Tips For Moving To Seattle

Tip #1 for moving to Seattle:

DON’T!

I’m only kidding of course. Well, sort of. Seattle’s been a fairly popular city for decades, but  as of recently, it has definitely become more popular than ever. A picturesque city located on the Puget Sound, straddling a lake, and ferries transporting many commuters into the city each day. Seattle features friendly people, great coffee and the best craft breweries in the world. If you enjoy the green forests surrounding the Emerald City more than you mind the consistent light drizzle and grey cloud cover, Seattle might be the place for you. And if you are moving within or to Seattle, these helpful recommendations should be valuable to make your transition easier and we think everyone should know.

1. Pick the right neighborhood. There are a lot of awesome neighborhoods in the Seattle area, and they all provide a little something different. Choose the neighborhood(s) you like before finding place to live. Make it even a bit easier by creating a list of things that are important to you, like transportation routes, parking availability, walking distances, schools or daycare, and commute times. Also factor in neighborhood amenities such as parks, trails or restaurants, median rent prices or home values, and median age of the neighborhood.
2. Choosing your type of house. Choosing the type of housing that will fit your needs or lifestyle can include considerations that you might not be anticipating. For example, although the rain in Seattle is usually more of a light drizzle, the majority of the year is overcast and damp. This means lots of growth in your yard and fewer clear days to tend to it. You might prefer to spend sunny days on having fun rather than yard work, which can factor in to consideration when choosing a housing type. Other things to consider include parking, whether pets have space to roam, and whether you prefer on-site or neighborhood amenities. People who like to entertain may be able to utilize a clubhouse and pay for a smaller living space. Others may find they prefer having a garage, garden, or space for a home office.
3. Have the Right Permits. You don’t need a permit to move, but you might need a Temporary no-parking zone access for a moving van. For a small fee, you can reserve space on a public street, request a permit to park a truck, and rent sign hoods or “no parking” barricades.
4. Know Your Utilities. The city of Seattle offers many different types of utility services, and the city website has a convenient list of most of them here. Don’t forget to schedule both your new service and the service disconnection from your old location.
5. Update your license. Washington is a state that requires new residents to obtain a state driver’s license within 30 days. Residents must have a Washington license to register their vehicle. It is also important to update the address of your license and registration when moving. Washington state conveniently allows you to register to vote or update your records when you update your license.

*This article does not represent legal interpretation or advice. This is not a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet LTV requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, interest rates, and program guidelines, and are subject to change without notice based on applicant’s eligibility and market conditions. Refinancing an existing loan may result in total finance charges being higher over life of loan. Reduction in payments may reflect longer loan term. Terms of the loan may be subject to payment of points and fees by the applicant. Seattle Mortgage Brokers, LLC  NMLS: LO# 305371 MB# 761615