Edmonds/Woodway
Edmonds, with its small-town feel, European style and flower- and tree-lined walkways, is dubbed the "friendliest city" in Washington year after year.
Logger George Brackett founded Edmonds in 1890, naming the city after Vermont Sen. George Franklin Edmunds -- but spelling the name wrong.
The city spills over now with art galleries, gift and antique shops, restaurants and cafes, bookstores, outdoor dining, and striking views of the Puget Sound.
The city is only a few minutes from Lynwood and the Alderwood Mall. Ferries sail from Edmonds to Kingston every day, and cultural and performance arts events take the stage year-round.
Nevertheless, some of the city's younger residents would prefer to see Edmonds livelier. The city is full of educational and recreational programs and events, but some young people prefer the nickname "Deadmonds."
