Welcome to Beautiful Seattle and the Pacific Northwest!

Written by Ian Joseph | Feb 6, 2018 1:54:00 PM

Moving can be a hassle, but it doesn’t always have to be.

Knowing which relocation resources are at your disposal is the first step to making a smooth move.

Whether you are making the first move into a new home or you already know the ins and outs of navigating a new place, it’s a good idea to have a reference list handy when you’re making a big transition. Seattle newcomers have their pick of diverse neighborhoods and communities where you can establish a new life. We’ve mapped out a few handy things to take note of in Seattle to ensure that your relocation runs issue-free.

Researching & Planning

There are so many resources available for finding the best new place to call home, but don’t feel overwhelmed! Our step-by-step approach will help you narrow down the general area, then the right Seattle neighborhood, then the perfect home.

Rank your priorities in order of importance

Finding a place that fits your budget and other needs is easier when you choose which factors matter most to you, and then rank them by importance. This list might include the cost of living, employment, amenities, crime rates, school rates, and whether you want to live in an urban, suburban, or rural area.

Research Seattle neighborhoods

Reach out to family or friends in the area and browse the city or county websites. These resources can give you a glimpse of the new life you’ll have once you move. Taking a look at the different neighborhoods in the area, the education system, schools, and nearby shops and stores is a great place to start.

Here are a few internet resources about Seattle that may be helpful:

Cost of Living

Schools

Finding the Right Fit

Once you’ve found these key pieces of information, it’s time to dig a bit deeper.

The Internet (Especially Social Media)

Finding and joining Facebook groups or forums belonging to your chosen area, as well as searching government and city websites will give you a general idea of how good of a fit the community you are joining will be for you.

Realtors

Feel free to reach out to realtors in the area for advice and resources. Chances are that they’ll know the area you are researching inside and out and can act as a valuable resource.

Our Neighborhood Summaries

Learn more about some of our favorite neighborhoods in Seattle:

Queen Anne
West Seattle

Budgeting Your Time & Scheduling Your Move

Uneven leasing periods, multiple moves, or scheduling conflicts often create stress when things don’t go as planned. It’s always helpful to have a storage space service in mind to give yourself time to sort out the nitty-gritty. Some storage companies make it easy to pay with online billing and other options, so be sure to look into what would be most convenient for you. This way, your most valuable things that are too big to haul around, like furniture, will be kept safe and sound. A few reliant storage companies include:

Making the Move

Choosing the right moving company to fit your needs will give you the peace of mind that your valuables will arrive safely, on time, and in good condition within your budget. There are several factors that go into selecting your preferred service. If you’re moving into a small Pacific Northwest town or county, many go local and opt for family-run moving services. In bigger cities, there are several nationally established and trusted movers that will easily do the job with the track record to prove it. These include:

Learning About Your New Community

Your day to day life in Seattle will be shaped by the community you choose to live in. Settling into a new community can be daunting to newcomers, but there are a few ways to ease yourself into it.

Read the Local News

You can feel like you are part of the community by subscribing to your local newspapers or magazines – even if you haven’t moved to Seattle yet. Keeping up with community news is a great way to see what is happening at a glance. Mark any fun events, sales, or exhibits that you don’t want to miss on your calendar, so you have things to look forward to when you arrive. Here are some common Seattle and Pacific Northwest news sources:

Visit Stores & Other Resources in Your Prospective Neighborhood

It helps to know the grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and other places that you may frequent in your new neighborhood. Seattle has a unique selection of traditional stores, co-ops, farmers markets, and small businesses to choose from. We also recommend trying out the public transportation in your neighborhood. Depending on where you’re located, you may have access to bus lines or Seattle’s Link Stations that will give you easy access to untold numbers of shops, events, and more.

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