Table of Contents

• Why More People Are Quietly Leaving Washington
• Who’s Moving (and Why)
• Top Destinations for Former Washingtonians
• How to Know What You Value Most
• What to Do Before You Move
• How I Help Clients Like You Relocate
• Should You Stay or Should You Go?
• FAQ

Leaving Washington State? A Smart, Strategic Relocation Guide for Homeowners, Retirees, and Families

By Emily Cressey, Seattle Realtor® | Founder, HomePro Associates

Over the past few years, my twitter habit (now X.com) has shown me that there’s a certain segment of Washingtonians that are LEAVING the state.

First it was for restrictive COVID policies, and now it’s because they’re getting priced out.

Many who have lived here for generations or have raised kids that are now grown are getting out because they can’t afford it or dont want to ay more.

The third category is people who are fed up with the quality of life. Drugs and homelesseness on the streets and things just seem to be getting worse year after year. I remember as a high school student hanging out with my friends on the Ave down by the U-district, or Capitol Hill, where one of my buddies lived. No more. I would NEVER let my kids (highschoolers) go hang out there at night. (Nor would I go myself as a middle-aged mom). I DID take my daughter to a dinner on Capitol Hill and concert at Pike Place on a dark Thursday night recently, we rode the light rail and everything was totally fine, but I did feel nervous and kept my head on swivel. I don’t know the are well enough to know whether it’s always fine or we got lucky, but I was even nervous about the light rail there and back. I see enough crazy stuff during the day, that I can’t imagine it all gets better in the evenings.

So now, as the tech market sags and people who have made their money start looking around, and looking at their numbers, their quality of life, and their future… many folks are starting to ask the hard questions. How much longer do I want to live here? Does staying in Washington still make sense for us?

If you’re in that same boat, wondering whether to stay or go, you’re not alone.

This guide is meant to give you the full picture of why people are leaving, where they’re going, and how you can do it smartly, without making costly financial mistakes or wasting time.

Why More People Are Leaving Washington

Let’s be honest—Washington is still an incredible place. We’ve got stunning scenery, strong employers, and vibrant communities.

However, I just watched a video of a Dad who was at a talk/tax protest on the steps of the state Capitol in Olympia saying his kids had grown, he and his wife had just sold their house and were moving to Florida, and he was “taxed out” of his house by (amoung other things ($1,100/month property taxes).

For many longtime residents, Seattle doesn’t feel like the same city they moved to. The math feels harder. The lifestyle tradeoffs aren’t what they used to be.

Here are the main themes I am seeing:

The Tax Picture Has Changed

Even though Washington doesn’t have a state income tax (yet), many folks are feeling the pinch elsewhere. Property taxes have crept up year after year, especially in places like King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. Properties that have been owned for decades are now valued over a million dollars and are getting billed in excess of $1,000/month in property taxes.

We’re also now dealing with a capital gains tax for high earners, gas tax, car tabs taxes that voters tried to irradicate but the government would not comply, sales taxes – even on services, B&O taxes on gross business revenue, and increases in insurance costs that make home ownership more challenging.

With a Washington State budget shortfall now on the table, a socialist mayor in Seattle, and ongoing fraud being uncovered that wastes taxpayer dollars, people are frustrated and don’t want to keep playing this game.

Housing Isn’t Affordable Even Outside Seattle

It used to be that if Seattle got too pricey, you could move a bit farther out and find relief. As a 3rd generation Seattite, I saw my grandparents live on the edge of town (Windermere as it was being developed), my parents live on the edge of town (Shoreline – when it was so quiet they were scared at night of the wild animal noises), and my husband and I had our first home in Lynnwood in a condo near the highway.

But, especially through the last five years, we’ve seen home prices have risen across the region and even living 30-60 minutes away from downtown is pricey. A starter condo is $300K, and don’t expect to buy a single family house for less than $500K.

It’s harder to downsize to cut costs, and stay in town. (Especially if you’re coming from a low-interest rate mortgage to a higher-rate one.) Equity on paper doesn’t always mean flexibility in real life. Most people who are doing well with their move in this situation are buying their retirement home cash, and taking advantage of senior-citizen property tax exemptions.

Quality-of-Life Concerns Are Real

John Choe is a local journalist who chronicles the frustrations (and dangers) of living near homeless encampments, witnessing public drug use, dealing with rising property crime, or just not feeling safe anymore. These aren’t political soundbites. These are daily realities affecting how people live, raise their kids, and plan for the future. They’re starting to affect even the best/safest areas on the East Side, where local residents have formed “Neighborhood watch” groups to chase shoplifters out of the their neighborhood grocery stores.

Work Isn’t Always Tied to Place Anymore

With more companies embracing remote or hybrid work, and some even moving operations elsewhere, people are realizing they no longer have to stay put to keep their jobs. When employers create other options, residents often take advantage of this freedom of location to live in less expensive or sunnier areas.

With the threat of local head taxes on large employers like Amazon and Microsoft, and “millionaire” taxes in discussions which threaten the income of high earners, some of the biggest employers in the area are talking about locating away from Seattle’s robust IT-hub.

So, Who’s Moving, and Why?

In my experience, four main groups are leading the charge in terms of leaving the area:

Retirees: They’re looking for a better quality of life at a lower price: They want sunnier weather, fewer tax surprises, cheaper food, gas and housing. And there are lots of places their retirement dollars stretch further than they do here in the Seattle area.

Remote Workers and High Earners: As IT incomes stagnate, the trade-off for staying in town doesn’t look as good. The “golden years” for IT workers appear to be on the way out. With the threat of downsizing and off-shoring, some are taking their savings and retiring, traveling or looking for a better work-life-balance.

Business Owners and Real Estate Investors: Before I became a realtor, I considered buying a business in Washington State. As a real estate investor, I have often considered buying rental property here. But with the level of taxes, regulations, and operational costs rising, this area is not very business friendly and the high cost makes it feel higher-risk.

Families: For those raising kids, the decision is deeply personal. Does Seattle still offer the advantages that your family wants or have concerns driven by school quality, neighborhood safety, and housing affordability affordability, outweighed the prospects of long-term opportunity here.

I was friends with a couple who had a 9 year old in private school and they lived in a great neighborhood in Wallingford. The husband had a tech-adjacent dream job. When they heard there was a man wandering around their neighborhood with a machete one day, it was the final straw. The husband’s job allowed remote work so they sold their house and moved to a small town near Leavenworth, Washington.

Where Are People Going?

So, if you’re a long time Pacific Northwesterner, where will go you go?

I’ve had friends and clients go all over.

• Some friends from church moved to texas and started a farm and now they have livestock guardian dogs and a pig or two.
• My current client got a job in PA, but is planning to buy a small house in South Dakota where he can relax with nature.
• Other clients moved to Idaho for a more conservative community and their daughter finally found someone to marry.
• One older couple moved to the Carolinas to be near family.

Some of have gone to Tennessee, Arkansas, California, almost any state you can imagine… but there are some top contenders where I see a lot of Washingtonians “retreat” to.

Idaho

Idaho is geographically close and culturally familiar to Washington, which makes it a top choice for many. Cities like Boise, Meridian, and Coeur d’Alene are growing fast. Historically it has been more conservative and “small town” but this is changing somewhat as more people from “out of state” come that way… Property taxes tend to be lower, and the community feel is strong. That said, in-migration has pushed housing prices up, and job markets are smaller in certain areas.

We enjoy visiting “Silverwood” a local roller coaster theme park there just over the border from Spokane, and have also gone there for a Dude Ranch experience. It is beautiful and feels “small town” in the areas we have been.

Texas

No state income tax and a booming economy make Texas a magnet for professionals and entrepreneurs. Austin was a huge tech-magnet during COVID since they had a google office there, but now prices have been in decline since the tide has been running out and leaving that area, housing prices are falling too.

Houston was another big draw with with people moving to Conroe and The Woodlands. With so much land in the area, a lot of new construction went in, and housing prices didn’t go up as much because there’s lots of “supply” available.

In terms of in-migration from Washington, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio lead the way. The weather is hotter, property taxes are higher, and urban sprawl can be intense, but many feel the tradeoffs are worth it.

Arizona

With sunshine year-round and strong healthcare infrastructure, Arizona continues to attract retirees. Scottsdale, Phoenix, Suprise and Tucson are especially popular. The heat is a factor, and water concerns are growing, but for many, the cost of living and lifestyle amenities make up for it.

My uncle from Chicago bought a second house here and loved the area before his passing. It’s a great place to play pickleball and make new friends. The market has also been softer here since the COVID boom.

Florida

Florida’s tax benefits and retirement-friendly communities are hard to beat. They just caught a big fish – Jeff Bezos – who recently abandoned Seattle for more tropical pastures. Will Bill Gates be its next resident?

Places like Sarasota, Naples, and The Villages are built around the retirement lifestyle. Still, insurance costs, hurricanes, and HOA rules require careful consideration. The real estate market and rental market are softening here, and recently insurance has been harder to get due to storms. Air BnB is also more regulated so it may be harder to be a profitable “snow bird” in this location if you want to rent out your home when you’re away visiting grandkids or traveling. And you may want to be – this is a hot swamp in the summer!

When I talk to people in Florida who used to live in Washington, they miss the mountains and say it’s very FLAT here. Seems like paradise to me, but I’ve only been a few times! (Once to Epcot Center and Disneyworld as a kid, and once on a Habitat 4 Humanity trip in the middle of the state (farm country) during college). On the drive back we went to Sugar Beach and tried clubbing. Go Gators!

What Do You Value Most?

This is where it gets personal. Why are you moving? What are you escaping FROM and what are you looking FOR?

• Are you most concerned about weather?
• Taxes?
• Healthcare?
• Family proximity?
• Safety?
• The job market?

You can’t get everything in one place, but you can prioritize what matters most to you.

That’s what makes a move successful.

What to Do Before You Move

Now as much as I would love to help you with your Seattle home as you relocate to other areas, it’s important not to rush when you are making a big lifestyle change.

Because I also work with a lot of people who are relocating to Seattle, I want to point out some flaws with the system that make things hard for people, and things they “wish they knew.”

The biggest mistakes I see when people come from moving too fast, or with too little information.

Here’s how to avoid that:

Step 1: Understand your true equity position. Know what your home is worth, your payoff amount, and what kind of capital gains tax you might face. Use this free tool: Home Valuation Tool.

Step 2: Talk to a tax advisor before listing. A little planning can save you thousands and protect your timeline. Some of the proceeds of your home sale may be taxable if you profit more than $250K (single), or $500K (married). You will also have to pay the Washington State Excise Tax which is a sales tax on the gross sales price of your home.

Step 3: Research your target area well in advance. Know the cost of living, housing inventory, school systems, healthcare access, and more. I would suggest going to visit for a month or so and staying in an Air BnB so you can get a feel for the area, or take several shorter trips at different times of year, and stay in different parts of town. Visit the library, grocery store, dog parks and other “day to day” places you might go, rather than just hitting the tourist highlights, and see where you feel you’d be comfortable.

Step 4: Consider renting first. A short-term lease in your new location gives you time to explore neighborhoods, meet people, and make sure it’s really the right fit before buying again. The challenge can be what to do with your furniture, but a “pod” or long term storage solution might help you take the pressure off finding a place for your stuff, without making you back and unpack more than once.

How I Help Clients Navigate Relocation

First – I can put you in touch with realtors in your target “areas of interest” to get you connected to someone with “boots on the ground” who can help you find a new neighborhood and home you’re going to love in your new state.

Second – I can help you prepare for the sale of your Washington State home.

This isn’t just about selling your house.

It’s about building a smart transition plan.

I help my clients evaluate their goals, map their timelines, and connect them with trusted real estate agents and professionals across the country. Whether you’re moving in three months or three years, I’ll help you make the move intentionally, not reactively.

Explore more resources here:

• Complete Relocation Guide
• Downsizing Support
• Investor-Friendly Selling Advice

Should You Move Now, or Wait?

There’s no universal answer. If you feel like Seattle is going from bad to worse, what is your forecast for the area in the next 5-10 years?

On a more personal level, if your expenses are growing faster than your income, retirement is near, or you’ve already been considering relocation, it might make sense to act now. Especially since planning and executing a big move like this can sometimes take years.

But if your job is here, your family needs you close, or you need more time to maximize equity, waiting can be wise too. The key is being intentional, not reactive.

FAQ

Will I owe capital gains tax when I sell? It depends on how long you’ve owned the home and whether it’s been your primary residence. Washington’s new capital gains tax applies in certain cases. Your CPA can help you sort it out. Let me know if you need a recommendation to someone who can help you with this, I have a great contact.

Is this a good time to sell? For month-by-month real estate updates in various parts of the Seattle market, check out our real estate news page to see what’s happening in the market now.

In general in the Seattle area, inventory remains tight, and demand is steady. If you have equity and a clear relocation plan, this may be an excellent window to list. However, I generally recommend moving when it’s right for you, and not trying to time the market.

Can I buy in another state while selling here? Yes, this is a great idea, and many lenders have programs to support this IF you have significant equity in your current home. It’s doable but takes coordination. The advantage is that you only have to move ONCE. This can work especially well if you are buying new construction in your target location. However, renting first is often a lower-stress strategy that gives you breathing room.

Do you help with agent referrals? Yes. I have a nationwide network of vetted agents who work like I do: no fluff, just real support.

Is it smarter to rent before buying again? Often, yes. Renting lets you explore, avoid hasty decisions, and understand your new community before you commit. However, you can also miss out on opportunities like lower prices or mortgage incentives if you wait too long to plant roots and begin building equity in your new location. Renting is a plan that minimizes risk, but may lead to missing out on opportunity. I only suggest buying a home if you plan to stay in the new location for at least 5 years.

Let’s Talk

If you’re thinking about leaving Washington State but don’t know where to start, I’d be happy to talk you through some of the decision points you may be considering.

Message me to schedule a private, no-pressure consultation. I’ll help you run the numbers, clarify your goals, and take your next step with clarity and confidence.

This decision deserves care. Let’s make it together, I’m here to help.