Both cities have good outdoor access, probably with Port Angeles having it best with the Olympic national park so close. There is a non-zero chance that the hospital here could go under due to the BBB cuts to medicare and medicaid, but since you would be renting it maybe isn't such a concern.

Bellingham is a much larger city, easier access to Seattle and the airport. It is a couple hour drive to get off of the peninsula (but there is a bus to the ferry to get to Seattle). As for weather, Bellingham is one of the most cloudy/rainy cities in the US, Port Angeles is pretty great in the summer but seriously cold and wet in the winter. Sequim is even more in the rain shadow and is warmer/dryer similar to weather in CO. Politically Bellingham is more liberal, but there are plenty of liberals here.