Seattle, WA, is one of the nation’s premier west coast destinations, and as the largest city in the Pacific Northwest — with a population of 652,405 — it’s proven to be a great place to visit or settle down. In the past five years, the city has grown by 7.2 percent, proving its coastal attractions and environment are worth checking out.
Located on the Puget Sound, Seattle is an explorer’s dream. In a 2013 ParkScore rating, the city had the 20th best ranking of parks in the country, and its miles of shoreline provide scenic walking areas for anyone who wants to get outside. It has consistently been named one of the fittest cities. Visit Myrtle Edwards Park right downtown or walk along Lake Washington at Seward Park for a coastal experience right in the city. Plus, the Seattle metropolitan area is positioned between two national forests for anyone interested in a day trip away from the city.
Seattle is one of the best-educated cities in the country, with a 93.2 percent high school graduation rate and a 57.4 percent rate of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The Seattle Public School District has always been on the forefront of education with its 47,000 students citywide. Seattle is also home to the University of Washington and several prestigious private arts colleges.
If you’re taking a road trip across the west coast, visiting the Pacific Northwest for a getaway or trying to settle down, Seattle has something for you.