What's so expensive about living in seattle? (sales, apartment)

[smackythefrog]

People always tell me about how expensive it is to live in seattle.

-I've checked the rent prices and it isn't bad at all.

So what expenses in seattle makes it so expensive to live in?

I just don't see it, maybe going out can be expensive, that's about it.

[seattlerain]

I suppose it depends on where you are currently living. For someone from NYC, San Francisco, etc, Seattle might not be so expensive.

[Hamza]

The rent equation you're looking at depends on the nabe and the level of activity you're looking for. If you want to be "in the heart of things" such as in Cap Hill or Belltown, rents here are high -- or used to be! A nice place with parking and storage can run you up to $1500 for a 1BR, tho that's pretty high. Even higher in Belltown.

Conversely, a nice place in a n'hood that's further from downtown but still fun, like Wallingford, is much cheaper.

The "expense" issue of Seattle might also come from the cost of groceries here, which can be really high -- especially, and most surprisingly, veggies. But all in all, the city is more affordable and presents a higher quality of life than many other (admittedly larger) cities.

[seattlenextyear]

Eating and drinking out are more expensive, topped off with a high prepared food tax
Some grocery items are more expensive.
Car insurance can be more
The price of gas is higher than a lot of cities
Depending on your apartment situation and how much you drive downtown, parking can be expensive
Housing prices are still high in comparison to rent

[jschulst]

I have recently relocated here from Michigan and noticed the pop, eggs and some pizza places are more expensive. Sales tax are high here too.

[Midas AG]

Having just moved from Grand Rapids MI, yes, prices are higher, but not extremely so. We just found an EXTREMELY NICE, Brand New, apartment , for around what we were paying, but its half the size. Then again, we never used half the room we did have. I'm not worried about it at all. Just realize you can live in a run down, mediocre apartment for the same price as a NICE, smaller place, closer to where you want to be. Its all about what you want, balancing price, location, and amenities.

[HuskyDawg]

Owning a home, gas & taxes in the city of Seattle. Some people post on here that live nowhere near Seattle proper, and those areas are cheaper.

[texastrigirl]

We moved here from TX - cost of buying a home, cost of gas and cost of eating out are much higher. Some things are lower for us - insurance (both home and auto), electricity (because we don't run AC much of the year), property taxes. I shop at Trader Joe's here which I couldn't do in TX so I actually spend about the same on groceries.

[seattlenextyear]

To be fair, salmon and wine is cheaper and our summertime electricity bill is really low. The library system is so good I don't buy books anymore.

[Backstrom]

Interestingly enough, electricity bills for Southerners peak during the summer, but peak for us during the winter.

Agreed with our library system. SPL coupled with KCLS make a very effective library network, all within King County. I believe KCLS has one of the highest circulation rates in the country.