Moving to Seattle

[josephkirkpatrick]

Hey All!,

I'm considering moving to Seattle post-haste... like July-ish. I want to go out there to finish my undergrad work, but I'm gonna work for a semester or two, then (hopefully) off to work.

So here is my situation..
It would be myself, my girlfriend, and my 70-lbs dog. I'm moving because I hate Albany, and I hate the school I go to and it's all making me super depressed.

I've sent applications and resumes to a variety of outdoor-pursuits companies, including REI, Patagonia, Feathered Friends, OR, etc...

I'd like to live in a building or complex, preferably close to downtown (or wherever I can get a job)

I'm kinda poor, so I don't want to spend more than like 900/month.

Any advice? I don't know neighborhoods or areas or anything, so info on that would be appreciated.

How's the public transportation system?
How's the employment situation? I'm qualified for very little outside the outdoor industry, but there seems to be a lot of such places around there.

Thanks in advance!

[Streetcar]

Welcome, in advance!

I've not rented for a number of years, but I would google search "Seattle Apartment Rentals" first.

I'm not sure what living conditions you're used to in New York, but having a large dog can make apartment hunting problematic.

If you can get a job in place first, you'll be much better off.

And public transportation? Nonexistant. Possibly the worst in the country.

No, I'm not kidding.

For locations, centrally located neighborhoods would be Downtown, South downtown (SODO), Capitol Hill, Queen Anne (pricey!) Ballard, Wallingford and the University district. If you can afford somewhere in that area, a bike will do you well for commuting.

[Kilted_John]

What Kyle said. You might be better off either riding a bike, or if you have a car, just drive it out. You probably won't need it much, but, if you need to be somewhere cross-town, or somewhere on the eastside, it may be worth having around.

-J

[James MacMillan]

Wait a minute! Didn't you just say that you were moving to Scotland?

[Colin]

Wait a minute! Didn't you just say that you were moving to Scotland?

Scotland, Seattle.....I guess rain is a prerequisite

[ardchoille]

I live in the Northgate/Bitter Lake area of Seattle. Apartments/homes in Seattle are expensive, so be prepared to pay upwards of $700.00/month.

I use the Metro Transit bus system as my sole transportation and it's adequate, it would be better if some of the drivers learned how to tell time. The busier bus routes yield crowded buses.

Rain. If you hate it, don't move here, lol. We have mountains and that brings us a lot of rain; as air rises it loses its ability to hold water so moisture is dropped before the air goes over the mountains.

Downtown Seattle is awesome. Lots to see and you may not need the Metro Transit bus system much. Capital Hill can be a rough neighbourhood, I'm told that it's one of the higher crime rates in Seattle.

University of Washington is an excellent school.

And the WACKO (Washington Area Community Kilt Organisation) is located here!

[Sephy]

I lived in Seattle for about 13 or so years. I did my undergraduate at Seattle University. It is a vibrant and wonderful city and the weather is absolutely glorious for about three months out of the year.

Good central neighborhoods to consider are Capitol Hill, Magnolia, Queen Anne Hill, The University District and Ravenna/Wedgewood area.

Somebody mentioned you don't really need a car there and that is true. The bus system in Seattle is excellent and you can pretty much be anywhere in the city within half an hour. However, if you like hiking and exploring nature, it is very helpful to have a car at your disposition.

I wish you the best in your move and transition. If you need some contacts, let me know and I'll see what I can do. I still have tons of friends who are like family to me in Seattle and in the area. I also spend part of every summer there because, like I said earlier, the weather is glorious in the summer.

Cheers,

[josephkirkpatrick]

James: It's sort of still in transition... I'm finishing up my undergrad (one more year) here in the US, and it will probably be in seattle..

I live in albany now, and I'm paying 500 plus all utilities, so its about 700-750 a month for a crappy place in a mediocre neighborhood, so I'm not too worried about paying more than that in a building.

I do have a car, but I'm leasing it for like.... 220 a month plus the insane insurance premiums for a 23 YO male... I want to get rid of it, as it is a surprising gas guzzler. (a mazda 3 is supposed to be like 30 mpg, but i'm usually around 22.) If im in the city and can walk or ride my bike or the bus, then its senseless to let it keep draining my wallet.

Queen Anne and South Lake Union have been in my sights for places...

[Darkislander]

Been to Seattle for the day. Liked it. Crossed the border from Vancouver.