Moving to Seattle from DC...

[Anonymous]

There is a very good chance we'll be moving to Seattle in the next few months...anyone ever lived there? How was it? Quality of life? Cost of living? Family-friendly? I am sort of dreading the move b/c all I hear about is never-ending clouds and rain. Any advice, tips, honest assessments of the area would be great. FYI - we have a 15 month old.

[Anonymous]

Quality of life must be fantastic! I've heard great things! Take me with you!

[Anonymous]

OP here Thanks for the reassurance. I'll need new friends - come join us

[Anonymous]

I am jealous! I have family in Seattle and they love the quality of live - although there are a lot of workaholics there as well I visit often - you will love the bumbershoot festival that is held on labor day weekend! You will have a lot of cloudy/rainy days, but my sister purchased one of those sun lamps that you sit under for 1/2 a day to beat the blues and she says it works for her. My DH's job keeps us here, although we are always looking for opportunities there as we would love to move to the NW one day.

[Anonymous]

We made the move from DC to Portland (three hours south of Seattle) with a 10 month old at the time a few years ago. The cities definitely share similarities, including weather, so I can speak to that if you're interested and the broader perspective of moving from DC to the Pacific Northwest - but can't give a ton of specifics on living in Seattle itself.

[Anonymous]

I LOVE THE NW! I only had the opportunity for 2 short trips out to Seattle when DH was on a consulting project out there...but I loved it. The air quality was so good...I stepped off the plane and I think it is the first time I breathed through my nose in years.

I loved downtown Seattle...and the beauty of Mt.Ranier. It just so happened both my trips were in the summer and it didn't rain a single day...was sunny, no humidity and about 78Degrees. I know that is not the norm, but it was great. I personally like stormy, cloudy weather...now if it were constant I don't know. I still prefer it over this crappy heat and humidity. We lived in N.Europe for a while and the summers were chilly and wet and I really liked it.

Quality of life I hear is fantastic in Seattle. I'd be so excited!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We made the move from DC to Portland (three hours south of Seattle) with a 10 month old at the time a few years ago. The cities definitely share similarities, including weather, so I can speak to that if you're interested and the broader perspective of moving from DC to the Pacific Northwest - but can't give a ton of specifics on living in Seattle itself.

New poster. Definitely interested to hear about the move to Portland from DC. We are considering it. What are some good close-in family friendly neighborhoods that have good schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made the move from DC to Portland (three hours south of Seattle) with a 10 month old at the time a few years ago. The cities definitely share similarities, including weather, so I can speak to that if you're interested and the broader perspective of moving from DC to the Pacific Northwest - but can't give a ton of specifics on living in Seattle itself.

New poster. Definitely interested to hear about the move to Portland from DC. We are considering it. What are some good close-in family friendly neighborhoods that have good schools?

There are many great close-in neighborhoods in Portland that are family friendly. Schools are mixed; part of it is deciding if you want to live on west side or east side of town...both great in different ways. Not sure how familiar you are the the city; east side is flat with much older homes...tree-lined streets, porches, walking distance to restaurants, etc.; west side is very hilly with a more forested feel to it - not too hard to get a house with great views, homes in general can trend a bit more of the 50s, 60s all the way to brand new era. Fewer sidewalks on the west side. On the east side, some of the best schools are in NE, in the Irvington and surrounding neighborhoods. On the west side (where we live), the Bridlemile neighborhood is very popular with a great elementary school. Also Hillsdale (next to Bridlemile), Portland Heights and Council Crest (same area, right up from downtown with really nice/expensive homes...some of those are older style and beautiful and the schools are very good). I could probably write a book here on the positives (there are many!) and negatives (there are fewer but some have been key for me) of Portland...let me know if you have any more specific questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We made the move from DC to Portland (three hours south of Seattle) with a 10 month old at the time a few years ago. The cities definitely share similarities, including weather, so I can speak to that if you're interested and the broader perspective of moving from DC to the Pacific Northwest - but can't give a ton of specifics on living in Seattle itself.

New poster. Definitely interested to hear about the move to Portland from DC. We are considering it. What are some good close-in family friendly neighborhoods that have good schools?

There are many great close-in neighborhoods in Portland that are family friendly. Schools are mixed; part of it is deciding if you want to live on west side or east side of town...both great in different ways. Not sure how familiar you are the the city; east side is flat with much older homes...tree-lined streets, porches, walking distance to restaurants, etc.; west side is very hilly with a more forested feel to it - not too hard to get a house with great views, homes in general can trend a bit more of the 50s, 60s all the way to brand new era. Fewer sidewalks on the west side. On the east side, some of the best schools are in NE, in the Irvington and surrounding neighborhoods. On the west side (where we live), the Bridlemile neighborhood is very popular with a great elementary school. Also Hillsdale (next to Bridlemile), Portland Heights and Council Crest (same area, right up from downtown with really nice/expensive homes...some of those are older style and beautiful and the schools are very good). I could probably write a book here on the positives (there are many!) and negatives (there are fewer but some have been key for me) of Portland...let me know if you have any more specific questions.

PP here. Forgot to mention that when we were planning our move, I found this site extremely helpful: http://www.movingtoportland.net/

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info on Portland. I don't know the city at all so this is very helpful. Have been looking at real estate and love the variety of what is available (and the price point). What are the negatives and positives for you? I like that it is an outdoor oriented city and think that would fit well with our lifestyle. My biggest concern is that it might feel to small town. Having said that, I don't live in the city right now, although do live in a close-in NOVA neighborhood, so that part might be more in my head.

[Anonymous]

Former Seattle-ite here. The COL is somewhat less than living in the DC region. Price-per-sq-ft is very similar for analogous neighborhoods, so just count on the same. ie, the Cleveland Park house will cost the same in North Capital Hill in Seattle; the Gaithersburg-type house will cost the same in Sammamish, Wa.

You will feel richer because Washington state has no personal income tax! It's great.

The weather all year is temperate and the temperature doesn't vary much between 45 and 72. NO humidity.

The quality of life, IMO, is much much higher in Seattle than in D.C. What you miss in Smithsonians and cherry blossoms and bialys you will -more- than make up for in Seattle. (unless you are the rare kind of Washington family where mom and dad work few hours and have easy commutes. I personally don't know anyone like that but DCUM suggests there are some, maybe).

Do not underestimate the depressive power of gray, sunless days that go on and on for 6 straight months. Those in the know remember to 1. get a light box like a PP said; 2. take somewhat frequent get-away weekends between November and April (these can be economical or lavish, it's up to you; just driving over the mountains for 2 hours guarantees some sun) 3. Consider a low dose of an SSRI if needed. 4. Exercise, frequently.


On the bright side, Seattle area governments and businesses have created a nice network of indoor play spaces of the like that we just don't have here in any number. They're perfect for toddler/preschoolers and they're basically indoor playgrounds. Check the community centers as a start.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny in Portland (heard about this site through the nanny grapevine and like to lurk once in a while.) I grew up in the Seattle area (jr/sr high school) and recently took my 17 mo old and 4 yr old charges to Seattle for a weekend while their parents were in San Francisco.

I work in the Ladd's Addition neighborhood in Portland. It's very close to downtown w/o the price tag (though still overpriced if you ask me.) There are lots of bike paths and public transportation is quite good. Driving is a headache! Another great neighborhood is the Hollywood District...it's on the lightrail line, has a new Whole Foods, a Fred Meyer (I think you call them Kroger back there?) and all the major banks...oh and Trader Joe's. It's easy to get around this neighborhood even by car. One PP mentioned the east side being flat...as a nanny who often bikes w/ her charges I can assure that is most definitely not the case!!!! Flat compared to the west side maybe, but definitely not flat.

I personally live on Mt. Hood which is 50 miles East of Portland (just took my charges home w/ me last night to get out of the heat.)

There's also Hood River where you can wind sail or pick/buy fruit etc. I think the PNW is the best place to live and I couldn't imagine living any place else. (I lived in Pennsylvania for a year and the weather was insane.)

It's true we get a lot of rain, but if you google the statistics you'll find Miami, Honolulu and I think DC all get more rain than we do, and none of them have the access to beach, mountains etc. that we have.

I don't know much about Seattle neighborhoods but I do know there are LOTS of great activities for kids/families to do. Victoria BC is a ferry ride away, Mt. Rainier is a quick drive, there's the Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, the waterfront, Space Needle, Children's Museum and so forth. LOTS to do. Both Seattle and Portland are very outdoors oriented. Also the Olympic Peninsula will provide lots and lots of weekend trips for you. (Pacific Beach is my favorite because it's big and very unpopulated. You can go out at 7 am and have the beach to yourself.)

[Anonymous]

It's true we get a lot of rain, but if you google the statistics you'll find Miami, Honolulu and I think DC all get more rain than we do

The total inches rainfall isn't the problem, it's the complete lack of sun in Seattle for months on end.

[Anonymous]

Seattle's a tough town if you're 40 or older. Not very intellectual. Great if you like outdoor sports and lots of gray.

[Anonymous]

OP here: No sun, huh? That scares me...