What Is Seattle's Economy Like Now?

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by Highpointer

According to the above graphic, Washington ranks #1 in economic activity in the United States.

However, if the above is true, why is it so hard for me to get a decent job?

Knowing nothing about you, but going to the graphic you linked (which was mildly interesting), what exactly do you have to offer to the "BO-hee-mouths" Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon, keepers of the decent jobs that ten other strong (wo)men behind you don't? This, I can confirm: they have no time for pikers.

Competition at two of them is vicious, personal experience. Third, I've had no truck with personally which is odd because most tech people work with all three given sufficient time. Bring your A-game and be prepared to lose various times prior to winning. Even when you've won, you haven't really. I've scored big, been kicked in the nuts, left, came back, lather-rinse-repeat with various a couple rounds in 20 years. It doesn't even bother me much anymore, merely more an inconvenience: I smile, put a grin on my face, find another job in six months or less, and resign.

Cutthroat, at least IT-side, even getting in the door at certain levels, usually senior (though not executive: wouldn't know about that, personally). Senior are best of the best of the best of the...you get the picture. Maybe that's why? Good luck with that, though. Lots clearly do make it, or else the real estate market would have collapsed last Thursday or so.

[thatguy950]

Originally Posted by Blondebaerde

Knowing nothing about you, but going to the graphic you linked (which was mildly interesting), what exactly do you have to offer to the "BO-hee-mouths" Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon, keepers of the decent jobs that ten other strong (wo)men behind you don't? This, I can confirm: they have no time for pikers.

Competition at two of them is vicious, personal experience. Third, I've had no truck with personally which is odd because most tech people work with all three given sufficient time. Bring your A-game and be prepared to lose various times prior to winning. Even when you've won, you haven't really. I've scored big, been kicked in the nuts, left, came back, lather-rinse-repeat with various a couple rounds in 20 years. It doesn't even bother me much anymore, merely more an inconvenience: I smile, put a grin on my face, find another job in six months or less, and resign.

Cutthroat, at least IT-side, even getting in the door at certain levels, usually senior (though not executive: wouldn't know about that, personally). Senior are best of the best of the best of the...you get the picture. Maybe that's why? Good luck with that, though. Lots clearly do make it, or else the real estate market would have collapsed last Thursday or so.

I can't emphasize this enough; Seattle's job market is beyond competitive and horrendously cut-throat (I.E. Amazon's anonymous employee snitching system where you can rat out your co-workers for lollygagging, Microsoft forcing managers to cut the "lowest performer" on each team every year, even if they are all excellent, etc). Expect long hours, meager wages for the first 5-7 years, and very lofty expectations of candidates (professional certs like the CPA/CMA, PMP, MCSE, CISSP, CSM, CompTIA, ITIL, etc) right out of the gate for entry-level, on top of a rigorous and decorated educational pedigree (Ivy league and advanced degree holders are the competition for entry-level in Seattle these days).

Everyone and their mother wants to work at Amazon, MS, or many of the other heavy hitters and they know it, so benefits have been going away (Boeing especially lately) and they're seeing how much more they can squeeze out of everyone to who wants to get their foot in the door.

Infographics can be a bit misleading, lots of people come to Seattle for a couple years and just burn out working 7 days a week, over holidays, and into the night; but it is what it is.

[bergun]

Originally Posted by wythors

Because, as I stated in my first post, it is the center of gay culture in the Seattle area. All of the gay folk that I know either live there or have to go there to visit their friends or to meet other people. Also, CapitOl Hill is very convenient to downtown, thereby making it easier to find and get to work. Rents are very comparable to other areas near downtown and there are lots of communal living situations available if you can't afford a place on your own.

Where would you prefer I direct him? White Center, the Rainier Valley or Seatac?

What's wrong with Rainier Valley??? If he wants to live in the city limits, Rainier Avenue... South of Columbia City.... Would most likely fit within his budget AND its on the busy #7 bus route to downtown... I'm not sure, but the #7 use to go up to Capital Hill/Broadway. It might have changed, but there are other buses from downtown that will take you to Capital Hill.

Yes, Rainier Avenue has a slight edge to it, compared to the "richer" areas of the city, but coming from Brooklyn, NY, that shouldn't be a problem... I grew up in the Rainier Valley and still have family there, so I'm always in that area and still feel at home AND safe there. Btw, I lived/worked in Brooklyn/NYC area for 10 years and most of NYC is rougher than Rainier Valley.

OP, research the Rainier Beach area... You should be able to find a cheap one-bedroom apartment or a studio within your budget. Yes, there is crime in that area, but not like it use to be back in the late 80s to mid 90s... Just be "street smart" AND use some "common sense" and you'll be fine. Plus, you will be in walking distance to stores/shops and the shoreline of Lake Washington... Which is a major plus in my book.

As for jobs, there are plenty of unarmed security positions within Seattle that pays between $15 to $18 an hour. If you want to make more, get an armed security license... It's a lot easier here than in NYC.

... Can you survive on $25Ks a year?? It will be rough, but it can be done... Watch your money and live "small." Also, there's no shame in seeking out a food bank/donation center to help you through this transition period.

Good luck!!

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by bergun

What's wrong with Rainier Valley??? If he wants to live in the city limits, Rainier Avenue... South of Columbia City.... Would most likely fit within his budget AND its on the busy #7 bus route to downtown... I'm not sure, but the #7 use to go up to Capital Hill/Broadway. It might have changed, but there are other buses from downtown that will take you to Capital Hill.

Yes, Rainier Avenue has a slight edge to it, compared to the "richer" areas of the city, but coming from Brooklyn, NY, that shouldn't be a problem... I grew up in the Rainier Valley and still have family there, so I'm always in that area and still feel at home AND safe there. Btw, I lived/worked in Brooklyn/NYC area for 10 years and most of NYC is rougher than Rainier Valley.

OP, research the Rainier Beach area... You should be able to find a cheap one-bedroom apartment or a studio within your budget. Yes, there is crime in that area, but not like it use to be back in the late 80s to mid 90s... Just be "street smart" AND use some "common sense" and you'll be fine. Plus, you will be in walking distance to stores/shops and the shoreline of Lake Washington... Which is a major plus in my book.

As for jobs, there are plenty of unarmed security positions within Seattle that pays between $15 to $18 an hour. If you want to make more, get an armed security license... It's a lot easier here than in NYC.

... Can you survive on $25Ks a year?? It will be rough, but it can be done... Watch your money and live "small." Also, there's no shame in seeking out a food bank/donation center to help you through this transition period.

Good luck!!

I've helped a few clients in the Rainier Beach/Bryn Mawr part of Seattle recently. They seem really happy. Those areas have similar elements to Columbia City but are (at this point) considerably more affordable.

[CrazyDonkey]

Overheated, even more than the national economy...

[87112]

South Park is the next area to flip in this city. Rat City or White Center has been hit. Get in while its at the bottom for " affordable RE".