POSSIBLE move to Seattle for Job at UW

[NeptuneDreams]

If you live in city limits, parking could be an issue. But you don't really need a car. There's transit and uber. And if you do need a car, get a car-to-go or zip car.

Unfortunately, I live out of city limits, so I need to hold onto my car...but I have free parking where I live.

The south side has affordable housing-especially Tukwila, SeaTac, and Des Moines. It isn't posh and some of the locals seem a bit sketchy, but it's clean and safe and on the lightrail line. Might be a good temporary solution until you figure out which area suits you best. When you are ready to move, I recommend going month-to-month on your current lease. Good housing comes and go in a blink. And with Seattle's new first come, first serve housing ordinance, landlords don't have much room to work with you.

Another housing option is to put your stuff in storage and rent a room in someone's house until you figure out what permanent solution will work for you. There are some really nice arrangements out there if you don't have pets (alas, I have a cat so very little is available).

[Kayela]

I kind of want to keep my car for a bit so that I can get the lay of the land and then sell it to the first person that will take it in the new year. What do you guys think?

I live in a pretty dense, close-in area, and while I may not drive my car every week, it's paid for and we found a place with parking, so it's definitely been worth it to have one. We love hiking (go a lot), winter activities in the mountains, going to Whistler/Vancouver/Portland/Leavenworth/Canon Beach/Bellingham/you-get-the-idea for the weekend, and our friends range from Mukilteo to Sammamish to Tukwila to Magnolia, etc. If we want to go to a BBQ on a Sat night, bus service to some of these places is horridly inconvenient.

So while I don't have to drive to commute, or even do many errands - we use our cars frequently enough that I prefer to have my own at my disposal. The cost of insurance, maintenance, and gas does not add up to what we would spend on rentals. if you can keep it, it's good to see how much you use it and then decide after you've had a chance to settle in and explore. (Schlepping more than a couple shopping bags home on the bus is not a fun experience)

[GraceKrispy]

Congratulations!! The UW is a great employer

I would keep the car-- especially if it's paid for and you can get free parking as part of your living situation. It's a great way to explore all the natural wonders in the greater metro area.

[Valerie2966]

Thank you everyone! I really value your input.