COMMENT BY
Amy from Lynden, WA
COMMENT ABOUT PLACE
Vancouver, WA
COMMENT
Washington killed my faith in humanity
I'm a transplant/outsider to Washington. I've lived in various counties across Washington, working for social services, so I have a unique insider/outsider point-of-view.
THE GOOD: Washington has beautiful scenery, with most of it being in Clallam County, the most northwestern part of the state. That's the #1 compliment I hear or read from people visiting or living in Washington. It's very green and a great place to see nature.
I also stopped taking the sunshine for granted. When the sun finally comes out, the streets are crowded with house-dwellers trying to get things done before the clouds and rain come back.
Finally, compared to other places I've lived around the country, utility costs have been much lower (although Washingtonians think their bills are high). There's also no income tax.
THE BAD: The political bickering here is EXHAUSTING and never-ending. Washington has an out-dated reputation for being "granola". I'm vegetarian and in 8 years, I've only met one other vegan here outside of Seattle. Most people (outside of the Seattle area) have spent their entire lives here so there's definitely sectarian attitudes abound. Racism, sexism, and ableism are Washington's dirty little secrets. If you speak up about it, you're going to find yourself on the outside of social circles and potentially jobless. Again, the jokes and remarks I've heard about people with disabilities or people from South America are truly sickening. These are comments made by other state workers, too. The general excuse is: "They just come from a different generation. Try to ignore it."
I've been a witness to a LOT of domestic violence, child abuse, and I was even a victim of road rage. It doesn't surprise me at all that so many serial killers hail from the Pacific NW. If I had to describe Washingtonians in a few words, they would be: Angry, entitled, and provincial.
Social and mental health services are lacking, possibly because there's no income tax so the tax dollars just aren't there to cover costs. Yet, the state signs up as many people as possible for Medicaid because it gets federal funding. It's so bad that lots of doctors have year-long wait lists for Medicaid patients or don't take Medicaid at all. In places outside of King county, there's little to no help for evictions, utilities, or other needed services like shelters.
Washington is hostage to corporations like Amazon, Boeing, and Microsoft. Gentrification is everywhere. Rent is an average of $1,200 - $2,500 per month on the western side of Washington, drug abuse is high, and so is the homeless count. Don't just take my word for it. Google it. Washington has one of the worst homeless rates in the nation. There are pan-handlers at almost every store and freeway entrance on sunny days. With enough time, you shut down your conscience and learn to ignore them. It's awful but it's also brutally true.
**OUTSIDE OF HIKING, THERE IS NOTHING TO DO HERE. ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS.** Hiking, camping, and kayaking are fun; however, it rains in Western Washington almost nine months out of the year. For a place with so much rain, it's surprising there aren't more indoor activities. There's a staggering amount of bars and pubs, though, so it would appear people drink their sorrows away while their kids do drugs and/or become serial killers.
Finally, the schools (ugh).... Washington was recently sued and then held in contempt for not fully funding schools (see the McCleary ruling). The ACLU has filed more lawsuits against various districts.
Washington is most suited for techie hipsters and "mountain men" types. If you're a caring person with a big heart, use your good elsewhere. After a few years, this place will destroy your kindness.
**UPDATE: According to Big7 Travel, for 2019, Washington was ranked the 5th unfriendliest state out of all 50 states.