Should I move to Seattle from NorCal? (Burien, Rainier: 2015, condo)

[tachyon]

My wife and I are considering moving to a nice suburb in the Seattle area from our current (rental) home in California's Silicon Valley. I'm wondering if the cost of living is really all that much lower in the Seattle area. The online cost of living calculators are all over the place on this.

Obviously houses are a lot cheaper up there, but what about cost of living generally? I also realize that they don't have state income tax up there, which is a wonderful thought given California's tax structure, but do they get you in other ways (I don't mind paying taxes, I just want to make sure I know what I'm getting into)?

In the profession that I'm in I'd take a bit of a pay cut if I made the jump from Silicon Valley to Seattle, so I just want to make sure the numbers match up before I take the plunge.

[ExSFer]

I can't make that decision for you however, as an ex San Franciscan that recently moved to Seattle, I can say the cost of living is about 33% less than San Fran. The price of homes is also significantly lower although, it can be expensive if you live in a close in neighborhood like Queen Anne or choose to live on the water. For the price of a mediocre 2 br condo in SOMA, I bought a great home about 2.5 miles from downtown Seattle, 2 blocks from a happening street wilth great restaurants, bars and stores and 1 block from 2 parks.

I love Seattle and find the people a lot more down to earth and a whole lot less self absorbed than in California. You don't need to center your life on matching the conspicuous consumption of your neighbors or friends. In fact, in Seattle, the more money you have the less you show it.

The quality of life seems to me to be a whole lot higher too. The outdoors are great and very accessible. The locals complain about the traffic but it is nowhere close to as bad as San Francisco or LA. The only downside is that it does rain a lot especially in winter. However, the summers more than make up for this.

[la_fuerza]

I would move to Seattle without hesitation, Tachyon. I've lived all over Silicon Valley (SJ, Sunnyvale, Campbell) and there is no reason to stay there anymore. Like ExSFer said the quality of life is better in Washington. There is less traffic and the people are well educated and friendly. Living in the Seattle area is well worth the pay cut you'll have to make.

[dogg6268]

Seattle is a great place to live very fum place and the kids would love it. Some of the suburbs are either more or less than seattle city I have seen studios downtown for 1000 west seattle is a fairly inexpencive place its more woodsy lots of trees. if you have money magnolia would be the best place to live if not Burien or west seattle

[wannabeaTexan]

Originally Posted by dogg6268

Seattle is a great place to live very fum place and the kids would love it. Some of the suburbs are either more or less than seattle city I have seen studios downtown for 1000 west seattle is a fairly inexpencive place its more woodsy lots of trees. if you have money magnolia would be the best place to live if not Burien or west seattle

If you have money, Burien would be one of the best places to live...is this a typo?

[scirocco22]

*laughs* No, wannabe, I think you mis-read it.

Magnolia would be good if you have money but if not, then Burien or West Seattle. Yup, Burien ...eh, I better not make a comment.

[_Charles_]

I work in IT and have dealt with the Silicon Valley vs Seattle issue at length. In short housing prices in Seattle are 1/3 less than Silicon Valley. Example - the $800k house in Silicon Valley is $600k in Seattle. Rents are 1/2 what they are Silicon Valley. Seattle is not cheap but definately less than Silicon Valley.

[wannabeaTexan]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

*laughs* No, wannabe, I think you mis-read it.

Magnolia would be good if you have money but if not, then Burien or West Seattle. Yup, Burien ...eh, I better not make a comment.

LOL OK, I see..."if not" was referring to money, not Magnolia. I get it now.

[Tau]

Originally Posted by _Charles_

I work in IT and have dealt with the Silicon Valley vs Seattle issue at length. In short housing prices in Seattle are 1/3 less than Silicon Valley. Example - the $800k house in Silicon Valley is $600k in Seattle. Rents are 1/2 what they are Silicon Valley. Seattle is not cheap but definately less than Silicon Valley.

You don't want to move here, it is always raining, flooding, and with so many people moving here they are striping our beautiful forests to makes room for more people. Northern Ca is beautiful, stay there Did I mention the sun only shines about 5 days a year? Soon it will not be the Emerald city; oh and I almost forgot that Mt. Tahoma (Caucasians call it Rainier) is going to erupt soon wiping out most of western Wa; then those of us that survive will move to Northern, Ca So you might as well save the expense of moving twice.