would i be happy in seattle?

Question

i am going to be graduating from college BA psychology and spanish, french minor this may. i want to get out of wisconsin post haste! for the first reason that my parnets are driving me crazy and then because i hate snow and cold.
i am lookiung for a liberal city with lots of lesbian/bi oppportunities, lots of open minded people, and job opportunities above all i suppose.

how much does rent cost for an appt?
is the job market good?
anything i shoudl know?

Answer 1

Well if you hate snow and cold this may not be the place for you. Though it's not all that common we do get snowstorms here. We just got about 4" yesterday and I'm just 20 minutes out of Seattle.

Seattle IS very liberal - definitely not the Bible Belt where you're coming from ;) And there's definitely a thriving gay community here. You can look for jobs in your field via http://www.hotjobs.com or http://www.monster.com or through the local paper at http://www.seattletimes.com. You can also look at apartment listings through the paper as well.

There's a really good book about relocating to Seattle that I bought when I moved out here from Florida. Gives tons of info about the different areas of Seattle as well as the cities surrounding it - http://www.amazon.com/Relocating-Seattle-Surrounding-Areas-Everything/dp/0761525688/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196666148&sr=8-3 This one's a bit newer so I'd check this one out as well (or instead) - http://www.amazon.com/Newcomers-Handbook-Moving-Seattle-Handbooks/dp/0912301732/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196666208&sr=8-2

Good luck! Seattle's a wonderful place to live. I moved here on a whim about four and a half years ago and recently bought my first home so I'm definitely staying! Mountains, the water, lots and lots of nature. Great culture in the city. Great music scene. I think you'd definitely find it "home" here! :)

Answer 2

Seattle is def a liberal city, although I'm not sure what you mean by "lesbian/bi opportunities". There is a healthy gay/lesbian community in Seattle and I think you'd find tolerance is pretty high. People here are def open-minded (although not if you don't recycle). There are a lot of job opportunities out there and you should have no problem finding work so long as you are able to get through job interviews. With a BA, you should be able to land a number of positions, just in virtue of that (well, also so long as you can get through interviews and act charming). As for rent, you'll def be looking for an average of over $700 in Capital Hill, although it could be found if you are scouring the neighborhoods. I wouldn't pay more than $700 for a place, but I'd dig deeper than most when looking for places.

Come pay Seattle a visit if you are really serious about moving. I'd recommend that you visit in the winter and also the summer so there aren't too many surprises when you make the move. Good luck!

Answer 3

Many people are moving here because of the job market. Not so sure about psyc. because it's not my major but anything technical is wide open here.

As far as open minded they are pretty good. Capital Hill is usually where all the gay clubs are (I prefer Neighbors). Wouldn't recommend living there or going there alone because there is a high crime rate. If you live in a city by Seattle things are a lot more reasonable price wise and the crime rate goes down a lot.

Something you should know is many places flood around here. Be sure to look up an area very closely before you move. Actually, come visit before you move.

Hit me up if you want any more details
Beth

Answer 4

Seattle is crowded enough as it is. Most of us try to discourage new arrivals. We'd love for you to move to Oregon so you don't add to the traffic, inflate rents, or take our jobs. Have a happy life but please do it elsewhere. (kidding).

You can still experience the snow and cold in the winter; ski slopes - real ones, not the bumps in WI - are two hours away. Go to the Seattle Times web site and research job opportunities and see what rents go for in different areas.

Answer 5

Just moved here from WI myself, going well..............I welcome a milder winter, but I have to get thru the rain/drizzle experience first!

It defiantly is more expensive, but the job market is good, the Pudget sound is such a growing area, I think you would enjoy it!! Although I have not experienced it, I have heard people complain of the "Seattle Freeze" seems people in Seattle are "friendly", but not interested in opening up to a close friendship. Do a search on Answers, someone else did a question regarding that and had some good replies.

Good Luck to you!!

Answer 6

An appartment will cost you
$900.00 per month.
You will have no problem finding a job.
Say far away from Beacon Hill,
the International District, and Capitol Hill.
Look for an apartment in Magnolia, Ballard, University District, or Wedgewood.

Answer 7

I think you'd like it. It is a liberal city and there's plenty to do. You might want to try taking a trip out here to check it out before you decide to move. If you do come out, feel free to check out all the touristy things(some are kind of fun), but pick up a copy of The Stranger (it's our super liberal free paper that comes out every Thursday) and check out a few events that seem appealing. That way you can check out Seattle as a temporary Seattlite.

Answer 8

Seattle is definatley the ****......great music scene, culture and lots to do...somewhat expensive for about 700, youll find a decent apt. capitol hill, queen ann and broadway are districts that youll want to check out..the showbox is one of the best venues in america......the only downfall is the rain that never stops...summer time is the best in the seattle area nad then when winter comes it rains for eight months straight....

Answer 9

Rent is high, job market is average, the other things you like are abundant there.

Answer 10

you'd be better off in san francisco.