So - I am back from Seattle and well I got the job. That is the good news. The bad news is that what they can offer me is a lateral move financially. I have done several cost of living calculators online that tell me that Seattle costs roughly 20% more. Just wanted to get feedback on those that have lived both places, if that is accurate?

There are many pros and cons so still wavering... any advice on what you love about Seattle could help sway me :) Please let me know...
Thanks so much to you all.

i like:

the two snow capped mountain ranges you see on either side of the city when the weather is clear

all the water - Puget Sound, Lake Union, Lake Washington

trees, lots of them, huge, old in the residential neighborhoods.

green, green, green

seeing the Space Needle with the Puget Sound behind it each day on my 3 mile commute to work

the people, not too laid back not too intense

political climate

diversity of neighborhoods and ethnic groups

all the festivals and music such as Shakespeare in the Park, Bumbershoot, Bon Adori, Greek Festival, Fremont Fair

so many parks and green space including the Arboretum, Volunteer Park, along Lake Washington

I first moved to Seattle from Montana, where I grew up, in the mid-1970's. Now, Montana is a pretty place, but when I drove down I-90 into the city of Seattle, and got my first gander at the Olympic range reflected in the blue waters of Puget Sound, I thought I'd landed in Paradise.

I moved away in the early 80's to Minneapolis, a fine city in every way. But in the 8 years I lived there, I never ceased longing for the mountain and water vistas I'd come to love. So much so, that I'd often glimpse clouds on the horizon and be momentarily tricked into thinking a mountain range had suddenly sprung up on the northern prarie.

Finaly, in the early 90's, my Partner and I were able to move back to Seattle, where we've lived happily since. We moved here barely able to afford to buy a home (there was a housing 'bubble' in progress then, too), and one of us lost a well-paying career job less than a year after the move, creating some additional financial issues.

But, 15 years later, we consider the difficulties of that transition to have been well worth it. The money and job issues soon worked themselves out, as they always seem to. But we feel wealthy here in ways that have nothing to do with our bank balance.

We love the mildness of the climate, even though it means accepting a few months of rain before the brilliant blue skies of summer reappear. We deeply appreciate the diversity of the local community, a rich mix of Asian, African, Hispanic and European cultures, where inter-cultural friction seems amazingly minimal.

Add to those things the great variety of theater, music, and other arts and cultural events, many of which are either free or easily affordable. The whole Pacific Northwest is also a foodie's playground -- name your cuisine, and there are at least 5 local restaurants that offer it, either in pure form, or creatively mixed with others.

When we tire of hanging out around home, we enjoy the short drives or ferry rides that quickly deliver us to ocean beaches, to mountain rainforests, to high-plains deserts, or to other grand metropolitan areas: Portland, Vancouver.

My recommendation: take the financial jump. No, it won't be easy for the first year or two. But I can't see any way you'd regret doing so, even after some initial bumps and scratches.

The downside: Mount Rainier may blow someday. An earthquake might give us a really good shaking at some future time. But, as I was telling a friend the other day, even if we eventually have to endure those things, I still wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Fritzrl

Thanks so much - it is encouraging to hear how much those that live there, love it. As I read your messages, I am also at the same time looking at housing online and become discouraged as to what we could afford. We want to enjoy all those things but will we even be able to being "house poor"? I am used to low mortgage and much disposable income to travel, eat out, cultural and entertainment activities. Would all that be lost for a small house? It surely is tough... but your words are encouraging when I become discouraged with the housing costs.

It stays light until almost 10:00pm for the longest days of the year.

The climate is mild.

The surrounding countryside is beautiful. You can go out to islands or down to the coast/beach within 3 hours drive.

Mt Rainier

Shelja- Might you want to rent for awhile when you first move here? So you could get to know the different areas, and pick the ones that suits your needs best.

If you genuinely cannot afford a house here, within a reasonable distance of your jobs, that is something to think about. All the great quality of life stuff the above posters are talking about won't seem that great if you can only afford a house that is in a very distant suburb, an hour and a half each way from your job.

BUT, if you are just discouraged that you can't afford as much house as you have now, maybe just consider readjusting your needs and expectation.
How much space do you really need as a couple? We live in a very small home, but to us, location is everything-we're in a fantasic in-city neighborhood, walking distance to tons of stuff, an easy bus ride to downtown. The trade off (space v. location) is absolutely worth it. If we had a bigger house we'd just fill it with "stuff" , I'm sure.

(Hopefully that isn't too obnoxious a post-upon rereading it, it sounds kind of snotty, which I don't mean to be)

First LOL @ Suze giving the hard-sell by pulling out the itemized list up there!

(I know those things and take too many of them for granted)

Shelja, I'm glad that you got the job.

I guess I shall direct my efforts toward the mention in your first post of possibly having children in the not-so-far-off future.

Although I don't have any children myself, I know from (the) other experience that Seattle is a great city for kids. It is safe, the schools are suitable, and there is just so much to DO for kids! The weather is mild during all seasons (even the rainy season, relative to the downpours and deluges known elsewhere).

Seattle has many different neighborhoods where you can get out and really enjoy your community, and each one has a fairly unique personality about it.

If you factor-in the potential for two or more generations of your family living in this environment then the benefits increase exponentially.

I wish I knew more from a perspective of someone who might need to tighten purse strings to do it all, so I could share experiences and sacrifices that would really qualify me to inspire you.

It seems that the medical field is pretty reliable, so at least your half of the coupledom will always continue to have employment potential after you commit yourselves.

Finally, if you actually have "more family in Seattle" (as stated earlier)... then you have so many branches of "networking" already in place, which should help immensely.

Anyway, I wholeheartedly encourage you to find ways to make the move work, and I can't imagine that 20 years from now you would ever be regretful.

We're rooting for you!

Yes, housing costs are that bad here. You will understand the meaning of the words "sticker shock" up close and personal as you start looking at housing in the Seattle area. Only you can decide if it is worth it.

Just to give you some insights from a former Midwesterner. My brother sent me some old movies he had converted from 8 mm to DVD that my uncle took in Cleveland. The entire time I was watching them, the thought kept going through my head, "Thank G-d I got OUT OF THERE!" Then, I viewed some pixs DD just took of our trip to Mt. Baker...oh boy, talk about a GORGEOUS place!

I think the suggestion about renting first and checking out neighborhoods is a good idea. While I'm grateful I can work at home and don't have to commute, if that's the way for you to find more affordable housing, it might make sense for you. Or, as others have mentioned, maybe reevaluate your spending priorities.

At least you have a job waiting already. We made the move here 15 years ago without one (and have never regretted it for a minute).

For me, the only downside is the length of the flight to get to Europe, but I'm willing to put up with the extra long flight to live where I love being.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Thanks everyone for all of your help - it has been instrumental in making this big decision. I have accepted the offer and am excited but now comes the pains of moving. We have to sell our house (in crappy cleveland housing market) and move. In addition, we have to find a place to rent in downtown Seattle. We are interested in renting in the Belltown area as that is walking distance for my husband's work. We are looking for a 2 BD condo to rent - any suggestions of places to begin my search? I checked out craigslist but not much there. Any other sources people know of in Seattle? Thanks again so much - here we come Seattle!
Woo Hoo!

Congratulations!

Since we don't live up there anymore, I can't help much with the housing. But based on our experience, I would definitely avoid the RPA management/realty company.

Congratulations and good luck on the transition.

Re finding housing: maybe not the most useful suggestion you'll receive, but do be aware that both the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Seattle Times newspapers put their entire classified ads on their websites for browsing. I'm sure you'll get a good start there -- if you don't find a specific property that suits, you'll at least get the names of some rental or real-estate companies you can contact.

Keep us all posted on your progress!

Fritzrl

Congratulations on the job and good luck with your move. NW Classifieds online are what I would also suggest as a place to start apartment hunting.

Hi all,

Just found the post. Very good info here. I'll be in Seattle next weekend (9/24-9/28) to see how I like the city and the job being offered (it's a potential relocation from my current job in Detroit).

If everything goes well, I'll probably be moving out there quite quickly (within a couple weeks from now). I'll be checking out some of the different neighborhoods while I'm out there next week, but I'm concerned with the cost of living. Being from Detroit, I do have to deal with some inflated costs, but I'm a bit concerned about being able to swing living there financially. My income will most likely be between 50-65K/year.

I'll be looking to rent an apartment/condo as I'm not ready for the commitment of a house yet. Also, how's the single scene out there, I'm not a big dance club person.

Well, if you like it next weekend, you'll really like it when it STOPS raining next summer! :D

I live right in the city (Capitol Hill) in a nice 2-bedroom condo (I've had it for awhile thought) on a whole lot less salary than that!

Got back from Seattle on Thursday. Have to say, MUCH different than Detroit. I ended up in the office more than I wanted so didn't get to check out as much as I was hoping for. I also ended up with a hotel in Bellevue (nice city, but out of my price range I think). I guess I've been spoiled by the cheap apts in the Detroit suburbs. I can get something very nice out here for 700/mo. It seems anywhere in the Seattle area with a drive time shorter than an hour will cost me around 1500 for the same sq. footage. I also have to gripe a bit about the roads out there. I know it's right at the mountains, but I miss my symmetric, logical streets. Trying to navigate where I was going out there was pretty bad. If I didn't have a GPS nav system to help out, I think I would never have found my way around.

Now that the griping is done ;-), it's looking like I'll probably be moving out there (I got the job and now we're discussing salary). I should know in the next week or two.

So now I need to decide whether or not I'm going to live in the burbs and commute or try getting something close to work (our office is across from the REI store on Yale Ave. N.).

I'll probably be taking classes in Woodinville 3 times a week so I'm considering Bothell, Woodinville, and Kenmore as burb locations. As for the city, Quieen Anne, Fremont, and Cap Hill are all desirable locations.

Is it even remotely possible to find a 1000 sq ft apt anywhere within an hour of the city for around 700?

Lastly, how irregular has the last week of weather been (sunny, high 70's)? It felt like I was in California the whole time I was out there.

Thanks,

BP

Lucky guy: you were in town during what is likely to be our last week of Indian Summer weather before conditions deteriorate (if you disklike chilly drizzle) or improve (if you think rain is the only good weather there is).

We typically get a similar patch of lovely clear weather in March or so -- False Spring, I call it. A break in the chilly drizzle until July, when Summer finally arrives for a while.

Good luck with the move -- rain or shine!

Fritzrl

I know two people who have rented apartments on Capitol Hill for ~$700 within the last year (one pays $625 and one pays $725) but they are maybe 600SF at most.

So to bluntly answer your question, no I do not believe you will find 1000 SF for $700 ANYwhere within reasonable distance to Seattle.

Were I in your shoes, I would look at all the new developement right around where you will be working. There's tons of new stuff going up literally every day. Why commute everyday in from Woodinville, or wherever if you don't have to?

I understand it will be a big change of lifestyle, but I am guessing you just need to get used to the idea that a larger % of your salary goes toward rent or mortgage than in Detroit.