Moving Mondays: Things to Know Before Moving to Seattle
So you are considering moving to Seattle?
Don’t blame you! I moved to Seattle in July 2017. I was attracted by the PNW vibe, food scene, and (importantly) job opportunities. Unfortunately, I didn’t end up staying in Seattle too long. You can read more about that here.
But I did go through the process of moving to Seattle. I know what it’s like to choose a neighborhood, apartment hunt, and adjust to the cost of living.
Ok, so if you are thinking about relocating to the Emerald City, keep reading. This post is packed with the things to know before moving to Seattle.
Basics
Seattle is the largest city in Washington State (although it is not the capital, that’s Olympia). It’s located in King County in the western-most part of the state. Seattle lies between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington and is only about 100 miles south of the Canadia border.
Cost of Living
There’s no way around it, living in Seattle is expensive. It was recently named the 6th most expensive place in the US. Basic essentials (like haircuts, vet visits, movies, etc.) are 52.8% higher in Seattle than the US average.
Rent
Seattle’s housing index score is 206.6. That means that the housing cost is 106.6 % higher (MORE THAN DOUBLE) the average US housing cost. But, Seattle only ranked 14th on the cost of living chart. So it’s still not as high as places like New York or San Fransisco. But it’s still expensive.
The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,109. But honestly, if you want to live in a trendy neighborhood, you will be paying more. You will probably only get a 1-bedroom apartment for that price in a neighborhood like South Lake Union or Cap Hill. And if you are considering buying, the median price for a house is $728,000 (which is $543/sq ft).
Population
This city is growing. The current population estimate is 725,000 people. But the metro-area is closer to 3.8 million.
Seatle has grown 18.7% since 2010. The US Census Bureau recently announced that Seattle was the fastest-growing big city in the US during the past decade. And it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Jobs
Seattle is a major tech hub. Some major tech companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Zillow, are based in Seattle. There is also a growing startup scene in the city.
Boeing and JBLM are also major employers that are based just outside Seattle.
The unemployment rate in Seattle is 3.9%, which is slightly lower than the national average. The average Seattle salary is $61,170. And although this is higher than the national average, don’t forget how high the cost of living is in Seattle.
Seattle has tried to deal with the cost of living by enacting a $15/hour minimum wage.
Transportation
Seattle does offer public transportation, but it would be challenging to only rely on this. When I lived in Seattle, my husband and I were a 1-car family. This worked for us because he could take the bus downtown to work and I drove the car to my job outside the city.
Most neighborhoods are walkable and offer plenty of conveniences. I was able to walk on public sidewalks to grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and restaurants from my apartment.
The public transportation system is reliable, clean, and well maintained. I didn’t hesitate to take a bus in the city. Parking can be scarce (especially in Belltown) so the buses are a convenient option.
RapidRide Bus
The red RapidRide buses operate throughout the city. These arrive at a station about every 10-minutes. Pretty much everyone in the city relies on the bus, so these are a safe transportation option.
You will need an ORCA card to ride the bus. These can be purchased at various locations around the city (click here to find a location) and can be refilled online. Each adult ride cost $2.75.
Bike Sharing Service
Seattle is a very bike-friendly city. Many people have their own bike, but if you don’t want to commit, consider a bike share program. There are multiple bike sharing companies in Seattle (including Lime, Ofo, and Spin).
To use these bikes, just download the respective app, load a credit card, and find a bike. These are dock-free bikes, so they are usually scattered all over sidewalks. Once you find one (you can also use a GPS locator on the app), scan a barcode with the app and start your ride. This costs about $1 every half hour. And since they are dock-free you can leave and lock the bike anywhere in the city.
Link Light Rail
Unfortunately, this city does not have a metro system. This was a relatively small city until the recent population boom, so major public transportation options were not in place. The Link Light Rail is the city’s first mass transportation system and it runs between Angel Lake and the University of Washington. It currently services the SeaTac Airport, downtown, and Cap Hill. The ORCA card is accepted for the Link Light Rail.
There is a plan to extend the light rail system. However, the expansions are not projected to be completed until 2030 (at the earliest).
SeaTac Airport
Seattle and Tacoma share this major International airport. It is about 13miles south of Downtown Seattle and can be reached by the Link Light Rail. It is a major hub for Alaska Airlines. Since Seattle is growing, the airport is also becoming more trafficked. In 2017, SeaTac served almost 47 million passengers making it the 9th busiest US airport.
Weather
Ok, I’m sure it’s crossed your mind at least once. It rains in Seattle all the time, right?
Yes, it rains a lot. I’m not going to lie about that. But the rain here is different than rain in the rest of the country. If you looked at a climate chart, you would notice that Seattle actually gets less rain on average than the rest of the US (37 in vs 39 in). And you might have heard that Seattle gets less rain than places like New York or Miami.
But the thing about Seattle rain is that it’s pretty constant and light. So while other places get huge, powerful (and often short) rain storms, Seattle’s rain is steady and soft. Honestly, it’s so frequent that most Seattleites don’t use umbrellas. Seriously, if you use an umbrella you will stand out as a tourist. Most people just invest in a good rain jacket with a hood. It’s really easy to get used to the rain and carrying an umbrella around all the time just gets annoying.
Overall, Seattle has a comfortable climate. It never experiences extremes. The high is around 75 F and the average low is 37 F. Seattle only averages 5 in of snow per year, which is much lower than the national average of 26 inches.
And let me tell you, Seattle summers are gorgeous. It rarely rains in the summer and the temperatures stay around 50-75 F. But prepare for overcast and rainy winter days. Seasonal Affective Disorder is more real than I realized, so talk to your doctor or look for ways to combat this.
Neighborhoods
Seattle is made up of different neighborhoods that each have their own unique flavor. Deciding where to live in Seattle can be difficult, so if possible try to explore a few neighborhoods before making your decision. I will highlight some of the most popular Seattle neighborhoods below:
North Seattle
Ballard: Think trendy and upscale without being too-hipster. This neighborhood celebrates its Scandinavian roots and maritime heritage. In addition to popular restaurants and bars, this neighborhood attracts visitors with its year-round Sunday farmers market.
Fremont: Quirky, artsy, and apparently the “center of the universe.” This is a quiet and residential area with plenty of restaurant and entertainment options.
Queen Anne: Quiet and family-friendly neighborhood. This is one of the most expensive areas in the city. It is also home to some major tourist attractions (Space Needle and Kerry Park).
University District: Home to the University of Washington (and it’s student population). This is a beautiful and historic area where something is always happening.
Wallingford: Located in North Seattle near Fremont. It’s less quirky but still quiet and residential.
Central Seattle
Belltown: You will find a mix of people living in this downtown neighborhood. You can walk to Pike Place Market but that means you will be living in the major tourist hub. It can get pretty noisy and crowded. Most of Pike Place is shut down at night, so this area seems a little empty and slightly unsafe.
Cap Hill: Seattle’s LGBT neighborhood that is extremely popular with young professionals. Here you will find the city’s main nightlife scene and it is filled with clubs, restaurants, and bars.
Pioneer Square: This was Seattle’s first neighborhood and the buildings are very historic. But there are multiple missions and shelters in the area, so the neighborhood is usually filled with homeless people. They generally keep to themselves, but its something to consider.
South Lake Union: Amazon is located here so the rent is skyrocketing. This area is still growing, so there are some major renovations happening now (think lots of cranes and construction sites).
West Seattle
West Seattle: This neighborhood has a very different feel than the rest of Seattle. It’s west of the main city and almost has a beach-town vibe. Here you will find one of Seattle’s most popular public beaches, Alki Beach.
Things to Do
Seattle is filled with entertainment options. With museums, festivals, and a thriving culinary scene, there is always something to check out in the city.
Tourist Attractions
Seattle draws a significant tourist crowd, especially during cruise season. The major sites include:
- The Space Needle- Originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair, this has become the city’s main icon.
- Pike Place Market- Here you will find food stalls, Elliot Bay views, and the famous fish-throwers.
- Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum- This museum is home to a collection of blown glass made by the famous Washingtonian, Dale Chihuly.
- Kerry Park- A small park in Queen Anne that offers incredible views of Seattle’s skyline.
Restaurants
Foodies will enjoy Seattle’s diverse culinary scene. You can experience a variety of cuisines, with a heavy focus on Asian-inspired dishes. And of course, you will find some fantastic seafood in the Pacific Northwest. Dungeness crab, salmon, and oysters are Seattle’s specialties.
Some of the city’s top restaurants are:
- Revel- A popular French-Korean fusion restaurant. Expect family-style service and unique dishes.
- Dahlia Lounge- The first restaurant opened by famous Seattle chef Tom Douglas. The menu is a mix of Asian and PNW recipes.
- Toulouse Petie- A highly-rated New Orleans inspired restaurant. Go during Happy Hour to make it affordable.
And if you are anything like me, you might be wondering about Seattle’s dessert scene. Don’t worry, there are plenty of confectionaries, ice cream shops, and bakeries. Read all about my favorite Seattle treats here.
Music
Seattle has a rich musical history. Jimi Hendrix, Peral Jam, Kurt Cobain, the Foo Fighters, and Macklemore all started here. Check out some live music at one of the city’s many theaters and clubs.
- The Crocodile- Nirvana and Pearl Jam both started at this club that now mainly features a hip-hop lineup.
- The Showbox at the Market- This historic theater near Pike Place hosts both touring bands and local musicians.
- Columbia City Theater- Once a popular jazz theater (Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington both performed here), this now features local hip-hop and Americana.
- Bumbershoot Music Festival- This Labor Day weekend music festival draws major artists and crowds. 2018 headliners include Lil Wayne, SZA, and The Chainsmokers.
Want even more? Check out my list of 30 unique things to do in Seattle here.
Weekend Getaways
When you need a getaway, consider heading to Oregon or Canada. Seattle’s location makes it easy to take a weekend trip to both Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, BC.
Portland
Just 175 miles south of Seattle, Portland is the perfect spot for a weekend trip. Make sure you try their famous Voodoo Doughnuts while you’re in town.
Vancouver
140 miles north of Seattle lies this historic Canadia city. You can easily fill a weekend strolling through Gastown and Granville Market.
Get Outdoors
Outdoor enthusiasts will love Seattle’s prime location. There are so many hiking, biking, skiing, and camping opportunities within a few hours of the city.
National Parks
There are three incredible National Parks in Washington:
- Mount Rainer- about 65 miles from downtown Seattle
- Olympic- about 85 miles from downtown Seattle
- North Cascades- about 110 miles from downtown Seattle
Hiking
Besides the National Parks, there are also ample hiking opportunities in and around Seattle. Snoqualmie Pass and North Bend both offer great day hikes near Seattle. Check out the WTA website for more information about hiking in Washington.
Skiing
Winter sports are extremely popular with Seattleites. Stevens Pass and Mt. Baker are some of the top skiing areas in the state.
So are you thinking about moving to Seattle? Let me know!
Also, I would be happy to answer any more questions you guys have about the city. Just leave them in the comments below.
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