Pike Place Market, The Seahawks, The Mariners, The Space Needle, the original Starbucks- the list is never-ending. Moving to Seattle will be a one-of-a-kind experience for you! Before you head to The Emerald City, consider these tips when moving to Seattle:
Deciding Where to Live
Living in a big city, everyone has to make trade-offs with their living situation. Either you spend money on rent or spend extra time on your commute to work. To get a feel of your neighborhood, spend time in it beforehand to learn the culture, dining and transportation options. Many people who live on the islands take the ferry in and commute with their bikes in the city to avoid traffic, so consider this as an option as well.
Traffic
Like any big city, heavy traffic and finding parking may slow down your move. Traffic is very bad in Seattle, and the only time to expect clear roads are from 10:30 AM -1 PM. There are also sporting events and festivals almost every weekend in the summer and many cause road restrictions.
Moving Equipment
To make your move easier, try renting a cargo van, pickup truck or the smallest moving truck that your move allows. If you can go with a cargo van or pickup truck, be sure to know the pros and cons of each. If you choose a pickup truck, make sure you pick up a tarp as well, as daily rain is Seattle is common. U-Haul has 15 truck rental locations within the Seattle city limits, so you won’t have to drive far to return a truck. If downtown is your destination, most of the streets are narrow with hills. Don’t rent anything larger than a 17-foot truck – it won’t fit on the streets!
Parking
A special advisement about parking- there are bike lanes on most streets, and you can’t park over them – so plan ahead to find a parking space for your moving truck.
Bridges
Trips across the bridge (for example Seattle to Redmond) can take up to 4 hours if there is bad traffic or a bridge closure. If you are traveling to the west side, taking the Spokane Street Bridge is one of the only ways to get there. You may get stuck in traffic as the Spokane Street Bridge is a swing bridge that opens for large boats and vessels to pass through, stopping vehicles from crossing multiple times per day.
What tips can you offer when moving to Seattle? Leave them in the comment section below!