Planning a move to Seattle? Our Seattle Relocation Guide covers everything from the Seattle housing market to the best neighborhoods, cost of living, and transportation.
Why Move to Seattle?
- Booming Job Market – Amazon, Microsoft, and top tech companies.
- Outdoor Lifestyle – Mountains, lakes, and hiking trails.
- Top Schools – Strong public and private options.
- No State Income Tax – Keep more of your earnings.
Best Neighborhoods in Seattle
Seattle offers a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm and amenities to suit different lifestyles.
- Downtown Seattle – Ideal for those who enjoy urban living, high-rise apartments, and easy access to entertainment, dining, and corporate offices.
- Ballard – A trendy neighborhood with a mix of historic charm, a thriving food scene, and waterfront parks along the Puget Sound.
- Capitol Hill – A lively and diverse community with a vibrant nightlife, cultural attractions, and historic architecture.
- West Seattle – Offers a suburban feel with beautiful beaches, great local shops, and scenic views of the downtown skyline.
- Bellevue & Kirkland – Located just outside Seattle, these suburban cities provide excellent schools, upscale shopping, and a family-oriented environment.
Seattle Relocation Guide: Everything You Need To Know Before You Move
Thinking about moving to Seattle? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re relocating for a new job, moving your family, or trying to understand which Seattle neighborhood fits your lifestyle, this page gives you the clear, local insight you need to make a confident decision.
I’m Emily Cressey, a Seattle Realtor and lifelong Washington resident. I’ve helped hundreds of families relocate to the greater Seattle area, and this hub is designed to give you the insider’s guide locals wish they had before they moved.
Watch: What It’s Really Like To Live In Seattle
Start with this video overview covering neighborhoods, commute tips, weather, and what surprises most newcomers.
Download Your Free Seattle Relocation Guide
Get my complete Seattle Relocation Guide delivered to your inbox. It includes neighborhood breakdowns, commute maps, home price comparisons, and school insights.
Download the Seattle Relocation Guide
Start Here: Explore the Greater Seattle Region
Seattle isn’t just one big city — it’s a collection of distinct communities. Use the guides below to compare the top areas people consider when moving to the Puget Sound.
- Seattle Neighborhoods Guide
- Bellevue & Eastside Neighborhoods
- North End Communities (Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Everett)
- South End Communities (Renton, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, Tacoma)
- Peninsula & Island Communities
What It’s Like To Live in Seattle
Seattle offers the best of Pacific Northwest living: stunning water and mountain views, a booming tech economy, and vibrant neighborhoods filled with parks, cafes, and culture. But as a newcomer, you may notice a few things right away:
- The weather: Mild year-round, but expect gray skies from November–April.
- The lifestyle: Outdoorsy, eco-conscious, active, and coffee-fueled.
- Traffic: Commute times vary widely based on bridges, direction, and time of day.
- Job market: Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, biotech, and aerospace anchor the economy.
Housing Costs: What You Should Know Before You Move
Home prices in Seattle vary dramatically by neighborhood. As of this year:
- Seattle: $850K–$1.6M+ depending on area
- Bellevue: $1.3M–$2.5M+
- Kirkland: $1.2M–$2M+
- Redmond: $1.0M–$1.8M+
- Issaquah/Sammamish: $900K–$1.6M+
- North End (Shoreline/Edmonds): $750K–$1.2M+
Schools & Districts
Many relocators choose neighborhoods based on school districts. The strongest districts tend to be:
- Bellevue School District
- Lake Washington School District (Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish)
- Issaquah School District
- Northshore School District (Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville)
Seattle Commutes & Traffic
Commutes vary significantly depending on which bridge you cross:
- I-5 corridor: North–South traffic can be slow in peak hours.
- I-90 bridge: Best connection between Seattle and Issaquah/Sammamish.
- 520 bridge: Main connection to Bellevue/Redmond tech campuses.
- Light Rail: Expanding rapidly — a game changer for many relocators.
Top Questions From Relocating Families
Q: Where do most tech workers live?
A: Popular choices are Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Greenlake, Queen Anne, and Capitol Hill.
Q: Is Seattle safe?
A: Like any major city, it varies by neighborhood. Most residential areas have a strong community feel.
Q: Is Seattle good for families?
A: Yes—parks, trails, excellent schools, and family-friendly neighborhoods make it a top relocation destination.
Q: What shocks newcomers the most?
A: The microclimates, cost of housing, and how intensely people care about coffee, hiking, and recycling.
Ready to Start Your Move?
I help relocating families narrow down neighborhoods, understand commute options, and make smart home-buying decisions from out of state. If you’d like personalized guidance, I’m here to help.
Schedule Your Seattle Relocation Strategy Session
Download Your Free Seattle Relocation Guide
Get my complete Seattle Relocation Guide delivered to your inbox. It includes neighborhood breakdowns, commute maps, home price comparisons, and school insights.
Download the Seattle Relocation Guide
Start Here: Explore the Greater Seattle Region
Seattle isn’t just one big city — it’s a collection of distinct communities. Use the guides below to compare the top areas people consider when moving to the Puget Sound.
- Seattle Neighborhoods Guide
- Bellevue & Eastside Neighborhoods
- North End Communities (Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Everett)
- South End Communities (Renton, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, Tacoma)
- Peninsula & Island Communities
What It’s Like To Live in Seattle
Seattle offers the best of Pacific Northwest living: stunning water and mountain views, a booming tech economy, and vibrant neighborhoods filled with parks, cafes, and culture. But as a newcomer, you may notice a few things right away:
- The weather: Mild year-round, but expect gray skies from November–April.
- The lifestyle: Outdoorsy, eco-conscious, active, and coffee-fueled.
- Traffic: Commute times vary widely based on bridges, direction, and time of day.
- Job market: Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, biotech, and aerospace anchor the economy.
Housing Costs: What You Should Know Before You Move
Home prices in Seattle vary dramatically by neighborhood. As of this year:
- Seattle: $850K–$1.6M+ depending on area
- Bellevue: $1.3M–$2.5M+
- Kirkland: $1.2M–$2M+
- Redmond: $1.0M–$1.8M+
- Issaquah/Sammamish: $900K–$1.6M+
- North End (Shoreline/Edmonds): $750K–$1.2M+
Your assistant can update these numbers yearly in 2 minutes.
Schools & Districts
Many relocators choose neighborhoods based on school districts. The strongest districts tend to be:
- Bellevue School District
- Lake Washington School District (Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish)
- Issaquah School District
- Northshore School District (Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville)
Seattle Commutes & Traffic
Commutes vary significantly depending on which bridge you cross:
- I-5 corridor: North–South traffic can be slow in peak hours.
- I-90 bridge: Best connection between Seattle and Issaquah/Sammamish.
- 520 bridge: Main connection to Bellevue/Redmond tech campuses.
- Light Rail: Expanding rapidly — a game changer for many relocators.
Top Questions From Relocating Families
Q: Where do most tech workers live?
A: Popular choices are Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Greenlake, Queen Anne, and Capitol Hill.
Q: Is Seattle safe?
A: Like any major city, it varies by neighborhood. Most residential areas have a strong community feel.
Q: Is Seattle good for families?
A: Yes—parks, trails, excellent schools, and family-friendly neighborhoods make it a top relocation destination.
Q: What shocks newcomers the most?
A: The microclimates, cost of housing, and how intensely people care about coffee, hiking, and recycling.
Ready to Start Your Move?
I help relocating families narrow down neighborhoods, understand commute options, and make smart home-buying decisions from out of state. If you’d like personalized guidance, I’m here to help.
Schedule Your Seattle Relocation Strategy Session
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