PNW vs SE for job relocation (fit in, apartments, rental)
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I made this post a week or two ago, but I don't think it was ever posted for some reason. I recently received a very good job offer, and the relocation options are either the Seattle area or Charleston, SC. I currently live in Florida. On one hand, Seattle interests me because it would be a big change of scenery from where I am currently, plus I am a big nature and mountains person. However, the cost of living and distance from my current home concerns me. On the other hand, SC is much closer to home, but it is not much of a change of scenery from FL, and I'm not sure how much I would fit in with the older/more conservative demographic. For reference, I am in my 20s.
Any advice on these two areas would be greatly appreciated.
Definitely recommend trying something new and different if you haven't spent much time out of your hometown and don't have any commitments keeping you there.
Where in the Seattle area is the job (assuming you'll be back in the office eventually), and what's your budget? I could recommend some neighborhoods to look into. I'm assuming you drive?
If you can swing it financially, I would easily pick Seattle. The nature and outdoor recreation opportunities are far more numerous and (in my opinion) far better than what you'll find in the Southeast. I also think its valuable to experience a place completely different than what you're used to.
Definitely Seattle if you can afford it. But Charleston isn't cheap either.
Exactly. The gap is closing between formerly less expensive cities in the Southeast and supposedly much more expensive cities like SF, Seattle and even NYC. Currently the average one-bedroom apartment in Charleston rents for $1700, exactly as much as Seattle. I would wager the Seattle salary is potentially higher also.
I don't even know how Seattle can even be considered (unless you will be making 6 figures), it is ridiculous how expensive it is there. Also, the constant gloomy weather makes people depressed.
If you can afford Seattle, then, for me, it's a no brainer. I wouldn't live in the southeast for any amount of money. I'd take the gloom and moderate temps of the PNW over the gross heat and humidity of the southeast.
I don't even know how Seattle can even be considered (unless you will be making 6 figures), it is ridiculous how expensive it is there. Also, the constant gloomy weather makes people depressed.
Seattle rent isn't that expensive. It's way cheaper than Boston, NYC or SF. They are building and upzoning apartments like crazy here, so the rental supply is actually pretty healthy. Where Seattle gets really expensive is trying to buy a single family house, since they aren't building new ones and there is a hard urban growth boundary limiting further suburban sprawl (to protect the Cascades from development).
The weather is actually pretty awesome here. It's very mild with 4 seasons. You aren't trapped in the house in the summers or winters. Summers are not muggy and it's blue skies everyday. Almost no mosquitos in the city. Winters are a bit overcast, but easy to drive up the mountains for snow activities. Fall foliage hangs around till Thanksgiving and Spring starts in late February with blooming flowers. What is hardest is that the days are very short at the winter equinox, but it does swing back very quickly too, and by late Feb, it's not particularly short.
If you can afford Seattle, then, for me, it's a no brainer. I wouldn't live in the southeast for any amount of money. I'd take the gloom and moderate temps of the PNW over the gross heat and humidity of the southeast.
The Southeast isn't monolithic, no region is.
Considering the cities, I'm guessing this is a Boeing job. I wonder if there's a pay differential.
Don't bother with SC. Go to Seattle cause you may not get that opportunity again. Just live in Bellevue for cheaper rent and call it a night.
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