10 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Seattle
Dustin (@tyr) on 03 7, 2006
Where do you find inspiration?
Out of all the places to find inspiration for a blog post, my current favorite is deep within the RCG stats where I can find the search terms that people use to reach this site. Today, someone came to RCG looking for: [things+you+should+know+before+moving+to+Seattle], and while we likely disappointed that particular visitor, I would like to make amends by offering up this list of ten things you should know before moving to Seattle:
1) It rains.
2) No really, it rains a lot here. Despite what they say about it raining more in Atlanta, Boston, or D.C., the rain in Seattle can be like a slow trickle that never turns off. But the rain is okay… really… because one day… some day… it stops. And on those first few warm, sunny spring days, all of life is good in a way that Californians will never understand (unless they move to Seattle).
3) Seattle isn’t always comfortable being a high-tech town. Sure we design operating systems, sell stuff online, try to appraise every home in America and stream lots of music and movies, but a substantial portion of the population relates much more to the art of building airplanes.
4) Consensus Rules. Just agree with me on this one or I’ll never be able to get to #5.
5) Traffic Rules. People in Seattle talk a lot more about traffic than the weather. Depending on where you are moving from, traffic will either be horrible or a non-issue. Most blue-state people will laugh at Seattle traffic because you can normally get between any two points in the City in under a half-hour at all times of the day. Red-state people see the parking lot known as SR 520 and wonder why we haven’t build another bridge yet (see #4 for a hint at the answer).
6) Seattle is not that big. We have all the stuff associated with life in a major city: Theaters, traffic, ballets, sports teams, traffic, skyscrapers, music, etc., but you really don’t have to travel far to feel like you are in rural America.
7) Seattle is closer to Asia than Mexico. If one of the staples of your diet consists of cheap and tasty Mexican food, then you will eventually replace that staple with Pho. The sooner you accept this (and the sooner you stop saying “The Mexican food is so much better in California”), the sooner Seattleites will let you know about the good Asian restaurants. (And by the way, since we’re talking about good food, I feel obliged to mention that the Mexican food I remember growing up with in California was so much better than anything you can find in Seattle…)
The intersection of NE 50th St and 40th Ave NE is about a mile away from 50th Ave NE and NE 40th St. In the Seattle area, all the street names are numbered and given one of nine directions (NW, N, NE, SW, S, SE, E, W or blank). The numbers begin at 1 in downtown Seattle and radiate out wards. The directions also radiate out, but are city specific, unless, of course, they aren’t… Like at the intersection of 244th St SW, 100th Ave W, N 205th St and 8th Ave NW. There is logic to the entire street system and if you live here long enough, you will understand. Until then, you will be confused and miss appointments, meetings, birthdays, etc.. On a related real estate note, if you are new to Seattle, do not attempt to search for a home without a real estate agent. The street system was designed by a committee of real estate agents who wanted to ensure that you need their help to locate a home. 
Also on a related note, Redfin has proposed new street names (featuring real names) for all streets in a effort to ensure the viability of their business model, but at this point, they are still very far from getting consensus on their proposed naming convention.
9) Paul Allen.
10) Despite what you might have read in Wired, Fremont is the Center of the Universe.
Have I covered everything?
About the Author: Dustin Luther
- Author's website: http://www.raincityguide.com/
- More posts by Dustin (@tyr)
- email the author
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Hello Everyone,
My husband and I will be moving out to Tacoma next month. He’ll be working at McChord AFB and it looks like I will be able to transfer my job to Seattle. We are getting ready to buy a great condo in downtown Tacoma, but I am feeling nervous about my commute. I’ll be working just past the Highway 90 interchange. I’ll be heading there around 7:20 and returning home around 4:30. Google maps looks like it’s about a 45-50 minute commute. Am I in for lots of traffic or is the google estimate about right?
Thanks!
Hello All,
I’m a 26, Male, Divorced, with 1 Four Year Old little Girl, and I am moving to Seattle around July-ish this year. I currently live in East San Diego in a community called La Mesa. I’ve never lived outside of the San Diego County. My Ex-Wife has deceided to move to WA so I am going to follow suit so I can be with my little girl.
I’ve searched Craigslist and the job market is really a tough one when trying to sift through all of the pyrimid schemes and door to door sales men. I have a background in food service, but recently spent 4 years in the Telecoms industry as a Customer Service Supervisor. I’ve checked Comcast and couldn’t find much. I’ve also looked at Verizon, and Micosoft. Microsoft seems to be the best bet to apply for.
I don’t have a support system up there, so I can’t really go visit and apply for jobs and wait around. Does anyone have any suggestions on where and what to apply for? What should I also expect? I’m looking forward to the rain, and love cold weather. I’m excited I don’t have to try to survive another summer here. 60 Degrees outside sounds wonderful to me. I’m prepared to spend some time alone, because I’m trying to stay practical when I know it takes time to make friends.
To re-cap, I’m just trying to find some help in finding a good job and a place to live. I currently have some college credit under my belt, and I may try to attempt to continue my education. I just need a few suggestions on how I should take the next step. I researched several communities, jobs, crime rates, etc… and I’m not too picky really living anywhere in Seattle. My main concern is obtaining a job, and finding a place to live, I can go from there in time if I find where I reside doesn’t suit me. Any suggestions, sites, or help would be much appreciated. If more info is needed don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you in advance!
Hi Chris! Looks like you’ve got an adventure ahead of you
. We’d be more than happy to help you in any way we can…why don’t you give us a call to talk in greater detail about neighborhoods etc. 206.315.9850 John or Sarah
Hello,
My name is Kara, and I am 21 years old. I’m a community college student. I live outside of Cleveland, Ohio, in a small farm town. It has a charming court house, and little library, but that is it. I don’t hate Cleveland, I just feel that there is another place out there for me. I’ve lived all over the east coast, and the Midwest as well. The thought of moving to a new place is not scary, I just want to find a place where I would like to settle in. My boyfriend has lived on the west side of Cleveland his whole life( He is 23). We have talked about Marriage in the future. I was born in Florida, and I love trees, mountains and wildlife. I was also happiest living somewhere with an ocean, or great lake.
I would not mind living in Florida, I have a lot of family there, but my boyfriend is miserable the hot weather. He loves mountains, wilderness and is drawn to ocean towns, so we are interested in the P.N.West. From what we have heard, the climate is something he and I would love. I hear that the P.N.West is a colder Rain forest. I love rain, and thunderstorms. All I want in a place is greenery, I miss the jungle
. Contrary to being a Floridian, I enjoy snow in the winter. I would miss it if I went down south. I live in a small rural country town, and I feel trapped. It Is barren and flat, because there are farms for miles. I feel depressed in the winter, not for lack of sun, but for no trees. I even enjoy long walks in a winter forest. All the farms are killing me!
I have never been to Seattle, but my mother has been there a few times on business, and had nothing but great things to say. She never said anything about a “freeze”, telling me that the people of Seattle are very warm, and laid back. I have never heard of it until reading this blog. I have a friend from Seattle, and he is more friendly than the people in the Mid-west. This leads me to believe that the “Freeze” is a Farce, based on Peoples’ Home sickness, and culture shock(People love what they are used to). I read the ten things above, and thought, “How Refreshing, this place sounds awesome!”
I and My boyfriend, both find the closed mindedness of our area suffocating. Him and I are Musicians (Heavy Metal), into self reliance (very D.I.Y), enjoy extreme sports and the like, and love living life beyond our T.V. How is the night life in Seattle? Are there clubs or organizations where like minded people can get together? Is Seattle expensive compared to Cleveland? How is the crime? How is the Job market (My boyfriend is an Audio Engineer, I work wherever is hiring)? How are the property prices? Is the Public transportation like the RTA in Cleveland (Bad) or the MTA in New York (I don’t have a driver’s license)? Please let me know.
If you can bring your own people with you, you’ll be fine. If you have to depend on the ones that are already there, you won’t. Everything else is either good or manageable. The people are just incredibly tedious and difficult … if you can get to know them at all. No, seriously. I’ve lived in 7 places in North America and have worked temporarily in many others. These are the hardest people I’ve ever had to deal with. Keep in mind that I was brought in to help turn around a failing non-profit, service and mercy oriented organization when I say this. So – theoretically, at least – I was in a values-motivated, cooperative environment, not a cut throat corporate world.
Here’s a list of what I remember:
1. The people are intelligent, but not necessarily smart. Knowledge is focused and structured, not broad or pragmatic.
2. Provincialism. Though projecting a “world city” image, people don’t really know as much as you’d think about the rest of the world or the rest of the US and Canada, or about people from other socio-economic strata.
3. They are never wrong. They have a hard time letting other people be right. People bristle at the idea that something they are doing is ineffective or inadequate, making course-correction very, very difficult. Where everyone is smarter than and knows better than everyone else, everything from the greatest core value to the smallest particular practice is subject to wearing criticism in the interest of “consensus.” This makes non-authoritarian leadership nearly impossible. It may be the reason highly structured, hierarchy-based corporate models work there. (like Microsoft).
4. They tend to be humourless. It can be hard to feel you’re on the same wavelength with others.
5. They are cordial, but not interested in conversation or friendships beyond that. People do not reciprocate thoughtfulness or overtures of friendship — an at times are actually proud of this trait.
6. There is a strong tendency to handle problems or conflicts passive-aggressively. As a result, trust levels are very, very low.
It may be that Seattle works for people who are just going to work so they can ski, sail, travel, or work on personal projects. They will make money and have plenty of opportunity for such things (if they’re in a company that has healthy expectations of employees’ time. But if you’re going there as a boss or organizational leader, particularly in a situation where there is no HR-defined hierarchy of authority, you really need to do your research and take a hard look at the Seattle personality.
I looked at the need, the environment, the sociology of the place, and the potential if things had succeeded. To my great regret I failed to ask enough questions about Seattle’s personality.
If you’re working in Seattle and find yourself reading sites like this out of some kind of frustration or in search of validation for your frustration (I know I did that), well, my advice is to get out of Dodge and get your leaden spirit free of there. No, it’s not like that everywhere. No, it’s not just you. No, it’s not going to get better if you just work harder or fix things with some particularly difficult person. Yes, there are better things you can do with your life. Yes, there are other places to live that will put a smile on your face.
Good job Foz. Hopefully your message will do many people planning on moving to Seattle some justice. Seattle sucks! It’s a boring, gloomy, shallow, fake liberal and backwards place. It’s like a rainy Arizona. Yes, I said it.
Seattle has more racial issues than Arizona…..but old school 1960s problems. Liberal just means latte there.
Yes, Seattle is one of the most racist cities I have ever been in. It’s the group hug kind of thing that makes it that way. It’s like intellectualizing race will make it all better.
To me Paul Allen’s attack on the International District is a perfect example. Let’s follow that with a trip down Light Rail to the airport, and you get a pretty good sense that those that develop Seattle don’t care, they just don’t have to.
Seattle is made up of very old, conservative, money. You do as you are told things will be. We are a baseball, football, college town mentality, in an ever expanding international market place. It makes for some very tense moments.
Down town Seattle is my biggest disappointment. Any type of night life, or considered fun, is over shadowed by the Benaroya Hall, Seattle Art Museum crowd that wants an art walk, wine tasting, night out, in direct contrast to the homeless that always seem to be ruining everything.
Seattle is a muddled set of directly opposing agendas with no focus. No real solutions are ever provided, we just have some very wealthy people dumping their ideas into a social quagmire.
So yes of course I have a question. I am going to the UW School of Dentistry and would love to live near the school so less driving but need a daycare that is not bad like most of the reviews I have read in the vacinity of the school. I am also looking for a job most likely at night for extra money any suggestions?
Hi. My husband and I are moving to Seattle from AZ – HUGE change! We’re used to 300 sunny days out of the year and we live in a big city with a small town mentality. We’re in our early thirties and would like to experience the big city life without being stuck in traffic as we leave our driveway. I read somewhere that West Seattle would be a good fit for us, but the first time I visited, I fell in love with Ballard. I felt it was a short drive from downtown Seattle and I love the architecture. I also like Bellevue… Can anyone tell me a few pro’s and con’s about living in Ballard, Bellevue vs. West Seattle? I would greatly appreciate it… Already missing the great Mexican food.
i lived in Seattle for many years. At first I loved it and I thought the weather was cool and romantic. My wife thought so, too, because we liked to hang out in coffee cafes and spend time reading and other introverted stuff like that.
Then we became parents and everything changed. The weather grated on our nerves. Our children would get stir crazy because as much as Seattle residents claim they can still do outside activities in the rain, babies and toddlers aren’t so good with that. We moved to a warmer, sunnier climate and we are much happier.
I do have some good memories of Seattle, though. It is probably the most beautiful city in the entire United States. Vancouver is also awesome and close by.
Good luck to those of you who want to move to Seattle…just make sure you are really aware of how much of an impact weather can have on your quality of life.
P.S. I do have a favorite Seattle resource for people who are job hunting in Seattle: http://www.vocationvillage.com/seattle-careers.html
There are already too many architects in my native city- which has always made it a very competitive place to practice. One has to like/tolerate rain- and know how to deal with it- architecturally and otherwise. JerryG
Seattle is a great city, it’s like a paradise to me! The cold breeze, the Space Needle, the beaches… I am so fascinated with this place.
I moved to Seattle five years ago from New Mexico and am finally getting a chance to leave, for which I am very grateful. Am working towards that and hope to be back in the SouthWest in six months. What these people say about the Seattle Freeze is somewhat true but maybe simply because it does get pretty insular to be in this misty weather so much of the time. And they’re probably looking down all the time because they’re avoiding being rained on…it’s really the cool thing in seattle to wear a hoodie and not to have an umbrella. You can meet people if you try real hard and join clubs and such, but there’s a worse problem. It’s how that mist and dampness starts creeping into your bones. Our backyard is soggy and is very hard to mow because we actually sink into it when we try! My aches and pains have increased steadily living here and the wild barometric shifts combined with the constant wetness really gets pretty painful. There’s not only alot of depression around here, but a high preponderance of MS, fibromyalgia, arthritis and other ailments that are made worse by damp climates. And the smell of mold is everywhere around here…you simply can’t avoid it…you’ll have to clean w/ vinegar to keep the mold down. But I’m allergic to the stuff, so I’m very excited to be getting back to the sun and smiling faces and to the open skies of the southwest. To each her own, and seattle holds allure to a certain kind of person, just as every place does. Check any big move out carefully. I’ve met alot of people at moving sales here on their way to Arizona and New Mexico and California and Hawaii who say they’d LIKE to stay because of their families and friends but that they simply CAN’T because they hurt so much physically here. It’s a long, long 9 months of short days and very little sun! Do your research and find your best place! Good luck!
So what’s with all the talk about the Seattle Freeze? I’ve spent most my life in the mountains of Colorado and have experienced some pretty cold temperatures and winters here. So what are you talking about in terms of “freeze”? We’re kind of used to extreme cold weather temperatures here. I also spent a winter in Chicago and experienced their freeze from Lake Michigan so does it have to do with the Pacific being in your front yard? I’ve been considering moving there (probably not until next year) but was just curious.
Thanks for the post. I especially loved the tongue in cheek humor. I think right now Seattle is a great place to live in. Considering the current financial crisis that we are experiencing, it is surprising to know that mortgage rates in Seattle have decreased into 4.2 % range. This piece of news has been published in U.S. Housing News. It has also been reported that for other loans, the interest rates are less than 4 %. I think that this news will be well received by people who are planning to move to Seattle to buy a new home or to refinance the existing mortgage loan.
I love the weather, it’s perfect for me. However, there is the “Seattle freeze”. They are very snobby, but why? At least on the east coast, people are snobby for a reason. I work with people that graduated from mediocre schools, rarely travel out of Washington state and a small bank account, yet they walk around with their noses in the air. It’s not a very diverse place, yet they say they’re diverse. I work in a office building of 520 people and there is one African American. I’m sure this comment will be deleted because the truth about Seattle is never printed. I will be criticized about my grammar and also someone will say “I’m glad you don’t like it.. we don’t want more people to move here or leave, blah, blah”. I’ve heard all the defensive comments, I’ve lived in Seattle twenty years. I’ll be up front with you, not everyone is like Bill Gates in Seattle. Trucks with lifts, pitt bulls, and rednecks are plentiful.
I was wondering does Seattle have a hip hop/ reggae scene or clubs. Are there west Indian restaurants. Are there many carribean people there . I am moving to Seattle in a few days with hubby n my 7 year old son from queens ny. We will find a apt when we get there. All this rain talk has me depressed already. Who in tge he’ll wants rain in there glasses all the time. Or there hair wet a tge time. Granted I’m not excited about Seattle but jeez is there anything about Seattle that’s exciting ?!???
This Seattle Native’s Queens-born wife
has survived the rain better than he has
(whatever that means). Give it a try! JG-
The last time I had Caribbean food it was in Jamaica and it was curried goat. I don’t think it is all that common in many areas of the U.S. You may have to learn to cook it. Tell me your favorite west indian dishes you were able to get in Queens, and I’ll see if I can find it for you. Not much “goat” around here…so hopefully you have some other favorites.
You get used to the weather. You may want to shave your head for the first 3 months or so, but then you realize that really good hair products are a much better answer. It takes a few years to learn how to walk in the spit without acknowledging it. A pretty cool Seattlite thing to acquire. Takes some practice.
This Seattle Reggae Calendar may be of some help, or at least put a smile on your face. Seems to have been updated recently.
http://www.seattlereggae.com/
A family member of ours is a lot younger than I and a DJ. I’ll see if she can point you in the right direction for hip-hop and reggae and get back to you on that.
um ive lived in seattle all my life and it really doesnt rain as much as DC or other cities. The rain is overrated. we have our sunny days! it is a very fun place and there are lots of things to do. there are some VERY interesting people in seattle. it is a beautiful and diverse city.
Monique,
Chloe, my partner Kim’s daughter, tells me there is a club for reggae music and Caribbean food both in the International District and in Rainier Valley. When you are in town or closer to being in town, let me know and I’ll try to have Chloe come over here and fill you in on the details. She is an International DJ who was born and raised here. She’s off to Columbia, I think, for a gig. But give me a heads up VIA EMAIL at ardelld@gmail.com vs on this post where I may not see a comment. The way this site works is the post author gets an email when someone comments, so you can email me or make a comment on one of the posts I have written vs one written by one of the other Authors on the site.
nikki,
I agree with you 110%. I have not lived here all my life and have lived in several very good places. But Seattle clearly has, on an overall basis, the best of all worlds…especially the people I meet here who are from just about everywhere. As to the rain, if you added everyone else’s snow to their rain…we’d be about even and it’s a lot harder to get around in snow than misty rain.
I soon will be relocating to Seattle, WA from Chicago. I’ve lived in Chicago on and off for the better part of 11 years, and Illinois for about 24 years. I *hate* Chicago, I *hate* the Midwest.
I am totally looking forward to Seattle. The funny thing to me is first off I am NOT a people person, and I am known to be kind of cold and unfriendly, then I hear about things like the “Seattle freeze” and it makes me think I will fit right in. Secondly, I went to visit there around this past Thanksgiving and I made so many friends it was ridiculous. Again I am NOT a people person yet I found the people there to be AWESOME! (Unlike the holier-than-thou people of Chicago. I would love to tell them where they can shove their attitudes.)
I moved to Seattle from Santa Cruz CA and lived there for 9 years. There WERE lots of jobs. Great jobs. Reallly great jobs. Dunno about now since I moved Boise 10 years ago when work dried up in Seattle just as it started to boom here. No, Boise is not booming anymore.
In Santa Cruz, when it rained it poured. Seattle is more of a drizzle-sprinke kind of place. Even the rain forest on the coast is a place of mostly drizzle. Boise is a burning-freezing town. Seattle is greener than most of California south of Eugene. Not fragrant like California. If you want to picnic, take a ferryfrom town accross Puget Sound where you can be in the rain shadow of the Olympic mountain range. . Puget Sound is quite beautiful. There are very nice weekend trips to make to Victoria, Vancouver, Mount Ranier (the local volcano that rumbles just a little.) the Cascades ,Olympic mountains or the San Juan Islands.
The buses are badly overcrowded. Count on standing. The people that presented plans for a railway kept planning to run it in the wrong directions, so no proposal was accepted while I lived there.
It is not a religeous place. Don’t expect lots of churches, synagogs, temples, people speaking montras or rejoicing in hallelujas. However, some of the local tribes are still hanging on. I never met any vampires in Forks where my sister’s family lives, just a couple of Wiccans.
The homeless are visible in several places. All along University Way at the University of Washington. Sitting on the pavement begging near the few churces there are. They are not really allowed to beg openly, but it wouldn’t hurt to pass out some sandwiches.
If you are concerned about jobs, schools or crime, do some web searching. It all varies. South and West Seattle are rather poor and rough places.
You forgot to mention Seattle’s die-hard soccer fans & our beloved Sounders FC!!!!!
GO SOUNDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey everyone,
All these blogs have been great in helping me learn a little more about Seattle. I have a few questions. I’m hopeing to be a future student at University of Washington and was wondering if there are past or present students that could give me some input on what it is like down there. I’ll be down to visit Seattle in March but until then what is your opinion on the college and city of Seattle? I’m a vary outdoorsy person from a small town in Wyoming, the thought of leaving mountains to attend college was not an option, that’s where Seattle came in. Plus my father lived there for a couple years when I was younger and when visiting I fell in love with the rain (which we get very little of on Wyoming) and I love how secluded it felt being surrounded by trees (which Wyoming also lacks). If anyone else has been to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff AZ, or Boise State in Boise Idaho how do these places or schools compare?
I’m a small town girl looking to finally experience a big city, what are some things I should know before making the big leap? Also how hard is it for college students to find a job down there? Right now I’m working on getting my personal trainer certificate, is there any gyms that you would recommend trying to apply for a position like that? If Seattle is where I choose to go I would be moving down there in beginning of June. Where would be a good place for me to look for apartments and about how far of a drive is it from UW? How much does the average person spend on food a month? Just overall how much should I be expecting to spend a month being a college student living in a decent place with roommates, buying healthy foods, and maybe a gym membership? Lastly, when I do go down and visit in March where are some good restaurants should I check out?
Thanks for taking the time to read this if anyone replies you’re greatly appreciated!
Hi there, hoping I may still get some replies on here. Came across this site the other day and it looks really good. I have no knowledge what so ever of Seattle, my husband has been once on business and his company is in Seattle. We live in the UK, in the Suburbs of London and have two young children.
The company my husband works for would love for him to move to the Seattle office and I just can’t make up my mind whether we should do it, even if just for a couple of years. i am so tempted although must admit a bit scared of the weather!
Does anyone know if it is similar to hee in the UK where we are also known for our rain, pretty much all year round? We do occaionally get really hot summers and warm autumns but winter is pretty much rain all the way through. Although we also get weeks like this week where it is really cold outside but the sun is shining. Is Seattle pretty similar to this?
My 2 boys are so physical they like to spend a LOT of time out of the house at the park, going for walks by the river etc. & I am worried they won’t get to do that as much.
Is there quite a lot of activities to do with young children who are not yet at school? I like getting out with the kids and meeting people and I probably won’t be working.
Appreciate any advice, I’m hoping we’ll get a chance to all come out this year and see what it’s like
Emma,
That is fairly accurate as to similarity except for this sentence:
“Although we also get weeks like this week where it is really cold outside but the sun is shining.”
Change the word “weeks” to “days” and that would be about right. The progression from winter into Spring and then Summer tends to be 7 days no sun for weeks, then 1 day of sun for weeks, then 2, 3, 4, and so on. So a full week of sun usually doesn’t hit until Summer, for the most part.
Define “really cold”? Today it is mostly sunny and 43 going up to 47 by late day. The other day it was “misty rain” and went up to 51.
When it “rains” here it is often not the kind of rain you need an umbrella for. Just a hoodie or hooded jacket.
Here’s the way I see it, being from Philadelphia. It doesn’t SNOW here very much!
So when other people have really cold and snow, we have warmer and rain. It’s a lot easier to get about in 43 and sunny or 50 and rainy than 20 degrees and a foot of snow.
So compared to sunny places like Florida and California…we are not so good weatherwise. Compared to NY and PA, we have awesome weather.
My guess is the weather will be about the same as where you are now.
Thanks for your reply
I’ve just added Seattle weather to my phone and in comparison to London it’s virtually exactly the same this week, a couple of sunny looking days, a couple of cloudy ones and more than likely rain at the weekend (typical) with temps between 43 & 53 degrees.
We seem to get extremes of weather in this country, we had as low as 20 over November & December and so much snow but that is not a normal thing, we’re not prepared for that much snow here. & in the summer the highest it can get is around 90 but it’s mainly in the 70’s with some days getting in the 80’s. I don’t mind the rain too much as long as we can get out of the house in all our wet-weather clothes & carry on.
OMG the streets sound way too confusing for me. I am directionally challenged in a normal city. I think Seattle would mess me up. I vote for Street names!
Great post. Laughed when I read #1 and #2. Hence the domain name “raincityguide”. Keep it honest.
Always interesting for us natives to read these comments.
Rain of course gets to us as well as it does to newcomers.
From SD wanting to move to Seattle? What is wrong with you guys????
I would do anything to move out of Seattle and go to California or Florida. The weather sucks SO Much!
I am from South America and the only reason why I can’t move out is because my husband does not want to (and I have kids with him).
This is where I spent my teen years in Seattle.
http://knol.google.com/k/jerry-gropp-architect-aia/this-is-where-i-spent-my-teen-years/246qxuxd260sm/213#
Hi
We are moving from San jose to Seattle area .I would like to know about the best public schools,swim team ,and the like as I have a 7 year old daughter who loves to do lot of activities.Please help me .
Where will you be working? Downtown Seattle? Redmond? Bellevue? Try looking up the Elementary School Rankings on Great Schools.org
There are usually 3 best schools among the many in each area. Where you will be working here, and price range of home, would be helpful in determing the answer to your question.
Hello,
I’m planning to relocate alone to Seattle and honestly I’m scared. I don’t mind the rain, don’t care much for tans anyway and I love Asian food. Is it difficult to find an apartment and a job? I have some banking and retail experience.
I don’t think it’s hard “to find an apartment and a job”. The question is will the job pay enough so that you can afford the apartment.
I have lived in Seattle for 23 years.
I think the posters above are exaggerating when they say it rains from Oct to May. The bad months are really from Nov to March (like most places in the country – except we don’t freeze over!). Oct, April, and May can be quite nice – and the summers aren’t like anything else in the country! The most gorgeous, beautiful weather you can find.
In Seattle, you are surrounded by beautiful scenery. Like water sports? We have tons of lakes, inlets, and bays. Like to hike? Mt. Rainier towers over the city, the Olympics provide easy and beautiful day hikes. Not sure why anyone would complain about driving “an hour and a half” to hike. Because the places you can get to in little over an hour are truly spectacular. Very few cities of Seattle’s size have such close access to rugged national parks.
And of course, if you’re less outdoorsy and prefer city-life, Seattle offers an abundance of activities – and yes, great food. Especially if you enjoy Asian or Seafood.
Drawbacks: When I say the “bad months” are from Nov-March, I really do mean they are bad. It’s very dark, it drizzles 85% of the time (but rarely pours). The way I see it, though, is that while most of the country is freezing to death and shoveling their driveways, we just need to carry an umbrella. If you can survive the winter months, it will pay off – because May-Sept is amazing
If you enjoy 100 degree temps, humidity, and beach life – Seattle isn’t for you. But if you like the rugged outdoors, water, beautiful scenery, and nice people (yes, they do exist in Seattle) – then Seattle is for you.
Hello My name is Julie and I am planning on moving to seattle washington in 2012 around January. I currently live in California, in the bay area to be exact. I am plannning to move to seattle by myself. my family is here in California but I just want to take a break from home and move to seattle for at least a year. I hear that the weather makes people depressed after a while with all the gray raininy days. Which concerns me because its always sunny most of the time here in my hometown. so Im not sure what effect the weather will have on me but I would like to know how the weather affected any Californians in this website, when they moved to seattle. I never visited the city of seattle but I would like to know the good and the bad things about living in seattle for a person that will be living alone. is it hard finding a job as a medical assistant? what area would you recommend living that is cheap but safe?
Julie,
I lived in L.A. before moving here and in Florida before that. So about 8 years of total sunshine before moving here. Before I answer your questions more fully…what do you mean by “cheap”? Can you put a number on that?
Hello,
Greetings. Am planing to move to Seattle this Fall. I work as a massage therapist/visual artist. Looking to relocate to a neighborhood hopefully artistic and diverse, with easy access to bookstores, cafes and public transportation. of course, if near by a park would be a big plus. Any suggestion please?
Thanks.
Pete
Anything close to Downtown Seattle. When I think of any of the physical or related therapy businesses, I think of Roosevelt which is a little pocket to the West of Green Lake before you get to Ravenna. Not too expensive there either. Not as trendy as Downtown, but anything near Green Lake is a great lifestyle. On the Roosevelt Ravenna side there are lots of relatively inexpensive apartments and Downtown is only 10 to 15 mintues away. Stop by the Latona Pub…an area favorite!
http://www.3pubs.com/Latona.html
Hello my name is Julie and I left a comment not so long ago. So I’m planning on moving to Seattle on my own. I am from California, I live in the Bay area. And I was wondering what are the chances of finding a 1 bedroom apartment for about $600 or around that price in a safe neighborhood. In my hometown the cheapest is $700 but I also noticed that the cost of living in Seattle and cities near are a lower than in my current city. I am also open to the idea of moving to a city near Seattle, it really doesn’t have to be exactly Seattle but it would be nice if it’s in the area. Also what areas are safe in Seattle for a single women. I have been reading a lot of comments on a lot of websites but not all of them agree.
One last thought: I have been re-searching websites on how the Seattle weather affects people that are use to a sunny environment. It would be nice to hear personal experiences from people here if the Weather’s made them depressed at some point, after they moved to Seattle.
Thanks in advanced
Good to know if I have any clients looking to move to Seattle! Thanks for the info
Cheers,
Adam
Julie,
I don’t know much about apartment rentals, but I’m not seeing safe for $600. Most are on Craigslist and I don’t see $600 for not safe. Maybe a share situation?
As to the weather…my exhusband depressed me…weather? It’s just weather. Helps to NOT take your vacation in summer when it’s great to be here. Plan at least one trip to the sun around Feb/March and that usually does it for me. Holds me until hour summer comes, which is July 5th.
Thanks. I was also wondering, what neighborhoods are safe in Seattle for a women that most likely live alone?
Julie,
Generally speaking we can’t list safe vs unsafe here on a blog in writing due to retribution from ones we might call “unsafe”. If you use Craigslist to find an apartment and put the address in Homefacts.com, you can get the crime rating and other information on the area.
Neighborhoods on what we call The Eastside like Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond, tend to have lower crime than some parts of Seattle. If you can find a place you can afford in Kirkland, I highly recommend it. Green Lake in Seattle is a close 2nd. Rental prices don’t vary that much from place to place, though $600 would be a pretty small apartment. Maybe even a studio apartment without a separate bedroom.
PHEW. Reading this helps a lot. Looking a LOT like my family and I (husband and 9 year old daughter) will be relocated to Seattle within the next 60 days. I have never even been there – other than the SeaTac airport. Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about leaving our home in Boise, but it’s hard to say no to a great offer from a great company.
We hear Northshore and Lake Washington school districts will be the best, is that what you think too? We’re very concerned about that because our daughter is in classical education programs where we live now – taking Latin and Spanish and she’s pretty advanced. We want to make sure she continues to excel.
I hear Lynnwood is good for great prices AND being close. Any other places you can recommend?
Thank you so much for having this here.
I forgot to mention, I will be working in Bothell, and my husband’s office will be in Bellevue.
Stephanie, it’s a tough market for someone who is relocating, as inventory is not that great. If you can rent and look for a house to buy while you are here, that would likely be best. I wouldn’t say Lynnwood is an obvious choice for someone working in Bellevue. Bothell is likely as far away from Bellevue as you would want to be. Lynnwood is in the opposite direction. Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue. Bellevue’s a big place. Will he be in Downtown Bellevue?
It depends on your price range, but the hardest factor to overcome for people relocating to Bellevue is that the age of the housing in a reasonable price range is pretty old. Usually in the 1960’s or so. The only reason someone would say “Lynnwood” for Bellevue to Bothell that I can think of is if someone is looking for newer housing options. But Lynnwood is a heck of a commute from Bellevue.
I definitely understand about the market – we’ve been looking around for the past several days.
*I* will be working in Bothell, my husband can commute to the Bellevue office OR he can choose to work from home…his job is more flexible. We’re mostly concerned about me, since my job is the one that’s relocating us.
I think we’re looking for something around 4 bedrooms and 1500.00 a month. I thought Lynnwood seemed to be a better choice for size+price…do you have other thoughts?
Sorry I can’t be of more help, Stephanie. My service area stops before Lynnwood and goes around the lake from Bellevue, Redmond & Kirkland to Bothell, Kenmore and around to Mountlake Terrace-Brier, Shoreline and into Seattle. Lynnwood a bit too far north and doesn’t come up in my daily business. You also cross over from King County to Snohomish County in Bothell and touch on Northshore, Edmonds and Everett School districts, depending on which direction you go from Bothell King County.
Where in Bothell will you be working? Bothell King County or Bothell Snohomish County? I would start by picking which school vs which house. GreatSchools.org is a great place to check out the schools by putting in each city. I usually recommend picking your favorite elementary schools and then search for house after choosing several schools.
Are there decent amount of jobs in the medical fiels in Seattle? I was planning on Moving to Seattle and I am currently going to college to become a LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse). Right now I am currently a medical assistant working in a family practice clinic. If I do end up moving to Seattle I will be looking for a job as a medical assistant. So I was wondering if there are a decent amount of jobs in that area. Or is it really hard to find a job as a medical assistant than any other field in Seattle.
Someone mentioned that summer starts on July 5th.
Unfortunately they forgot to mention it ends that same evening.
If you really like Asian food though there is the most divine cooking class in Kent teaching Southeast Asian cusine, The lady, who incidently is also author of the Spicemerchants Daughter, teaches and cooks in her home where you first do the lesson, and then sit down to dine in her home.
It makes for the most wonderful atmosphere and classes are small so you are not neglegted. The price is really good to.
I have since moved away, and really miss my time in Seattle, but North Virginia is good too so cant complain to much.
Hahaha! I was the “July 5th” person…but this year it never really came at all. In fact yesterday was the first time I was uncomfortably warm at all this year. Maybe one other day. The heat come on last week at noon!
“on those first few warm, sunny spring days, all of life is good in a way that Californians will never understand”
I try to live my life by this principal, if not quite so extremely. We appreciate the good things in life that much more when we have experienced the bad things too…
travel planning around seattle weather … (from a sunloving expat import)
summer starts somewhere between july 4 and finishes around september 6 (labor day). vacation in western washington during this time, it doesn’t get more gorgeous. camp at one of the many well-cared for camp sites like moran state park (san juan islands, site #10) or deception pass park OR enjoy seattle little joys like swimming at lincoln park in west seattle, flying a kite at gasworks park, picnic at the sculpture park and the list goes on …
october-november-december is the halloween-thanksgiving-christmas mudslide so light up the fireplace, start cooking+baking, rug up and dig in. this is when you actually enjoy the grey.
january + february can be torturous unless you get outside and SKI. the proximity+conditions of crystal, stevens, snoqualmie (esp. for kids) is enviable, so make the most of it. kick off the ski season with a white christmas ski trip – whistler, baker, hood are good candidates for this.
march to june is a mixed bag and a really good time for a sunbreak … as you watch temperatures rising across everywhere else in the US, things are mostly still grey and cool in seattle. april and may are better months – flowers are in bloom and the city transforms (check out the japanese gardens in the arboretum at this time). march: you must leave – head south to cabo, san diego, LA, disneyland (or vegas if that’s your cup of tea) for some relief from the grey. june: you must leave – see all of the above mentioned ideas or head over to eastern washington for something more affordable (like lake chelan or alta lake). once you get east of the cascades, the temperature rises at least 10F and you can swim, sunbake and do summery things before summer (slowly) arrives to seattle.
Thank you George! This is such an excellent comment…I may turn it into a blog post of its own. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it!
Much appreciated.
If you can handle the rain and traffic, then Seattle is a great place to call home! On a beautiful sunny day, the view of Mt. Rainier and the water over Puget Sound is just breathtaking. Can’t beat it. I’m a big fan of visiting in the city for a night on the town but living in one of the nice suburbs to the east of Seattle (ie…. Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland)
My girlfriend and I are planning on moving to the Seattle area in mid-2012 from the east coast,for no particular reason other than we are just just plain sick and tired of the dirty air,the crooked cops,and last but not least,some of the rudest,nosiest,somebody owes me something people that infest the “lovers” state. Actually,we just came back from a weeks stay in Seattle where we had the time of our lives. Questions…. What type of job opportunities are available for a blue collar “jack of all trades,master of none” kind of guy? Will I be able to secure employment in a reasonable amount of time? What do utilities usually run per month, and how difficult is it to get utilities in my name since i am a transplant? Are there any assistance programs that will help someone find housing,jobs,etc to someone new to the state? While visiting,we stayed in seatac and took the lightrail into Seattle,and some of the stops along the way looked very promising as far as housing goes. Can you give me any info on any of those places? (tuckwila,beacon hill,etc… As far as the so called “Seattle Freeze”is concerned, I welcome it. And as far as the rain,it couldnt possible be as bad as the cold virginia winters. Again,any info would be greatly apprieceiated. Chris
Hi Chris,
‘
I was hoping someone else might pope in here and answer this, as I really don’t have a clue. My best guess is you could both find jobs to support yourselves in a one bedroom condo somewhere without too much difficulty. It’s been a few years, but my daughter and her friend had no problem getting jobs. Her friend worked at Borders for awhile and then got a better job at a Property Management Company with no experience. But my daughter worked there, and so she gave her friend “a leg up”.
If you both work…you can probably swing it. I don’t know any City or area that has a general assistance program. The hard part will be getting a place to stay while you are looking for jobs or when you are first hired. Usually you shouldn’t move to a new place unless you have someone to stay with, or have saved some money prior to the move to get settled with.
IS IT CULTURALLY DIVERSE IN SEATTLE OR PORTLAND?
WHAT NATIONALITIES ARE MAINLY IN THOSE CITIES?
I suggest you google the demographics. It is generally inappropriate to talk about “nationalities” on a real estate blog. Seattle tends to be very PC as well, and rarely do you see conversations involving race or even religion. Politics? Yes. Lots of talk about riding bicycles or not…better safety for people riding bicycles. Recycling? Lots of talk about what can be composted in the yard waste containers.
Don’t know much about Portland, but I expect you can google the demographics for that area as well.
Sorry I can’t be of more help.
thank you but i dont see how that question is inappropriate, i just like all kind of people because im from atlanta but sorry if i offended you..I just like a variety of nationalities and it is important to know
You didn’t offend me at all, Jareal. Not a tiny bit. I didn’t mean to suggest you did anything wrong. Just saying I can’t answer the question because of limitations on licensed real estate people in the United States of America.
Anyone in real estate is subject to a lot of laws that can limit “free speech” with regard to race…religion…national origin, etc for licensed real estate people.
A majority of my clients are from India and European countries, so the area feels VERY diverse to me. But when you look at the demographics, as I suggested, the numbers don’t look the same as my experience. I think the fact that we are quite diverse makes the discussion less of a discussion, if that makes any sense.
I would provide the links for you, which I can do, but some information is from back in 2000, so not sure how relevant that is, and some of the rest just doesn’t look correct to me. I shy away from providing a source that I can’t validate as accurate.
Looking out my window right now, the people across the street are caucasian, the people on the left are Asian, the people on the right are Hispanic and the people next to them are Afro-American. So it’s looking pretty diverse from where I’m sitting right now. But when you say “mainly”…well for that, you have to look at the demographics.
I’m half Italian and half Russian, 2nd generation American…but I’m not 100% sure what that is. My sister thinks she’s part afro-american, even though we have the same parents. Fine by me.
Thank you very much Ardell you’ve provided me with some valuable information. I will look forward to moving to Seattle
Glad to be of help. I think it’s a great area, and for me, that’s mostly about the people. So I think you will like it here.
Great information, I’ve lived in the Tacoma area back in 92 to 99, moved there after my military time was up and family was out there. Well to say the least I’d not enjoy myself at all, ran into other peoples problems, my fault. Now at 53 working and living in Ga which I don’t like the south that much and a another family issue that got me here. Damn fool, I retire in 2 years from my present job and will move back to the Seattle area, this time it’s just for bigdaddyraheem, thanks for a great post, without rain, no rainbow peace.
Does the rain often cause traffic problems? does it rain hard all the time or is it just misty?? Lastly does the rain stop people from hnging out and having fun???
I am considering moving to Seattle (or suburbs) with my boyfriend. We are a young couple and need a change in our life. We are currently living in Naples, FL (nice to visit but no one under 45 wants to be here). We’re hoping to find some place that has culture, nature, places to meet people/send time after work, and not as pretentious as Naples.
Outside of Seattle, what areas are best for living that are close enough to get into the city?
Being a young couple, we are a bit strapped for cash, so knowing if jobs are available is important. What is out there in way of jobs? And what is the average renting rate? Is it possible ti find a 1bedroom/1bath for $600 or less?
Any input, help, suggestions would be greatly appreciated! We are hoping to move by this coming summer, as we’ll have enough (HOPEFULLY) to get there by that time.
Thanks!
Malinda
I’m not an expert on young people getting jobs or rentals, but my suggestion would be in Seattle near the Northgate Mall. http://bit.ly/uFkmVP Plenty of businesses in that area. A 1 bedroom for $600 is a little low, but I saw one for $675 two blocks from the mall and $720 to $750 should be doable most days. Rent doesn’t change much outside of Seattle as long as you are not Downtown, you should be able to find something near a place with jobs and still be in City with good bus routes, etc. to get around.
If REALLY good Mexican food is what you’re looking for then try La Fogata in Snoqualmie. It is one of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever been to and I’m from Cali. The best of the best!
On a different note, Seattle sucks if you just can’t get used to the weather which I still haven’t. Everything looks constantly grey, sad, empty and super cold. We came here because of Microsoft but every day I beg (more like nag) my husband to “get the hell out of here”. It’s ssssssso mellow and boring and to top it off, people act like zombies. So, if you like a happy, outgoing, social environment where you can get down to some salsa or cool Jazz at a street fair or festival, don’t expect to find it in this area. People are truly dead…..yawn.
I lived in Seattle for 20 years and now I’m living north of London. The weather is very, very similar. Dark, dreary, and damp. It has never bothered me. But one of the biggest differences I’ve found between here and Seattle is that in England the weather does not seem to stop people from getting out and living. There is so much life and activity even in the dead of winter. Last week I walked past a park with little kids bundled up, sliding down the slides, and two young men playing tennis in their shorts. The sight struck me and I realized that you would never see that in Seattle. I love and adore Seattle and it’s an outdoorsmens Paradise, but I had lived there all my life and had friends since birth. I can imagine it could be a difficult city to move to for the first time. But you will not find a more beautiful place. People keep to themselves, but they are kind once you get to know them.
After being born here, i moved to Spokane with my family, moved back at age 14. The next away was in the US Army Air Corps/AirForce in Amarllo, Texas and Hobbs, New Mexico. When I came back to Seattle in rainy November to UW Architecture on the GI Bill, it was quite an adjustment- that is still going on. J-
“closer to asia than mexico”??
what??! if you mean “cuisine-wise,” then you should say so, because, otherwise that is blatantly inaccurate. you see, there’s this thing in between seattle and asia…called the pacific ocean…and, well, it’s kinda big.
If you’re thinking about moving to Seattle, then you’ve already heard some positive things about the city. Let me tell you some of the drawbacks.
Hard to make friends – A lot has been written about how hard it is for people who move to Seattle to make friends. Just google “Seattle freeze”. I wish I could offer some insight about it, but I really can’t. I’ve experienced the freeze and seen it happen to others many times and still don’t understand it. I do know that I’ve never experienced anything like it in any other city.
No nightlife – Like to go out drinking or dancing at 2 am? Have an affinity for all-night diners or late night movie theaters? Seattleites don’t. Moving here will mean making major adjustments to your lifestyle. Everything shuts down at night.
No dating scene – Seattle doesn’t have a social scene like places in the South or Midwest do. Dating and pairing off as soon as you graduate from high school or college isn’t the norm here. Dating doesn’t seem to even be of interest to a lot of people. Seattle has one of the highest rates of homes with single occupancy (one person living alone in a house).
No fashion sense – This is something that people who come here from other parts of the country notice right away. It’s not that Seattleites dress casually, it’s that they really don’t care how they dress. In other parts of the country, for example, you see 18, 19, 20-year-old girls experimenting with make-up and hair and different clothes. Not here. Seattle girls dress every day like they’re going duck hunting — no make-up, no hairstyle, no jewelry, no color co-ordination. They wear flannel shirts and Gore-Tex jackets and rubber boots, same as the guys.
Not kid-friendly – Seattle has a low birth rate and few children compared to other cities. There also seems to be an odd lack of concern for the welfare of kids here. In late October 2011, a child was abducted from the street that I work on. A little boy was taken from a car on the street and no one has seen him since. The fact that it happened right where I work was very scary and unsettling. But you know what was just as scary? It didn’t seem to be any big deal to my co-workers. It was hardly talked about.
Stalking – Stalking happens everywhere in the US, but not like what’s going on here. In Seattle, there’s “group stalking” and “mobbing,” where a group of people communicating through social media bully a victim. Group stalkers are into social media to an unhealthy degree and are easily manipulated into doing anything – including theft, breaking and entering, and physical assault. If you visit Seattle and come across anyone who is involved in any kind of group like this, don’t walk away from them — run.
Blue city, red city – Seattle itself is socially and politically liberal, but that can change as soon as you get outside Seattle proper. If you drive across Lake Washington, for example, to what’s called the Eastside (Bellevue-Redmond-Kirkland) you’ll find yourself among conservatives in a Republican congressional district represented by a guy who used to be the county sheriff. The difference between Seattle and the Eastside is like night and day. So if you’re thinking of relocating to the “Seattle area”, make sure you know exactly what area that is and what it’s like.
It’s expensive – Things that should be cheap, aren’t. Like riding public transportation. Round-trip bus fare to work is $6 a day. A gallon of milk at the Whole Foods downtown is also $6.
My two cents …
Hard to make friends – so completely untrue about Seattle – it’s a bunch of transplants ready to meet up
No nightlife – it’s not a big drinking town like a Chicago or Boston, I’ll give you … but it’s got nightlife – just not a lot of dancing
No dating scene – I bet Seattle is one of the top online dating cities – I could be wrong …
No fashion sense – 100% true – it’s what I love about Seattle
Not kid-friendly – it’s because once people have kids they move to the eastside (as a general rule – not always)
Blue city, red city – he/she has a point … not sure what negative that is … sounds like a good balance to me
It’s expensive – true, but who wants to live in Missouri? (Sorry family but it’s true)
It is 2012 and I just found this article! I love it!:) Thanks!
Yes, it has the Colorado River running through it. As for work, I will be relocating with my current employer. Purpose of the move it to be closer to the West Territory that I will be working. During the week, time will be spent traveling to the airport and the surrounding states. So being close to the airport might be of some importance but not a requirement.
hi im currently finishing my sophmore year and am wanting to go in the north parts of the us for college mostly because of the nice rainy weather, are there any good places in seattle for college?
One poll says America Loves Seattle :: http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-move-over-new-york-america-loves-seattle-most-20120423,0,7834421.story