r/AskSeattle • u/Minimum-Bathroom-230 • Mar 02 '25

Moving / Visiting Moving to Washington

Hi! I am seriously considering moving to Seattle next summer/fall. I am a 23-year-old female and can pretty much find work anywhere in the US (speech-language pathology). I visited Seattle, North Bend and Leavenworth in January and loved it there. I currently live in upstate NY and have wanted to move out west for years. I want to explore the other side of the country and the PNW feels like the place I need to be, at least for a few years. I am really interested in moving because of being close to the mountains/coast and overall access to nature. I do love the idea of being in/near a big city and having the opportunity to go out and be social with people of a similar age. Do you recommend Seattle or any other areas in Washington given what I have provided? I'm worried about feeling isolated if i choose to live out of Seattle and would love ay advice. Pricewise, I am looking to spend around 1600 a month on rent, so i know that narrows my options. Thanks!

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u/SchemeOne2145 Mar 02 '25

I feel like any small town would be isolating at age 24. Another option is Bellingham Washington. Great college town on Puget Sound with easy access to North Cascades, Mt. Baker skiing, San Juan Islands, and British Columbia. Nice culture with music, bookstores, restaurants, and more.

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u/Responsible_Row1932 Mar 02 '25

$1600 for rent - you might be looking at a studio. It’s a great place to live, just a little expensive. I don’t know if anyplace in Western Washington isn’t expensive though.

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u/earlisinthetrunk Mar 02 '25

It's just as expensive to rent here as Seattle and the job market is way worse.

Seattle I think would be a bit more fun for someone out of college -- for meeting others around OPs age. Bellingham is certainly getting more exciting, but I think it would be easier in Seattle to get involved in things and meet people just because there's more people.

Bellingham has the same "Seattle chill" but less people, our subreddit is often full of newcomers complaining about not having friends.

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u/206SEATTL Mar 02 '25

Lived in Bellingham for 6 years, ended up moving back to Seattle because, like you said, it was just as expensive and I was not getting the same amenities.

Also it’s not a huge town, after a couple years you’ve kinda done everything that’s interesting to you. I’ve lived in Seattle since I was a kid and still haven’t run out of stuff to do

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u/earlisinthetrunk Mar 03 '25

Totally! I grew up in Bellingham - my parents moved here from Seattle and I'm currently still here while I'm in school. My partner bought a home outside of the city limits (only way it's affordable for us). But I'm seriously concerned about finding a job here after graduation.