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Moving to Seattle

Thinking about moving to Seattle , WA? From the city's best neighborhoods to the lowdown on live music and food options, here's what you need to know about living in Seattle.

Why Move to Seattle, WA?

If you've been looking into moving to the West Coast, there's no doubt that Seattle should be top of your list. Seattle is one of the most progressive cities in the US, and is consistently ranked among the 10 best places to live in the United States by U.S. News. There's an exciting tech (it is home to Amazon HQ, after all!), food and cultural scene in the city, as well as plenty of outdoor adventures, so you'll never run out of things to do. The crime rate in Seattle is the lowest it's been in over a decade, and Seattle suburbs offer everything from welcoming family neighborhoods to creative hubs for young couples.

Seattle Averages:

The cost of living in Seattle isn't low - it's one of the most expensive places to live in America. The costs for real estate, energy, wages and taxes in Washington only just trail behind New York City (Manhattan), San Francisco, and Brooklyn. However, a focus on STEM and tech jobs means that the average salary here is also high.

• Population: 3.4 million
• Average age: 35.5
• Seattle average home price: $773,508
• Seattle average salary: $100,000
• Minimum wage in Seattle: $13.50 an hour

What's the Weather Like in Seattle?

Yes, it does rain here! The average annual temperature in Seattle is between 37°F to 79°F and is rarely below 28°F or above 88°F. You can expect the weather in Seattle to be warm and dry in the summer, and while winters do get relatively cold, snow is rare, with December experiencing the most rainfall. Seattle has an average of 152 rainy days a year.

Best Neighborhoods to Live in Seattle:

Whether you choose to move to the Seattle suburbs or stay within the main city area, here's some key neighborhoods to include in your dream home search:

Capitol Hill

Northeast of Downtown, Capitol Hill is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Seattle and is home to some of the city's best restaurants. Ideal for young couples and creatives, there's a variety of housing options for all budgets. It's also known as Seattle's LGBTQ+ capitol, with gay bars galore. Residents can enjoy strolls in Volunteer Park and community block parties.

West Seattle

If you want an affordable place to live in Seattle with beach access, West Seattle ticks all the boxes. It's quieter and low key, yet still has top notch dining and coffee options, with year-round farmer's markets. The heart of the neighborhood’s retail district is the 'Junction', which has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for vintage, vinyl, or locally made.

Fremont

Seattle's famously bohemian neighborhood has it all: quirky coffee shops, eclectic restaurants, stellar views of Seattle’s skyline and public art. Fremont is a very walkable Seattle neighborhood and has a vibrant community feel. As an extra bonus, Fremont is also home to neighborhood events such as the Fremont Saturday Market and Oktoberfest.

Downtown

Comprising Belltown, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square and other iconic areas, life in Downtown Seattle is fast-paced. You'll never be bored living in Downtown as there's so much to do, from museums to markets. Housing prices here rise the closer you get to the waterfront but you have the benefit of no commute to the city. Don't bring a car - traffic is terrible and it's better to bike/walk.

Queen Anne

Properties in Queen Anne are atop the highest hill in the city, so prepare to be wowed by beautiful views. Full of the finer things in life, you'll enjoy the area's independent stores, restaurants and boutiques. It's an affluent neighborhood that's popular with retirees as well as families. The commute to downtown is just 10 and 25-minutes by car and public transport links are also good.

Buying a Home in Seattle:

Homes for sale in Seattle don't last long on the market, so take action sooner rather than later! 71% of listings are sold in less than two weeks. The average home sells in just 10 days, making Seattle one of the most competitive housing markets in the US. Seattle home prices are rising, with the second-fastest growth in the nation, at 10.1%, year-over-year. But with incredibly low interest rates, 2020-21 is a key time to take advantage of the inventory and buy.

How’s the Walkability, Bikeability, and Public Transportation in Seattle?

Seattle ranks among the most walkable cities in the US, and is also the nation's most bike-friendly city. This makes living in Seattle a breeze to get around without a car. In fact, we recommend you don't drive in Seattle as traffic can be heavy.Walkability: Seattle is the eighth most walker-friendly city in the country. Most errands can be done on foot and amenities are never too far spread out.Bikeability: Seattle is well known for being a bike-friendly city! From in-street Sharrows to fully separated Protected Bike Lanes and Multi-Use Trails, there are many options for people to travel through the city by bike.Public Transportation: King County Metro is Seattle's main method of public transportation and is the easiest way to get around Seattle if you don't want to walk or bike. There's also streetcars for neighborhood hops and Seattle’s extensive ferry system is both practical and scenic.

Essential Checklist for Moving to Seattle:

• Voter Registration: When you move to a new city, you should make sure to get registered to vote as soon as possible. For info on registering in Washington, see here.
• Driver’s License: It's also very important to change your driver's license. Find info on getting a license in Washington here.
• Vehicle Registration: Are you bringing your car with you? Here’s where you can get new license plates.
• Trash & Recycling: Get this organised from the get go! See here for how you can set up Seattle's trash and recycling services for your new home.

Things to do in Seattle, Washington:

Festivals and Events: Pretty much every day of the year you'll find a festival, performance, concert, reading or art event to attend in Seattle. Film buffs will love Seattle International Film Festival, the longest running, largest and most highly attended film festival in the United States. Other festival highlights include Northwest Folklife Festival, the Capitol Hill Block Party, Bumbershoot, and Earshot Jazz Festival.

Outdoor activities: Seattle's nickname 'Emerald City’ comes from the lush evergreen forests just outside the city, so it's no surprise that outdoor adventures are plentiful here. From whale watching to scenic hikes and snowshoeing in Mount Ranier; kayaking at Alki Beach Park or cycling the Burke-Gilman Trail, there's lots to do outdoors.

Culture: Seattle boasts contemporary, hip cultural attractions as well as celebrating its diverse history and communities. You can discover the city's significant Asian influences in the Chinatown–International District, learn about Seattle’s Scandinavian settlers in the Ballard neighborhood and dive into Northwest Latino and African American communities at several museums and annual festivals.

Sports: Chant, sing, and cheer your way through all types of sporting events in Seattle. The only NFL franchise located in the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Seahawks, draw large crowds, as does MLB baseball team the Seattle Mariners.

Seattle Food & Nightlife

Dining out in Seattle: Eat your heart out! Seattle has a delicious mix of cuisines to try, from classic Pacific Northwest cuisine (think: fresh, local seafood) to exciting pop-ups and Asian fusion fare. The coffee culture here is legendary, with a booming coffeehouse scene. Visit Pike Place Market to see one of the first Starbucks stores, as well as independent food and drink vendors.

Bars and nightlife in Seattle: The nightlife in Seattle ranges from grungy dive bars to swanky speakeasies and everything in between. The Belltown area has some great jazz and live music bars; check out The Crocodile, which is where Nirvana played, as well as R.E.M. and Pearl Jam.

Grocery shopping in Seattle: From large supermarkets to specialty stores, Co-Ops and bakeries, farmer's markets and everything in between, there's endless stores to get your groceries in Seattle. You can see which grocery stores deliver to any of our Seattle listings.