Auburn, Washington offers an upbeat small-city vibe with a walkable historic downtown, rivers and forested trails for running and mountain biking, regular events, and a growing scene of restaurants and breweries—ideal for a travel therapist who wants active, interesting downtime between shifts.
Plus, Tacoma and Seattle are easy weekend escapes by car or commuter train for museums, pro sports, nightlife, and larger-city amenities, so you get a calm, manageable home base with big-city options close by.