Moving to Seattle.....Is University of Washington a good school?

Question

Hi there,

I am moving from the scorching Phoenix desert to Seattle at the beginning of January. I have about 2 years of school under my belt from AZ colleges ( English Lit major) and I wanted to transfer to a university up there. I am actually thinking about going to Seattle Central Community College for a year so I can go to school instate at UofW. Is SCCC a good school, how is the location? I was also wondering about the location UofW as well, is it located close to SCCC. I was also wondering about Seattle as a whole....is it a good place to live for young people (my boyfriend and I are 19 and 21)? Please let me know what you think.....I really appreciate your help.


P.s. What is the best neighborhood to live in, with the most to do (for cheap....)

Answer 1

UW is a great school, but very competitive (depending on what you are studying), especially for out-of-state residents. To get residency, you'll have to live here for a year and go to school no more than 1/2 time during that year. You will also have to be working (I think it's 32 hours a week minimum, but you'll have to check on that).

All of Seattle's community colleges are great (at least compared to the ones that I attended back in Michigan). I have taken a few classes at NSCC, but not at Central. SCCC isn't that close to UW, but it's not that far either. Probably can catch a quick bus there.

The U-District has relatively cheap apartments, and since you are coming here to go to school, it might be best to get acquainted with that area and the other young people who live there. If you are going to SCCC, you might try Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill is rough in spots, but overall there are many young people there.

I would highly recommend that you come up for a visit beforehand to scope out neighborhoods, take campus tours, etc. That is the best way to make a good decision on where to live, etc.

Answer 2

Hi Tessa...UW is a wonderful school as well as quite competitive with admissions. SCCC also is a good junior college and is located approximately 2.5 miles south of UW and both are easily accessible by bus if one prefers to use public transportation.

Both institutions are located near downtown Seattle (within 4 miles). The city has a vast nightlife to suit any variety of lifestyle tastes from young to old--comedy clubs, dance clubs, jazz, hip-hop, alternative, etc. Seattle is a culturally diversely rich city so there's always something interesting to do or see. http://www.seeseattle.org/visitors/

It's a wonderful place to live for anyone so long as you are prepared for our famously long drizzly days which last 8 - 9 months throughout the year. Seattlites look like stir-crazed zombies (we don't tan, we rust!) when the sun comes out as everyone here loves the outdoor lifestyle--hiking, biking, boating, etc.

There are many neighbourhoods to consider that are reasonably fair rent. Queen Anne and Capital Hill are both neighbourhoods located close to both schools. University District is the region where UW is located and rent is fair there as well. All three of these regions have a higher concentration of younger residents and have plenty of activity to participate. Queen Anne is home to the Space Needle and Seattle Science Center so this is always a busy area for tourists. Consider looking at Seattle Craigslist to see the various rent prices: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/

You can order a free visitors guide to learn more about our great city: http://www.seeseattle.org/visitors/memberlisting/

Answer 3

UW is a highly respected school, but also highly selective. I got wait-listed as an out-of-state transfer with a 3.67 and that was 16 years ago... it's only gotten harder since then. (I got in, though, and have never had any regrets about my choice of universities)

I can't really tell you anything about the community colleges here, though. Bellevue Community College seems to get most of the attention in that department and come to that, I don't know if it's because it's good or just big.

I'd at least try to get directly into UW. There's lots to see and do in Seattle, period, but living in the U District would have you surrounded by your peers and nightlife that pretty much caters to you. No place in Seattle is really cheap to live.

Answer 4

Seattle is great for any kids of people, young especially since there's the availibility to walk everywhere! While I don't LIVE there, I do enjoy all of my visits and am planning on moving in the next two years.
As for the above stated difficulty of getting into UW... it's not hard at all. With an acceptance rate of 65% it would be harder NOT to get in than to get in. And as for the super expensive apartment prices... have these people ever seen apartment prices in Chicago and New York?! Seattle is MORE than fair in that respect. I like the Queen Anne neighbourhood, thought it can get pricy, depending on your rent allowance. They're right, Capitol Hill can get rough in some parts but you should obviously look around the area before buying an apartment. Look around on rent.com, I do it all the time just for fun to see what's availible. Can't tell you anything about SCCC though, SORRY :(

Answer 5

Well, if you already have two years, why go back to a community college?!?! I'd say going to a University and just finishing up at least one degree under your belt would be better. UW is definitely a good school, but of course, you'd have to ensure their culture matches yours (available majors, diversity, organizations). But its a cool placce to live. Of course, every big city will have enough of whatever type of fun/lifestyle you prefer but you just have to get plugged in and find it.... but for your age group, living around the universtiy would solve that for you quickly :)

Answer 6

University of Washington is a good school.

Answer 7

I don't know what the cost of living is in Phoenix but I can tell you that it is pretty high in Seattle. Rent is not cheap in Seattle at all. If you want to find more affordable rents you have to rent outside of the city in one of the smaller towns outside. You do know it rains all of the time there right? I think UW is a pretty decent school but WSU is better.