Are you dreaming of living in Seattle, Washington? If so, you’re not alone; Washington’s panoramic “Emerald City” is gravitating. Since time immemorial, humanity has chosen Seattle as their home; the Salish and Duwamish peoples, undoubtedly dazzled by the expansive and plentiful evergreen Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound, named this land after Chief Si’ahl (pronounced “See-ahlth). Fun fact: Seattle is the only major city named after a Native chief. Despite its modern grandeur, Seattle continues to encapsulate and celebrate the roots of life that began centuries ago while staying on the cutting edge of innovation in the contemporary landscape.
It’s no secret that today, society is enchanted with Seattle’s boundless natural beauty and moderate weather. Of course, trendsetting entertainment coupled with tech giants offering financial opportunities like none other makes the city a magnet for ambitious professionals and creative minds alike. All in all, Seattle is the perfect union of inclusive urban life filled with culture and access to endless outdoor adventures.
Let’s explore the secrets of this bustling locale and discover what living in Seattle offers that continues to attract people from all over the globe.
1. Living in Seattle is Breathtaking.
Prepare to be dazzled by the natural beauty of Washington, and Seattle is the crown jewel of the state. Known for its beauty, the “Emerald City” boasts ever-evolving lush green spaces intertwined with coastal landscapes and rugged islands, beginning with its 14,310-foot volcano, Mt. Rainier National Park. Offering lush forests with hiking trails alive with wildlife and waterfront access just around the corner from nearly everything, living in Seattle is truly unique. Coupling the dense green landscape with rolling hills and steep terrain overlooking the shores of both freshwater and ocean views, one might never want to leave.
Rain
While rain is inevitable in the Pacific Northwest, it rains less in Seattle than in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Miami. Yes, there are plenty of rainy days; however, residents’ most significant complaint isn’t the rain. They primarily complain of bleak, grey winter days without sunshine, which beckons the telling of the oldest joke in Seattle. What do Seattleites call two consecutive days without sun? A weekend. All joking aside, Seattle Sunshine is like none other. Residents live among gorgeous blooming flowers, with gardens so full of bounty they almost appear unreal.
One popular rainy day pastime is a good book. Perhaps the gray skies drive residents indoors or the misty ocean chill, but Seattle loves to read. Centuries ago, Indigenous storytellers began the tradition of preserving the past. Today, their stories remain engrained into this city’s unique fabric. In 2017, Seattle was listed as an “Official City of Literature” by UNESCO, proving that storytelling is an essential element of Seattle.
From its many authors and local bookstores to the dedicated noses buried in book pages, Seattle is the perfect locale for a warm blanket, a cup of coffee, and devouring literary genius. The critical takeaway is yes, there will be rain. However, the moderate climate and location are hard to beat, and the housing market proves that relocating to Seattle is widely desirable.
2. Living in Seattle is Fun.
Is Seattle best known for its iconic Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Center, or the Instagram-worthy Washington State Ferries? It’s hard to say which of this bustling city’s attractions tops the rest. From kayaking, sea fishing excursions, professional sports, music venues, and museums, residents need not look far to find entertainment.
Outdoor activities
Outdoor activities are abundant! From lush parks and greenspaces to national parks, Seattle offers an adventure for everyone. Does exploring a floating Forest sound like fun? South Whidbey State Park contains some of the oldest trees in the Pacific Northwest. Few places in America compete with the emerald splendor of the Washington Park Arboretum.
Have you heard about the engineered waterways in Seattle? The National Register of Historic Places lists the Ballard Locks (Hiram M. Chittenden Locks), which control water traffic between the saltwater and freshwater channels of Salmon Bay. Locks are devices that raise and lower boats and watercraft into various water depths. The fish ladder and waterfront area are teeming with activity and provide neighborhood connection via the waterway.
Water Adventurers
For water-loving adventurers, Lake Washington’s Matthews Beach is the area’s largest freshwater bathing beach. It is ideal for barbeques and enjoying Seattle’s occasionally delightful moments of sunshine. Taking water adventures a step further, the waterfront attractions at Discovery Park, Elliott Bay, and South Lake Union are ideal for families, visitors, and locals alike.
If a thriving arts and culture scene beckons, Living in Seattle won’t disappoint. Seattleites passionately celebrate uniqueness, and the hottest spot to participate in the growing evolution is the Uptown Arts and Cultural District. When visiting the area, check out the Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve, and the Suquamish Museum. Beyond the original inhabitants of Seattle, there are countless cultures to celebrate and discover. The talent of Washington’s art community is one to behold. Despite the hustle above ground, Seattle has an underground city, and Pioneer Square‘s underground tunnels offer a chance to see the city from a unique angle.
For less outdoorsy adventurers, the greater Seattle area offers festivals, music venues, and farmers’ markets blended with lively foodie culture, quirky neighborhoods, and delightful local productions. Undeniably, Seattle offers fun adventure and endless entertainment.
3. Living in Seattle is Lucrative.
It is tough to determine whether Seattle is the “Emerald City” because of its lush landscape or economic prosperity. Moving here means living in the ecosystem of dominating tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and Starbucks. This eclectic city’s tech hub offers careers in biotech, clean technology, and aerospace.
In Seattle, wealth-generating extends beyond technology. The area attracts highly skilled and educated minds from around the globe to encompass workforces in numerous sectors. The plentiful workforce catalyzes innovation in healthcare, higher education, research, countless art-related industries, life sciences, construction, and various historical and ecological preservation fields.
No State Income Tax
Who doesn’t like more money in the bank? Uniquely, Washington does not charge residents state income tax. However, it is among the most expensive cities in America for sales tax. Residents pay 6.5% in sales tax, and Seattle has an additional sales tax of 3.75%. As a solution, many Seattleites drive to Portland to purchase costly items to avoid paying Seattle’s inflated taxes.
Seattle wields formidable influence and is a force to be reckoned with if education equals power. In the Emerald City, one can find three world-renowned universities: the University of Washington, Seattle University, and Seattle Pacific University. These top-tier learning hubs are Known for their ground-breaking research. Renowned award-winning educators and produce professional and empowered leaders. From preschool to the highest educational degrees, Seattle offers some of the best education in our nation.
Furthermore, Seattle’s best aspect is that it is a place of ingenuity, and entrepreneurship is the name of the game in this metropolis. Proof of this is the early adoption of artisanal coffee. At every level, Seattleites appreciate a superb cup of coffee, and what would grunge music be without the music culture of the Pacific Northwest?
Espresso yourself, Seattle is here for it! Ground into the bedrock of Seattle, the percolating pioneer Starbucks brought a new spin of coffee trading to Java City, and the community embraced its cup of Joe like none other. Today, Starbucks is a lone bean in the coffee roaster within Seattle residents’ expansive coffee culture. The proof is apparent in the coffee-centric spaces, shops, and cafes, excelling at crafting perfectly tailored cups to match unique clientele.
4. Living in Seattle is Enterprising.
If buying a house in an Art-Forward and progressive city is essential, Seattle is one of the best places in America to invest. Seattleites prioritize social, political, and economic innovation. Collectively, the mindset here is predominantly progressive, resulting in a diverse community, and the broad spectrum of cultural heritage runs deep. By celebrating different economic improvements, cultures, identities, and perspectives, Seattleites foster a sense of belonging and equality for all members of society. Given these points, the community invests in promoting equality and fairness through education and support of marginalized groups.
Among the wide variety of Seattle’s community objectives, sustainable urban development tops most lists within city management and leadership. Living in Seattle neighborhoods ensure efficient use of their resources by reducing waste, promoting renewable energy, and preserving natural habitats. Seattle is dedicated to its evolving and expanding humanity efforts and is a pioneer in enhancing the influence of creativity and culture worldwide. Prioritizing efforts in making cities more livable, addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and hunger. The town celebrates its diverse population through cultural festivals, arts programs, and community events, promoting inclusivity and understanding.
Seattle is well-recognized for having good public transportation options. However, most residents own cars and prefer driving, which results in steady and relentless traffic during commute hours. Those who prefer less conventional transportation have access to public transit buses and the Sound Transit light rail system, bike lanes, zillions of scooters, and e-bikes. Seattle meets two of its primary ecological objectives: sustainable energy consumption and lower emissions by providing alternative options to each resident driving a vehicle.
5. Living in Seattle is Worth it.
How do you put a price tag on beginning a new lifestyle, offering the world in the palm of your hand? Let’s face it, living big city life among technology superpower corporations and accessing a thriving economy is exciting! With limitless opportunities and access to careers with living wages, the high cost of living in Seattle delivers a punch to the pocketbook. Accordingly, housing prices in the metro area resemble those of San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York City.
According to PayScale, Seattle’s home prices and housing costs are 111% higher than the national average, and the cost of living for residents in the Seattle area is 50 percent higher. So why do so many people weigh the risk and decide to stay? The answer is the same for most residents living in America’s Best Performing Cities, the dollars are well worth the payoff of living the best life possible.
Seattle’s housing market is competitive. Spawned by relentless growth, its supply and demand constraints surge home values, resulting in inflated home prices despite appraisal values. Homes for sale in the area commonly receive multiple offers, and the property sells fast.
Let’s Get Living in Seattle.
Here are some of the top 3 Best Neighborhoods in (and around) Seattle.
South Lake Union (Cascade-Central Seattle)
Known to locals as SLU, South Lake Union is a bustling tech hub and home to Facebook, Amazon, and Google. SLU offers everything that Seattle is known for. Here, residents enjoy outdoor recreation within walking distance of high-end shopping and dining.
Westlake (Cascade)
With a dense urban feel, a rocking bar scene, and various coffee shops, breweries, and parks, Westlake is the place to be. The schools in this neighborhood are highly ranked, and the neighborhood residents are often highly educated professionals with a broad range of interests and lifestyles.
Bellevue (Eastern shore of Lake Washington)
If you want luxury, Bellevue has it covered. This neighborhood offers a high quality of life, large properties, picturesque mountains, city and lake views, high-level schools, and, best of all, a work/home life balance due to its ideal location.
Downtown
Best suited for business professionals and centrally located to some of the hottest neighborhoods in Seattle, like Pike and Pine Street. Walking distance to the transit hub and monorail. Commercial neighborhood with apartments and condos conveniently placed around shopping centers.
Belltown (North of Downtown)
Close to Pike Place Market, Pine, Denny Way, and Puget Sound. Full of apartments and condos, it is known as a trendy area that offers an abundance of boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and nightclubs. Belltown is perfect for chic, upscale, young homebuyers.
First Hill (East Downtown)
Offers more affordable housing within steep hillsides and a quieter pace of life.
Ballard (North West Seattle)
Welcome to this neighborhood with historical roots, hip and trendy bars, shopping, and cuisine. This fun, walkable community is among the best.
Fremont (North of Lake Union and close to Downtown.)
Known for its eclectic style of artsy cultural vibe merged with boutique shopping. Fremont streets contain craftsman-style and modern homes alongside 1060-era condos and apartments.
Queen Anne (Uptown)
Known as the “top of the hill,” Queen Anne is great for young families and has a quiet residential lifestyle. It boasts stellar city views and is close to city life without the hustle.
Capitol Hill (East Downtown)
The heartbeat of the LGBTQ+ culture, center of art, music and live music venues. Killer nightlife scene with access to the light rail to jet set around the city.
Life in The Burbs
While 80% of buyers purchase within the Seattle Metropolitan Area, home prices within the surrounding areas are much more competitive, and with the public transit services offered, commuting is within reason. For those homebuyers, a bit of a commute and a lower ticket price sounds more appealing. In these cases, choosing a locale in the suburbs offers commutable access to all that downtown Seattle offers, coupled with affordability.
The Eastside is home to Microsoft, Nintendo, HTC, T-Mobile, and other large companies, and the bridges can cause considerable traffic accumulation. Some suburban cities to consider are Kirkland, Redmond, and Bellevue. Buyers desiring the same quality of life combined with additional affordability consider neighboring towns like Everett, Snocolomie, Tacoma, or Bremerton.
Ready to Move to Seattle?
Imagine experiencing life in the Evergreen State, living in Seattle, surrounded by lush forests and panoramic splendor. Seattle’s enchantment is a tale as old as time, and relocating to Seattle offers a dynamic mix of lifestyle benefits. What’s the wait, given Seattle’s breathtaking natural wonders, parks, mountains, and waterfronts? Perfect for all adventures, cultural appreciation, and an enlightening art scene within eclectic and unique neighborhoods? Loan approval is the pathway to a new oasis.
Why not get the ball rolling and buy into the American dream by connecting with a lender who can finance your next real estate adventure? Now is the best time to improve your quality of life and finance a new home in Seattle. Taking the plunge and purchasing a new property in the Pacific Northwest is only a click or a phone call away.
The Steps are Simple:
Schedule a Call: An experienced loan officer can discuss your needs and guide you through the possibilities.
Get Approved: We’ll help you through the application process and facilitate the steps for approval.
Exhale: Put your feet up and feel secure knowing you made the best decisions about your home loan.
With proper guidance, you can get your first home, accommodate your growing family, and start that renovation project—whatever goal is on the horizon. An alliance with Mortgage Insiders will give you the confidence to know that your mortgage loan is setting you up for financial success. Mortgage Insiders offers today’s latest financial news and mortgage trends. Check out our channel for current events.
