Where do people go when they want to flee King County growth, traffic and congestion? Smaller towns in the West and Southwest. Sunnier cities in California and Arizona. Readers share their greener pastures in this list.
While King County is growing, the number of native-born Washingtonians in the county has recently declined.
Seattle Times data reporter Gene Balk chronicled this exodus in a recent story, and hundreds of readers commented, sharing their experiences. A number reported leaving King County to flee ceaseless growth, traffic and congestion.
Where’d these former Seattle-area residents go? Smaller towns in the West and Southwest. Sunnier cities in California and Arizona. AÂ list of their chosen destinations is below.
So if you’re looking to exit Seattle, you might consider one of these places to call home. Just remember that when you get there, the longtime locals might start complaining about you.
CITIES & Â TOWNS
Anacortes, Wash.
Bellingham, Wash.
Bend, Ore.
Boise, Idaho
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Denver, Colo.
Eugene, Ore.
Everett, Wash.
Fort Collins, Colo.
Mount Vernon, Wash.
Oak Creek Village, Ariz.
Olympic Peninsula
Orange County, Calif.
Palm Springs, Calif.
Salt Lake City, Utah
San Diego, Calif.
Sequim, Wash.
Spokane, Wash.
Tacoma, Wash.
Tucson, Ariz.
Waitsburg, Wash.
STATES & REGIONS
Alaska
Eastern Washington
Olympic Peninsula
Southern California
Have another haven to recommend? Leave it in the comments thread.