Moving to Seattle from New York
Experts anticipate 28% increase in population and 40% increase in employment by 2040 in the region. You will not be sorry if you make Seattle your new home. The city of Seattle is the cultural and economic center of the Pacific Northwest with the population of 650,000 residents.
The Emerald City is surrounded by two mountain ranges, Puget Sound, and the Lake Washington. Olympic National park on the Olympic Peninsula is just a few hours away from the city. There, nature lovers can go hiking in one of the largest temperate rain forests in the world. Mount Rainier National park features Mt.Rainier – a backdrop for the iconic Seattle skyline.
Even within the city, there are miles of walking and bike paths. No wonder Seattle is constantly rated as one of the healthiest and most active cities in the country. Seattlies support sport in all its manifestations, that is why Seattle Hawks is considered the team with the loudest fans in the NFL.
Food in Seattle
Food in Seattle is good! There is no shortage of delicious food in Seattle – from exotic delicacies in the International District to dining on fresh seafood downtown. Until you’ve made friends with the locals, turn to Yelp and TripAdvisor for advice on the tastiest features of Seattle.
For all the culture aficionados, Seattle offers an array of attractions and activities – Seattle Opera, the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company, the Seattle Symphony, and the Paramount Theater among others. The Emerald City is also famous for its eclectic arts and music scene – Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Jimmy Hendrix: they have all started in Seattle.
Business in Seattle
Seattle is a desirable place to do business and start a family, thanks to the continuing growth of the region. Aviation and technology are key parts of the city’s economy and include companies like Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon. It’s become a hub for new ideas and technologies causing start-ups to flock to the Emerald City. It was named the fourth strongest local economy in America in 2014 by Policom Corporation Annual Economic Strength Rankings. For information on the local labor market and to see how you might fit in, check with the Security Employment Department .
Greater Seattle is equally distant from London and Tokyo – 9 hours by plane to either city. Its marine ports are also closer to Asia than any other major ports in the United States’ West Coast. Nearly ¾ of the state’s exports originate in central Puget Sound and it’s estimated 1 in 3 jobs is tied to international trade. Hence the logistics industry certainly is part of the backbone of the state’s economy.
Nature in Seattle
Seattle is also considered one of the greenest cities in the US due to its commitment to Green Building. Environmentally certified homes make up 45 percent of the city’s new home market. Seattlies rank high among the nation’s highly educated, the city was placed by Forbes in the top 10 “America’s Smartest Cities”.
Moving to Seattle with a car
Since you’ll be taking your vehicle with you, we did the legwork for you and here is what you should know. The state of Washington requires all new drivers and residents to take both a written exam and driving test. Although, as a new resident, if you present a valid driving license from another state within 30 days of becoming a Washington resident, written and driving tests will be waived. A six-year license will cost you $89.
You will also need to register and title your vehicle within 30 days of its arrival to the state. You can do so by mail or by visiting a local vehicle licensing office. For more information, including details and requirements for vehicle registration, check with the Washington State Department of Licensing .