Thinking about living in Washington state? Locals say it can feel like paradise for part of the year and a test of endurance for the rest of it.
When someone on Reddit asked people for the “brutally honest” pros and cons of moving from Southern California to Washington, hundreds of responses poured in.
They painted a picture of a state that’s breathtakingly beautiful, frustratingly expensive, and unlike almost anywhere else in the country.
The biggest takeaway? People who love living in Washington state really love it. But the people who struggle with it usually struggle for the same reasons.
Here are the 10 things locals say they love—and hate—about living in Washington state.
10 Things People Love About Living In Washington State
1. The Scenery Is Unreal
This was the most common answer by far.
“Maybe the most beautiful place on earth,” one longtime resident wrote.
From mountains and islands to forests, rivers, beaches, and deserts, residents said few states can match Washington’s natural beauty.
Washington is home to three national parks—Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and North Cascades National Park—along with more than 140 state parks.
2. The Outdoor Recreation Is Endless
For people who love the outdoors, living in Washington state can feel like having a giant playground in your backyard.
“No limit to what you can do outdoors. Sailing, fishing, hiking, skiing. Its here,” one commenter wrote.
In fact, Washington’s vast network of state parks and recreation areas means many of those adventures are never more than a short drive away.
3. The Summers Are Incredible
Washington summers earned near-universal praise.
“I’d put a Washington summer up against anyone’s summer,” one person said.
The warm days, cool nights, and sunsets that stretch toward 10 p.m. are enough to make many residents forgive the winter.
Seattle’s clearest stretch of the year typically runs from mid-June through early October, with August being the sunniest month.
4. There Are Four Distinct Seasons
Unlike Southern California, residents said living in Washington state means experiencing spring flowers, colorful autumn leaves, snowy mountain winters, and beautiful summers.
“Experiencing a true fall is unbeatable,” one former Californian wrote.
Washington’s diverse geography means residents can experience everything from temperate rainforests and alpine snow to semi-arid desert climates—all within one state.
5. There Is No State Income Tax
Several commenters said moving from California felt like getting a raise.
“No state income tax, coming from SoCal is likely a raise,” one person wrote.
Washington is one of only a handful of states that does not levy a personal state income tax, a major draw for many newcomers.
6. The Job Market Is Strong
Many residents pointed to good wages and plentiful opportunities, especially in healthcare, technology, aerospace, and government.
“You’ll always have a good job,” one commenter wrote.
Major employers including Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing have helped make the Seattle region one of the country’s largest economic hubs.
7. You Can Access Nearly Every Type Of Landscape
One resident described Washington as having “oceans, mountains, rainforests, deserts all within a few hr drive.”
That’s a huge reason many people never want to leave.
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Few states pack as much geographic variety into one place, with residents able to reach mountains, islands, beaches, and deserts within a few hours’ drive.
8. The Climate Is Mild
While the winters are gloomy, many residents appreciate that western Washington rarely experiences extreme heat or bitter cold.
“The winters are mild,” one person wrote.
Seattle averages annual temperatures between about 45 and 60 degrees, avoiding the extreme heat and cold found in many parts of the country.
9. The State Is Progressive And Inclusive
Many commenters praised the politics and culture surrounding living in Washington state.
“It’s very liberal and we believe people should have the autonomy to live their lives to the fullest!” one resident said.
Washington consistently ranks among the nation’s most socially liberal states and was one of the earliest states to legalize same-sex marriage and recreational marijuana.
10. There’s Always Something To Do
Whether it’s sports, concerts, bookstores, festivals, kayaking, or simply taking a ferry ride, residents say boredom is usually self-inflicted.
“If you’re bored living here, it’s a you problem,” one commenter wrote.
Seattle’s park system alone includes nearly 500 parks and ranks among the top urban park systems in the country.
10 Things People Hate About Living In Washington State
1. The ‘Big Dark’
By far the biggest complaint about living in Washington state was the winter darkness.
“The ‘Big Dark’ over the winter months is real, and difficult to unbearable,” one resident wrote.
Several people warned prospective movers to visit in January or February before deciding.
Seattle records about 201 fully cloudy days and another 93 partly cloudy days each year, helping make Washington one of the cloudiest states in America
2. The Cost Of Living
“Expensive as hell.”
That simple comment captured one of the most common complaints.
Housing, groceries, gas, insurance, and utilities were all repeatedly mentioned.
Washington’s median home prices and everyday expenses have climbed sharply in recent years, with the Seattle area consistently ranking among the nation’s most expensive metro areas.
3. Buying A House Feels Impossible
For many residents, the housing market has become overwhelming.
“Good f***ing luck buying a house here,” one commenter wrote.
Home prices in many parts of western Washington remain well above the national median, putting homeownership out of reach for many first-time buyers.
4. Traffic Is Miserable
Traffic was another nearly universal complaint about living in Washington state.
One local joked: “Even Seattle is an hour away from Seattle.”
The Seattle metropolitan area regularly ranks among the nation’s worst regions for traffic congestion and commute delays.
5. The Seattle Freeze
Residents remain divided on whether the Seattle Freeze is real, but many agreed making friends can be difficult.
“It takes a while to make friends in Seattle,” one commenter wrote.
Several studies have found Seattle among America’s loneliest or hardest cities to make friends in, helping cement the “Seattle Freeze” reputation.
6. Homelessness And Property Crime
Some residents said homelessness, drug use, and property crime have become major frustrations.
“The unhoused and drug problem don’t seem to have an end in sight,” one person wrote.
Washington has one of the nation’s largest homeless populations, with tens of thousands of people experiencing homelessness on any given night.
7. The Rain Never Seems To End
While Washington doesn’t get as much rainfall as some people think, residents said the constant drizzle and gray skies can become exhausting.
“It rains constantly from October to May,” one commenter wrote.
Seattle averages precipitation on roughly 147 days each year, although much of it comes in the form of light rain or drizzle rather than downpours.
8. Everything Stays Wet
One resident summed up another downside perfectly.
“Nothing ever dries out.”
Another added: “Everything is wet outside all winter.”
9. The Food Doesn’t Compare To Southern California
While Seattle is known for seafood, coffee, and Asian cuisine, former Californians in the thread repeatedly said the state’s Mexican food scene doesn’t match Southern California’s.
“The food scene is going to be a big let down compared to SoCal,” one commenter wrote.
10. Wildfire Smoke Has Become A New Reality
A growing number of residents said living in Washington state now includes worrying about smoke season.
“Now there’s smoke season!” one commenter wrote.
Wildfire smoke has increasingly affected western Washington summers in recent years, occasionally causing some of the worst air quality in the world during major fire events.
So, Is Living In Washington State Worth It?
The answer depends on what you’re looking for.
If you love mountains, forests, water, mild summers, and outdoor adventures, many residents believe living in Washington state is hard to beat.
If you need sunshine year-round, inexpensive housing, easy commutes, and instant friendships, Washington can be a difficult adjustment.
As one resident put it, the state is “heartbreakingly beautiful.”
