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Moving to Seattle? Check out our Seattle Living Guide for helpful insight into your next destination.
Life in Seattle
Seattle is a beautiful part of the northwestern continental United States. It is a hotbed of innovation and tech activity with multiple well-known brands stationed in the metropolitan area. The city does have a higher cost of living, but it is well worth it based on what the area has to offer.
It is somewhat of a younger city, with a median age of just 37 years old. There typically aren’t as many younger families living in the city center area, but there are plenty of surrounding neighborhoods for families to find. The median home price is listed at $736,721.
According to U.S. News, Seattle comes in at #36 in their list of Best Places to Live and #88 in terms of Best Places to Retire.
What Is There to Do in Seattle?
Seattle’s culinary scene is renowned for its seafood. As a port city, there is a constant influx of fresh high-quality seafood. Seattle residents are fortunate to get their pick of the haul before the seafood is shipped out to other parts of the country.
The city is also well-known for its musical roots, particularly with the “grunge” scene and rock music. Seattle’s musical heyday occurred in the mid-1980s and early ’90s with the emergence of popular bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. Some other modern musical acts based out of Seattle include Modest Mouse and Macklemore.
The Space Needle
The Space Needle is perhaps Seattle’s most well-known attraction. Visitors can get an incredible 360-degree view of the city from the tall spire. The structure is the brainchild of a famous Seattle hotel executive, Edward E. Carlson, who traveled to Stuttgart, Germany, and was inspired by a large broadcast tower featuring a restaurant. The structure was completed in December 1961, eight months after construction began. The theme followed that of the World’s Fair – the 21st Century.
In 2017, the largest renovation project in the structure’s history commenced – The Century Project. The renovation was completed the following year and now provides guests with two multi-level, floor-to-ceiling glass views of the city. It also has the world’s first and only rotating glass floor.
Museum of Pop Culture
There is also the Museum of Pop Culture, reinforcing Seattle’s roots in the creative arts. Current exhibits include Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism, Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop, Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses, Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic, Pearl Jam: Home and Away, Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction, Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film, Indie Game Revolution, Science Fiction + Fantasy Hall of Fame, Hendrix: Wild Blue Angel, Guitar Gallery, and Sound Lab.
Pike Place Market
Speaking of fresh seafood, the Pike Place Market is the area’s popular farmers market with plenty of local goods to source. Residents can get their fresh seafood, meats, produce, and more here for their weekly grocery haul. It is often termed “the soul of Seattle” and has nine historic acres in the heart of downtown. The Market was founded in 1907 and is one of the nation’s oldest and longest continuously running markets. With hundreds of farmers, crafters, and small businesses, Pike Place Market offers a unique local experience for residents and tourists alike.
Seattle Aquarium
Opened in 1977, the Seattle Aquarium was originally owned by the City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation before changing ownership to the nonprofit Seattle Aquarium Society. The 18,000 sq. ft. facility has plenty to offer visitors, including a 120,000-gallon exhibit, gift shop, cafe, meeting/event space, and more. There are also special after-hours events where visitors can experience the aquarium in a new light. The six major exhibits include Window on Washington Waters, Life on the Edge, Pacific Coral Reef, Birds & Shores, Underwater Dome, and Marine Mammals.
Cost of Living in Seattle
The cost of living in Seattle has increased over the last couple of decades. With large tech companies moving in and attracting younger talent with higher salaries, the young and wealthy have flocked to the city. This has led to upticks in housing costs and an increased gap between socio-economic tiers. It is one of the more expensive cities in the US to live in, but for those who do land a job here with one of the larger tech companies, there are plenty of things to enjoy.
What Is the Weather Like in Seattle?
The common opinion on Seattle is that it is constantly raining, leaving residents in a drab cityscape setting. While it is true that there are consistently gray skies between November and May, the summer season barely has any rain and is typically very comfortable. The average temperature in the summer is 64 degrees with the winter temps dropping to the low 40s.
Which Companies Are Based in Seattle?
As previously mentioned, Seattle is a major player in the tech space. Companies like Starbucks and Microsoft are what propelled Seattle into being a major player in the tech and corporate space, but there has been an influx of newer tech companies that have truly cemented the area as a great place to find employment. Some of the other popular companies include Amazon, Tableau, Cray, Highspot, Assurance, 98point6, Logic20/20, First Mode, Knock, and Ookla.
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