The Best City In America Is Actually Right Here In Washington

Every part of Washington (and we do mean every part) has its own beauty and unique characteristics. Part of the appeal of living in the Evergreen State is that there's something for everyone, from city skylines to quiet farm land to oceanfront homes.

But today, we're making the case for our capital city, Olympia, which was named one of America's Best Places to Live by Livability.com and has been named on several other "best places" lists. And before you laugh in disbelief, you may want to experience all this city has to offer.

Just under 50,000 people call Olympia home, so depending on how you define it, it could be a "big city" or a "small town."

If you think about it, Olympia's location is pretty much perfect.

The city sits on the southern tip of the Puget Sound. It's close to Seattle, Portland and the coast, not to mention the amazing Olympic Peninsula. You can be in Eastern Washington in 4-5 hours as well.

It's possible to live well in Olympia without breaking the bank (though perhaps not in the Governor's Mansion, pictured here).

The cost of living here is quite reasonable for a city of its size (and for Western Washington).

So how's the dining scene here, you might be wondering? It's actually pretty great.

This is Arepa, a delicious Venezuelan street food truck. Cascadia Grill, RJ’s Gourmet Grill and La Petite Maison are just a few of the other excellent restaurants you'll find here.

The coffee shops here are wonderful, too... this is Washington, after all.

These treats are from the Olympia Coffee Roasting Company.

You'll never get tired of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

If you enjoy bird watching or just hiking through nature, you'll love this place.

Of course, you could always take a relaxing walk on the waterfront, or take your boat out for the day.

This is the Swantown Marina at the Port of Olympia.

The weekly Farmers Market is full of fresh PNW produce and locally made goods.

It's held downtown year round, but the dates vary. From January-March it's Saturdays only, but during the summer they're open Thursday-Sunday.

You'll find beautiful parks and waterfront spots all over this city.

This is Percival Landing, a perfect place for a stroll.

Olympia hosts plenty of annual festivals, many of which support the arts.

Spend a little time here and you'll see why our capital city makes so many "best places to live" lists.

Ready to drop everything and move to Olympia? Before you do, you may want to visit Sequim as well.