Moving to America’s Queen City
Well known for its tolerance and liberal views, the seaport city of Seattle is home to an estimated population of 753,000 residents. Situated on the west coast of the US, Seattle is not only the largest city in the state of Washington but also in the entire Pacific Northwest.
If you are a food and coffee aficionado, who also loves technology and books, you will never regret moving from Chicago to America’s Queen City.
Climate
Unlike Windy City’s humid continental climate with very cold and snowy winters, Seattle has Mediterranean climate with cool, rainy winters as well as mild and relatively dry summers. Don’t be fooled by Seattle’s rain though — as it is more like a mist, you won’t need to carry an umbrella. Avoid carrying one if you don’t want to look like a tourist. Moreover, once you spend your first summer in Seattle, you will realize that you won’t even miss Chicago summers.
Seattle neighborhoods
Choosing the right area to live in Seattle can often feel like a daunting task, especially since the city is made up of so many neighborhoods. Ballard, Capitol Hill, Fremont, Greenlake, Issaquah Highlands, Magnolia, Phinney Ridge, Queen Anne, Wallingford, and West Seattle are among the most preferred ones in the city. But selecting the best one for you depends on your lifestyle and specific circumstances.
Housing and Living Costs
Seattle’s cost of living is over 20% more expensive than the national average. According to Sperling’s Best Places, the cost of living in Seattle is 59% more expensive than in Chicago, mainly due to Seattle’s high housing prices. The Median Home Cost in Seattle is 179% more expensive.
Finding a job in Seattle
Finding a good job that you’ll love is not that hard in Seattle. With major employers such as Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Costco, Expedia, Expeditors International, Boeing, Paccar, and Weyerhaeuser, you will have plenty of options and job vacancies to choose from, no matter your expertise. Since Seattle is also very high on tech, you will also be able to find your dream job in the tech industry.
Seattle attractions
One of the best things about this lively city is that you can do any activity imaginable there. Whether you want to visit a museum, take a stroll in the park, ski or snowboard in the winter, swim or learn to surf, the city offers the best possible conditions to help you indulge in your favorite hobbies.
Make sure you visit the Space Needle, the Seattle Great Wheel, Original Starbucks, Pike Place Market, and Bill Gates House. Museums like Experience Music Project (EMP) Museum, the Museum of History and Industry, the Seattle Art Museum, and parks such as Gasworks Park, Madison Park, Discovery Park, and Magnuson Park are also a must visit.
Moving to Seattle with a car
As a new Seattle resident, you will have 30 days to register and title your vehicle. You can do so by sending all the paperwork by mail or visiting your local licensing office in person. The car insurance is not required to get your car registered. However, in the State of Washington, you have to get your car insured if you don’t want to end up paying unnecessary fines.
To learn more about car registration in Seattle, visit the official website of the Washington State Department of Licensing.