Washington has no shortage of charms. Is it any wonder why the Emerald State is one of the top moving destinations in the country? Census data shows that Washington owes its population growth to sustained inbound migration. People from all over are packing up and settling down in Seattle, Spokane, …
Moving to Seattle means getting the best of both worlds. It’s a thriving city with unparalleled natural beauty that outdoor enthusiasts will love. To most people living in major cities, experiencing nature means getting out of the city. That’s not the case for Seattleites who probably have giant douglas fir trees growing in their backyards.
Nicknamed “Emerald City” for its lush year-round landscape, Seattle is home to a booming tech industry and a hot job market, as well as to ocean inlets and snow-peaked mountains. It’s rich in culture, coffee, and opportunities for outdoor adventure. Few big cities in the U.S. can claim to have created a more symbiotic urban-nature balance as Seattle. You could say that Seattle was built and is being built for people who aren’t looking to get away from nature. Quite the opposite.
According to local Seattle movers, here are seven things outdoor enthusiasts will love about moving to Seattle.
No two ways about it, Seattle will take your breath away. With misty beaches, glorious mountains, and lush evergreens, the city is straight out of a dream. The distinct beauty of the region will appeal to both active explorers of the outdoors and those who prefer to admire nature from a park bench.
Seattle’s photogenic sights are also popular locations for films and TV shows. Many of its landmarks are cemented in pop culture thanks to films like Sleepless in Seattle and 10 Things I Hate About You, as well as TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy.
The city is rich in bodies of water like bays, beaches, lakes, creeks, and rivers. The largest and most famous is the gorgeous Puget Sound. This Pacific Ocean inlet features a picturesque forest and mountain backdrop and is a fantastic spot for whale, porpoise, and eagle-watching.
The abundance of bodies of water also means the abundance of water sport options! You can sail, surf, kayak, and swim. There’s even white water rafting not far beyond the city limits. If you prefer to enjoy the water in a more relaxing way, you can go cruising or yachting. Seattle also has spectacular ferry rides.
Hikers of every stripe and skill level will love Seattle’s mountainous terrain. You can go hiking, mountain biking, or have a leisurely walk along a scenic trail. Ski resorts are also just a short car ride away from the heart of the city if you’re into winter sports. Seattle also boasts of numerous public and commercial spaces that offer sweeping views of the mountains, if weather permits.
Gorgeous and majestic cedars, maples, Douglas firs, and western hemlocks are part of Seattle’s ecosystem and identity. The city and its residents have an enduring commitment to its urban forests. Seattle is currently at 28 percent canopy cover, with a goal to reach 30% by 2037.
Seattle has a total of 485 major parks and greenspaces. That’s over six thousand acres of extensive natural areas. Wherever you are and wherever you go in the city, nature is never too far away.
It’s not all jogging paths and playgrounds, either. You’ll find an incredible variety of options to suit any mood and inclination. There are beach walk parks, Japanese gardens, Cherry blossom-lined paths, outdoor art installations, and many others. There are also wheelchair-friendly trails and kid-friendly and dog-friendly spaces.
The ten best parks in Seattle include:
Prepare to do a lot of walking when you move to Seattle. Residents enjoy a lot of physical activity, fresh air, and time out in nature thanks to the outdoor-oriented and pedestrian-friendly urban design. With a walk score of 74, Seattle is one of the most walkable cities in the world. It’s bike-friendly, too. Top neighborhoods for pedestrians and cyclists include Downtown, International District, and Belltown.
If you love the outdoors, you probably care about protecting it. You’ll be happy to know that Seattle does, too. The city is green in more ways than one. It’s a model city in terms of sustainability. Electricity is mostly hydropower, and it’s committed to further cutting back on its carbon emission.
If you love the outdoors, and you don’t mind the occasional mist and drizzle, moving to Seattle will be an epic adventure.
Moving from San Diego to Seattle can be daunting. You’ll be trading sunny beaches for crisp, pine-scented mountain weather. The cities are bookends of the West Coast, opposites in so many ways. But, the weather notwithstanding, San Diego and Seattle also share many similarities. Keep reading to find out more.
Here are eight things you should know about moving long distance from San Diego to Seattle.
San Diego is warm and sunny, Seattle is cold and drizzly. You will need to dress accordingly and master the sartorial art of layering.
It’s time to stock up on windbreakers and winter parkas, and you might want to retire your open-toed footwear, at least until the summer months. Lest you think you always need to dress to impress, it’s also an excellent time to remind you that Seattle is the birthplace of grunge. Flannel, work boots, and lumberjack chic are still all the rage in this mountain town.
Coffee is to Seattle what Craft Beer is to San Diego. Not that you won’t find craft beers in Seattle, too, but each city has a clear beverage of choice. There’s more to coffee culture in Seattle than Starbucks and Seattle’s Best. Several other world-famous coffee roasting companies and retailers are headquartered in the city. Small-batch coffee roasting, artisan coffee, and independent coffee houses are also very popular. Seattleites just love their coffee.
The cost of living in both cities is quite steep compared to the rest of the country. The cost of living index takes into account the cost of housing, transportation, healthcare, utilities, groceries, and other categories. Seattle, with a cost of living index of 172.3, is slightly more expensive than San Diego, with a cost of living index of 160.1. You might feel the difference in your purchasing power, but you’ll be able to maintain the same standard of living when you move.
Both Seattle and San Diego are among the cities in the U.S. with the highest median-salaries and highest-paying jobs. Seattle also has the highest minimum wage and the second-highest tech industry salaries in the country.
Seattle has a thriving culinary scene, but if you’re craving for tacos, it might disappoint. The Cali-Baja cuisine in San Diego is unmatched. Taco joints, in particular, are massively popular and are the best in the country.
If seafood is more your thing, you’ll feel right at home in Seattle. Oysters, shellfish, crab, fish, and shrimp galore!
Seattle and the entire Washington State have no income and corporate tax. It’s one of seven states that don’t. In contrast, California is considered a high tax state. Much like San Diego, Seattle is liberal in many ways, but when it comes to fiscal policy, it’s quite conservative.
Many have tried to explain this so-called Seattle freeze, but you have to experience it to really understand.
Seattle residents have been known to be less than friendly and welcoming to newcomers, so you might have some trouble making friends when you first move. Time will thaw their icy exteriors, eventually.
Your journey will start in the sun-kissed beaches of So-Cal and end in the lush rainforests west of the Cascade mountains. That’s over a thousand miles of road, gorgeous sceneries, and interesting stops along the way.
It’s best that you hire professional long-distance movers to transport your belongings. That will leave you to enjoy an unencumbered Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Choose a verified and reputable moving company that plies the southwest to northwest route. It won’t be cheap, so read reviews and compare offerings to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
As with any major lifestyle change, moving from San Diego to Seattle is a huge adjustment. Prepare for it as best you can, give yourself time to adjust, and make the most of every moment. Here’s to better things and new beginnings!
When you hear the word Seattle, coffee shops and depressing skies probably pops into your mind first. Well, you’re not wrong. This place is famous for its gloomy weather and an innate love for coffee. Many other things define the city, but nothing compares to the amount of rain that it gets. …
