Seattle
Nestled on the shores of Puget Sound, Seattle is home to glorious mountain views in the distance, making it one of the most scenic metropolitan areas in the nation. Skyscrapers like the Columbia Center and Space Needle grace the city’s skyline, adding to Seattle’s allure. Starbucks, Amazon, and Nordstrom have headquarters in Seattle, so there are plenty of job opportunities in the city. Interstates 5 and 405 and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are major benefits for frequent travelers. Residents enjoy exploring the waterfront neighborhoods of Pioneer Square and the famous Pike Place Market for shopping, trendy bars, and restaurants. Seattle’s art scene is very vibrant, flanked with art galleries, theaters, and sculptures. The city is home to more than 80 music halls and 15 symphony orchestras. Bumbershoot Musical Festival, held every Labor Day Weekend, is one of the world’s largest international music and arts festivals—so don’t miss it this upcoming year! Seattle is the ideal metropolis for residents with an active lifestyle and an interest in parks, hiking, and biking. Check out the trails at Cougar Mountain Wildland Park and Tiger Mountain State Forest after you find your luxury apartment in the city.
Bend
Portland has received a lot of attention in recent years as the Pacific Northwest’s hub of all things ultra-hip, but there’s another Oregon community that shares Portland’s eclectic flavor without all the big city hustle and bustle. Although Bend, Oregon has been growing steadily for years, the city is surrounded by astonishing geographical variety, including deserts, mountains, and forests, making it a dream location for lovers of the outdoors. Mountain biking, golf, fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and skiing are all very popular in Bend, and outdoor recreation is a major part of the local economy. Home to an OSU campus, Central Oregon Community College, and Cascade Culinary Institute, Bend is an excellent place to get an education while enjoying the great outdoors. The city boasts an impressive selection of high-quality restaurants as well as some of the best breweries in Oregon. Bend also has a reputation for being extremely dog-friendly, with several off-leash areas around the city and dozens of restaurants that will happily accommodate your four-legged friend.
Shoreline
As its name implies, Shoreline is nestled along the Puget Sound. Shoreline prides itself on being a standout suburb of Seattle. The city boasts a supportive, healthy, and active community. Unlike other suburbs in the area, Shoreline has 14 defined neighborhoods and volunteers work together while coordinating special events and implementing “neighborhood mini-grant” projects. Throughout these 14 united neighborhoods, you’ll find over 40 public art installations, which is one of the many ways Shoreline expresses support for the arts. In fact, there are over 15 art festivals held each year! Safe neighborhoods with a strong sense of community paired with affordable housing options for every budget and excellent schools make this town a family-friendly place to rent in. Community events and free time often take place at the great parks across the city. Shoreline has over 400 acres of land dedicated to parks. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly event, plan your trip to Hamlin Park for the Hamlin Halloween Hunt, or visit Richmond Beach Saltwater Park if you’re interested in beautiful beach views right on the coast of Washington. Become a renter in Shoreline to see just how friendly and fun this coastal community can be.
