In its “Best Places to Live in the West” issue, Sunset magazine praised Issaquah for its 1,700 acres of open space, walkable neighborhoods and urban amenities.

“Even more impressive, the former coal mining town 22 miles southeast of Seattle managed to hold onto its distinctive character while growing exponentially,” Sunset states.

Sunset also chose Issaquah for its proximity to a major metropolitan area and its excellent schools.

“Ask locals to describe the place and they’ll tell you it feels like a small town — or a vibrant city neighborhood,” the Sunset article continues.

The piece is available at sunset.com and in the magazine’s February 2014 issue.