Seattle is a dynamic urban city surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Ranked as one of the top 10 cities by Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards, it is the perfect balance of bustling city streets and pristine natural views.
It’s no wonder people are moving to Seattle. Nestled close to Puget sound, Seattle holds the key to some of the best fresh seafood on the west coast. And the fun doesn’t stop there, you can float in a hot tub boat and take a number of seaplanes and ferries for transportation. You get the best of the city, water, and mountains all in one city.
Seattle is also home to rainforests, 3 national parks, and 124 state parks so finding adventure close to the city is easy. But don’t be misled. The city isn’t just for the outdoorsy, adventure seekers. It has a host of attractions for the indoorsy alike, and it touts a diverse culinary scene that anyone can enjoy. Coffee lovers and foodies rejoice.
Yep, Seattle is a vibe that has it all: edgy, grungy, eccentric, funky, artistic, full of expression, luxury, safety, corporate powerhouses, and community. What’s not to love?
In this guide, we’re going to discuss the best movers in Seattle, how much it costs to move to Emerald City, and what to expect once you’re there. So whether you’re looking for an adventure or just a place to call home, Seattle is worth a look.
Seattle is Packed with Opportunity
- Get great career opportunities. Seattle consistently ranks as one of the top 10 best cities in the country for jobs, thanks to the strong job economy in this tech-centric city.
- Explore more often with the city’s proximity to nature. You can get on a trailhead in 20 minutes or less with inner-city trails. Or you can drive a couple of hours to the state and national parks and enjoy a more remote feel.
- Save more with no state income tax. You don’t have to pay income tax in Seattle. So while the cost of living can be pretty steep, this means you can save up to $5,000 a year.
- Taste a to-die-for food scene. From fresh fish to poke to bakeries, Seattle has a diverse and delicious food scene worth exploring.
- Guzzle the nation’s best coffee. Coffee is sacred in Seattle. According to an old tale, Seattle became known for its coffee after a dock worker found some beans and started roasting them himself. The rest is history. Seattle has some of the most quaint and delicious coffee shops in Seattle.
- Soak up perfect, 60-degree, sunny summers. It’s hard to ignore the beautiful summers in the Pacific Northwest. With ideal temps and lots of sun, it’s not surprising that the city explores the state’s natural beauty during this time: camping, hiking, boat rides, and more.
How Much Does it Cost to Move to Seattle?
Hiring a moving company in Chicago can cost you anywhere from $600-$16000 or more.
The cost of moving can vary based on several different details, including how much you need to move, how far you need to move, and many other details that could add costs to your move: stairs, elevators, and irregular large objects.
Here’s what you can expect to pay to move to Seattle:
| Type of Service | 1 Bedroom | 2-3 Bedrooms | 4-5 Bedrooms |
| DIY/Truck Rental | $350 – $2250 | $700 – $4250 | $1600 – $4850 |
| Moving Container | $750 – $2750 | $1200 – $5000 | $2400 – $7900 |
| Full Service | $1300 – $3900 | $1900 – $8800 | $3500 – $16500 |
Get your Move Started with the Best Long Distance Movers from Seattle
Discover Seattle’s finest long-distance moving companies, renowned for their reliability, efficiency, and top-notch service.
They offer tailored solutions for seamless relocations, ensuring your belongings are safely transported across great distances. With expert packing, swift transportation, and exceptional customer care, start your journey with confidence and ease.
Adams Van Lines
- Professional staff
- Flexible pricing
Native Van Lines
- Great customer service
- Competitive prices
Pricing Van Lines
- Price matching
- Quick moving estimates
Seattle Has A Lot To Offer New Residents
Pros
- Mild weather
- Great job opportunities
- No state income tax
- Close to breathtaking views in nature
Cons
- Grey clouds throughout winter
- High cost of living
- Higher sales tax
- Less than desirable traffic
The Cost of Living in the City
It’s estimated that for a family of four to live in Seattle it will cost about $4,815.3 per month.
For a single person, the estimated monthly costs are $1,343.9 without rent.
Seattle is about 6% less expensive than New York, meaning it still has a high cost of living compared to other states. And it’s no surprise since Microsoft and Amazon are headquartered there.
Rent in Seattle is 29.9% lower than in New York. But the cost of living in this city is 54% higher than the national average. While you save on income tax, that money will most likely be put to use somewhere else: rent, groceries, and more.
Best Places to Live in Seattle
1. Queen Anne
Just north of Pike Place, Queen Anne is where you get the best views of the Seattle Skyline. It comes with a feel of luxury, safety, and community warmth. It includes some of the hottest downtown attractions like Seattle Center and the Space Needle.
North Queen Anne is a bit more relaxed than South Queen Anne, but both are great places to live to be close to the heart of the city. Lower Queen Anne has a top-rated public school system.
2. Capitol Hill
This is one of the largest and most densely populated residential neighborhoods, known to be gritty, artistic, and full of expression. But it has seen some changes as tech scene has expanded in Seattle.
Most residents in this area own their homes, but many young professionals are known to rent in this area. It has a lively, eccentric nightlife that is in walking distance and close to the heart of Seattle.
3. Ballard
Ballard is a hip waterfront neighborhood with trendy restaurants, indie shops, bars, and craft breweries centered on historic Ballard Avenue. Ships and salmon pass through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, or Ballard Locks, also a popular picnic spot.
It is one of the most walkable areas with hundreds of shops and restaurants nearby, and it has a top-rated elementary school. More and more people are moving to Ballard, increasing the cost to rent or buy a home there.
4. Fremont
Indie shops and hip bars pack this bohemian neighborhood on the north bank of the canal. Quirky outdoor sculptures include the gigantic Fremont Troll, lurking under the Aurora Bridge, and the towering Fremont Rocket.
Arty residents and tech workers hang out in the area’s eclectic eateries. The Fremont Sunday Market has art, antiques, and food trucks. Cyclists and walkers explore the canalside Burke-Gilman Trail.
Most people rent their houses in this area. It has a low violent crime rate and a below-average property crime rate.
5. Belltown
It’s just about as close to Pike Place Market as you can live. It’s a very trendy area with some upscale apartments. It is at the center of Seattle with inspiring waterfront views. High-rise condos and trendy shops, bars, and eateries fill hip Belltown.
Indie boutiques, galleries, and cafes line busy 1st and 2nd avenues. All this said it does have a bit more crime and homelessness as it is the center of the city.
6. West Seattle
West Seattle is a laid-back residential area known as one of the safest areas of the city. The sandy strip of Alki Beach is popular with volleyball players, kayakers and sunbathers, while its coastal path has views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline.
Speckled with funky cafes and eateries, you can find everything you may want in this low-key area. They also have a host of highly rated schools in the area—good for singles and families alike.
7. South Lake Union
A booming hub for Amazon and the biotech industry, South Lake Union is crammed with buzzing bars, hip eateries and lunchtime food trucks. In Lake Union Park, the waterside Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) highlights Seattle’s history, businesses, and inventions.
Most residents rent their homes in this area. It has a dense, urban feel. It has great walkability, but the violent crime rate and property crime rate are higher than average in this area.
8. Pioneer Square
Art galleries, coffee shops, and trendy bars fill Pioneer Square’s late-1800s Romanesque Revival buildings.
Tourists explore subterranean streets on the guided Underground Tour and learn about Seattle’s roots at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Most of the homes in the area are rented, and the public schools are highly rated.
9. Montlake
Montlake is a wealthy residential neighborhood in central Seattle, Washington. If you live here, you are in the suburbs.
It is located along the Montlake Cut of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, bounded to the north by Portage Bay, to the east by the Washington Park Arboretum, and to the south and west by Interlaken Park. The public schools here are highly rated, and it has a below-average crime rate.
Seattle’s Job Market Is Booming
Seattle consistently ranks as one of the top 10 best cities in the country for jobs, thanks to the strong job economy in this tech-centric city.
As it’s a tech hub for Amazon and Microsoft, many of the in-demand positions are tech-related, but there is definitely something for everyone in this city:
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Data Scientists
- Web Developers
- Editors
- Market research Analysts
- Marketing Managers
- Private detectives and investigators
- Management Analysts
- Human Resource Managers
- Project Managers
Enjoy Seattle like a Local
Home of Microsoft and Amazon as well as the birth land of Starbucks, Seattle has an edgy, luxurious, gritty feel.
Here are some of the most popular attractions as well as some off-the-beaten-path:
- Experience Capitol Hill: Eat, drink, and bar-hop in one of the most trendy parts of Seattle.
- Take in Views at the top of the Space Needle: View the entire Seattle skyline from the top or the space needle.
- Stroll Pike Place Market: From food to eccentric art pieces to unique local goods, Pike Place is the bustling heart of Seattle. It is where the Original Starbucks calls.
- Mount Ranier: This is a large active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. It’s one of the top attractions for outdoor adventurers.
- Hike through Discovery Park: Discovery Park is the largest park in the city! With 534 acres of natural space, this is by far the city’s biggest inner-city oasis.
- Watch Boats Pass at Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks): Hot tub boats, ferries, and personal boats. Sit by the bridge and watch what Puget Sounds brings. This is a popular picnic spot too.
- Sunbathe on Alki Beach: This beach is the landing site of the first white settlers in Seattle. A great spot for a scenic walk or run and, in the summer, a romantic date night.
- Go on a coffee crawl: Seattle is known for its coffee. Home of Starbucks, coffee has always had a deep history in Seattle. Check out all the local cafes that boast flavorful coffee.
- Ride the Seattle great wheel: Standing tall on Pier 7, the great wheel is worth the time. Ride to Seattle’s sky and view everything from the skyline to the mountains that jut up along the horizon.
Best Schools & Universities in Seattle
Seattle is home to some of the nation’s top universities, too:
- University of Washington: Ranks in the top 100 best universities in the nation.
- Seattle University: This is the largest independent university in the Northwestern United States, ranking 137 in national universities and 54 in best undergraduate teaching.
- Seattle Pacific University: This private university ranks 219 nationally and 33 in best value schools.
- University of Puget Sound: Puget Sound has a lot to offer. Ranking 85 in national liberal arts colleges and 40 in most innovative schools, this liberal arts school is right in the city.
- Pacific Lutheran University: This is one of the best regional universities. Ranking 4 as the best value school and 11 in regional universities in the West, this private university keeps its enrollment low so each student gets what they need.
For public school systems within the city, Mercer Island School District and Bellevue School District rate first and second with Bainbridge Island School District third.
Make your move to Seattle easier with Moving APT
Seattle is a great city to call home with an amazingly rich adventure waiting for you in every cafe, at every trailhead, and every water jaunt. Its weather, landscape, and quality of life are rivaled by very few other states.
