There was a time in my life when I had to move 13 times in just a couple of years. Whether you move to Seattle for a job or to start a business, you know that it can be a challenge. More than 110,000 people move to Seattle every year, and if you are one of them, this article is for you.
Start your move to Seattle by searching online and talking to people who have relocated recently. Before you move to Seattle, make sure you understand the cost of living, the job situation, how difficult it is to find an apartment, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
Here are just a few important things to consider before moving to Seattle:
- Cost of living
- Taxes
- Job opportunities in your profession
- Culture
- The best neighborhoods for your lifestyle
- Gloomy, rainy, even depressing weather. If you want hot and sun, you might want to move to Florida instead.
- School system (if you have children)
- Activities and entertainment in and around Seattle
Is moving to Seattle a good idea?
Moving to Seattle or any other city in the state of Washington is a great idea for so many reasons. First, if you want to live around intelligent people, you’ll love Seattle. It’s one of the top 10 most educated states in the United States.
Should I move to Seattle for affordability?
If you are moving to Seattle, you should consider affordability. Although Seattle is not exactly cheap, it’s a lot more affordable than the Bay Area, New York, and many other coastal areas in the U.S. Rents are lower in Seattle than many other areas. And real estate is also more affordable in this city.
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Should I move to Seattle for jobs?
Moving to Seattle is a good idea if you want many job opportunities. Once you’ve moved to Seattle, you’ll be able to find work in virtually any sector. In addition, some of the largest employers are based in Seattle, such as Boeing, Starbucks, Google, and Amazon.
Moving to Seattle Alone
Before you ask yourself, “Can I move to Seattle by myself?” you should consider this: People move to Seattle alone all the time.
Moving to Seattle can be easy with the proper preparation, even when you move alone.
Make connections with locals before your move to Seattle. People want to help, and they will help you too if you reach out. Join Facebook groups, and use your own social network to connect with people. Relocating is much easier when you have people to turn to for help.
Don’t live in downtown Seattle if you move alone. It’s very expensive in the downtown area. Move to a co-living space. It will help you save money, make friends, and it will be less lonely.
Live close enough to work, so you can commute on a bike. The commute in Seattle can be as bad as in any other large city in the United States. But bike transportation is cheap, healthy, and offers you more freedom than driving a car.
Research neighborhoods when moving to Seattle alone
Especially if you are relocating to Seattle by yourself, consider the neighborhood. Do your research on Seattle neighborhoods before you relocate. Commuting to and from work can be hectic in any large city. So make sure you move to a neighborhood close to your job. It’s important to find a neighborhood that’s not only affordable but also works for your personality.
Don’t rent long-term without spending time in the neighborhood. You could rent a short-term apartment or stay in a co-living apartment. Just because an area looks good on Google Map doesn’t mean you want to live there. The only way to find out if a neighborhood works for you is to live there. If you stay short-term in one part of town, you can easily try another if it doesn’t live up to your expectations.
Move to Seattle alone with a plan
When moving to Seattle alone, it’s critical to have a plan. Include a list of things to bring with you. Your plan should include a to-do list for before your move. Also, include a prioritized to-do list for once you get to the city.
Moving to Seattle After College
Many people move to Seattle after college. But, before relocating, consider that Seattle is an expensive city. So, before you move, you should have money saved to finance your move.
How much money do I need to move to Seattle after college?
If you already have a job, you need a lot less money. Once you have a job offer, you just need enough money for a deposit and a couple of months’ rent and money to cover the rest of your living expenses. But if you don’t have a job, you need to be able to finance your life for up to six months.
In addition to your rent (rent in Seattle can range from $1700), you can expect to spend about $1200 per month as a single person. So, you are looking at the cost of living in Seattle at about $3000 per month or more. If you can’t swing it, you should save your money before moving. If you move with a job offer, you should have at least a couple of months’ cost of living saved. And if you want to move without a job offer, the safest thing is to stay where you are until you get a job offer.
Is living in Seattle depressing?
Living in Seattle doesn’t have to be any more depressing than in any other city in the United States. But, Seattle weather can indeed be depressing. Of course, some people respond negatively to the rainy, gloomy, and often depressing weather. But, if your mood depends on the amount of sunshine, then living in Seattle can be bleak.
But, many people who grew up in Seattle don’t find the gloomiest city depressing at all. On the contrary, some people love the rain and rainy, gloomy weather.
If you find cloudy, drizzly, and chilly weather depressing, you may not want to relocate to Seattle. The rain isn’t the worst part for many. Short daylight during the winter months can be unbearable for those who seek sunshine.
How to move to Seattle without a job?
You can move to Seattle without a job, but it may not be the best idea. Finding a rental without a job can be hard in a competitive rental market.
Should I move to Seattle without a job?
Generally, it’s a bad idea to relocate to Seattle if you don’t have a job. But, if you have enough money to support yourself for at least six months, moving to Seattle without a job isn’t so crazy.
Can I move to Seattle without money?
You can move to Seattle without money, but it’s irresponsible. But, if you have friends you can live with or have a job offer, you could relocate without money. Then, to save money, you could move into short-term housing and do side gigs to generate some cash.
What salary do you need to live in Seattle?
If you want to move to Seattle, you need to know how much it costs to live there. Seattle, Washington, is one of the ten most expensive cities to live in the United States. So, to live comfortably, as a single person, you should have an income above $65,000. Of course, this amount isn’t enough for luxury living, but it’s enough to cover your rent and basic expenses. And if you have student loan debt, you need to make more money if you want to pay it off before you are old enough to be a grandparent.
Also, if you move as a couple, you could each make a little less than $65,000 and still live comfortably. The numbers change based on your lifestyle. Before you make a move to Seattle, visit the city, just to be sure it’s where you want to live.
Moving to Seattle in your 30s
If you are in your 30s and ready to try something new, moving to Seattle might be great for you. Seattle is a great city, but it’s expensive. Therefore, you should have a job lined up to make sure it’s a smooth relocation for you.
As you look at jobs before moving to Seattle, consider the cost of living. For example, if you move from a less expensive city to Seattle, a $75,000 salary in your 30s might look appealing, but it’s really not a lot of money in this city.
Once you have a job, find an apartment that’s closest to work you can afford. The long commute to and from work will negatively affect your quality of life.
If you have a dog, check for pet-friendly areas that are also close to your job. But, before you sign a long-term lease on an apartment, make sure you have thoroughly researched the neighborhood. Be sure that you want to live in the area before committing to it.
Moving to Seattle from Bay Area
Before moving to Seattle from the Bay Area, consider the weather. Unlike in the Bay Area, there’s real winter in Seattle. Find out about the “Seattle Freeze” before you relocate. In Seattle, you need to own winter clothes. It also rains often and a lot. Seattle is not only colder in winter, but it’s also darker.
If your mood isn’t negatively affected by lousy weather, you will adjust fine. But, if you love sunshine, living in Seattle can be a depressing environment. Don’t move to Seattle from the Bay Area without visiting the city during winter.
Also, talk to people who have recently moved and ask them about the pros and cons. Talking to locals is fine, but they will have a very different perspective than someone who recently moved.
Research the city and understand the neighborhoods. Find out where you want to work and the closest neighborhoods you can afford.
Moving to Seattle from Austin
For those moving to Seattle from Austin, there is a lot to consider. While Seattle has a lot to offer, from beaches (though cold most of the time) to majestic mountains, it couldn’t be more different than Austin.
Seattle is cold compared to Austin. It’s up to 15 degrees colder every season, which sounds nice in August, but can be scary cold in February. Compared to Austin (35 inches of precipitation per year), Seattle (43.63 inches of precipitation per year) can feel extremely rainy. The difference in rainfall doesn’t look like much, but how it rains in Seattle is different. If you move to Seattle, expect many misty days, when it feels like everything is wet all the time.
Moving to Seattle Pros and Cons
Every year, Seattle sees a high intake of people trying to settle down and start a new life. You might have often heard of people, young and old, who have made plans and entertained the idea of moving to Seattle.
Some of the common questions revolve around the advantages and disadvantages of moving to Seattle, as there are many important factors to consider.
Seattle, a major seaport city in the northwestern part of the United States, is blessed with fantastic scenery due to its bordering of the Pacific and the Olympic Mountains. With a vast stretch of beaches, islands, lakes and fun activities, the city sees an influx of new residents.
A few of the major reasons people decide to move to Seattle can range from employment, lifestyle, family, and environmental reasons. However, we have decided to cover some of the pros and cons of moving to Seattle.
What are the pros of moving to Seattle?
There are many pros of moving to Seattle, including:
- Spectacular nature
- Plentiful outdoor activities
- Booming economy
- Many high-paying jobs
- Great food scene
- Beaches
- Music town
What are the cons of moving to Seattle?
There are many cons of moving to Seattle, including:
- Depressing weather – Especially for people who moved to Seattle, the gloomy weather can be depressing.
- Expensive housing – It’s quite expensive to rent or buy real estate in Seattle.
- Heavy traffic – Like in most large U.S. cities, commuting can be agonizing. You could spend one hour or longer each way on your daily commute.
- The Seattle Freeze – Some people believe that Seattleites are standoffish.
- High crime rate – The crime rate in Seattle is more than double the national crime rate.
Moving to Seattle Checklist
Secure a job before moving to Seattle. Having a job lined up will make the whole experience less stressful. Don’t rely on submitting your resume to job sites—network within your industry. Make connections with companies in Seattle to get yourself hired before you relocate.
Crunch the numbers to make sure you can afford to move to Seattle. Of course, if you have a job, you will need less money. But, you should still have enough money saved to support yourself for at least three months, preferably six.
Pay off your debt before moving. Of course, this might be easier said than done, especially if you have a mountain of student loans. But, moving with a lot of debt will make the whole experience a lot more stressful for you. Cutting your expenses and working side gigs will help you quickly pay down debt.
Ask questions about moving to Seattle. Contact people who recently moved to get their insight.
Sell everything. Moving your furniture and other bulky items is expensive. It’s smarter to sell everything before moving and buying used when you get to Seattle. Selling your stuff is also a great exercise to appreciate how little you need to be happy. Don’t store anything in storage rental places. It’s a waste of money. Instead, sell it, donate it, or get rid of it.
