Seattle Appeal: People move to Seattle for reasons beyond coffee. Visit the city, experience the rain, and interact with locals to understand its charm.
The city experiences frequent rain, but it has its own allure. The lack of sunny days can be a downside, but life is enjoyable when the sun shines.
Seattle, Washington, doesn’t impose a state income tax, making it attractive compared to other major U.S. cities. The sales tax is 10.25%, relatively decent.
Seattle’s stable economy boasts notable job growth. Over 50% of the population holds higher education degrees, particularly in the IT field. Prominent tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft contribute to the job market.
Why People Move to Seattle?
You may think that people move to Seattle because of the coffee, but that’s not the only reason.
Sure, there is a coffee shop on every corner in the city because coffee is good and popular there, but there are quite a few other reasons why people move to Seattle.
Should I move to Seattle? If you do a search online, you will find mixed reviews of the city and the citizens of Seattle. Thus, as we always recommend, before moving to Seattle, visit the city and talk to the locals.
Get the mood for yourself by walking the streets and feeling the rain. Oh, yes the rain, because it really rains there. People say it rains sometimes every day and it stops sometimes.
In this What to Know Before Moving to Seattle guide, we will try to also provide some city data, opinions, advice and general information about the current situation in the city, as well as some things to know before moving to Seattle relocation information
Seattle residents are known as Seattleites.
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Yes, hundreds of people say it rains a lot, so it must be true. If you are not sure whether to believe it, just go spend a week in the city during any season and let us know.
Rain is good though, yet the lack of sufficient sunny days makes it less attractive even to locals. When the sun is shining, though, life in Seattle is good.
No State Income Tax in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington is one of the few states that don’t impose a state income tax. Some senators have tried to implement it, but it never happened.
There is a sales tax of 10.25% though, but compared to other major US cities this is a decent rate.
Seattle Economy
Seattle’s economy has been quite stable over the years, although the recession had an impact on the city.
The unemployment rate is around 2.4% yet the job growth is quite notable. Seattle is popular with the fact that more than 50% of the population holds higher education degrees.
Most of these degrees are in the IT field as the city is known for its high-tech jobs. Google, Amazon and Microsoft all have a big influence in the area.
Computer programmers and Software Development Engineers are some of the top job positions, along with healthcare jobs.
Moving to Seattle- The Cost of Living and House Market
What’s the cost of living in Seattle? Depending on the lifestyle you want to lead there are some things to consider. Seattle is not among the most affordable US cities.
It is not as expensive as New York City or San Francisco, so you will like it if you are moving to Seattle from New York. Moving to Seattle from California is another matter.
Some Seattleites claim that Californians are taking over and this is probably because of the great opportunities and more affordable lifestyle that still somewhat matches California’s style. So, relocation to Seattle WA may prove a great choice for many from around the US.
The housing market is good, but our Seattle moving advice to you is to contact a real estate agent to find you a home. Whoever has moved to Seattle claims that. This is a well-oiled system that has no way around it.
You will need an agent to find you a home. There are 1-bedroom apartments for around $1500/month and most 2 bedrooms in the city start at $2000.
The Seattle Public Transportation is The Best in The Country
Seattle is one of the most affordable US cities. Check out the complete Seattle moving guide for info on how to relocate for less.
Public transportation is a controversial topic. Some say it’s the best, some disagree.
The city does offer some variety of moving options to get around. Since you are moving to Seattle though, check out the city transit options.
One of the best transportation options in the city is the Seattle Street Car, a European way of transportation that we don’t see in many US cities.
Entertainment and Culture in Seattle are Something you will Love
For most people in Seattle, the culture and surroundings are more important than their home or job. The city has a whole neighborhood named Broadway, which is the most densely populated with culture lovers and artists.
It is also known as ‘Capitol Hill’ and it is the artsy center of Seattle with mostly young and hip singles with quite good income. This is all a recipe for endless social and cultural activities.
With coffee shops on every corner that feature evening gatherings with live music, quite a few theaters, museums, and festivals, the year-round Seattle’s cultural life is eventful and satisfactory.
Moving to Seattle Options
Now a few things to know before moving to Seattle concerning your moving options.
It all depends on your type of move, your budget and your requirements.
How you are going to relocate is entirely up to you. There are plenty of Seattle moving companies you can research and contact for a quote. Or, you can move by yourself which maysave you money. It may be because it depends.
When you ask how much does it cost to move to Seattle, there is no one-sided answer. There are ways how to save on moving costs, but it all depends on your moving.
Some types of moving may come less expensive if done by professional movers, while others may require only your friends’ help.
If you decide to go for the self-moving services, consider reading our self-moving guide. It will give you some practical advice on how to prepare for the move and what to do.
If you choose to go for Seattle relocation services, then compare moving companies and choose wisely.
Seattle Moving Companies
How to move to Seattle? There are plenty of state-to-state movers to choose from. How to choose a moving company though is not an easy task. Moving can be a stressful and trying event.
People move for different reasons, yet one thing is always the same – the fact that you move your whole life. Thus, hiring Seattle moving companies is not easy. The first question people ask is how much does it cost to hire movers, and it depends.
Depends on whether you are moving from New York or moving from California. It depends on how much stuff you are moving, how heavy they are, and often depends on their volume.
Moving to Seattle from Los Angeles will cost differently, than moving to Seattle from Boston. Therefore, you have to contact a few Seattle moving companies and get moving quotes.
Seattle Relocation Information
Moving to Seattle Washington is easier with a professional moving company. Now it is even easier to set your moving budget by getting a free moving cost estimate online.
Once you collect a few moving quotes, compare the rates and moving services you have been offered.
Moving rates will vary based on your point of origin – rates are different for different states.
If you require additional full coverage, besides the basic liability insurance, you will have to pay more.
Thus, there are quite a few things to know before moving to Seattle that will affect the cost of your move.
Before you choose a moving company though, don’t forget to check the company’s rating. Check the moving companies reviews and compare their reputation. What people say about the service of a particular company is important.
However, if there are a couple of bad moving reviews do not automatically consider the company as bad. Talk to the moving agents, ask for references and then decide whether to go with this company or not.
Also, do not forget to check the standard elements – Seattle moving companies’ licenses and associations affiliation. Check if the company is registered with the BBB. Do your research in order to avoid moving scams.
Let us know if you need more moving to Seattle tips and we will gladly advise you. You can also read our moving day tips to be better prepared. Good luck with your relocation and don’t forget to share your moving story.
Seattle boasts a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with neighborhoods like Broadway (also known as Capitol Hill) offering endless social and cultural activities.
Is it worth moving to Seattle?
The city’s growth rate for the past year is 2.4%, which is more than the other 49 largest cities according to Census Data. People are joining and the city is expanding, this tells a lot about the current state of the city and how preferable it is.
How many citizens live in Seattle?
In 2023 the population is 3,519,000, in 2022 the population was 3,489,000. There is a 0,86% increase according to Mactotrends.com.
Is Seattle cheaper than New York?
The cost of living in New York is 29.4% higher than in Seattle as stated by RentCare.com.
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