Living in Seattle is great, just ask anyone who lives here. Sure, they’ll complain about the rain, traffic and graffiti, but they have no plans to leave anytime soon. In fact, more people are moving to Seattle each year; the U.S. Census places Seattle fourth for growth among the 50 biggest U.S. cities. While Seattle is similar to many other large cities, it remains one-of-a-kind for many reasons. Let’s see why this place is so unique.

Seattle Weather

If you ask people about moving to Seattle, in all likelihood the topic of weather will come up first. The weather here has a way of affecting every aspect of living in Seattle. From the rain, all other things flow. Rain not only shapes the area’s natural beauty, but affects its culture.

Rain Creates Natural Beauty

The Emerald City (get it? emeralds are green!) and the surrounding Puget Sound region get a steady supply of water falling from the sky. On days when the rain stops and the low clouds burn off, this is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Breaks in the weather “lift the curtains” and reveal views of verdant forests and majestic mountains. Clear skies are responsible for the quintessential Northwest saying, “The mountain is out.”

Coffee

Caffeine here is as inescapable and undeniable as the clouds. And, rain might be the reason why Seattle is ground zero for the nation’s coffee culture. One study suggests that Seattleites consume more coffee than any other city in America:

• 35 coffee shop locations per 100,000 residents
• $36 average spent per month for coffee

Seattle is Environmentally Conscious

Grocery and variety stores encourage patrons to bring reusable bags. Plastic bags are no longer available, and if you want a bag from the store, you can get a paper one that costs a nickel per bag.

You can recycle anything here now, though you might have to drive to a drop-off location if the item is a computer, large appliance or contains mercury.

Organic foods are widely available, too. Organic products are so popular here that more choices are available than ever before, and prices are gradually becoming more reasonable.

Seattle is a great place to get Educated.

The school system includes:

• 60 elementary schools
• 10 K-8 schools
• 10 middle schools
• 12 high schools
• 6 service schools

Seattle is home to three Universities and numerous community colleges.

The University of Washington is the largest. And it’s the hardest to get into with a 55.2% acceptance rate. U of W’s total undergraduate enrollment is just over 30,000. The campus is huge; it covers 703 acres and reaches the shores of the always-gorgeous Lake Washington. Bubble gum, vinyl, synthetic rubber and color TV tubes were all invented there and the Husky Stadium is known for having the loudest crowds in college football.

Things to do in Seattle

1. Seattle Parks almost 400 of them.
2. Biking, one of the best cities for biking for recreation or commuting.
3. Walking, 8th most walkable city in the United States.
4. Lots of touristy places, since Seattle is one of the most visited cities in the US
5. Seattle Waterfront
6. Vibrant art scene, including a symphony.

Things to do near Seattle

1. Hiking, over 186 state and national parks in Washington.
2. Local northwest trips including San Juan Islands, Snoqualmie Falls.
3. Lots of other destinations within a few hours ride for all manner of outdoor recreation.

Jobs in Seattle

Home to several Fortune 500 companies as well as a highly educated workforce makes for a very stable economy in Seattle, companies like

• Microsoft
• Amazon
• Boeing
• Starbucks
• Costco
• Nortdstrom’s
• REI
• Alaska Airlines

Seattle has a very vibrant entrepreneur and startup friendly community and there are jobs here for all kinds of qualifications and experience levels.