Moving from one city to another is a one-of-a-kind adventure. It’s a chance to rediscover yourself, chase new opportunities, or make new connections. It’s also an enormous undertaking, and you’ll want to make sure you’re ready for the transition.
When moving from Sacramento to Seattle, there are plenty of things you need to take care of before making the leap. This includes seeking out temporary housing or a place to stay with family and friends, finding a job, and figuring out how to get around town.
Lucky for you, here’s a list of everything you need to know.
Higher Cost of Living
Seattle is one of the few cities that can go toe-to-toe with San Francisco’s crazy high living expenses. That being said, expect the worst for your budget once you leave Sacramento. To illustrate, here’s the data from bestplaces.net:
- All in all, Seattle WA is 45.8% more expensive than Sacramento CA. Property values primarily contribute to the massive difference.
- The median home cost for Seattle is $714,400, while the average rent is $1,928 / month for a 1-bedroom apartment. In comparison, Sacramento’s median home price is only $327,300, with an average rent of $1,533.
- Surprisingly, utilities are cheaper in Seattle by at least 30%. However, it easily beats Sacramento’s average costs in other categories.
Moving to Seattle means skimping on for several months until you stabilize your income. But not to worry. The city has plenty of opportunities that make use of any given skill set.
The Food Scene Has a Lot to Offer
When talking about flavor, Sacramento doesn’t hold a candle to the Emerald City. Home to world-renowned coffee, seafood, and fresh produce, it’s no wonder that Seattle’s dining scene has been awarded national acclaim. And while it’s true that some of the city’s most popular restaurants can seem over-priced and over-hyped, there are plenty of hidden gems and innovative chefs for you to discover. From creative cocktails and lovingly prepared food to a lively nightlife scene, this vibrant city is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates a little bit of spice and color with their lives.
Plenty of Great Opportunities Await You
Moving to Seattle opens you up to a world of possibilities. You’ll have access to different industries that you’d never have imagined getting into while living in Sacramento. Seattle has been one of the fastest-growing cities for the past several years. Owing to the success of companies like Amazon and Starbucks, people from all over the country flock in droves. Its thriving economy never runs out of demand for well-educated and experienced employees, especially in high-paying fields like engineering and tech.
You can find a plethora of jobs in Seattle, from a store clerk to a teacher to a software developer. There’s so much opportunity that many Seattleites find it difficult to determine which industry to enter. Couple this lucrative environment with the state’s no income tax policy, and you’ll see cash flow in no time. However, it’s also important to remember that the high cost of living will affect your overall finances.
The Weather Isn’t That Bad
If there’s one thing you’re going to miss, it will be the glorious summers of Sacramento. See, when talking about Seattle, you often hear about its drizzles and gray skies. While this is partly true, you’ll also get to see incredible sunsets, sunrises, and rainbows.
According to the National Weather Service, the Seattle-Tacoma area in Washington gets an average of 115 days of rain each year. It also experiences 165 cloudy days, which means that the city enjoys nearly twice as many cloudy days as sunny ones.
So, how does Seattle combat its rainy reputation? By embracing it. Most locals don’t even bother with umbrellas. Instead, they take advantage of all the extra time they save by not having to wait for the bus to stop raining, get to work, and change their clothes at the office. However, it’s best to get an umbrella since you’re new to the city. It needs some getting used to.
Making Friends Isn’t Impossible
Moving to a new city is always hard, even when it’s a city you’ve visited before. On top of that, there’s this ongoing stereotype that Seattle is a lonely town full of introverts in their own little worlds. But here’s the truth: Making friends in Seattle isn’t impossible, but it will take some effort. If you’re new, don’t give up on breaking through the city’s chilly exterior and make some new friends. It’ll take a while, but you’ll get there.
We hope you’ve found this information useful and that it’s given you a better understanding of what Seattle has to offer. If you’re still looking for more resources about the Emerald City, or need an affordable Seattle moving company to help with your move from Sacramento, we recommend checking out our moving blog posts page. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!