Commonly known as “Emerald City,” moving to Seattle means you’ll be surrounded by coffee shops and diverse restaurants, endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, and a booming tech hub. If you’re considering buying a home or renting an apartment in Seattle, here are the top reasons you should make this city in the Pacific Northwest your home.
1) Waterfront activities
Seattle is uniquely situated on many different bodies of water, and water activities are a way of life in Emerald City, from fishing vessels to high-speed crafts. The city boasts 140 miles of freshwater beachfront and over 50 miles of saltwater shoreline. Residents can kayak on Lake Union and watch seaplanes take off, wakeboard behind a boat on Lake Washington, or walk along the Alki Beach while enjoying the beautiful Seattle cityscape.
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If you are moving to Seattle, be sure to check out the city’s beautiful parks. Kerry Park boasts gorgeous views of the Space Needle; Volunteer Park, a natural oasis tucked in the vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood; and Washington Park Arboretum features miles of trails through forests of maples, magnolias, oaks, and more. You also don’t want to miss Green Lake Park or Gas Works Park.
3) Booming job market
Seattle is widely known for its flourishing job market, and similar to Silicon Valley, Seattle is a tech hub. Many people migrate to the city to further or begin their careers in the technology industry. Since the 1990s, Seattle has incubated firms like Amazon and Microsoft, employing over 100,000 residents in Emerald City. Because of this, the city has seen exponential growth over the past 30 years.
4) Seattle’s thriving food scene
One of the many perks of living in Seattle is that the city has a very diverse culinary scene. You will never lack delicious dim sum, creamy boba tea, savory curry, and authentic street tacos for as long as you call this city home. After exploring Pike Place Market, sit down for an Italian dinner and a show at The Pink Door. Indulge in delicious Caribbean sandwiches and fire-roasted corn at Un Bien. Try fresh lobster rolls at Bar Harbor. Visit the only Malaysian food spot in the Seattle area, Kedai Makan. Try inventive dishes at Joule, a Korean-inspired eatery. Or, if you want fine dining, you can’t go wrong at Canlis, which offers a full four-course meal and views of Seattle.
5) Proximity to neighboring cities
One unique aspect of living in the Queen City of the Pacific Northwest is you are in an ideal spot for numerous day trips from Seattle. You can be in Portland in less than three hours and Leavenworth, a Bavarian-styled village in the Cascade Mountains, in two and a half. Or, head to the Olympic Peninsula and Washington rainforest, just a four-hour trip. You can even head to Vancouver, Canada, and be there in under three hours.
6) Things to do
Seattle is packed with activities to do, both within city limits and just a short drive away. Explore the Seattle Center and visit world-class museums, like the Seattle Art Museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass, or the Frye Art Museum. Don’t miss a trip up the Space Needle and see Seattle from an entirely new viewpoint. Do you love hiking, kayaking, fishing, biking, snow skiing, or rock climbing? The beautiful state of Washington offers an abundance of outdoor activities.
If you’re a sports fan, cheer on the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Seattle Storm (WNBA), and the Seattle Kraken (NHL). If you’re moving to Seattle, you’ll have to decide whether you’re rooting for Washington State University or the University of Washington, the ultimate college rivalry. Or, if you are into festivals, there are dozens of art, music, and food festivals around the city.
7) Weather
If you like warm summer days and rainy winters, moving to Seattle will be one of the best decisions you could ever make. Summer sees an average high of 76 degrees in July, the perfect weather for residents to indulge in outdoor activities. And, winters see an average low of 37 in January. While there’s no denying that Seattle is a rainy city, it sees less annual precipitation than other major cities such as Chicago, Boston, Houston, and New York City.
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The arts scene in Seattle is incredible, and exploring it is something you can’t miss. Visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass to gaze upon colorful blown glass transformed into shapes and sculptures. Learn about the history of the indie music genre, props from famous horror movies, and more at the Museum of Pop Culture. Attend the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall or a show at the Pacific Northwest Ballet on the stage at McCaw Hall. Attend a concert at The Showbox, The Crocodile, Triple Door, or Neumos to see artists and bands of every genre.
Methodology: Median home sale price data was pulled from the US Housing Market resource during April 2022.
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Serving homebuyers and sellers in the Seattle area, Aubrey Shanks is a top real estate agent at Redfin with the latest market insights and local expertise. With years of experience as a real estate agent in the greater Seattle area, Aubrey Shanks possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the local market.
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