> We would love to move to Seattle and have family/friends there, no family here or within 2000 miles.

That is the most important thing, IMO. Life is short. You can get by in any number of job/financial situations if you're careful and you have good reasons for your choices -- and loving your city and being close to family and friends are excellent reasons!

Anonymous wrote:Seattle isn't *that* much cheaper than here (and some things may be more expensive), but I assume your husband could get some kind of job making at least $25k? If so, seems to be a wash from a HHI standpoint so go ahead and move if you think you'll be happier there...

My husband is from Seattle, and while we love it there, the weather truly depresses me too much.

Ditto. DH is from Seattle and all his family is there so we go out a lot... housing prices are not that much cheaper close-in and traffic is pretty bad if you live further out. BIL and SIL both work for Microsoft and recently traded in a bigger house further out for a much smaller one closer in due to the horrible commute. I also have trouble with the weather- constant gray and extremely short summers (and even then, it rarely cracks 80 degrees). Some people can handle the weather, but you really need to figure out if you are one of those people. (Hiking in 50 degree mist on a Saturday is not a fun weekend for me...) Definitely spend some time out there before you accept the job- at least a long weekend.

My husband and I considered a similar move to Seattle for all the same reasons a few years ago. If I were in your shoes, I'd take the chance.

But, I will join the chorus of posters who have cautioned you about the cost of living. After having our DC in a federal daycare here, we were shocked at the cost of private daycare in Seattle. The centers were lovely, but they weren't easily accessible and they weren't cheap. And the traffic is no joke.

That said, the people are so friendly, the weather is so appealing and there is so much to do. Sure, you might have a tough year out there, but you have family and friends to support you and you'll be putting down roots and making connections in a place you want to call home. Just be prepared for some belt-tightening and hang in there.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:I am actually online researching because I too am facing the exact same dilemma. My husband is being offered a position with his company which is offering about the same amount base salary of about 80k. I do not know many people who have ever lived there and one couple was military so of course their cost of living and expenses are more cushioned by military stipends, etc. I am curious as to what other information you have found in your research and if you have made a decision one way or the other.

Where is the job, Seattle downtown or the suburbs (i.e. Redmond)? Again, I'm from Seattle and the city plus burbs are pretty expensive. Commute can be a nightmare from eastside burbs to Seattle and back. Trust me, it rivals DC.

Get out of here while you can. Salaries for most jobs are less in other parts of the country. Quality of life is much better. I would do it in a heartbeat. If you want to move, don't wait to find a salary like the one you have here.

I am actually online researching because I too am facing the exact same dilemma. My husband is being offered a position with his company which is offering about the same amount base salary of about 80k. I do not know many people who have ever lived there and one couple was military so of course their cost of living and expenses are more cushioned by military stipends, etc. I am curious as to what other information you have found in your research and if you have made a decision one way or the other.

I would do it, but I would be prepared to spend as much on housing as you do here ... I love Seattle and the chance to move out there with more-or-less the same household income (assuming your husband finds work) would be too tempting to pass up.

Personally I would look for a house in Ballard/Green Lake/Fremont -- I have friends with kids in some of the elementary schools around there and they are happy with their education thus far, and I love those neighborhoods. Seattle has a magnet/G&T program (forget what it's called, exactly) for middle school/high school, if that is likely to be an option for your kids down the line. Note that high school boundaries are changing or have recently changed in the city, if G&T isn't a consideration.

I also have friends who live in Madison Valley and the Central District -- houses are cheaper but schools are iffier. Their kids are two and three, so not a consideration for them yet.

Schools are better on the east side (not west, as a PP mistakenly typed) but the commute is dreadful. Another option to look into would be Bainbridge Island, if you think you'd be up for a ferry commute. Don't know what the housing prices are like there, though ....

We lived in the Seattle area for three years and absolutely LOVED it! I would do it without even the slightest hesitation! There is a lot to be said for quality of life. It is less expensive despite what others are saying. It's a beautiful part of the country. The people are very, very friendly. There is a ton to do. And it's a much less stressful place to live.

No way. Seattle is crunchy, outdoors oriented and young.

When I moved from Seattle 3 years ago (sad about that) to DC, I sold my house in a nice neighborhood and paid the same thing for a similar house in Arlington. Real estate is high--unless you go out to the boonies.