15 Things You Need To Know Before You Move to Seattle
Tweet[This post, originally published in 2010, has been updated on July 19, 2013. Enjoy!]
Whether you are relocating for the first time to Seattle, or you are moving into the more urban parts of Seattle from a suburb of the Seattle metro area, I am about to give you a Seattle single girl’s guide* of fifteen things you need know before you move to Seattle.
Although I was born and raised primarily in Seattle, I have travelled and lived in its suburbs, in other countries, and in other states. I have a pretty good idea of the considerations the typical person needs to know to make the adjustments to become a happy urban Seattle dweller. It is no secret that I am partial to creature comforts that women like. If you are a man reading this, but there’s a special woman in your life, this short list can be still be helpful.
Fifteen Things You Need To Know Before You Move To Seattle
Parking is expensive in Seattle. Consider living near a bus line or light rail, and purchase covered parking to store a car during the week. You will save more money by taking public transit after purchasing a bus pass than parking your car downtown. [Yes, this is still true even after the price increase of a transit fare. I can now commute from one end of Seattle to Redmond on the same fare as going down the street from the originating bus stop].
When you use GPS and online maps, make sure you enter the correct directions, such as NE, S, SW, N, W. One time, the police came to my home and insisted there was a domestic violence call they received for my address. When I asked them to repeat the address, it was for the exact same number and street name, but not the correct neighborhood because of the directional designations. [BTW, I just inadvertently conducted a test on both Google maps and Apple Maps turn-for-turn GPS, and for a little while, both were entirely wrong in getting me to a destination. Argh. Never drive on a low tank of gas].
There is no really good Chinese food in Seattle. Plan on using your passport and going to Vancouver, BC to get your Chinese food fixe. Still, brush up on using chopsticks, because sushi rules this city even more than pho cafes. [And there are plenty of "bad" sushi places, so do a little research before you head out. One of my current favs is Japonessa Sushi Cocina on 1st and Union].
Purchase three mini umbrellas to prepare for the weather. Place one in your car, your messenger bag, and your office from Fall to Spring (October through July. Really). The rainy season ends typically after the first week of July. Don’t freak out. From mid-July until the first weeks of October, you will likely experience the most beautiful weather without major humidity or the skin-searing factor. Everyone and their grandmother will eat outside in little sidewalk cafes, walk their dogs on the Waterfront, and purchase one bajillion pairs of sunglasses that were lost the previous season.
Count on walking. A lot. If you like wearing boots, consider one with low heels, or a pair of Uggs in the winter. While stilettos are still hot in NYC and LA, it won’t make it up or down one of Seattle’s many brick-and-mortar streets. Someone in an REI jacket will likely laugh at you if you trip. [I was just gifted with a fine pair of durable Keane snow and rain boots. While I sacrifice a bit of fashion chic, I can stomp away through snow, ice, and rain puddles and keep my feet dry on the way to the office, where a nice pair of dress shoes await].
Find out where all the the green spots are within walking distance of your concrete jungle. Looking at green makes people feel more relaxed. If you have the room for it, purchase flowering plants and greenery for your home. [My neighbor just installed a mini greenhouse in his home. It is cooler than cool. If I had one, there would be catnip in it for the kittehs.] Seattle’s Pike Place Market has introduced neighborhood “express” farmer’s markets in Pioneer Square this summer, which includes a stall of fresh cut flowers. Love!
Live near a grocery store and a farmer’s market, if at all possible. If you don’t, you’ll either spend ginormous amounts of money on parking, or you’ll pollute the environment to get your organic greens. [You might want to scope out where the nearest Whole Foods, PCC Market, and Trader Joe's are to get your fruits and veggies during the winter months when some farmer's markets are closed].
If you go to the Eastside, you will run into people who do not know where the major neighborhoods of Ballard, Fremont, Queen Anne, Maple Leaf, or Wallingford are in relationship to each other or downtown Seattle. You might as well tell them these are in France. Some people will never get to know Seattle like you do. [This is still true. If you plan a party and invite co-workers, be aware that some of them will not attend simply because you live across one of Seattle's bridges, even if the distance is less than 30 minutes by car].
There can be traffic at all times of the day, for no reason, or for a sporting event in SODO. The two bridges linking Seattle to the Eastside can become floating parking lots. Carry a copy of the Mariner’s and Seahawks season games, and plan accordingly. Do your best not to whine publicly about the fan mania, because people defend these sports teams like they love their dogs.[Go Sounders! Woot!]
There are more registered dogs per Seattle household than there are children. For some reason, there doesn’t seem to be enough pet services to express the glands of those dogs when you need one. Book ahead.[We're also the home of the ICanHasCheezburger lol cats people, and the Oatmeal, with a book on cats that will leave you crying with laughter. So start liking cats, ok?]
I have spent more time standing on my feet on a bus ride than in any other city in America. On only a couple of occasions have men offered me their seat. More likely, they will look up from their mobile phone after checking in on Foursquare for “Metro bus”, and then ignore you. [I recently wore a spandex unitard under my clothing for New Year's Eve. Turned out this was a very good choice, as some random hand kept trying to make its way up my skirt while riding home on a crowded bus. The hand got nothing but synthetic fiber.]
For all the talk about Seattle being one of the best city’s for online dating, it’s still a small city. Attend a few Social Media events or mixers, and eventually you’ll see all the same people. Break free by joining other groups with eclectic interests outside your normal crowd. [I have since discovered OK Cupid to be a single girl's friend in this city. It is greatly responsible for why I am not single. I am currently engaged. :)].
If you’re prone to the blues because of the rainy weather, plan your winter getaway early. Purchase a light box, or try short sessions at a tanning salon that has higher UVB settings. Talk to your doctor about Vitamin D deficiency. [Phillips has designed a blue light box that contains no UV, and some people are finding that it gives them a nice little "bling" at the beginning of the day].
Seattle has plenty of arts and entertainment to choose from, with small and large theaters, film festivals, concerts, and dancing. If you’re under 40, check out tickets with the Bravo Club of the Seattle Opera. Go online for websites advertising day and evening events, such as Seattle Night Out. We’re home to SubPop for a reason. Oh, and if you have sensitive ears, invest in a pair of custom-fitted musician’s ear plugs, which allow you to hear the music without destroying your ear drums. You can thank me later.
Seattle is a city close to water and mountains. Not an outdoorsy type? I suggest you join a club to become one. There are stores with gently used gear so you can try your hand at it without breaking the bank. Always wanted to try snowboarding? Local ski and boarding resorts have winter deals to fit your budget, including lift ticket and rentals. If you buy your own equipment, you can also purchase wall mounts to show off your equipment like works of art in your home. [Always wanted to try running, biking, or swimming? Seattle boasts all three through triathlete clubs for amateurs to professionals at all distances. I ran my first half marathon in Feb 2013, thanks great trails, running partners, and really supportive people on Social Media who are doing the same. I'll be racing in my first Sprint Triathlon in August 2013].
Got your own suggestions? Send in your comments, and tell us about your Seattle relocation experience.
[BTW, if anyone is interested in a student edition of the above, i.e. you're moving to Seattle to attend one of our universities, community colleges, or advanced degree programs, please email me offline about creating a post just for you. Edited Jan 11, 2013]
*I wrote this post when I was single. That is no longer true. I have grown by one cat (Loomi) and one Man-Geek.
Dance Artist, Psychotherapist, Triage Nurse. Gluten intolerant and recovered anorexic. Consumer geek and audophile. Slave to two adorable Applehead Siamese iKittehs with conductive paws. iPad DJ. Soon to be published author. Google Glass Explorer since July 1, 2013. Plays with the geeky toys and likes them. Marathon runner training for her first marathon May 4, 2014 and first Olympic Distance Triathlons in Summer 2014. Send offline comments to info at hips for hire dot com.
40 Responses to “15 Things You Need To Know Before You Move to Seattle”
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This sounds random but I reeli want a micro pig lol I keep seeing em everywhere couple peeps I kno got em heard they ridiculously xpensive!
While that clearly is random, micro pigs are for sale in Washington. In the city of Seattle, you can have dogs, cats, chickens, and a goat. I don’t believe there is any restriction against a micro pig.
would you recommend seattle for a northern california city girl??
If you’re just talking about the weather, then YES — I would recommend it. The Bay area and further north in Cali can get as much rain as the Puget Sound region. But we also get the payoff — beautiful snow, crisp winters without the horrors of a NE-style blizzard.
But if you intend to drive a car around Seattle for work, consider these options:
1. Mass transit
2. Boots
3. Car tires for snow, four-wheel drive
4. A few lessons in learning to drive in icy and light snow conditions
I hope the admin get rid of the countless stupid spam here. its getting hard to sort out the real comments
True, there has been some spam here. Extracting now. Thank you for your patience.
Nice article. Very helpful. Thank You.
Would you recommend Seattle to a Floridian? I have lived in Florida all my life and I want to experience a new change in scenery and what not and I believe Seattle is a great place to start. But… I know it is definitely a HUGE change haha.
I’d recommend anyone to come to Seattle to live who can adapt to our four-season climate. If you are outdoorsy at all, you’ll love the mountains, skiing, swimming, cycling, and running you can do all year around if you get used to the rain and the darkness. You would probably have to select a living situation where you had lots of natural light and could leave your window shades open during the daytime without people being able to easily see you from the street. Adjusting to the change in latitude would probably be your biggest concern.
Thanks for the article! Would you recommend Seattle Pacific University as a whole, and what should I know about that school and neighborhood? I am highly interested in a graduate program there, and I would have to relocate from Mississippi. I am curious of the school from your perspective having lived in Seattle and being raised there. I know it would be a very dramatic change, but I am ready for a new adventure.
Hi Jane, yes I would recommend SPU as a whole. The neighborhood of the school is situation closely to a “happenin’” part of Seattle called Fremont, known for its small boutique shops, a ramen bar, Trader Joe’s (grocery), and access to the water (canoeing and crewing, if you’re interested in this). The school has a good reputation as a conservative one, with a Christian orientation to its undergraduate educational programs. If you’re an atheist, this would not be a good choice for you. The graduate school has access to an excellent library. If you end up selecting this school, I highly recommend owning a street bicycle; getting around to the nearest Metro bus stops will be easier to pulling a car in and out of limited parking in the area. I wrote that article about Seattle almost two years ago, and I still love Seattle. Yet traffic congestion is a serious problem; if you can plan to use public transportation and a bicycle even half the time, you will become part of the solution. Best of you luck to you as you select a graduate school and for the adventures that await you.
P.S. The arts still kick a$$es out here, with live local bands, several top notch modern dance companies like Whim W’him and Spectrum Dance, and an amazing Butoh and music group, Degenerate Art Ensemble.
I have lived in cow town America my whole life. Oil rigs, money, football make this town of 110,000 heart beat. I will be attending UDUB there. What are your recommendations for the transitions, and what to expect?
Hi Karrie, Seattle is still one of my most favorite places to live and work. Recommendations for transition and expectations? Arrive with an open mind to new things. As a student, find a discount on a season at the theater, a dance company (such as Whim W’him, Spectrum Dance, or UW’s World Dance Series), or something similar to that which supports local art and programming. You might not need a car, but a scooter is helpful; the light rail to the UW won’t be completed until 2015 (it will connect UW to Downtown as well as the airport). Make sure you visit the major national parks and forests. Get a passport or renew and expiring one so you can hop across the Canadian border, brush off old French lessons, etc. While Seattle is very tech-oriented, it also has a lot of Seattle “grunge” independent spirit, much of which you can find out about by reading the Stranger, a local Arts and Entertainment paper.
Great blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
What web host are you using? Can I am getting your associate hyperlink
to your host? I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Ha ha, you must be joking. My website does not load particularly fast at all.
Can you make a Student Edition for someone trying to attend University of Washington & live in an apartment near the campus? Please & thank you!
I could not refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
my website Austrailian shepherd
Please write the student edition!
Hi Michelle, alright! I will write that edition! Just as soon as I crawl out from under the pile of projects I’m working on (including Google Glass!).
Thanks for the article! Great insight — I’ve bookmarked it for an impending move :)
Quick question: In your honest opinion, do you think that a couple can get away with only one car in Seattle? If one is working downtown and the other in Bellevue? Does it depend on neighborhood?
Thanks!
Hi Danielle – IMHO, I do believe a couple can get away with only one car in Seattle, even if one is working DT and the other on the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond), because Rapid Ride has made the commute much easier. Location does make a difference. The closer you are to the main stops of Rapid Ride or Sound Transit, the easier it will be; in fact, you may even choose to take RR instead of driving because of the convenience, cost, and savings from not having to pay for parking in more congested areas such as DT.
In general, I don’t park DT. I take Light Rail, Rapid Ride, or Sound Transit buses. The car is used for places that are simply too inconvenient to reach in a reasonable amount of time.
You also have options like Car2Go for quick trips. I say, save your money and insure and maintenance one car for two people. If you like, buy an electric scooter for quick trips, or better yet, become like many of us who bike to work (yes, across the I-90 even!) for fitness and to be green.
Thank you SO much for the advice!
You’re welcome!
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a
sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Oh ha ha ha! Poor thing! I hope she’s completely forgotten about that hermit crab by now. Take her to the ferris wheel on the Waterfront, and make it all better. Also, this weekend has some Seafair festivities, there are several triathlon races and the 1/2 marathon going on, and there is bound to be a neighborhood festival to see. If you’re still visiting the area next weekend, Ananda Mela is running in Redmond near City Hall (in the shadow of Microsoft), a sweet festival of Indian food, music, henna painting, history, and other programming that is family friendly. Enjoy!
That is a really good bit of details you’ve written there, I really believe you have a good website here. Appreciate it!
While I’m not a single lady (quite the opposite, actually) My girl friend and I ARE relocating to Seattle next month, and your list was entertaining and informative! thanks for the read! We’ll be living in Magnolia, have already been informed of the horrible commute during peak hours from there, but are still very excited! moving from New Jersey…
Magnolia is a lovely neighborhood, conveniently located to get to the Fremont, Ballard, lower Queen Anne, and DT areas by bus and light rail (the SLUT- South Lake Union Train, links South Lake Union to DT and onto the airport).
I believe I’m due to write another version of “15 Things You Need to Know Before You Move to Seattle” couples version, replete with info about pet care, kids stuff, activities on the cheap and the spendy, and both the sex positive and alt-lifestyle that makes Seattle a little more grown up from its pimply, teenager reputation. Check back January 2014!
Would you recommend Seattle for Colorado girl?
Larissa – I would recommend Seattle for anyone who loves the outdoors and isn’t afraid of rain, who likes snow enough to drive an hour for it, who enjoys the community of a small town but the amenities of a larger one, and wants a job in a startup, tech, healthcare, or education (fields we have more than enough room for more people). Don’t believe what you hear about the “Seattle Freeze”. Plan a trip to come visit Seattle to get feel for the place, but go on Twitter and ask Seattle peeps what to do and where to go. You’ll get a lot of good responses.
I heard somewhere that when it snows in Seattle, even a little, that roads and schools shut down because it ices over easily. Is that true? Also, is it a good place for a college graduate to start off?
You might have heard that from a journalist who has since moved to Southern California; she gave Seattle a black eye in an article about Seattle’s overreaction to snow. What was missing is that the snowstorm she referred to included a bus full of kids hanging precariously over an embankment by a traffic-filled freeway.
The Seattle Metro area is filled with hills. When the weather has been wet and then temps dip below freezing, they do tend to become icy, so that part of the story is true; it does get icy easily. But Seattle doesn’t shut roads and schools with a little snow. What it does do is give you weather advisories to assist people in making the best choices for their morning and evening commutes, and schools post their closures that morning starting at 5:00am if the roads will cause a danger to those trying to drop of children. Makes sense, right? The one year there was a significant snafu involved the then-mayor saying they would not put sand or salt on the roads right after a snowstorm hit. There was a major traffic problem with significant delays and road closures. I personally use Rapid Ride and the Light Link Rail to get around Seattle and the Eastside, and their bus services have been very good, even in inclement weather.
College graduate start off city: I don’t have comparatives with other cities. But the cost of living, if you pick the right neighborhood, is affordable. You won’t find a cup of coffee with toast to be $7. Job internships may help you get into position to be hired as a contracted worker or FTE quickly. We also have a number of large companies hiring, but it depends on what field you’re looking for. In terms of age group cohort, you would be in good company.
Just one more question… Do you know of any decently priced (just graduated…little money), pet friendly apartments in the area? You have been a huge help and I really appreciate it :)!
Larissa, I just put an “ask” out on my Twitter feed for you, but I haven’t received any responses. Generally, if you stay away from the uber cheap apartments, many apartments offer the ability to house a small animal for an additional deposit and cleaning fee. That would not include what I call “artist’s housing”, such as Kaplan-type of artists in residence building, which usually supports artist with cheaper housing and community space.
Another option is to look at neighborhoods just outside the traditional Seattle neighborhood lines, such as Columbia City and SODO, and pick housing near the Light Link Rail for convenience. The rents are cheaper, and you are likely to find pet-friendly housing, plus these are up-and-coming neighborhoods with a lot of charm, coolio eating and drinking spots, and community-based fitness groups and meetups that make it easier for singles and newbies to the area fit right in.
How would someone from Buffalo, NY adapt to Seattle?
Hi Maggie,
I think you might miss your snowstorms when you first move to Seattle! Not!
You’ll find Seattle affordable compared to Buffalo. Your biggest transition will be getting used to grey and rain for about 8.5 months of the year, with about 6 of those being really wet, and two of the 8.5 months being sort-of wet. You will LOVE our summers — not too hot, not too cold, not usually humid. And if you live close to water access, it’s beautiful. I used to take a water ferry to work from West Seattle to the Seattle Waterfront (accesses the DT area easily), and I just about died from joy! If you bike to work, you’re going to love the waterfront area, as we have a healthy cycling community and cycling clubs.
Hey, so I know you wrote this a while ago…but hopefully you still respond. I will be attending Cornish College of the Arts. I am from the MidWest. I don’t know what I’m asking…I know Ill love Seattle, but will I get to do a lot of the stuff like the outdorsy stuff since I wont have a car and stuff? Will I have fun as a college student in Seattle is what Im asking I guess lol
Mario — I’m glad you know you’ll love Seattle. By having that mindset, you will align yourself with everything there is to love about living here. To access the outdoorsy stuff without a car, you’ll have a few choices: 1) catch shuttle buses to the ski lodges, 2) rent a zipcar or Car2Go for hikes, 3) find friends through meetups that have cars and like doing outdoorsy stuff, 4) bring a decent road bike and bike EVERYWHERE (we have some decent trails and paths that cover both sides of Lake Washington, and a bridge with a bike path that connect the two sides as well as trails that get you to both sides without using the bridge). If you enjoy open water swimming, the water is comfortable to swim in from late May to early October. Kayaking might be a bit harder to get to, but by joining a club, you may find friends who share your interests. There are also mountaineering clubs to join if that is your main interest. So yes, I think you’ll have plenty of fun as a college student in Seattle, and it’s completely acceptable to not have a car.
Hello! I know you haven’t responded to any comments since May but I’m wondering if Seattle would be good for a 27-year-old single female from North Carolina? I would love to live on 2nd Ave. in DT. How expensive is it? I imagine it’ll definitely be more expensive than NC.
Hi there Laura,
Yeah,sometimes the responses I make are offline, so I’m here, even if the comments aren’t on the HFH site!
Sometimes when considering a move, we ask ourselves, “Why this city? Why Seattle?” And I ask, “Why NOT Seattle?” Seattle is its own culture. It doesn’t try to be San Francisco, though we have our own tech culture here. It doesn’t try to be LA or NYC, though the foodie and fashion culture here are alive and growing. Seattle has a lot of young energy without it being overly hipster conscious. It is far more accepting of people from many walks of life. You walk down a DT street, and you are just as likely to see someone with brightly dyed hair and ripped jeans on a long skateboard as you are to see a techie professional walking right alongside a family who are clearly tourists. Statistically, one of them will be Asian. So in terms of “good for a 27 year old single female from North Carolina”, if you like diversity, if you want to meet a wide variety of people, if you are in that 25 – 35 year old age range, Seattle may be a great place to live and work.
Expense: yes, living in DT is going to be pricier than the suburbs. A cute studio with kitchenette near Pike Place Market is going to be closer to $1600/mo plus utilities and parking, but your apartment may have some amenities that make the smaller space comfortable, such as a shared large patio for BBQ’s and meeting others, a fitness room, covered and secure parking, ease of access to a farmer’s market, etc.
To save money, you could consider living closer to the Light Link Rail and south of SODO (South of the Dome), and take the light rail into work if your work is DT. If your work provides a monthly bus pass, it’s a really great option that will save you time and money, and you may be able to get a bigger space. Communities like Columbia City are growing rapidly, with the demographic fitting your description, with lots of people available for dating and meetups (and they won’t judge you that you live outside the city limits).