Whether you’re considering a move or are already packing your bags for a move to Seattle, Washington, then all we can say is, “Lucky You”! We may be biased, but Seattle is a pretty fantastic city with a vibrant range of flavors, sights, and activities to suit every taste.
There are however a host of tried-and-tested tips that will help to make your transition to Seattle as smooth as possible. We’re here to share the top nine things you need to know when starting out in The Emerald City, so that you’ll feel like a true Seattleite in no time!
1) The Great Outdoors are Beckoning!
If you’re Seattle-bound, get ready to invest in a solid pair of hiking boots. The city and surrounding areas are rich in outdoor splendor from nearby mountain ranges, dense forests, and sparkling blue lakes, to the sprawling Pacific coastline. There is an exhaustive list of natural sights to explore.
There is no better time to dive into a new outdoor hobby; kayaking, rafting, skiing, camping, and rock climbing are all popular activities enjoyed by many Seattle locals, and the thriving outdoor scene is an important part of the city’s culture.
A popular destination if you’re looking to experience the best of Seattle’s natural charms: Mount Rainier National Park, located just outside the city, promises 369-square miles of breathtaking beauty (check it out in the Spring when the wildflowers are in bloom)!
2) We’re a Health-Conscious Bunch
Perhaps this goes hand-in-hand with a city full of outdoor enthusiasts, but Seattle locals take their health seriously. There is no shortage of farmers markets and heath food shops across the city, and its not uncommon to overhear a local excitedly describing the salad they had for lunch.
3) But We Also Love our Brews.
Seattle is a craft-beer-lover’s dream, with an abundance of trendy taprooms and breweries dotting the city.
But beer isn’t the only well-loved brew around here. The coffee culture in Seattle is strong, with residents proudly consuming more than any other US city! Aptly dubbed “America’s Greatest Coffee Town”, Seattle has a great variety of affordable, speciality coffee shops that take great pride in making every cup good to the last drop. A dash of coffee history: the first Starbucks was located in the heart of Seattle (talk to us for the insider scoop on the TRUE location of this iconic landmark)!
4) The Traffic can be Fierce.
Many Seattle transplants from big cities like New York and LA look forward to bidding adieu to the long stretches spent stuck between two bumpers in the thick of rush hour. Alas, you’re not quite out of the woods yet. Due to the massive population boom in recent years, traffic on the main routes can get heavy.
The good news? When it comes to alternative transportation options, Seattle soars above many of the nation’s big cities, boasting a great variety of public transit options whether you’re travelling by land or water! The Sound Transit LINK light rail system continues to expand its routes, and the King County Metro Transit (bus), monorail systems, and the new Seattle Streetcars allow for lots of easy and affordable options to navigate the city without a car. Get yourself an ORCA card, which serves as a cash pass to easily hop on and off Seattle’s bus, train, and ferry systems!
5) You Won’t Be Sleepless in Seattle.
If you’re coming from a city that sustains buzzing action at every hour of the day – and night – then you may need to adjust to Seattle’s hours of operation. Seattleites know how to have fun, but the party often ends a lot earlier than most big cities, with bars and restaurants closing their doors by 2am on weekends.
The Seattle nightlife scene has undeniably blossomed in the past few years, with each neighbourhood boasting a great selection of dive bars and music venues, but don’t be surprised if you have to do some exploring to find an open establishment past 7pm on a weeknight! This is one city that isn’t ashamed to get its beauty sleep.
6) Seattle’s Rain Isn’t A Bad as You Think.
The Seattle rain myth is a bit over-blown. If the idea of perpetually damp conditions is weighing on your decision to move, then it may bring you comfort to know that our average days of sunshine far outnumber our days of rainfall in a year. In fact, Seattle sees considerably less rain than Chicago, Boston, Houston and New York City! Even more good news: when it does rain, you probably won’t even need an umbrella. Rather than heavy downpours, Seattle rain tends to be more of a light, misty sprinkle.
You’re sure to forget about the rain once you’ve experienced your first Seattle summer, which is arguably the best-kept secret of the Pacific Northwest. Picturesque with sunny, calm, comfortable days; the perfect backdrop for the city’s many outdoor music festivals that fill the summer season.
7) Get Comfortable with the “Seattle Freeze”
The freeze isn’t some freakish weather phenomenon, but rather a reference to the reputation of North Westerners as being…a little on the shy side. Seattleites in particular are widely known as being reserved and introverted, which can be a shock to newcomers who are keen to jump into a social circle. Fear not; Seattle is now comprised of just as many transplants as locals, so finding people who are a little more extroverted (and keen to make friends) isn’t a challenge.
And locals, in general, aren’t trying to be unfriendly; you just may have to put in a little extra effort to break that through that shy shell. And once you do, they’re sure to introduce you to Seattle’s lesser-known ultracool taprooms, and other hotspots off the beaten path!
8) Seattle is a Leading Tech Capital
Next only to San Francisco’s Silicon Valley, Seattle has become America’s most prominent tech hub, home to a growing number of tech giants and smaller start-ups. Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing. Google, Adobe, Dropbox, Apple, Facebook, and Snapchat are the some of the biggest employers of Seattle residents.
9) And also the “The Crane Capital”.
Seattle’s evolving tech hub is bringing more and more people to the city each year, and as such, the city is scrambling to keep up, with development happening in every corner of the city to support this new population. Cranes crowd the skyline, which despite being an eyesore, are a good sign considering that housing availability in Seattle is low and prices are high (and climbing). If you’re making the move to Seattle, consider seeking the help of professionals when navigating your options within Seattle’s neighbourhoods. Rental scams are common, so avoid making a decision based on an online ad alone. Seattle offers no shortage of things to do, see, and explore, with a rich, dynamic culture that appeals to the intellectual, music-loving foodie in all of us!
Want to learn some more tips for making your move to The Emerald City as seamless as possible? Reach out to the relo-to team, and we’ll guide you through every step of the relocation process, ensuring that you’re connected to everything you need to love your new life in Seattle.