Washington vs Washington

Washington state and Washington D.C. always bring about a wide range of confusions. Post office staff scratching their heads when people type in the wrong addresses. Packages being sent to the wrong side of the country. Job hunters (including myself) finding alternatives when drop down boxes don't offer a District of Columbia entry (because it's not a state) or Indeed.com giving you job matches for Washington state instead of Washington D.C.

Never considered in the same league as New York City or Los Angeles, Seattle's quaint and laid-back atmosphere reminds me of the city I currently call home: Washington D.C.. Sure, both have the name "Washington" in common, but on a recent trip to Seattle and Washington state, I discovered interesting similarities between the two.

Despite being located on the opposite sides of the country, I discovered many similarities between Seattle, Washington and Washington, D.C. Here goes.

Washington monuments.
Both have their own version of a high pointy landmark. We have D.C.'s Washington Monument, and Seattle's Space Needle.

Farmers markets.
D.C.'s Eastern Market brings over fresh and organic produce around the Virginia and Maryland region, while Seattle's Pike Place Market is the oldest continuously operating farmers' market in the United States.

Capitol Hill and Georgetown.
While the D.C. versions of these two are more famous, there is no doubt that the Seattle versions are famous in their own right too. While Capitol Hill in D.C. is the birthplace of most laws and legislature, Capitol Hill in Seattle is the birthplace of the nation's grunge movement.

U.S. Navy and Marines.
Both are home to members of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marines.

Rosslyn and Roslyn.
Just across D.C. when you cross Key Bridge is Rosslyn, VA, while in the outskirts of Seattle near I-90 is Roslyn, WA where the TV series Northern Exposure was filmed.

A good mix of city life and the outdoors.
Whether you are in downtown D.C. or Seattle, you will find yourself only a few minutes away from the suburbs and the outdoors. From Seattle you can visit the Cascades, Mount Rainier and Snoqualmie Falls. From D.C. you are only a few miles away from Great Falls and Shenandoah Valley.

People walk fast, but not too fast.
I noticed people who live and work in Seattle and D.C. and their surrounding cities do get things done, but are also taking the time out to smell the flowers. They walk fast, but not too fast to miss out on seeing and enjoying what's in front of them.