When it comes to enjoying a great mix of urban and rural living in the Pacific Northwest, the great state of Washington offers homeowners everything from beautiful ocean views, mountain adventures and exciting night life opportunities inthe big city. Whether you enjoy being close to the water or prefer the calm and quiet of eastern Washington, the state is home to some of the best small towns on the west coast. Here you'll find diverse communities, great schools and plenty of opportunities to enjoy all the beauty that this part of the country has to offer.
Located about an hour outside of Seattle, the town of La Conneris perhaps best known for its natural beauty. As the city is surrounded by lush tulips fields, each year thousands of visitors travelto La Conner for the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. In addition to gorgeous views, La Conner is a family friendly and welcoming community that is home to just under 1000 residents.
This small but diverse community is also home to a rich cultural center that features a number of popularart galleries, great shopping and a wide array of dining options for a town of its size.La Conner is also one of the more affordable small towns within striking distance of Seattle, with a number of single family homes available on the market. This is a great place for growing families to settle, as more nearly 40 percent of all households in La Conner are home to children 18 and under. Additionally, the cityfeatures an excellent school district with an 88 percent high school graduation rate.
Located along the Dungeness River near the Olympic Mountain range, this western Washington city is home to just over 6,500 residents. Perfect for those who enjoy the occasional break in the rainy Washington weather, Sequim is actually the driest location in the western part of the state, seeing just 18of rainfall annually. In fact, Sequim is so temperate and dry that the climate is often compared to that of Los Angeles.
Perfect for those who love exploring the great outdoors, Sequim has something for everyone to enjoy. From the family friendly Dungeness NationalWildlife Refuge to sprawling fields of lavender that have helped the city earn the title of theLavender Capital of North America, Sequim is a gorgeous and tranquil area to call home. For those looking to settle down in Sequim you'll find affordable housing options, a stellar real estate market, great schools and a welcoming community. Housing is so affordable here that rental rates are 13 percent lower than the Washington average and median home sales prices are 23 percent lower than the state average, making this an ideal area for new families to buy.
If you're looking for a good mixture of old time charm, beautiful views and a friendly community, the small town of Winthropmay just be theperfect place for you to make a fresh start in life. Featuring a distinct American old west design, the main town center is known as one of the best tourist attractions in north central Washington. In the summer months there are a number of great outdoor activities for residents to enjoyincluding hiking, rock climbing, river rafting, hunting and fishing. During the snowy winter months, Winthrop attracts visitors from all over the state with over 120 miles of cross country skiing trails.
This area is an ideal destination for thosein search of a more rural, laid-back lifestyle. Most available real estate options in the Winthrop area feature lots ofland and are fairly isolated from other homes. Offering beautiful views year round, you can expect to live a quiet and relaxing life when setting down roots here.Although this is a very rural area, there is still plenty to see and do in Winthrop. Popular local events includethe Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival,the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival and many different art gallery gatheringsthroughout the year.
Known as one of the best destinations in the state for a romantic weekend getaway, Port Townsend is an ideal location forhomeowners who are looking to escape the busy Seattle lifestyle. With picturesque views along the Olympic Peninsula, gorgeous Victorian era homes and a rich history, Port Townsend is a great city to settle down and raise a family in.
Located just over 2 hours from Seattle, Port Townsend offers residents all the charm and tranquility of a small townwhile still featuring many of the creature comforts of larger, more urban areas.The city is also home toa steady sellers market andit pays to know exactly what you're looking for when purchasing a home here. This is a safe and family-oriented community as well with more than 38 percent of households having children 18 years of age or younger and a 92 percent high school graduation rate.
Although considerably larger than the other citieson our list, with just over 46,000 residents, Olympia is one of the best small cities in all of Washington. Thiscapitol city is home to a stable housing market, great cultural amenities, andexcellent nightlife. Located just 60 miles from the heart of Seattle, Olympia is also a popular destination for families that want to enjoy an urban lifestyle without the additional difficulties of navigating a larger metropolitan area.
The city is also home to a wide array of public parks, outdoor greenspaces, breweries, and is known as one of the state major regional centers for the arts. Offering the perfect blend of anadventurous Pacific Northwest lifestyle with all the comforts of a bustling urban city, Olympia is a great place for young couples, new families and retirees to call home.
