Thinking of Moving to Seattle from Ohio! (Shoreline, Kirkland: appointed, 2009)

[Azure Ray]

Hi, guys. I have spent numerous hours reading posts from other people on here about moving to Seattle, but I thought I would see what you all think about my situation. I have only been to Seattle once - I flew out in late September last year and stayed for a few days. It was actually sunny for a few days, and then cloudy the last few days (which I didn't mind). I grew up in Northern Ohio right on Lake Erie, so I love watersports/outdoors activities. I know that the Seattle area has a lot to offer in those areas.

One other place that I was looking at was Santa Cruz, CA, only because the weather is almost perfect in my eyes - low humidity, never snows, and rarely gets above 75 degrees.

I am a teacher here - so I would need to find a job out there before I moved. I like the big city, but also like a neighborhood where I feel safe walking around. I do like farmers markets, coffee shops, bookstores, etc. (you know, the standard PacNW stuff...).


Where do you all think a good neighborhood would be? And what areas do you think I would have luck looking for a teaching job?


Thanks!

[nwexplor]

Ohio has 10.4% unemployment and Washington has 9.2% unemployment... I would not expect schools to be doing much hiring and probably doing a lot of downsizing and program-cutting.

Seattle Public Schools, on their website seattleschools.org, says,"At the present time, our certificated teaching job postings are not available to "out of district" applicants."[SIZE=2][SIZE=2][SIZE=2][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

[ijoe13]

Originally Posted by Azure Ray

Hi, guys. I have spent numerous hours reading posts from other people on here about moving to Seattle, but I thought I would see what you all think about my situation. I have only been to Seattle once - I flew out in late September last year and stayed for a few days. It was actually sunny for a few days, and then cloudy the last few days (which I didn't mind). I grew up in Northern Ohio right on Lake Erie, so I love watersports/outdoors activities. I know that the Seattle area has a lot to offer in those areas.

One other place that I was looking at was Santa Cruz, CA, only because the weather is almost perfect in my eyes - low humidity, never snows, and rarely gets above 75 degrees.

I am a teacher here - so I would need to find a job out there before I moved. I like the big city, but also like a neighborhood where I feel safe walking around. I do like farmers markets, coffee shops, bookstores, etc. (you know, the standard PacNW stuff...).


Where do you all think a good neighborhood would be? And what areas do you think I would have luck looking for a teaching job?


Thanks!

Good luck with your move! My wife and I are from the Cleveland area, and are planning on moving out to Seattle next spring.

[SeattlitefromNC]

Originally Posted by nwexplor

Seattle Public Schools, on their website seattleschools.org, says,"At the present time, our certificated teaching job postings are not available to "out of district" applicants."[SIZE=2][SIZE=2][SIZE=2][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

Just for your information ... you should read the following two links:

Schools may cut staff : The SnoValley Star – News, Sports, Classifieds in Snoqualmie, WA

Union: 6,000 teachers will lose jobs statewide | KOMO News - Seattle, Washington | Local & Regional

This is briefly mentioned in the first article, but I will lay it out here: teachers that have been affected by a reduction in force get first priority in hiring for two years. If a teacher who has not been affected by a reduction in force does not want an offered position, the position is then offered to substitute teachers within the school districts. Only if a riffed teacher or a substitute teacher do not choose a position is it then offered to anyone "out-of-district".

Considering how many teachers are being let go nowadays, I wouldn't count on a teaching position in the public schools right now. Your best chance is to try private schools, but many of the public school teachers are already taking a look at that option.

[bhealed]

AR, I just moved from CMH 4 weeks ago and as a Cleveland native you will not be disappointed. If your a teacher, times are not so easy (one of my friends who relocated with me is trying to locate a position as an educator), but if you have endorsements it becomes MUCH more smooth. If you have a special ed cert there are hundreds of open positions throughout the metro area that NO ONE has the qualifications to fulfill. And if you have math/science background/endorsements she tells me that a qualified individual could have a job tomorrow. These stories they tell are true, but mostly confined to the seattle school district. Surrounding ones are still looking and not beholden to the union members from other districts.

I chose to live in Kirkland and it has all the "quintessential" NW things to do, but Woodenville and Shoreline have the same sort of appeal, somewhat close to downtown without some of the problems associated with being close.

I hope you can find employment and get out of OH--you'll be glad you did

[Azure Ray]

Thank, bhealed! That helps a lot, especially with your info on getting a job. I do have ESL certification/endorsements, so hopefully that will be enough. I would not mind teaching at a smaller school outside of the city, as I know that Seattle Public is struggling (as are most schools everywhere) with $$.