Explore

Seattle, Washington

If you are looking for that perfect destination to settle down and experience the very best in living, then you will want to consider the Seattle, Washington-Tacoma and Bellevue area. This metro area is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Seattle - Tacoma - Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Statistical area. This metropolis is the 15th largest in the nation, providing its residents with many lifestyle advantages- in fact it ranked as the number 4th " Safest Cities in America" by Forbes.com in 2009. For visitors, there is an abundance of activities and destinations that will make the trip a memorable one.

Tacoma is Washington State's third-largest city, with approximately 199,826 residents and the title of "one of the most livable areas in the country. Tacoma consists of a number of points of interest and was home to respected architects such as Silas E. Nelsen, Ambrose J. Russell, Frederick Heath, and Everett Phipps Babcock.

Seattle is Washington State's largest city, with approximately 608,660 residents and the title of "one of the most livable areas in the country". Seattle consists of a number of points of interest and its neighbor city Tacoma was home to respected architects such as Silas E. Nelsen, Ambrose J. Russell, Frederick Heath, and Everett Phipps Babcock. The cities are thriving with many popular tourist destinations which bring tourists annually to an area that is often a repeat vacation due to its beauty and serenity.

Seattle is also a wonderful home to all ages of life, with higher education lush parks, recreational and sports activities and events, shopping and fine cuisine, exceptional neighborhoods and country, and an above average economy.

Seattle History

The three major cities in the Seattle metropolitan area are Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue and have a very interesting past, as well as, some interesting facts regarding the metropolis itself.

Although Seattle has been lived in more than 4,000 years, the European settlement of the area only began in the mid-19th century. Arthur A. Denny and his group of travelers was the first permanent European descended settlers and were known as the Denny Party, arriving to the area in 1851. Seattle's early name became " New York-Alki". In the Chinook tribal language Alki means "by and by". In 1853 Doc Maynard suggested that the area be renamed to "Seattle". Seattle was known as the "Queen City" from 1869 to 1982 and its current nickname today is the "Emerald City" which was chosen by the town's people through a contest held in 1981. The name comes from the area being abundant with lush evergreen forests. The city is also called the "Jet City", "Rain City" and "Gateway to Alaska".

Tacoma has an interesting history that dates back thousands of years to the American Indians who first inhabited the countryside. The Puyallup people were the largest of the tribes who located in the delta of the Puyallup River. Many of the areas coastal landmarks were named by Charles Wilkes an American Explorer and George Vancouver a European Explorer.

William Meydenbauer founded Bellevue in 1869 and in 1953 Bellevue was officially incorporated. Bellevue had remained a primarily a rural area until 19940 when the Floating Bridge was constructed which improved access from Seattle to the area which gradually began its expansion. In 1963 the city continued its city's growth by opening the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge which brought fast expansion. Today Bellevue has become a fast-growing city that is home to the many small and large businesses and several high-rise structures.

Today the area has grown to include many metropolises that provide an exceptional living for many who are looking for the best of what Washington has to offer. There is small town charm, the amenities of both big city life and small town country charm, a stable economy and employment opportunity as well as wonderful school districts, shopping, cuisine, activities, events and recreation. For outdoor enthusiasts Tacoma has remained one of the favored destinations for year round outdoor activity and the metropolitan is one that is visited yearly.

About Seattle, Washington

Seattle is Washington State's largest city, with approximately 608,660 residents and the title of "one of the most livable areas in the country". Seattle consists of a number of points of interest and its neighbor city Tacoma was home to respected architects such as Silas E. Nelsen, Ambrose J. Russell, Frederick Heath, and Everett Phipps Babcock. The cities are thriving with many popular tourist destinations which bring tourists annually to an area that is often a repeat vacation due to its beauty and serenity.

Seattle is also a wonderful home to all ages of life, with higher education lush parks, recreational and sports activities and events, shopping and fine cuisine, exceptional neighborhoods and country, and an above average economy.

Among the Seattle metro area, Seattle is the center. The climate in Seattle is mild making the area appealing to all outdoor enthusiasts. There are many interesting facts and sites of and in the city, including some wonderful points of interest, including:

Seattle's West Coast houses the tallest building on the West Coast, the Smith Tower
The most recognized landmark in Seattle is the Space Needle, which dates back to the 1962 Century 21 Exposition

Tacoma

Tacoma is Washington State's third-largest city, with approximately 199,826 residents and the title of "one of the most livable areas in the country. Tacoma consists of a number of points of interest and was home to respected architects such as Silas E. Nelsen, Ambrose J. Russell, Frederick Heath, and Everett Phipps Babcock. The cities are thriving with many popular tourist destinations which bring tourists annually to an area that is often a repeat vacation due to its beauty and serenity.

Tacoma Has Many Historical Landmarks Such As:

Two suspension bridges that presently cover a narrow in the Salish Sea known as the Tacoma Narrows. These Narrows Bridges connect Tacoma to Olympic Peninsula and Gig Harbor. Tacoma's first Narrows Bridge is a famous case study in architecture textbooks, as it was the third longest suspension bridge in the world, and a failure.
The 1907 built fire station, Engine House No. 9, which, in 1975, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it is a pub and brewery.
The 1929 built Fireboat No. 1, which was built for the Port of Tacoma.
It is a wonderful home to all ages of life, with higher education, lush parks, recreational and sports activities and events, shopping and fine cuisine, exceptional neighborhoods and country and an above average economy.

Bellevue

Bellevue is Washington State's second largest city and is known as Washington's boomburb, as it is rapidly growing. The area has a population of 122,363 in 2010. CNNMoney's list listed Bellevue as the number 1 "best places to live and launch a business in 2008, and more recently was awarded the 4th best place to live in America. For tourists, it is a wonderful area to visit that will provide many interesting things to do and see.

Bellevue Has Many Points Of Interest Such As:

The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge which was built in 1963 and responsible for the city's rapid growth.
Bellevue Square which opened in 1946 and today is one of the largest shopping centers in the region.

Bellevue is also a wonderful home to all ages of life, with higher education lush parks, recreational and sports activities and events, shopping and fine cuisine, exceptional neighborhoods and country, and an above average economy.

Traveling around Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue is convenient with transit including many major highways in the area such as: U.S. Route 2, Interstate 405, State Route 202, U.S. Route 101, State Route 99, Interstate 90, State Route 18, State Route 16, State Route 16, State Route 9, State Route 522, and State Route 520.

The metropolis also offers mass transit that includes the Sound Transit, the Pierce Transit, the King County Metro and the Community Transit.

About King County, Washington

The Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue, Washington Metropolitan has an estimated population of 3,344,813 which makes the area the 15th largest US Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The Seattle metropolitan area in Washington State includes the city of Seattle, Snohomish County, King County and Pierce County within the Puget Sound region. There are many cities within the counties, with the major cities being: Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, and Everett. Major airports within the county include: Renton Municipal Airport, Paine Field, Harvey Airfield, Boeing Field, Arlington Municipal Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Major highways include: Interstate 705, Interstate 605, State Route 522, State Route 520, Interstate 405, State Route 202, U.S Route 11, State Route 99, Interstate 90, State Route 18, State Route 16, State Route 9, State Route 7, Interstate 5 and U.S. Route 2. Residents of the counties enjoy various forms of mass transit such as Pierce Transit, King County Metro, Community Transit- - which all transports residents and visitors via buses and Sound Transit which provides transportation via trains, light rail and buses. .

King County has a population of 1,931,249 and is regarded as Washington's most populated county and the 14th most populated in the USA. Seattle, the largest city in Washington, is the county seat. Among the county's population, 2/3rds live in the suburbs of the city. King County is also ranked in the 100 highest income counties in the USA.

With a population of 795,225 Pierce County is Washington State's most second populated county. Its county seat is Tacoma. The county was originally part of Thurston County. In 1852 Pierce County, which received its name from President Franklin Pierce, was formed.

Pierce County has some spectacular forms of nature such as the tallest mountain in the Cascade Range and the Mount Rainier volcano. While the volcano is not currently active, if it were to irrupt, parts of Puyallup Valley and Pierce County would be at risk.

Washington State's Snohomish County has a population of 713,335 residents and was named after Snohomish tribe. The county is one of the fastest-growing in Washington State. The largest city within the county is Everett, which is also the county seat. The county was originally part of Island County and in January of 1861, Snohomish County was formed out of Island County.