I didn't have a choice when I moved to Washington twenty years ago but I think if I did, I still would have made the jump. See, Washington is my home but even from the outside looking in, it's a very attractive location. The natural beauty will take your breath away and there are many things you can do if you look. The fish is fresh, the Washington-grown apples and cherries are delicious, and who can forget the wine and beer selections? But, there are some things outsiders should know about.

Moving to Washington? Mull this over.

Photo by Pavł Polø on Unsplash
Photo by Pavł Polø on Unsplash
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Even though we have one of the highest minimum wages in the country, it's important to note that it is somewhat expensive to live here, depending on the town or city. Seattle rent prices are insane and if you want to buy a house inland, be prepared for the nutty housing market. Buying in a community like the Tri-Cities area will leave you baffled at the prices, even if it is a great place to live.

Yes, Washington has a coast, but these aren't the beaches you're looking for.

Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash
Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash
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The Washington coast is much like the Oregon coast, cold and windy. In certain parts of the state, the shore is rocky, not sandy. You'll be able to walk barefoot in the sand at most Washington beaches but forget about tanning.

If you move to a Washington city, you'll see a lot of homelessness.

Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash
Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash
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People have often remarked about the homelessness encampments in northwest cities like Seattle or Spokane but don't get it twisted; the other cities in Washington are not immune. You may want to get in the habit of keeping some change in your car for good karma.

Watch out for flooding and wildfires if you live in the remote areas of western Washington.

Photo by Mike Newbry on Unsplash
Photo by Mike Newbry on Unsplash
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Washington is a great place to build your homestead and enjoy a country lifestyle. When buying a house closer to the coast, be wary of potential flooding and watch out for wildfires in forested areas.

Washington has its own brand of crime that authorities are fighting against.

Photo by Randy Laybourne on Unsplash
Photo by Randy Laybourne on Unsplash
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Whereas the east coast deals with the mob along with regular gang activity, Washington and Oregon have a cartel problem. You'll hear stories of massive raids and drug busts where authorities have found more fentanyl and other illicit and deadly drugs than you want to hear about. If you mind your business, you should be fine but it's worth noting.

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At the end of the day, none of these things have made me want to leave Washington and I don't think they should deter anyone who wants to move here.

RANKED: Here are the most popular national parks

To determine the most popular national parks in the United States, Stacker compiled data from the National Park Service on the number of recreational visits each site had in 2020. Keep reading to discover the 50 most popular national parks in the United States, in reverse order from #50 to #1. And be sure to check with individuals parks before you visit to find out about ongoing, pandemic-related safety precautions at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

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