Apartments for Rent in Washington

Washington

Although Washington State has a reputation for being cool and rainy, there is a great variety of climates here, ranging from desert steppes in the eastern half of the state to the cold mountains of the Cascade Range. Washington is also one of the few states that have subtropical rainforests that are home to a rich variety of rare animals. If you want to rent an apartment in Washington, you can find a climate to suit you.

Washington has long relied on heavy logging of its huge conifer forests, although this has been slowed somewhat by the environmental concerns. Today, agriculture (including raspberries, cherries, pears, grapes and asparagus) and high tech are both major contributors to the economy. Some of the most prominent companies in Washington include Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Nintendo and Starbucks. Software and biotech are both major players, with biotech quickly growing in the last ten to fifteen years.

Outdoor Attractions

Outdoor enthusiasts love the many opportunities in Washington for fishing, hiking, camping, mountain climbing and exploring. The rainforests draw groups of eco-tourists and the challenges of the Cascade Range draw mountain climbers from across the country. Two active volcanoes – Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens – are major attractions for their potential power and the natural beauty that surrounds them.

With numerous Indian reservations, Washington also offers a rich heritage of Native American arts and crafts. Festivals throughout the year celebrate Indian art and culture. There are also several Indian owned and operated casinos throughout the state.

Puget Sound is home to major fisheries and is also an important trading post for Alaska and the Pacific Rim.

Colleges and Universities

There are six state universities in Washington as well as over thirty community colleges. Twenty-four private colleges or universities add to the versatility, with Seattle alone having six universities, including the prestigious Art Institute of Seattle. This city is known for its college town atmosphere in a big city, making it a particularly good place to look for an apartment if you enjoy relaxed living combined with art and culture.

Real Estate and Housing

Housing and rent is higher in Seattle than the rest of the state at about 5-6% more than the national average, but this is expected when almost half of the state's population lives in the Seattle area. If you are looking for an apartment, stay open-minded and act fast – Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. If you want to rent an apartment that's only about 2% higher than the average, check out Puget Sound, Spokane and Tacoma.