Moving to Seattle, made easy

Learn how to get housing, see cost of living and safety intel, find schools, use public transit, discover your perfect neighborhood, and more with our ultimate Seattle moving guide.

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You're never far from stunning views or a walk in the woods in this laid-back city.

Median Home Rent (PER MONTH)

Studio / 1 BR
49% Complete

1,595

2 Bedrooms
68% Complete

2,200

3 Bedrooms
90% Complete

2,900

4 Bedrooms
100% Complete

3,225


Median Home Price

Studio / 1 BR
47% Complete

325K

2 Bedrooms
62% Complete

425K

3 Bedrooms
80% Complete

550K

4 Bedrooms
100% Complete

685K

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (F°/C°)
01234567891011

Jan
41°F
5°C

Feb
45°F
7°C

Mar
46°F
8°C

Apr
50°F
10°C

May
55°F
13°C

Jun
61°F
16°C

Jul
64°F
18°C

Aug
64°F
18°C

Sep
61°F
16°C

Oct
54°F
12°C

Nov
46°F
8°C

Dec
41°F
5°C


Safety

Seattle is one of America's safest big cities.

Car vs Public Transit

Public transit is great in the city center, but elsewhere you'll likely need a car.

Seattle is surrounded by water, mountains, and evergreen forests, and encompasses thousands of acres of parkland so its nickname of "The Emerald City" is well earned. This makes it easy for the metro's more than 3.7 million people to get outside and be active. Those who prefer a more sedentary lifestyle will still get great views while drinking a glass of locally produced wine or craft beer. This city has something for everyone, from downtown urban living to quiet (and not so quiet) beach towns, leafy suburbs, and even houseboat communities.

This metro is home to several massive technology companies, including Microsoft and Amazon. Other big players like Facebook and Zillow also have offices here, and hundreds of startups call the city home as well. The aerospace industry, anchored by Boeing, is another major part of the metro's economy. And coffee addicts can go straight to the source since Starbucks is headquartered in Seattle. Tourism continues to reach record-breaking levels, adding to the city's economic diversity.

Sports fans will have no shortage of teams to root for: Seattle has a professional football team, a professional basketball team, a professional baseball team, and two professional soccer teams.

This is a city for serious drinkers: you'll find nearly 1,700 coffee shops around town. For more adult beverages, there are dozens of wine tasting rooms and over forty breweries making beers for every palate. The culinary scene is similarly rich, with upscale institutions that have been around for decades and casual neighborhood spots alike. 

If there's one thing that's consistent across Seattle, it's the casual vibe. This is not a city that celebrates excess and showboating, perhaps because there's just no competing with surrounding mountains and lakes.

Read on to learn about the basics (housing, transportation, internet, and more!) of moving to Seattle and to find the perfect neighborhood for you.

The ultimate guide to moving to Seattle


Regions and Neighborhoods of Seattle

Regions & Neighborhoods

Moving to Settle? Find the perfect neighborhood for you.


Housing in Seattle

Housing

We all need a roof over our heads. Learn how to find one in Seattle.


Transportation in Seattle

Transportation

Moving to Seattle? Learn how to get around the city.


Banking and Personal Finance in Seattle

Banking & Personal Finance

Figure out which local bank is the right one for you and learn how to open an account.

Insider Tip

"Since 2006, the year I moved from Paris to Seattle, I have been loving my life in the Pacific Northwest. We initially moved for just three years but they passed and… we stayed! Seattle is such a fantastic city and the Puget Sound such a beautiful green place to live by."

Anne-Francoise,
Anne-Francoise, Moved from France
http://www.monpetitseattle.com


Education in Seattle

Education

Learn about the phases of education, why school district boundaries are important, and different school options in Seattle.


Healthcare in Seattle

Healthcare

Learn how to navigate healthcare, how to find a great doctor, and see the top Seattle hospitals.


Phone and Internet Service in Seattle

Phone & Internet

Compare Seattle's main phone and internet service providers.


Pets in Seattle

Pets

Learn which pets are welcome in Seattle and how to register them with the city.

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