Majestic mountains, beautiful forests, and world-class cities dot the northwest. If youre looking to relocate, don't visit the Pacific Northwest when you can move there. With green job opportunities, a wide range of cities to choose from, and a welcoming and quirky culture, its hard to find a reason not to put the Pacific Northwest towards the top of your list of places to move.

Green Job Growth

Conservative estimates by SustainableBusiness.com project green jobs to triple in the next eight years, growing from about 500,000 to over 1.5 million jobs. Those jobs currently account for 2 percent of the regions GDP, or about $47 billion in economic activity. If the projections hold true, the green sector would increase by 200 percent, or about $140 - $192 billion in economic activity by 2020.

There are five major types of jobs within the green sector projected to grow:

1. Green Building retrofitting existing buildings and constructing new ones to meet green standards
2. Environmental Protection and Resource Management recycling, conservation of natural resources, and restoration of damaged ecosystems
3. Clean Transportation building green transit infrastructure and utilizing lower-carbon intensive resources (such as natural gas)
4. Clean Energy Supply distributed energy systems, smart grid infrastructure, and enhanced integration among renewable resources
5. Knowledge and Support educational institutions and a skilled work force make this region the go to for other parts of the country.

Where to Live

The Pacific Northwest has a nice mix of small to large cities to choose from. Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest and offers everything from sports to cultural events for its residence. However, the cost to live there is higher than other places in the region and it may not be for everyone. There are number of medium sized cities, such as Kennewick, WA, that has a nice balance between the hustle and bustle of a big city and the charm of a small town. As part of a tri-city area, you can find apartments for rent in Kennewick, Richland and Pasco.

According to Travel and Leisure magazine, the Pacific Northwest is home to some of the quirkiest people in the country. The magazines website published a reader survey that finds the Pacific Northwest has a bevy of cities that have a robust offbeat culture. If you're looking for a fun change of pace, the Pacific Northwest welcomes you with its unique set of open arms.

Dont just visit the Pacific Northwest to enjoy its splendors. Scope it out, take notes, coordinate a game plan, and move there. There is a growing sustainable green jobs sector, a city you can find thats right for you, and a pleasantly peculiar culture waiting for you.