Moving to Seattle, Washington
Quick insights
- Seattle has beautiful mountain views, a diverse cultural landscape and a strong job market, making it a fulfilling place to live for many.
- Those considering moving to Seattle should anticipate a steep cost of living, particularly for housing, which may make the process more difficult for first-time buyers.
- Seattle’s damp weather and position on a fault zone make moisture management and earthquake retrofitting key issues for potential homebuyers.
Moving to Seattle can provide a dynamic urban experience that’s enriched with natural beauty, cultural diversity and economic opportunity. However, those who are considering the move should be aware of the high cost of living in the city, especially as it relates to housing. In this article, we’ll cover essential things to know before moving to Seattle, including tips for potential homebuyers.
About Seattle
Seattle gets its name from Chief Seattle, a leader of local Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. Seattle had its first major population boom during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s as a supply hub, with the number of residents steadily growing ever since.
Today, the city has close to 800,000 residents (“Seattleites”) settled along the east side of Puget Sound.puget-sound Its northern-Pacific location delivers a climate that’s notoriously overcast or rainy, with mild winters and summers. This often-damp weather makes it easier for lush greenery to flourish in Seattle, resulting in verdant parks, tree-lined streets and its nickname “The Emerald City.”
Living in Seattle, Washington
Seattle is known for a laid-back yet vibrant vibe, an inclusive and innovative culture, mountain views and access to the outdoors.
Important landmarks in Seattle
The city is hilly and surrounded by bodies of water, with distant sightlines to the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges (facing west) and Mt. Rainier (facing south). Seattle’s downtown area is concentrated along Elliot Bay. Some of the major landmarks in the city include:
- Pike’s Market Place: Located downtown, you can find local crafts, food and drink, including fresh seafood and coffee from the original Starbucks.
- The Space Needle: The city’s iconic 505-foot Space Needle, leftover from the 1962 World’s Fair, is only a mile north from the market.
- Downtown museums: Many museums are located downtown, including the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, which is filled with large-scale glass works by the famous Washington artist.
- Discovery Park: Northwest of the downtown area is Discovery Park, a biologically rich, 534-acre green space that overlooks the Sound. In addition to fresh air and stunning views, the park has many educational opportunities for kids.
- Volunteer Park: Volunteer Park is a sizable park on the city’s east side that’s home to the Volunteer Park Conservatory and Seattle Asian Art Museum.
Culture and annual events in Seattle
Long defined by a moody-yet-inspired atmosphere, it’s fitting that Seattle was the birthplace of grunge music in the 1990s, with bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden forming in the area. Seattle’s local cultural offerings also include the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Ballet and multiple dramatic theaters which display both modern and classical shows. The Seattle International Film Festival and Bumbershoot Music Festival are annual events, along with the well-attended Seattle Pride Parade, which reflects a prominent LGBTQ presence in the city.
Seattle’s environmental focus
Seattle's landscape has attracted many with an appreciation for nature, including hikers, kayakers, birders and other outdoor enthusiasts. The environmental focus in Seattle has resulted in green policies which impact daily life in the city. For example, over 80% of the energy Seattleites use is clean, carbon-free hydroelectricity generated by local rivers.seattle-city Locals can also benefit from Seattle’s curbside food waste program, which helps reduce landfill waste by turning the city’s kitchen scraps into compost.
Where to live in Seattle
Seattle has many great neighborhoods for families and young professionals alike. A few that may stand out for potential homeowners include:
- Ballard: This waterfront neighborhood on Seattle’s north side has historic maritime features with trendy shops, eateries and a farmer’s market. Housing units in this area include condos, single-family homes and house boats.
- Beacon Hill: This diverse and family-friendly neighborhood on Seattle’s south side has a residential feel, with access to Jefferson Park for golf, tennis and trails. The King County International Airport falls just on the other side of the retaining Interstate 5.
- Madison Park: Removed from the downtown action, Madison Park has quiet residential streets and lots of greenery. The neighborhood is close to Washington Park Arboretum, with waterfront access and views of Lake Washington in the east.
- Maple Leaf: This far-flung north side neighborhood has quaint, tree-lined streets and a compact design that makes it easy to get around. The nearby Green Lake provides a destination for outdoor relaxation. When it’s time to head downtown, I-5 is nearby for drivers and there are multiple options for public transportation.
Connecting with a real estate agent or home lending advisor can help you focus your search and evaluate the myriad factors impacting your decision.
Getting around Seattle
If you’re wondering if you should move to Seattle, how you’ll get around the city could be an important factor in your decision. There are many ways to travel in the metro area:
- Driving: Though the city is known for its heavy traffic, sloping streets and wet weather, many Seattle residents own cars and use them for daily travel.
- Walking: While the downtown area is very compact and walkable (if you can handle the hills), the experience for pedestrians varies by neighborhood.
- Public transportation: Seattle has a robust public transit system with a combination of street cars, buses and light rail trains which connect most parts of the city.
- Bike infrastructure: Despite its hilly topography, the city is quite bike-friendly, with many dedicated bike lanes on city streets and recreational trails.
- Ferries across Puget Sound: The State of Washington owns and operates a fleet of ferries, which can be used to cross the sound.
What to consider when buying a home in Seattle
Buying a home in the Pacific Northwest comes with area-specific considerations related to weather, geography and costs.
The cost of living in Seattle
Before moving to Seattle, it’s important to consider the costs carefully. Seattle’s overall cost of living is 46% higher than the national average, with housing as a category even higher.payscale-seattle Those who rent or buy homes are likely to pay 114% above the national average for housing. Other expenses, including groceries and transportation, are also above the national average. While the high cost of living may be a major consideration in terms of moving to Seattle, bear in mind that Washington State’s lack of a personal income tax may offset these high costs.department-revenue
The Seattle job market
Seattle boasts a robust job market, with many jobs in technology, biotech, healthcare, manufacturing and retail. The city has an active startup culture, with many residents choosing to start or join small businesses with big ideas. People with careers in environmental science may want to consider moving to Seattle, as the city is known for leading the way in terms of green energy policies and sustainability.
Seismic activity and weather concerns
It’s important to consider Seattle’s unique environmental conditions when buying a home in the city. The city’s rainy weather makes watching for home issues related to moisture especially important, including mold, roof integrity and proper drainage. Seattle is also located atop a fault zone, making seismic retrofitting important to factor into costs when buying a home.
Home buying assistance programs
There are several local, state, federal and non-for-profit programs and organizations dedicated to helping first-time buyers. If you’re planning to move to Seattle, programs to research include:
- Habitat for Humanity Seattle: Habitat for Humanity helps people build and buy their own homes with affordable financing. Total household income must be 80% or less than the area median income (percentage may vary based on area).
- Downpayment assistance for low-income buyers: The Seattle Office of Housing provides downpayment funds for first-time homebuyers at or below 80% of the area median income.
- HomeSight: This nonprofit organization offers educational programs, financial planning services and down payment assistance of up to $76,000 for qualified first-time buyers.
Pros and cons of moving to Seattle
So, should you move to Seattle? To help summarize the finer points of life in the Emerald City, let’s look at the pros and cons:
Pros of living in Seattle
- Mountain views and lush urban greenery
- Strong public transit options and room for bikes
- Environmental focus with green policies and services
- Robust job market with many opportunities in tech
- No personal income tax
Cons of living in Seattle
- High cost of living, particularly in terms of housing
- Significant traffic congestion for drivers
- Frequently damp and overcast weather
- Seismic activity throughout the area
Bottom line
Seattle’s greenery, waterside location and dynamic urban experience makes it an attractive location for many individuals and families. However, the high cost of living and housing are important to consider when moving to Seattle. To help you make important decisions about your move, it may be helpful to involve an established real estate professional or home lending advisor. If you’re still narrowing down your move or considering multiple cities, try the Chase city vs. City website for more insights.
