Best place to live in Washington for backcountry skiing

[Stikki]

Quick look at 2010 census data shows 76% live west of the crest. King Co alone or Snohomish and Pierce Co combined have more people than the eastern side. Spokane Co accounts for 30% of the eastern population, King Co is 40% of the western.

I'm born and raised in the Seattle area but have always liked the idea of living on the east side of the Cascades (climate, less density, more value). Came the conclusion awhile back that moving to the east side is great if you already have a family/partner and a good stable job or are cashing out from the rat race. There's a reason a large percentage of the kids on the east side bolt to Seattle once they finish school. Spokane has more opportunity than the other areas and is hidden gem for an active lifestyle but it still seems like it should offer more for a city of its size.

Finally, if you choose to live in the Seattle area find a place to live after you find out where your job is. Traffic is terrible and getting worse. Run it by the locals too, things that look close on a map ("it's only 15 minutes from W Seattle to UW Med Center according to Google!") may not play out that way during commute (read: 6a-7p) hours.

[hellojello74]

Another spot worth checking out is Walla Walla. Small town but has a real downtown and seems pretty liveable. Lots of wine culture so good restaurants, galleries, wineries, etc. I don't know much about the outdoor scene or economy but plenty of good uncrowded b/c skiing in the wallowas though no ski area nearby.

Its fun there 3 colleges/universities. Great weather and blue mountains are close with resort of blue wood and spout springs about an hour or so away. Small but grat vibes and dry snow. Close to tri cities and rivers but far enough away. Not bad for jobs. I'm in sea now but went to school there and would put it near GOP of my list.

[wooley12]

It's okay, nobody actually pays any attention to Wooley's bullshit ramblings.

Thanks, that knowledge takes the pressure off. You realize that in my mind you are all some sort of cool A.I. digital personalities responding to my posts. I'm still learning to pronounce Palouse and Puyallup correctly.

[plugboots]

you eastern WA guys come off sounding like whiny bitches with an inferiority complex.

Perfect.

[the_flying_v]

I just moved from Seattle to Yakima for the summer / next spring. So far I'm digging it for these reasons:

Less people
Two volcanoes to look at
White Pass and it's BC access
No traffic
Sun all the god damned time
Tieton, once again no people
Cost of living

[GoldMember]

I just moved from Seattle to Yakima for the summer / next spring. So far I'm digging it for these reasons:

Less people
Two volcanoes to look at
White Pass and it's BC access
No traffic
Sun all the god damned time
Tieton, once again no people
Cost of living

Ready access to black tar heroin any time of the day....

[glademaster]

Ready access to black tar heroin any time of the day....

That's pretty much nationwide these days. Had to slow down after the meth wave.

[NoPostholio]

It would be plus to live near BC skiing and place with green plus sign

[the_flying_v]

That's pretty much nationwide these days. Had to slow down after the meth wave.

PM sent.

[Big Lepowski]

It would be plus to live near BC skiing and place with green plus sign

It is crazy how few amenities there are at the pass considering how popular and close to seattle it is. But that's the PNW for you. Don't want to actually encourage anyone to access or use the mountains.

[Hugh Conway]

It is crazy how few amenities there are at the pass considering how popular and close to seattle it is. But that's the PNW for you. Don't want to actually encourage anyone to access or use the mountains.

uh, what the hell are you talking about? it's pretty common for close places with easy access not to be crammed with bullshit ("amenities" in econ-dweeb speak). There used to be more. It couldn't make it.

[Ski to Be]

It all started going down hill when the Hyak food/??? cart closed

[Big Lepowski]

uh, what the hell are you talking about? it's pretty common for close places with easy access not to be crammed with bullshit ("amenities" in econ-dweeb speak). There used to be more. It couldn't make it.

There is the Pancake House. The Pass does have that going for it

[snoqpass]

It is crazy how few amenities there are at the pass considering how popular and close to seattle it is. But that's the PNW for you. Don't want to actually encourage anyone to access or use the mountains.

People that live up here don't want to live in another Issaquah,

[snoqpass]

Yeah, no shit. It amazes me how the 'east side' refers to Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Sammamish, N. Bend, in the eyes of King County residents. Our side of the state doesn't exist in their minds. Much like people back east who refer to Chicago as the west.

They have a whole fire dept called "Eastside"

[skajah]

It took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to get from Northgate to I-90 on Saturday at 4:00 pm.


just sayin...

[snoqpass]

South on Roosevelt, left after the Canal, right on 23rd, right on Jackson, left on Rainier get on I90 @ 25 min

[pipedream]

no, i blame fat rockered snowboards for the decline of 'the pass life'.

I blame the fat, inebriated dirtbags attached to them who somehow manage to make it to the line for Armstrong while most folks are still slashing pillow lines in their warm beds...

[pipedream]

South on Roosevelt, left after the Canal, right on 23rd, right on Jackson, left on Rainier get on I90 @ 25 min

Too many lights. And buses. And hipsters clogging the streets on their bicycles along that route.

The secret to getting onto I-90 without dealing with I-5 is to use 99. And now I've said too much.

[Chugachjed]

I'll be living in Kunt/Renton and getting a lot of BC.

[Chugachjed]

good news, let's ride again.

Fo sho, alpy pass is so cheap I'll have to get one.

[Stikki]

Is this going to become the "Snow in the PNW 2015" thread?

Didn't realize until today how much I missed the clouds.

[Norseman]

No. The 2015 thread shall be started with a stoke-filled post, preferably with early season powder photographs and giddy ramblings.

[pipedream]

Early season powder: