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There aren’t many states that have more preconceived ideas surrounding them than Washington. The Pacific Northwest is a region where creative ideas flourish, and accepting people welcome you in with open arms. Unfortunately, the area is defined by outsiders as the place where people only care about coffee and umbrellas for the next rainstorm.
There are so many more things to think about when considering a move to the Evergreen State. Insurance companies in Washington State are very flexible, and the COVID-19 mask and vaccination mandates have made the state one of the best places to stay healthy during the pandemic.
We’ll cover culturally significant entertainment like sporting events and summer fun. It’s also important to cover all of the great places to marvel at nature in the region, such as Mount Ranier, one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. Hopefully, when we’re done, you’ll have a clearer picture of the rich and exhilarating experience of living in Washington.
Sports in Washington
Washington state has a rich sports tradition, especially in Seattle professional sports. The region is known for the passion of the 12th Man, the fans who support the NFL football team, the Seattle Seahawks. Led by quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks have gone to the playoffs eight out of the last 10 seasons.
Soccer has flourished in the region, thanks to the success of the Seattle Sounders MLS franchise. The beautiful game has always been enormous overseas, but Americans have had a harder time connecting to it. This is not so in Washington. The love for soccer in the region makes it very cultured compared to the rest of the country.
The state also got one of the hottest new teams in the country, the Seattle Kraken. The expansion NHL hockey franchise has not had a very successful inaugural season on the ice, but the attendance has been tremendous. This is another piece of evidence that Seattle is one of the sports capitals of the country, ready to support any new team that arrives.
Nature
The Pacific Northwest is one of the most diverse regions in the world. Depending on where you go in Washington state, you will find deserts, rainforests, mountain ranges, and hiking trails. There is never a dull moment when finding outdoor entertainment or trying to fit your tastes for fun.
Summer in Seattle has a myriad of activities for you to enjoy with your family and friends. Bumbershoot is an outdoor concert and music festival that draws major talent every year. Some of the past artists who have performed at Bumbershoot include J. Cole, The Chainsmokers, and The Lumineers.
The Museum of Flight is one of the largest airplane displays in the region. It celebrates the history of the aeronautics industry that has so richly touched the lives of Washingtonians through the decades.
Mount Ranier is one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world. The mountain can be seen from almost any angle on a sunny day in the Pacific Northwest. Residents may worry about Rainier’s risk of eruption after the incident at Mount St. Helens in the 1980s, but you shouldn’t worry if you don’t live in the Puyallup River area. These homes would be the most affected.
Health and Safety
Washington State has been one of the leading states in the U.S. for vaccination rates. They have over 70% of the total population vaccinated against COVID-19, which ranks in the top 15. They also have the sixth-lowest death rate in the country from COVID-19 and are ranked first for coronavirus Paycheck Protection Program assistance.
This means that people have taken the virus seriously in the state, and you don’t need to worry about your health and safety if you move to Washington. It’s especially impressive considering that the state is one of the biggest in the country, ranking in the top 20 in total population.
Several of the other states that lead in these vaccination and mortality rate categories are smaller ones like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Washington is proof that you don’t need to move to a small Northeastern state to get the benefits of safety in the U.S.
Life expectancy in Washington State is also higher than in most other states. They ranked ninth in the country in 2019 with a life expectancy of over 80 years old. This means that you will be able to find cheaper life insurance rates in Washington than in states with higher mortality rates.
The Washington Guarantee Association is another boon for the state. This organization will pay out your life insurance if the company you were with goes out of business for any reason. It’s a unique aspect of the life insurance experience in the state.
Great Job Market
Washington has some of the biggest brands and companies in the world calling it home. From Nintendo and Microsoft to Amazon and Boeing, there are more job opportunities from these industries than you could ever imagine.
Because of the influence of technology in the area, the market for remote working and entrepreneurship is also vibrant. Freelancers and other self-employed people are able to make a living in Washington quite well compared to other states.
The liberal values of the area make the state a great home for artists and creative types. Some of the best musicians in history have come from Washington, from Nirvana to Pearl Jam. You don’t have to be afraid to chase your dreams in the Evergreen State.
Western Washington is one of the most highly educated metropolitan areas in the world. The University of Washington is a highly respected institution for higher learning, leading to the state having one of the highest rates of people with bachelor’s degrees in the country.
No matter whether you are pursuing fun, career options, or safe and healthy retirement living, Washington state proves to be so much more than Starbucks and umbrella-weather. Visit it and find out how you fit in before moving to the Pacific Northwest.
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Shawn Laib writes and researches for the life insurance comparison site, QuickQuote.com. He wants to help educate people on the areas that allow the best chances to get great life insurance.
This content is brought to you by Anne Davis
Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash