UW is full of hipsters, emos, ugly females, shit tones of asains, rain, more rain, and does not have a traditional college feel to it.
And unless you go to an ivy or Stanford level school, name recognition is not much of a factor at all for undergrad.
WWU is very similar to a large community college from what i have heard from people who transfered away, or have lived in bham. But hey, to each their own.  College is a great time no matter where you go.
Good Luck! and remember that you can literally start over in college.  all those things you didnt like about yourself in high school- its all washed away and you can start new and do, and be all the things you want to.  Be a yes man for your first year, your grades dont matter a whole lot freshman year(dont fail out though).  o