I held residency in Washington State for a total 21 years. 4 in Island County, and 17 in Spokane County. I was originally from California. SOME parts of the state are nice with topography, but what I learned over the years is that WA State breeds DEPRESSION and MENTAL ILLNESS.

I was miserable there and was never able to become acclimated. Always felt out of place. Never really made any friends either.

Two divorces later and I found myself back in Northern California and living happily ever after. My two now adult daughters are as well living just a couple of miles away. Both ex wives are in Spokane and just as crazy as the next psychos.

I know that it sounds a bit nuts to claim, but California is a better state than Washington ever was. Don't bother with Idaho. It's full of crazy leftists from both Cali and WA. And if you are planning on Montana or the Dakotas I sure hope you tolerate life ending cold. It's a bitch to survive and will cause you a great deal of stress. It always felt like a dark, cold 8 month winter.

I am now enjoying my mid 80's September weather here. So many more natural resources as well. Just bite your lip and get your ass down to Jefferson State. We could always use more smart conservatives. But just don't move to Redding. 116 in the summer months with meth addicted zombies there.

Wish you luck. But I hope you do leave sooner than later.