Washington, a state of the United States of America, is located at the northwest corner of the 48 contiguous states. It is bordered to the north by British Columbia, the east by Idaho, the south by Oregon, and the Pacific Ocean. Olympia, located at the southern end of Puget Sound in the western part of the state, is its capital. Thanks to Alaska's location on the coast and its excellent harbors, the state is a leader in trade with Canada, Alaska, and Pacific Rim countries. In Washington, members of professional and business associations in other countries are present and sister cities.
The beautiful state of Washington is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, which previously belonged to British colonial rule. Washington was named after George Washington. Its western edge is marked by the Pacific Ocean, while its northern edge by British Columbia, its southern border by Oregon, and its eastern edge by Idaho.
If you plan to relocate to the state of Washington, be guided by these pros and cons of the form:
1. Relatively Low Tax
Washington is known as a state with no tax. Here, the residents don't have to pay corporate or personal income taxes. Instead of that, Washington State collects sales and real estate taxes to pay for its roads, law enforcement, schools, and other services; all these are also not too high compared to the other states.
2. All Schools
There is a great deal of diversity in the population of Washington State, making it one of the most desirable states to live in. Many people worldwide, including Asia, Spain, etc., move to this state to pursue their education. According to a study, Washington State has the 12th largest school system in America, so many international students study there, making its schools more diverse and approachable to foreigners.
3. Happy Population
Residents of Washington State rate it as one of the best or the best states for living based on a nationwide Gallup poll, which shows that their views on their facilities, opportunities, and natural beauty are much more positive than any other state.
On the other hand, not all states are perfect; so here are some of the cons of Washington:
1. Expensive
Living in Washington State isn't cheap since the average home price also increases. Just like this state gives people a good opportunity for a decent income, it takes back with high housing, grocery, and transportation costs. In Washington State, the average home costs around $3 69,900, while in the U.S., the same house costs about $2 36,100.
2. Crime
Before you decide to move here, you need to carefully consider this state's crime rates before getting mesmerized by its beauty and facilities. Washington State had a higher property crime rate per 1000 residents in 2019 than the United States. In addition, violent crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault are relatively higher in Michigan than in many other states.
3. Relatively Low Health Care Quality
According to the Agency for Health Research and Quality, the U.S. Washington State has a relatively low rating for health care quality compared to many other states. While moving to this state, however, this factor does not hold importance for fresher, healthier people.
Bonus: Here are more fun facts about Washington:
- Before it became a state, the territory was called Columbia (named after the Columbia River). When it was granted statehood, the name was changed to Washington, supposedly so people wouldn't confuse it with The District of Columbia.
- The highest point in Washington is Mount Rainier. It was named after Peter Rainier, a British soldier who fought against the Americans in the Revolutionary War.
- The Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge at Evergreen Point is the longest floating bridge in the world. The bridge connects Seattle and Medina across Lake Washington.
- Washington is the birthplace of both Jimi Hendrix (Seattle) and Bing Crosby (Tacoma).
- The oldest operating gas station in the United States is in Zillah.
- Washington's state insect is the Green Darner Dragonfly.
- The world's first soft-serve ice cream machine was located in an Olympia Dairy Queen.
- Starbucks, the biggest coffee chain in the world, was founded in Seattle.
- Spokane was the smallest city in size to host a World's Fair. – 1974
- The state capital is Olympia, and the largest city is Seattle.
Please let us know your thoughts about these pros and cons of living in the state of Washington!
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_(state)
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/school-size-stats/washington
https://www.zippia.com/advice/happiest-places-in-washington/
https://www.upnest.com/1/post/cost-of-living-washington/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Washington
https://www.50states.com/facts/washington.htm
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