Moving from Dallas to Seattle? (low income, house, neighborhoods)

[Slimmom20]

I'm in the same position. I'm relocating to Seattle from the Chicago area. I plan to rent first and get to the know the area and feel out the market before attempting to buy anything. I found a place in Bellevue. If you plan to rent first, which I suggest being that it takes time to learn the local housing market when you move, check out the places below.

I looked at both, very nice, good space and good schools. The Townhome's have small semi-yard like spaces in the back that may work for you initially as your getting settled. The apartment community had a ground floor apartment in a secluded part of the complex with hardwood floors and a large wrap around patio with some greenspace that is perfect for dogs (I have a fur baby). Might be worth looking into. I say take the job. Life is short and you never know where working for Amazon can take you professionally.

https://therowtownhomes.com/

https://www.apartments.com/park-high...ue-wa/822c870/

[homesinseattle]

I always recommend seeking out and talking to neighbors and also visiting the area/neighborhood at different times of day and evening/night.

[JOinGA]

Last year, my daughter and SIL moved from Tennessee to Seattle for her job with Amazon in South Lake Union. That was some major sticker shock for housing prices. They rented for a year out in Bothell, thinking that would be where they wanted to buy. She hated the commute and didn't really like the area that much. In February, they bought in the Broadview neighborhood of north Seattle. They are 2 blocks from an express bus, if she chose to commute that way. It is a neighborhood that has a mix of long-time residents and newcomers. They have a nice yard and can walk to Carkeek Park. They love it there. As my SIL put it "zero buyer's remorse."

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by JOinGA

Last year, my daughter and SIL moved from Tennessee to Seattle for her job with Amazon in South Lake Union. That was some major sticker shock for housing prices. They rented for a year out in Bothell, thinking that would be where they wanted to buy. She hated the commute and didn't really like the area that much. In February, they bought in the Broadview neighborhood of north Seattle. They are 2 blocks from an express bus, if she chose to commute that way. It is a neighborhood that has a mix of long-time residents and newcomers. They have a nice yard and can walk to Carkeek Park. They love it there. As my SIL put it "zero buyer's remorse."

JO, have they been to that secret little Dunn Gardens yet? Interesting history, beautiful place. They must try Little Tings dumplings on Greenwood Ave N. too, tasty!

[JOinGA]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

JO, have they been to that secret little Dunn Gardens yet? Interesting history, beautiful place. They must try Little Tings dumplings on Greenwood Ave N. too, tasty!

They have not been to Dunn Gardens, yet. I had actually considered buying them a membership, but then the virus hit and they have been very selective with activities, so I wasn't sure if I should. Something for the future. I will tell them about Little Tings. It is hard to overstate how much they are enjoying their Seattle home. This week she sent me photos of baby bird learning to fly in their trees, hummingbirds at her feeder, a stellar jay hopping around (new version of the blue jay for us east coast folks) and a gigantic blackberry bush spilling over their fence from next door laden with an unbelievable number of berries. And their sunset views are stunning. I have told her that her own yard is like a daily adventure. I see a lot of posts about Seattle doom and gloom, but they walk in their neighborhood all of the time. There are always people out working in their yards, sitting on their porches or pushing strollers. They are really happy in Seattle. I was there in September, before they had the house, and I can't wait until it is safe to travel again to make another trip.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by JOinGA

They have not been to Dunn Gardens, yet. I had actually considered buying them a membership, but then the virus hit and they have been very selective with activities, so I wasn't sure if I should. Something for the future. I will tell them about Little Tings. It is hard to overstate how much they are enjoying their Seattle home. This week she sent me photos of baby bird learning to fly in their trees, hummingbirds at her feeder, a stellar jay hopping around (new version of the blue jay for us east coast folks) and a gigantic blackberry bush spilling over their fence from next door laden with an unbelievable number of berries. And their sunset views are stunning. I have told her that her own yard is like a daily adventure. I see a lot of posts about Seattle doom and gloom, but they walk in their neighborhood all of the time. There are always people out working in their yards, sitting on their porches or pushing strollers. They are really happy in Seattle. I was there in September, before they had the house, and I can't wait until it is safe to travel again to make another trip.

Yeah, great place, not many people know about it. I guess the original owner made a mint in the frozen food business and commissioned the Olmsted Bros. (when they were here doing the Seattle Parks system) to create the gardens. We joined last year, seems like something that could be done very safely right now. Here's the link: https://dunngardens.org/visiting-tours

[BelltownDaisy]

Originally Posted by Tinyred15

Hello everyone! My husband and I currently live in a suburb of Dallas. We quite like it here, but I unfortunately work for a company that filed for bankruptcy with not much future in sight. I received a job offer with Amazon and am seriously considering taking it, but after looking at cost of living in Seattle am second guessing the decision. We are a young family that needs great schools and a small yard, but I don’t want a crazy commute into work. Any advice on neighborhoods? Are we crazy for considering the move? I’ve been interviewing with a few Dallas companies but unfortunately nothing has worked out since my experience is so specialized. Appreciate your feedback!

Seattle is wayyyyyyyy expensive. I feel sorry for you if you leave Dallas to come to Seattle. This place is a sewer. Many people here do not have dignity like people do in Texas. Come visit before you do. Drive on 3rd Avenue. From Bell to Yesler. Go to the International District. Drive up to 12th and S. Jackson. You really should get a feel for the city.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by BelltownDaisy

Seattle is wayyyyyyyy expensive. I feel sorry for you if you leave Dallas to come to Seattle. This place is a sewer. Many people here do not have dignity like people do in Texas. Come visit before you do. Drive on 3rd Avenue. From Bell to Yesler. Go to the International District. Drive up to 12th and S. Jackson. You really should get a feel for the city.

Daisy, so they can get a balanced view of the beauty and the challenges, don't you think we should also have them drive Leschi, Madison Park, the Arboretum, Queen Anne, Mount Baker, Madrona, Phinney Ridge, Magnolia and Laurelhurst?

[steverup]

I moved to Seattle one year ago from Flower mound TX. Retired from the Lewisville ISD. Fortunately I retired and don’t have to commute. I quickly realized the farther away you live from downtown Seattle the better.. 15-20 miles north of Seattle it gets a whole lot better! In the political climate we are in right now, and had I be required to go into the city, I would not make the move now. Prepare yourself for cultural shock. My advice is keep your kids in the Texas school system and come here when you can retire.

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by BelltownDaisy

Seattle is wayyyyyyyy expensive. I feel sorry for you if you leave Dallas to come to Seattle. This place is a sewer. Many people here do not have dignity like people do in Texas. Come visit before you do. Drive on 3rd Avenue. From Bell to Yesler. Go to the International District. Drive up to 12th and S. Jackson. You really should get a feel for the city.

If that's where you live, Belltown, yes it's filled with winos, bums, and vagrants. Presumably, no one twisted your arm to live there?

While not a "sewer" it's ugly. I motored around town yesterday in-detail on my bike to see what's changed since the occupation of a couple square blocks of Capitol Hill by Marxist radicals some months back. 1) more graffiti 2) increasing bums, vagrants, addicts, mentally ill, other so-called homeless 3) lot of boarded up stores. 4) less foot traffic on a Saturday than I remember, due presumably to the illegal shutdown by our Socialist governor (another bum, IMO).

Vagrants and winos have setup a tent or two in Pioneer Square, which does nothing for tourist trade. The police are handcuffed, bad pun intended, by the Marxist City Council. Reap the whirlwind, residents: you put those people in charge, and they can be voted out when the People have had "enough", but my opinion is that won't happen for awhile, if-ever. Reminds me of Detroit, city-of (not to be confused with the surrounded counties, which are a wholly different situation). Had to go bankrupt and a city manager appointed to clean up the train wreck.

I wouldn't live outside a gated complex in Seattle proper, end of story. If they somehow reduce the police forces by (some large amount), my opinion is all-hell will break loose. Anarchy is for (self-censoring) countries, as Trump remarked a couple years ago. Not this one.