8 Reasons I Love Living in Washington State

Myrtle Falls Trail offering picturesque views of Mount Rainier

​I often am reminded as to why I named this blog Everlasting Voyage - Not only is it about my endless desire for travel, but also about the endless journey I’m on of growing, changing, and experiencing life as it shapes me. I had a totally different introduction to this entry and I’m here to tell y’all why: This blog post was halfway written and had been sitting in my drafts since the end of last year with the intention of publishing it in early 2026 when I was living in Upstate New York. Originally it was titled “X Reasons I Miss Living in Washington State”, but I can now say that I am publishing this post with a different title because not even 365 days after moving out of Washington, I ended up moving right back to the Evergreen State! As life took its course in the last year, I had to pivot and change directions multiple times which ultimately lead me back here on this everlasting voyage of mine. With that being said, I’d love nothing more than for y’all to enjoy reading the 8 reasons why I love living in Washington State!

1. Natural Beauty and Phenomenal Views

Imagine you’re on your flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and before the descent begins, your pilot makes an announcement to look out the window and see the incredible views of Mount Rainier (or one of its indigenous names, Tahoma). Now imagine after you’ve landed, you’re headed South on I-5 on a beautiful sunny day when suddenly “she’s out” for everyone to see, just as you’re passing by the towns along the Puget Sound. Spotting Mt. Rainier when you least expect it to appear in close sighting is a phenomenon because let’s be real… She’s huge! And I say that with the utmost respect my loves, because at a whopping 14,410 feet, she ain’t hidin’! While being in awe of our beloved Tahoma, there’s much more where that came from. Washington’s natural beauty doesn’t stop there. I often see and feel it in every corner with its fresh air, the smell of coffee roasting, its lush trees, tunnels of glowing moss, wildlife, and much more. I could go on and explain the natural ability to capture this experience with all senses, but you’d just have to be present here yourself!

Mount Rainier showing off prior to descent into SeaTac International Airport

2. ​Endless Scenic Hiking Trails

​From National Parks to backyard trails, you’re bound to find some of the most scenic areas to go hiking while in Washington. I’ve already mentioned the iconic Mt. Rainier, but there’s more trails than I can count that are just as scenic, such as the trails surrounding Mt. Baker and the Cascades but also the Olympic National Park and Hoh Rain Forest. If you can’t make a trip out to a national park, you can often find great trails outside the parks that are well maintained. Planning your hiking trip in advance helps you get the most out of them whether you’re hiking alone or with friends. I’d look up which hikes are best suited for my hiking goals by using the Washington Trails Association app, especially the times I hiked with dogs or didn’t have a certain parking pass required to park at the trailhead. Another alternative for planning your hike is using All Trails as many hikers do because of its easy use in filtering hikes and statistics. Using a combination of both apps can help with your hiking experience and knowledge about your surroundings. When I wasn’t up for packing for a hiking trip, I often opted for an easier hike either within or nearby the town I was living in. No matter which style of hiking you’re in for, Washington has got it all.

Upper Big Creek Loop Trail at Olympic National Forest

3. ​Weather and Climate

​Don’t be thrown off by what you’ve seen in the movies or have heard about it raining all year round here in Washington. If anything, I thrive in these mild seasons and appreciate how the gloomy weather helps slow me down from chasing after another sunny day full of activities. While there’s more gloomy days than sunny days, the rain is not constant, and I don’t find the rain to be heavy most of the time. After living in Florida where I experienced tropical storms, hurricanes, and heavy downpours throughout the year, the rain in Washington seems “light” to me. I’ve also come to learn that there’s no such thing as “bad weather”, only “bad clothing”. With that said, I’ll leave you with a pro tip if you’re visiting: don’t bother bringing or buying an umbrella to Washington State. Instead, invest in quality rain jackets and other waterproof clothing - thank me later!

Carbonado, Washington

4. ​Resemblance of Living in Germany

​There’s nothing I want more than to ride out the rest of my federal career while living in Germany, but I’ve come to terms with my lack of control in that outcome. Just as I mentioned in one of my recent blog posts: what is in my control is alleviating my “homesick” feelings by visiting each year and creating an environment that reminds me of the life I grieved to have in Germany. I wholeheartedly believe the closest I could get to a life resembling living in Germany is here in Washington State. Not only does the weather and the mountains nearby bring that familiar feeling, there’s also a German inspired (or Bavarian-themed) town a few hours away called Leavenworth. While some of my friends who lived in Germany downplay Leavenworth, the small mountain village does a decent job with imitating Bavarian vibes. With the frescos painted on the buildings, the town’s Maibaum, their selection of German beers such as Hofbräu beer imported from Munich, the food (the Käsespätzle and schnitzel was quite close to the original recipes at Andreas Keller), the souvenir stores, and even with the alpine coaster just a few minutes down the road, the village started to trick me into thinking I was back “home” in Deutschland! While it’s not Germany per se, Leavenworth is truly the better option of German inspired towns in the U.S. that I’ve visited.

Alpine coaster ride in Leavenworth Adventure Park

5. Ease of Public Transportation

​I can’t speak for the rest of Washington, but navigating public transportation around the Puget Sound areas with Sound Transit is one of the easiest I’ve learned to use in the United States. With the plethora of transportation options such as inner-city buses, express buses, light rail stops, streetcars, ferries, and railroad train routes going North and South along the Sound, you can get to most locations (except for hiking trails and more rural areas) without a car. What makes it easier is that as of earlier this year in February 2026, all those modes of transportation I’ve mentioned can be paid through contactless payments. The maps posted at each stop are easy to read and if you’re using mobile apps such as Google Maps and the Orca app, they’re pretty user friendly to travel with. Whether you’re visiting or living in these areas around the Puget Sound, you can be confident in navigating public transportation with Sound Transit.

SeaTac/Airport stop on the 1 Line Link Light Rail

6. Access to Water, City, and Mountains

​I took a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia in 2016 and I remembered a specific feeling, more like a longing, shortly after I arrived. British Columbia was my first solo-trip in North America, and I remember how much it opened my eyes to wanting to live in an area like this. If you ever see a postcard of Vancouver, you’ll see the city skyline with water beneath and mountain ranges at the top. When I captured that feeling of longing, I kept saying to myself how much I would love to someday live a life where I had easy access to the water, the city, and the mountains in one location. Little did I know that the “someday” would come less than a decade later after moving to Washington State.

City, water, and mountain views from Kerry Park in Seattle, Washington

​I once lived in a landlock state (I’m looking at you Colorado - still love ya) and while I deeply appreciate being closer to the mountains and city life, I needed to know I could take a drive to a large body of water in the same state. When I lived in Seattle and later Steilacoom, I didn’t even have to drive a car – I just walked down the street and relaxed right on the Puget Sound. If I want to drive out to the coast, then I could be there in just about 2 hours. In Washington State, it doesn’t get better than the triple combo of having access to water, city, and mountains all within proximity.

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse in Long Beach, Washington

7. Traveling from SeaTac Airport 

​I love to travel both domestically and internationally throughout the year so naturally, you’ll catch me in and out of the nearest airport! One of my favorite airports to have as my home base is SeaTac. Not only is it one of the top airports in the U.S. for cheaper international flights, SeaTac also has some great amenities while navigating the airport with ease. My favorite amenities at SeaTac are the lounges available for Priority Pass and Military members. The USO is an obvious given but if you’re Active Duty, did you know that you could be waived of annual credit card fees from American Express and Chase that offer free airport lounge access? If you’re a Chase Sapphire Reserve member, you’ll automatically be eligible for Priority Pass - this allows you to enter The Club at SEA for free! There’s 2 of those lounges at SeaTac, one in Concourse S and one in Concourse A. I personally prefer the lounge in Concourse S because of the space and the food options but be mindful of where your departing gate is located. What’s even better is if you’re an American Express Platinum cardholder, you’ll have complimentary access to the Centurion lounge that’s located in the central terminal. Additionally, there’s several other lounges available for certain airline membership status or access for passengers flying business or first class. No matter which lounges you pay for or have complimentary access to, SeaTac offers various options to enhance your travel experience.
​Side note: Please apply for credit cards responsibility!

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac)

8. ​Job Opportunities and Career Growth

​I had no idea that I’d end up falling in love with the Evergreen State, and I can thank my career that landed me here for that the first time I moved to Washington in 2023. I was working in Germany right before I moved to Washington, just as my overseas contract was soon coming to an end. I had been applying to federal job openings around the U.S., but I had a goal in mind of career growth and promotion opportunities. After a few weeks of interviews with various agencies, I was offered a position in Denver, Colorado. I was stoked because it came with a promotion and it was in a state I’d previously loved living in. I quickly accepted it until a few days later, I received an offer in Seattle, Washington that also came with a promotion opportunity to the next higher pay grade than I was previously. You can imagine I was stuck between wanting to relive a life I had in Colorado but also wanting to challenge myself to living in a state I’d not ever lived or even visited before! In the end, I am so glad I chose to move to Washington over Colorado and I’m happy to stay here for the long haul this time around!

Views of the Puget Sound in Downtown Seattle from one of my office windows

---