If you choose to live South of Seattle - Pierce County, I think you will be much happier than living North of Portland. The bridge from Portland to WA - wow what a traffic jam. Plus there is not much north of Vancouver so you would need to go back to Portland to do any "big city" type things. If you are south of Seattle - well its like one continuous city all the way south to Olympia with loads of stuff to do, great places to eat and the bay for boating and other water activities - ton's of parks on the waterfront.

If you want specific homes for sale in either area just shoot me an email and let me know what you looking for (beds, bath, size, age, price) and I will email you a list with pics. email - [email protected]