I'm thinking of moving to Seattle and I need advice.?

Question

I'm thinking of relocating to Seattle but I don't really want to live "in the city". Based on my research my income potential is the general area (with my job skills) is about $10 to $14 per hour so I not living the big life. I will have to live in or near a medium to large Metropolitan area to get work and I would prefer to live near water. (It's a weird thing I don't like to live to far inland!) This would be a BIG move way across country and I don't really know anyone in the area so any suggestions on areas, cities, cost of living or commute would be appreciated.

A lot of people have been very helpful. I think the areas between Tacoma and Seattle (Kent, De Moines, Federal way, Auburn, ECT) would be the most practical. But I'm wondering how the Kitsap (Bremerton, Vashon Ect.) compares? How long to get into Seattle and/or Tacoma? How long is the ferry ride?
P.s. My estimated rate of pay is a low ball estimate. Also, were I currently live the rate of pay is MUCH lower (barely above min wage) but the rent prices are only about $100 less than the areas around Seattle that I have researched. I pinch pennies so hard Lincoln cries for mercy! lol

Answer 1

Congrats on your move to Seattle! I lived in Western Washington for years and it is beautiful. As for Seattle, you are never far from the water with all the lakes and the sound. There is even a ferry system for the islands in the area. Rent varies greatly based on where you live. One of the best websites to research housing is www.craigslist.com . If you really like the water and being away from the city maybe you could find work on Vashon Island. A ferry is the only way on and off the island. Vashon has an island newspaper www.vashonbeachcomber.com that you can look for jobs and housing in. You can also search the yellow pages for potential companies who may not advertise.

A couple other options are moving to Olympia or Bellingham. Both offer a variety of activities, are near the water, have great colleges and are less than two hours from Seattle. There is also Tacoma which is just south of Seattle and has less expensive living costs.

As for commuting in Seattle-- Don't! Live on the busline because traffic is terrible. I-5 is almost a parking lot during rush hour. I had a doctor appointment one time in downtown Seattle at 4:00 pm and it took me 1 hour to go a few blocks and get onto the interstate! I could not imagine doing that everyday!

Answer 2

If your heart is set on Seattle, and I don't blame you - it's a beautiful city, then I'd suggest living as far North or South of downtown as you can. Renton and Federal Way down south and Lynnwood and Everett up north have lower rent costs, and are a half hour max from downtown. You can still work and recreate downtown and elsewhere in the city, but live in neighborhoods that have slightly lower rates. And on that budget, I'd recommend a roommate. Finding a place on your own for less than 550 or 600 is nigh impossible anywhere around Seattle.

Answer 3

I lived across the sound in Bremerton. Seattle was a nice place to visit. Be ready for a lot of cloudy days, fairly mild winters. The cost of living is okay, but your 10 to 14 dollars is going to be stretched thin. You won't be able to afford to live too close to the water unless you commute. You may want to see what it would cost to get a place where you could take a ferry to Seattle and back. Lots of people do, so they can afford to live better on the pay they get.

Answer 4

Kirkland is where you want to be then. Some what of a suburb yet has a city feel to it once you get downtown. There isn't really any large skyscrapers but it offers a hub for activity.

The cost of living there is fairly higher than other places in Seattle but you get a great view of the water if you can find the place.

That or anywhere near Queen Ann.

Answer 5

10-14 an hour in Seattle? You're going to be living in the ghetto with that kind of pay: Seattle is expensive (LA/NY-like). Some guy said Kirkland. LOL. Kirkland is basically Bill Gates Land without Bill Gates. They do have water though; and lots of rich people.

Answer 6

Thanks for asking this question! My husband has been offered an opportunity to work in Seattle, and for much more than 10-14 dollars an hour. sounds like Kirkland will be the place for us. I am somewhat worried about the low sunshine rate though, I heard there is a high percentage of suicide in Seattle. You might want to consider a northern californian city.

Answer 7

May I sugggest Des Moines. Its by SeaTac, and is only about 20 minutes from Downtown. Its on the water, has a marina, and a very nice state park. Its not very expensive to live there. kirkland is nice, but its very expensive compared to other areas of the city. good luck

Answer 8

Consider Bellingham, Anacortes, Ocean Shores, Port Angeles, maybe even Portland. As the others answers have stated, Seattle is expensive, and commuting is a joke, with no easy solutions.

Answer 9

try living in south king county: Renton, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way....smaller cities with many of the amenities of being in the city....served by Metro Transit, buy a bus pass to get around town, especially if you will be going into seattle itself (parking is expensive and inconvenient in town....$1/hour at street meters when i left in 1998, surely more by now)

a car is convenient when you go shopping (groceries or at holiday time), but if you go down to the Pike St Market, park at a Park & Ride and take the bus into town...do your stuff...then take bus back to Park & Ride, load your purchases into car, drive home....and you haven't stressed out about finding/paying for parking nor have you worried about getting back to the car in time to re-feed the meter so as not to get a parking ticket.

Answer 10

Traffic jams are common, and you will have to get used to the rain. It is expensive to live there. But there is alot to see and do. Maybe you would like Spokane, not as big and not as wet. I live in Southeast Washington, place called Tri-Cities.