Seattle is a city where views are spectacular in every direction. Nestled into a coast line riddled with bays and lakes, this may be America's most picturesque places to live. Ocean views of Puget Sound, a rugged coastline and the expansive Northwestern forested Cascade Mountains make homes here focused on expansive vistas, but equally important is creating outdoor living spaces that extend beyond large windows and sliders. While rainfall here is epic in winter, the summers are dry and warm, making outdoor extensions of interior spaces a great way to reconnect with nature.

The north end of Seattle features many of the finest neighborhoods with coastal views. Here big money resides in homes built early on and newer communities with extensive amenities and contemporary architecture. A short commute to downtown, contractors know this area well as professionals create optimal homesites with wine cellars and expansive outdoor dining facilities.

Head eastward toward Lake Washington on the far side of the water from downtown and you’ll find Bellevue. Here homes have views of the city center and both the lake and sound. Older homes built of redwood and cedar or red brick are coveted real estate for restoration and expansion of usable space into the landscape. Many lots are large enough for fresh vegetable gardens and fruit trees that thrive in the moist climate. Expansive wood decks surround hillside homes to offer views in nearly every direction accented with spaces for grilling, dining or simply taking in the vista on a lovely summer's day.

Redmond, formerly a sleepy agricultural town has grown into a high tech giant, home to many well known technology companies. This growth fueled a great deal of new development to house the expanding population with planned communities and contemporary land uses. Today these areas support a vigorous family oriented environment, making landscapes conscious of both the environment and places for children.

Everett is water sports central for the Seattle Area with the largest public marina on the west coast. Residents here look across the sound to Whidbey Island and further north where the network of waterways is a beautiful patchwork of forest and fen. Population here is much smaller and more seasonable for boating and camping.

The anchor of this region is Tacoma, the state's third largest city and port lying well to the south of Seattle on the bay. It nestles into the toe of Mount Rainier to the southwest to provide spectacular views in every direction. Rooted in logging and as a supply line to the Alaska goldfields, this city remains an important container port today. Thus the blend of industrial neighborhoods and residential ones includes older pre-war homes and new high density housing that features traditional architecture that is a designer's dream.