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5 Reasons to Live in Lewis County, WA

December 13, 2021

If you're considering buying a home in Western Washington, consider expanding your search to the area just south of Seattle and you may be surprised at what you find. Lewis County sits about two hours south of Seattle but is a world away in terms of livability and affordability. Check out these five reasons to live in up-and-coming Lewis County, Washington.

Benefits of Living in Lewis County, WA

1) Quaint, Small-Town Feel

With a series of small towns dotting the county — like Centralia, Chehalis, and Winlock  — this area retains a quaint, peaceful charm despite its recent growth. Stroll through historic downtown districts, visit museums and landmarks, and enjoy a slower pace of life without ever being too far from a major city. With smaller towns also comes larger homesites, which means more space for you or your growing family to enjoy.

2) Outdoor Recreation

Western Washington is an outdoor enthusiast's dream, and in Lewis County you'll find some of the nation's best fishing and hunting. Cowlitz River is known for its abundant trout and steelhead, and you'll also find plenty of land-locked salmon, bass, and other game fish in Alder Lake, Borst Lake, and Carlisle Lake, plus dozens more. With a valid license (also required for fishing) you may also hunt game birds and animals in designated areas.

If you'd rather get your heart rate going with physical activity, there are plenty of options in Lewis County. Exploring the state's famous mountains is an obvious choice, with Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams all within close proximity. Hiking, camping, and boating are also enjoyable activities all year long.

3) Local Dining and Shopping

Farm to table is a way of life here, and you can enjoy your food right from the source from farms and farmer's markets, or in one of Lewis County's many local restaurants, cafés, and diners. With a diverse population, you can also enjoy cuisines from around the world, as well as some of the state's best homemade burgers and fries. Here, it's not hard to support local, because small businesses are everywhere. Vintage and antiques, farmer's markets and groceries, auto parts and hardware, sports and camping gear — local shops have it all.

4) No Traffic

Seattle has some of the worst commute times in the nation, according to data from the U.S. Census bureau. Reclaim the 138 hours a year you would lose commuting in Seattle and enjoy virtually no commute in Lewis County. Here, all you'll see on the navigation app are beautiful green lines — meaning free-flowing traffic!

5) Affordable Homes

If Lewis County already sounds like an awesome place to live, the low cost of living is the cherry on top! It's less expensive to live here than the state’s larger metro areas, and in particular you'll save on healthcare, utilities, and transportation costs. And now, with the launch of New Tradition Home's Rise collection in Winlock, WA, your first home can be less expensive, too!

Rise homes offer an opportunity to live in a masterfully-built, brand new home at an affordable price. Our streamlined process, curated design packages, and strong vendor relationships make this collection possible, and we can't wait to pass the savings on to you. If you are a first-time homebuyer and considering Lewis County, WA, Rise homes offer the perfect mix of quality, energy efficiency, and design — all at a price you can afford. Contact us to learn more about new homes launching in January 2022!