hate to say it, but Spokane is one of the worst places I have ever had the misfortune of experiencing. While I met some decent loggers north of Spokane, I know of people from the area that are the worst kind of hillbilly. I am talking- no school past third grade. That entire panhandle of eastern Washington and Idaho and Montana would be best avoided. However, I met some great people that moved to the Yaak area of Montana from the Great Lakes Upper Midwest. Anyhow, the west and east are different in every way, from climate to class. Pullman is not a happening place- the town is about 2000 people, while the college students are something like 17000. There was no restaurant past 8 or 9 at night. Yakima has terrible pollution problems from spraying the apples. All in all, a pretty dysfunctional state. Don't get gas at night in Spokane (even though you'll probably have to). Even th... Read more

Washington has everything. A desert, a tropical rainforest, great skiing, great water skiing, ocean front, bay front, lake front, wilderness, and big cities. There are parts that get a lot of rain, and parts where the sun shines 300 days per year. Seattle's weather is not nearly as bad as many joke, and the city is one of the great in the country. Surrounding areas have been blossoming as well, especially Bellevue as a business center and a nightlife haven. As far as the people go, there are very red parts of the state (generally east of the Cascades) and very blue parts (western and western cities like Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, in particular). I know many people that are proud to be from Washington, but have not heard many complaints about the local favoritism that is echoed by other reviews or support the argument. The only complaints I have heard are from Northeasterners that don't like the passive aggressiveness of many Washingtonians. There is the occasional bout of this... Read more

Cascades, Mt. Rainier, and Olympia National Park are just a few natural attractions in a very scenic state. Seattle is a cool city.

Another interesting thing is that some people feel like washingtonians don't want out of staters coming in and I've never noticed that before and it makes me feel better about some of the other states that I've been reading about that people said the same thing.

a lot of coffee

Well, I hate to say "Never been there"....but my dad was stationed there when he served in World War II, and he said he liked it; it reminded him of home. He was an Arkansas boy.  Arkansas is actually a very pretty state, so he meant it as a compliment.

I am not from Washington, but have visited a couple times. From what I have seen it is one of the most beautiful states we have. I have thought about moving there, but don't know if I could handle so many gray & misty rainy days. I have read where people say is is damp, cold, and dreary, except for about 3 months of the year. These 3 months seem so short, while having to sit through another 9 months of dreary weather.Weather aside, Washington has so much to love, from the mountains, the city, the Puget Sound, that I tell myself that I just might be able to take on the 9 month challenge. I never got to see Olympia, which people have said was one of the nicer places. I did get to see Port Townsend, Bellingham, Leavenworth, Annacortes, Seattle, and some less than attractive areas like Arlington,  and Everett,The things that I remember most from my observation were the homes look so close together, often over top another one below on the hills. The I-5 seemed packed, but getting into Seatt... Read more

I have to agree with the posters commenting on the snobbery of Wasningtonians, at least in the Puget Sound area: it's both real and appalling. I lived there for one year & got the hell out. One telling observation: The local news really is local, and barely acknowledges the fact that the rest of the nation exists east of the Cascades. When the rest of the country is mentioned at all, it's usually in the context of "Seattle/Tacoma/Washington was rated #1 in terms of yaddayaddayadda..." Another interesting factoid is that KING ran (probably still does run) its own variant of SNL, called "Almost Live". Not a bad show, but so locally focused that you have to have been a life-long resident to get all the jokes. Overall, the natives of this area are as self-centered, insensitive and conceited as geoducks. Perhaps those things should be adopted as the state mascot, since these animals are also unaware of how ugly they really are.

I love Washington State. It has the ocean, mountains, prairie, lakes and rivers. Wages are high there and has good worker's rights. Over the years a lot of not so great people have moved there though. I guess nothing is perfect.

Far enough from California to be holding its own. No income tax gets it a 4. Washingtonians must beware getting californicated.

Read alot of the reviews and most people are rating Washington State based on the Seattle area which is not only unfair but doesn't give justice to the state as a whole. Western Washington is as different from Eastern Washington from a people stand point and climate stand point than any other region of the country. Washington is a very diverse state in more ways than what people realize. Western Washington along with Western Oregon is the most naturally beautiful region of the country hands down. From a people standpoint, 3/4 of all people live in Western Washington along the I-5 corridor and its to hard to judge an entire state based on the people. So my rating is based on the natural features and physical attributes which are second to none in terms of natural beauty and diversity.

From a scenic point of view and variety of parks and outdoor beauty it's a 5 star rating. For traffic and poorly planned transportation it's a 2. You can go from the mountains, to the desert and to the ocean within a days driving like a lotta places in California in that sense except not as much crime and pollution which is nice. I haven't been but to 5 other states so I am only speaking on this state alone not comparing it as better or more beautiful than others. But a great state if you like the outdoors and fairly decent driving distances between places.

The only thing Washington, and the Pacific Northwest, gets credit for is Seattle, Vancouver, and to some extent Portland. As far as the rest of it goes, I would just avoid it, especially anything east of the Cascades, which feels a lot more like Oklahoma (only with more white people).

Seattle is the only place to be in here in Washington. Otherwise Stay out of the eastside.

I currently live in Washington now. The pudget sound and scenic views in Washington are superb. However, like the rest of this country the people and the land is dead. Seattle is just another overpriced city with the population of those "making it" and "not making it" not even close to equilibrium. Grunge and art is dead here and now the only ok places to go are the waterfront pier and the Seattle center. South of Seattle is all cookie cutter suburbs and retail thieves. North of Seattle is property crime capital of America, where the drones and druggies come out and steal your fifty dollar stereo (like they did to mine just a few weeks ago causing 1,000 worth of damage.) so they can get their next fix. Everyone is still begging for a job here in Washington and the only jobs that are open are industrial jobs like a forklifter. People here are friendly somewhat friendly, but most are very afraid and timid. East of Seattle is all the unprogressives. Sadly Microsoft won't be able to save t... Read more

This is my first year in Everett, Washington. I chose to come here for the recreation, opportunities to visit Canada, and liberalism. The scenery is very pretty here, with its endless evergreen trees and many islands. However, Seattle is dead like every other American city--there is no new famous rock stars, grunge, or life in this city. It just has its pretty location along the shore, with lots of homeless people and overpriced ghettos. Traffic is terrible on the west coast of Washington and many people are starving and on drugs. People here seem nice in some places, but overall they seem very timid and unwelcoming to newcomers. North of Seattle is nothing but port towns filled with high rates of property crime, unemployment, (note: my first week here my car was broken into) and people with rotting teeth. My biggest complaint about Washington though is definately the weather. Everyday is the same depressing overcast grey sky, with sun coming for ten minutes a day and then setting at ... Read more

My family and I moved to western wastington in 1999, and we deeply regret it. The landscape is quite beautiful, but what ruins Washington state is the Washingtonians. So here is my message to locals, you people who are originally from here: We are so, so sorry that we invaded your state in the 90's. the thing is, the fact that I am from somewhere else does not give you a right to be rude. "Cockiness" or pride in your state does not justify your snobbery. Maybe you should try opening up to the rest of the USA. You might frown a little less. You might enjoy your lives a little more. So please get over yourselves. You snub people just because they are not from here. Its absolutely unbelievable. We are very sorry that we moved here, as I have said. But we have been punished enough. We have wasted half a decade waiting to make friends. We assumed that all western american states, but we were very, very wrong. People in teh rest of the country have no idea how stuck up you people are; ... Read more

I don't think people give Washington a chance. All you have to do to love this place is to go to the coast (the real cost, not seattle) See the olympic rainforest, Go see seattle, drive the cascades, and see the largest volcanic plateau in the world. We are a state of diversity. Currently I'm living in the North Sound, about 30 min. from the border to Canada, but I have lived in the South Sound (seattle area) and North Central Washington (the start of the plateau) and it all has it's beauty in it's own way. The cost line is goregous, even when it's stormy (which it is alot, admitingly) seattle is a wondefull city, the cascades are breathtaking, and the plateau has many natual rock formations and farming land. Washatonians are seen as being cocky about being from washington, but that's because in the 90's we had a huge influx of people due to the Grunge movement (which btw isn't dead in washington, just the rest of the country) We like Washington, when you live here for so long you fa... Read more

I live in Olympia, Washington, and I'm probably the only Republican in the city. So I like eastern WA because it doesn't seem to support abortions or let off sex-offenders easily like many politicians from the Western half. But other than that, I hate eastern WA. Western WA is awesome because 1) it rains like crazy 2) there's Seattle 3) beautiful Pacific Ocean beaches and 4) great sports (yeah...I said they're great, and I mean it). Washington also has the most beautiful mountain in the U.S.: Mt. Rainier.

Washington is a state of great natural beauty. The thing that kills me about this place is that the population is very, very xenophobic. I have lived here for 6 years, and in different parts of teh state; Port Angeles near the Olympic National Forest, Spokane, and Tacoma. As much as these people seem to think that the western and eastern halves have irreconcilable differences, they do have one trait in common; an intense dislike of outsiders. Washingtonians come in three flavors: Redneck lumberjacks on the peninsula who dont want to talk to you because you are not originally from washington state, Seattle Area Snobs who wont talk to you for the same reason, and Eastern Washingtonians who dont like you because you don't go to the right kind of church in addition to not being from Washington. They find out very quickly if you are not local. A horde of out of state people moved here in the 90's because it was the cool thing to do (me included), and now the locals must find out if you ... Read more

The region west of the cascades rates 3plus- this would include Seattle, Tacoma and the state capital at Olympia. Also the wonderful Olympic ranges and the national park- the region to the east of the Cascades barely rates more then a 1.

Washington is a gorgeous state with maginficent scenery. Everyone knows that. It's got great National Parks like Mt. Ranier and Olympic National Park with some of the most impressive coastal and mountain scenery anywhere. The most beautiful trees and forests are here and all the greenery is very complimenting. Springtime in western Washington is simply spectacular with a gradual bloom, flowering cherry trees, lots of tulips blooming, and countless shades of green everywhere you look. The weather really aint that bad and people need to get over that. Seattle has a stunning setting and an awesome skyline. The San Juan Islands are magnificent. These islands are a beautiful archepeligo with densely forested hills and mountains poking right out of the sea and very charming little towns. Aside from these physical superlatives Washington reminds me of the midwest with nice scenery. I mean that in the way of outside of Seattle and a handful of towns like Port Townsend and Friday Harbor, the ... Read more

Washington, like Microsoft, is evil. Very pretty, though.

Washinton owes much of its persona to Seattle, and Olympia and the corridor west of the cascades.

I love Seattle and Olympia- the rest of the state is not so good.

I enjoyed Seattle and Olympia, in the many times i have been to Washington. The Olympic ranges are wonderful. What brings me problem to this state are the region are the areas east of the cascade range. Rather right wing- conservative.

The west side of the Cascades which includes Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia rate 3.5- the state on the dry side of the Cascades rates a 1.

Never been there but just looking at the pictures makes me wanna go soon. Of course it's the home of the late Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix and many others. Actually Peter Buck of REM lives in Seattle.

Washington is an ok state- however Seattle is the main diamond. Followed by the state capital Olympia. The state east of the cascades is mainly reactionary far right-which downgrades the states rating IMO.

Seattle is an iconic city with great beauty and a cosmo aura that is very appealing. The Olympic penisula and mountains offer a temperate rainforest and great beauty. The 'dry plateau' region east of the Cascade range is very undiserable.

Washington west of the cascades is wonderful- the region to the east is much less desirable.

Easily the most overrated state in the country. Its reputation for rain is not an exaggeration. The people are very snobbish (esp. Seattleites). They think theyre better than everyone, that every other place in the world is inferior to Washington. You are almost guaranteed to get caught in a traffic jam regardless of the time of day. High unemployment rate. Highest minimum wage in the country means people can get a living wage at McDonalds with no motivation to get a better job. The sports scene is also bad. Ive got to wonder why the Sonics have not relocated, having played in the NBAs worst arena for ten years. The Mariners have the absolute worst radio announcers- Seattle has the best fans, best ballpark, beat grounds crew, best everything, in their mind. And of course, as we just learned, the voting system is horribly flawed. I moved here from Colorado and quickly came to regret it. As far as the characteristics Washingtonians most like to brag about- many places have lakes and rive... Read more

Lots of beautiful scenery (forest and beaches). Seattle is an awesome city. I especially liked Pike Place Market. However, that Seattle Sunshine gets old really fast..

The Seattle area is fantastic- Port Townsend is a great place to retire- The Cascades and Olympic peninsula are incredible. Seattle is a cosmopolitan city with much to offer- The rest of the state east of the Cascades is a rather featureless dry plateau.

I don't know, seattle and spokane are the two cities there, never been to spokane, but seattle was a little too wierd, i liked how it was almost completely surrounded by water though, i dont think i would ever want to live there

I live here and like it. Nice change from overheated, smoggy Phoenix. I have been here 4 years - no plans to leave. Beautiful state see the pics on my website. http://www.ch5066.com

i love my birth state.

One of the prettiest states in the Union, Seattle is a great city im not saying its the best State but its one of the best!

I moved here by choice from New Mexico BECAUSE of the coller, rainier weather. Nothing against New Mexico, but I enjoy colors that go beyond 17 shades of brown. It is so comfortable around here (in western WA specifically). It's true that the drivers and traffic problems are awful. The state's political inclinations amuse me--60% of the state will always vote for cutting taxes and at least 60% for more government services. This means at least 20% are seriously mathematically challenged (no wonder we use the lottery so successfully...) Still, the people ARE friendly and I enjoy it here. I'm amazed at one thing though--how often I've noticed Washingtonians love to berate their own state. If it s*cks so bad, why do they stay?

Washington is beautiful, the Pacific Ocean, the Puget Sound, the many, many lakes and rivers, the endless forests (until the gov't lets them cut all the trees down anyway), mountains that tickle the clouds in the sky, deserts, plains, apple orchards, wheat fields, cattle, horses, small rural towns, large cities, Canada to the north, Oregon to the south, Hawaii a 5 hour flight away, what more could one ask for? It has it's problems, what state doesn't? But, aside from the odd earthquake (WA is on several major, California type series of faults) and a forest fire, it is a good place to live, taxes are way too high for services rendered, don't know why, and the ocean is way to cold to swim in without all sorts of top notch wet suits, but it is pretty to sit and watch, and smell and walk your dog along the beaches. Does tend to be cloudy a lot, but hey, that is the colder ocean off the coast, so at least you don't have to worry about hurricanes!

Moved here a couple of years ago from the east coast. Breathtakenly beautiful with lots of outdoor stuff to do. Seattle though expensive is the only place I would ever live in this state. If you have any kind of cosmopolitan in you Seattle is the only place to be. Being a minority Spokane was totally out for me. Enjoy visiting Mount Rainer and the Olympics, but always glad to come home to Seattle. Not the most sophisticated city but its by far the best city in Washington for culture, sports, the arts, shopping and good restaurants. The rest of the state is pretty nice to visit.

A poster here was complaining about one specific area in Washington. Not a fair review I would say. I do agree that someone moving to Seattle is not intelligent. Its expensive, Its huge, its overpriced, the traffic is bad, and there are a lot gangs. Not a good thing. But Washington is a big state people. Go further south down near the Oregon border. its beautiful. Also , in the middle of Washington its pretty dead. The tri-cities area supposedly has a lot of gangs as well. Its ugly there anyway. The EAst coast of Washington is AWSOME. Spokane has anything you would need and is surrounded by suburbs and rural communities. Its affordable! Its perfect. Its a river city and I love river cities. Riverfront park is nice if your bored and there are a few nice restaurants around it too. Its only 45 minutes from Couer d'alene Idaho which has a beautiful huge lake and is mountains and pine forest. Beautiful. Theres winter sports there too and its a 4 season area......a full ... Read more

Washington rules. It has a great climate, great scenery, and great people.You can do more things outdoors here than in any other state.

Rains too much up there but there's beautiful countryside everywhere. And you gotta love a state that produced all those great grunge bands.

Washington, home of the morons... W A S H I N G T O N S _ C K S ! ! ! Washington has one of the worst unemployment rates in the nation. Originally it was stated that this area would not recover until the middle or end of 2004. Now they are saying they do not expect it to recover until 2005!! What a wonderful place to live, wouldn't you say!!! Only a moron would to want to live in or around the Seattle area, or anywhere in Washington for that matter!! This place S_CKS!!!! The people are rude, selfish and completely stuck on themselves (not sure why, as they are NOT very nice looking)... not to mention complete morons. They do not know how to drive... they will scare the sh_t right out of you. I used to love to drive until I move up here. I hate to drive now! Actually, one of the major problems is that you do not get the opportunity to drive! The majority of the time you sit in your car creeping along at a snails pace!!! I certainly would not call that driving, you Morons!!! T... Read more

In 3 hours, you can travel from the beach, to the mountains, to the plains and meet some pretty amazing people and sights.