Things You Should Know Before Moving to Seattle

If you are a music fan, you should know that this music heaven played an important part in the history of jazz in the first half of the 20th century, while the 90s saw the ascent of alternative rock movement grunge, with groups such as Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam, among others.

The cost of living might be on the higher end of the spectrum, but the town makes up for it with no income taxes and excellent job opportunities. And if you want to feel like a local, you should ditch the umbrella and embrace the rainy weather. It won’t spoil your fun if you dress up appropriately. After a while, hiking or biking in lousy weather will become fun.

Cost of Living is the First Among the Things You Should Know Before Cross-Country Moving to Seattle

When putting down on paper all of your costs and figuring out how to lower moving expenses, you should remember that relocating to a big city like this one and living in it can be costly. Don’t let the cost of living in Seattle stop you, as there are many benefits of relocation as well as moving tips on how to reduce costs when moving. The community has many things to offer to make up for the amount of money needed to live there.

If we’re talking about utilities, one of the reasons why you should move is that electricity is cheaper than almost anywhere in the state. This is due to several major hydroelectric power plants that are located throughout the state.

The State of Washington Has No State Income Tax

Another thing that makes Washington a great place to move to is that the state has no income tax. But, remember, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be paying local taxes. This puts Washington among the few states where you won’t have to pay this type of taxes. Others are Florida, Alaska, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

Costs of Renting or Buying a Home

Once you find a trustworthy Seattle moving company to handle your belongings, you should think about housing solutions. Are you planning on renting or buying a house? Renting is usually a better option than buying, but it is not automatically cheap, even when moving into a smaller home. And if you want to become a homeowner, remember that house prices are increasing by 5.49% annually. Right now, the median home price is $489,600. So, head to Estately and check out their list of homes for rent and sale. Some of the best neighborhoods in Seattle have great accommodation options to offer to potential residents but don’t forget to check how safe your chosen neighborhood is.

You Most Likely Won’t Be Living in a Houseboat

Is your dream to live in a house on a boat? Thanks to some of the most famous movies, many Americans think that this is how Seattleites live. However, if you go house-hunting for such accommodation, you’ll be disappointed by the fact that although there are some houseboats, they are something of a rarity in the town. If you still plan on one of them becoming your next home, remember that they are more expensive than housing in other areas. But if you are moving with children and looking for peaceful neighborhoods to set up your home, relocating to the suburbs might be an excellent solution for you. Remember, the best places to live in Seattle are very accomodating to families and their needs.

Rent Control Is Illegal

Are you thinking about renting? If you are comparing downtown vs. the suburbs, you should remember that rent control is illegal across the state. This means that there are no restrictions on the amount by which your landlord can raise the rent. This is usually done at the end of a lease because a rental contract binds you for a specific time.

Here’s What to Know Before Moving to Seattle – Job Opportunities Are Everywhere

Will you be moving cross country not just to change the scenery or go to one of the better neighborhoods, but to get a new job as well? Well, working in the Emerald City can provide you with many possibilities, depending on the field you are interested in.

If you are thinking about how to get a job before you move to a new state, remember that with the recent growth, this is the right place for career advancement, especially if you are in the medical field. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Infectious Disease Research Institute and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation are just some of the global health organizations that have their headquarters here.

You should get familiarized with opportunities in the town even if you plan to move without a job.

In either case, keep in mind that a total of five companies from the prestigious Fortune 500 list are headquartered here, including Amazon, Starbucks, and Nordstrom, which is just another example of a metropolis’s economic importance.

Moving in Search of Tech Jobs

Do you work in the tech industry? Lucky you, this is one of the best places to work in the tech field. Many global tech companies operate from here, allowing people to find a dream job before moving.

Weather Can Be Tricky

Are you moving to Seattle from California? Then, be aware of the difference when it comes to weather conditions. You should be ready for rain. Lots and lots of rain. The season starts in September, and it runs until July, leaving you two months of warm and sunny weather.

So, carefully pick the best time of the year to move and if you desire to move on a hot day, you will have to plan your relocation in July or August.

Things to Do When It Is Cold

Among the most important tips for moving to Seattle is to consider the weather. When thinking about where to donate unwanted items, what you should pack, and what you should put in storage, keep the cold weather in mind, that is your best guide to packing properly. Prepare enough packing materials for moving and don’t leave behind your boots and hoodies. You will need them, so make sure to include them on your household inventory list.

If you hired professional packers who know packing tips and tricks, make sure that they gather all of your warm clothes. You would not want to be without them. After a while, you will get used to the cold, and it would not be a bother to walk around the metropolis and enjoy the scenery.

Growing Local Population

Are you moving to Seattle alone? There’s no need to worry. Every year the metropolis is getting bigger and bigger. With its steady population growth, it has been amongst the top places in the USA for six years in a row. There is a significant number of folks from all over the world that are flocking to the location. Many are relocating here because of job opportunities and diverse entertainment options. But mostly because of the quality of life. Neighborhoods are getting revamped or built from scratch since the growth of the population demands it. You will have ample opportunities to meet new and interesting people.

Sports Are a Big Deal to Seattleites

Are you a football fan? Maybe you enjoy baseball or even rugby? Then you are already familiar with the lack of luck that many of Seattle’s teams have. From losing games and star players to even losing teams, this is sometimes a gloomy place for sports fans.

Don’t let this fact make you blue. There are plenty of teams to watch and cheer for. Crowds are still cheering for their teams like they are the best ones. You should get familiar with the teams – perhaps one of them will become your favorite. From the Seahawks in the NFL to Mariners in baseball, there are plenty of sports teams you can become a fan of.

Public Transportation and Other Related Ways of Getting By

Thinking about the commute is a must. When thinking about transporting your vehicle across the country and considering shipping your car, remember that the town has a wide variety of transportation options. You can choose between buses, metro, and ferries to water taxis and the monorail.

If you are relocating to one of the suburban neighborhoods, however, you are going to ride your car mostly, so make sure that you know how car shipping works.

You Will Have Many Opportunities for Biking if You Like the Active Lifestyle

Biking is also a popular option. If you pack your two-wheeler, you will have access to plenty of lanes in Seattle. The town maintains a bike map that can help you look for routes throughout the area.

One of the Top Pedestrian-Friendly Cities

This is one of the safest and greatest cities to live in the USA if you are a pedestrian. So why not take advantage of that fact and walk around the neighborhood and explore the area. While walking around, you should learn how to get by. If the direction comes first in the name of the street, it runs east-west. But if the direction comes after it, the road runs north-south.

The Crime of Jaywalking

When walking around the town of Seattle, be careful not to jaywalk. Since this is the fourth safest place in America, the local police take this kind of lawbreaking seriously. Not only will you be breaking the law, but if you are caught, you will be charged a $56 fine.

Literacy is High

It’s nice to realize that you are staying in the most literate location in the state, right? The public library system has the highest percentage of memberships per capita. So, if you’re relocating with your kids and you want them to live in a place that encourages a love for books, Seattle might be the perfect choice for you.

Coffee and Beer Are a Part of the Lifestyle

When spending time in a place that is the hometown of Starbucks, being a caffeine addict is mandatory. If you need a cup of joe every morning so that you can function properly, there are shops on every block.

With more than 50 microbreweries, Seattle is not only the place for coffee drinkers but beer enthusiasts as well. There are plenty of craft beers that you can taste on a daily basis, whenever you feel the need to kick back and relax. So, if you’re moving alone to another state and want to make friends in a new state, invite people over to share a cup of coffee or a beer – they will probably be happy to keep you company, guide you through their favorite spots, and help you adjust to a new location.

Pick the Right Restaurant and Enjoy Delicious Food

Do you have a sweet tooth? If you do, having breakfast in Seattle will be an everyday pleasure for you. With a variety of restaurants to choose from, you will always have a place to try out fresh pastries and croissants. Since the town is so close to the water, there are many seafood choices. No matter if you hire a long-distance moving company and move during the holidays or in summer this gastronome’s paradise gives you a chance to enjoy unique cuisine with delicious wine and beer.

There are different dinners where you can celebrate moving in together with your partner or getting a promotion. If you want to pick the next place to dine out, go through many food blogs, and you will find a guide for the places with the tastiest meals. Also, you could ask your neighbors to share their favorite dine-out spots with you.

Sustainable Living Is the Way of Life

If living environmentally friendly is important to you, relocating to a place that provides you with sustainable living is crucial. If you go to the South Lake Union, you will see all the newest biotech developments that are ensuring that the town runs as a sustainable paradise for the next few decades. Emerald City is one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the States.

Getting Used to Recycling is a Must When Moving to Seattle

Being an environmentally conscious citizen is something most of us strive to be. Being in Seattle will teach you not to throw a significant amount of recyclables in the garbage. If there is more than ten percent of recyclables in your trash, the sanitation workers won’t collect it. After your third strike, you will need to pay a fine of $50. Here they don’t only share the idea of green living, they enforce it by law. It’s best to research more about their green living before choosing among the most reliable cross-country moving companies and relocating there.

You Can Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Are you going over the list of things to do in Seattle? Do you enjoy long walks, and you’re not bothered by any type of weather? Are you moving with your dog? Then this is the best place for you! With plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, mountaineering, you will never get bored, and that moving stress will go away in no time. Maybe mushroom foraging and berry picking sound interesting to you? Just bring your good shoes with you and put on a few layers of clothes, and you will be all set for an exciting adventure.

Politics Are Liberal and Important

Being politically active is a huge deal here. With dominant liberal views, the crowd is not afraid to take to the streets to fight for a social cause, like they did in 1999 during the famous WTO protests. The Emerald City and its residents are enthusiastic about same-sex marriage and legalized marijuana. Also, this was the first major US place to elect a woman as a mayor.

Pot Is Legal, and Tolerance Is High

When you’re relocating for a fresh start, choosing a liberal and modern place is a smart thing to do. You should expect that this kind of place has a relaxed vibe to it. And you cannot get any more relaxed than being in a town where it’s legal to purchase and smoke marijuana. It would be illegal to do it in public, but it’s entirely normal to catch a whiff around music festivals. That brings us to the rich music scene, that will help you fit in quickly and find your jam. After all, this is the hometown of Jimi Hendrix and Quincy Jones, as well as Macklemore and Sir Mix-A-Lot. Whatever genre you like, there is probably a place you can enjoy it.

The town attracts all kinds of people, making it a melting pot of cultures, sexual orientations, and political views. So, it’s only logical that here live some of the most tolerant folks in the states. Leave your prejudices at the door, and let yourself enjoy this rainy place. Get help from a reputable cross-country moving company and relocate with ease.

There Are More Guys Than Girls

Before you decide where to move, know that if you are rich and single, this might be the place for you. But remember that dating can be tricky, no matter how much money you have. Due to the growth of the tech workforce that is predominantly male, the demographic pyramid is somewhat skewed. There are fewer women than men, keep this in mind if you are not moving for a relationship. Furthermore, don’t let this deter you from trying to meet somebody. And with plenty of clubs, restaurants, and festivals to choose from, it will be easy to find a date or make friends in a new city.

You Will Feel Like a Local in No Time

Relocating to the Emerald City would make it easy to avoid relocation depression and evade feeling anxiety about moving out, because it’s so easy to fit in. In the melting pot of America, there are very few people who were born and raised here, so the feeling of being a local will come quickly. If you love getting your groceries from the market, you’ll love Pike Place Market. It can offer you fresh produce and merchandise all at one location. Also, if you’re feeling self-conscious about the way you dress, folks here exchange high fashion for comfortable clothes.

One of the Things You Should Know Before Moving to Seattle Is That Being a Geek Is In

There is no shame in geeking out over a comic book or a sci-fi show. With events like Emerald City Comicon and ZomBcon, this really is a heaven for everybody that appreciates geeky activities. There are also events for fans of Japanese animation, gamers, and the steampunk crowd. So, if you decided to avoid making common moving mistakes, hire a company that offers professional long-distance moving services to handle your clothes, furniture, and other belongings, rather than getting the cheapest way to move out of state, you’ll have enough time to go online and brush up your knowledge of this subculture.

Popular Spots in Seattle to Enjoy Nightlife

If you prefer spending your Friday nights in a club instead of reading a comic book, the Belltown District is the place for you. There you’ll find bars, clubs, and restaurants that will surely satisfy all of your desires. Downtown is an urban pulse of the town, and it has many good nightlife options. There you can find places to grab a drink or dance the night away. Contact your cross-country movers right away and come here to experience the lively nightlife atmosphere.

Embrace the Lifestyle and Become a True Seattleite

Becoming a true Seattleite is more than unpacking and accepting the moderate climate that the Pacific ocean brings. It is about exploring and discovering all the nooks and crannies of the city. Embrace the liberal vibe of the area, and the high tolerance residents have. Let the geek inside you thrive, and don’t feel embarrassed if you had more than two cups of coffee. Planning your moving budget, changing the address, and relocating to Seattle with the help of long-distance movers might be a big change, but in the end, it will pay off.