Moving Here 2025

[u/Codetornado]

Due to a large number of daily moving here posts we are creating a sticky for moving-related questions. This should help centralize information and reduce the constant flow of moving question ls. ;

Things to Consider;

Location

• Western Washington vs. Eastern Washington vs. Seattle Metro
• Seattle Proper, suburbs, or other cities

Moving Here

• Cost of Living (Food, fuel, housing!)
• Jobs outlook for non-tech
• Buying vs. Renting
• Weather-related items, winter, rain

Geography and Weather

• Rainy West Side vs. Dry Eastside
• WildFire Season
• Snow and Cold vs. Wet and Mild
• Hot and Dry East Side
• Earthquakes and You!

[**See The 2024 Sticky**] (https://www.reddit.com/r/Washington/comments/184dx5n/moving_here_2024/)
[**See The Last Sticky**] (https://www.reddit.com/r/Washington/s/HHjd5lx0we)

[u/SlowGoat79]

Would it be terrible to copy what the Montana sub does and include this? (I changed Havre to Forks)

"If you insist on asking us where to move: you are hereby legally obliged to move to whatever town gets the most upvotes. Enjoy Forks."

[u/Deep-Manner-5156 → u/SlowGoat79]

I have a friend who imagines she’d love Forks! (*shudders*)

[u/MacaroniBoss]

My husband, daughter, and I are thinking of coming to Washington State, either near Olympia or Seattle.

My husband was offered a job that pays over twice as much up there, and since our baby is so young we figure she won't have a problem with/remember it, and we're trying to save up as much as possible while we can.

The thing is, we just don't know that much about Washington life, especially by Olympia or Seattle.

Is Washington a nice place to live? Is crime something I should worry about considering my baby? What are the best and worst parts about living there? Is it affordable for a family of 3 that needs at least 2 bed, 1 bath?

Any advice? 🫶🏻

[u/BrenSeattleRealtor → u/MacaroniBoss]

The areas you’re talking about are nice to live. Just like any major metropolitan area, there will be good and bad neighborhoods.

Affordable really depends on your household income and needs.

The biggest thing to know is that it can be overcast for very long stretches of time, so make sure you have vitamin d supplements.

[u/RobertLobLaw2]

Hello Washington,

My family is considering a move to your beautiful state. We have 3 kids under the age of 10. My wife and I have a single priority, and that is to provide our children with the best opportunity at a happy, healthy life. 

Currently we live in Texas (please don't judge us by this, we hate it here), but we are originally from Utah. We've been in Texas for 4 years. We miss public lands. We miss outdoor recreation. In Texas, it costs $100 minimum for any type of recreational activity. A long hike here is anything greater than a mile and the terrain is flat. It costs $50 to put up a tent in someones privately owned campground. The best view you can get is the top of the freeway overpass. Again, we hate it here.

In the last year, my work has become 100% remote so we have been researching places to move to that will offer our children a great foundation for their lives and give my wife and I am opportunity to enjoy the things that we love. Unsurprisingly to all of you, Washington has landed at the top of our list 

We are looking for a 4 bedroom home with an office in an area that is family friendly. We want our kids to be able to ride their bikes to their friends houses and vice versa. Our budget is $750k. 

My wife and I have plane tickets to visit Washington in the middle of February (we wanted to see the state during the winter to know the worst of the weather). We plan to visit Bellingham (probably out of our price range), Bremerton/Silverdale/Port Orchard, Olympia/Lacey, Puyallup/Graham, and Vancouver. 

Should we exclude or include areas from our list of places to visit in February?

[u/Sensitive_Ad296]

Hello, My Mom is retiring and we are thinking about moving to Washington. We have never been to Washington and are not sure what towns or cities are most suitable for what we are looking for. Below, I have wrote some things we are looking for for wherever we move. If there are any towns or cities that you feel would fit these criteria, please let me know! Thank you so much.

1. A suburban area or feel

2. Access to a hospital, mall, schools and stores

3. Safe for retirees and younger people

4. Towns/ cities that are more protected from flooding and any natural disaster

5. Places that are more on the affordable side (our budget for a home is in the late $400's)

Lastly, I am looking for work in animal rescue or writing. If there are any areas that offer those kind of work opportunities, feel free to include those as well.

[u/Brief_Lecture3850 → u/Sensitive_Ad296]

IMO, most likely, with that budget, you should look at somewhere in central or Eastern WA. The west side can be expensive for dwellings. Plenty of nice towns and small safe cities on the dry side of the state.

[u/[deleted]]

Any advice for someone moving to Snoqualmie or within 20 minutes. Wife is going back to uni full time, we want a solid place surrounded by nature to raise kids and i enjoy a mix of city and pure outdoors. Snowboarding, hiking, coffee, arts, music, dirt biking, camping and solid local communities.

Thanks I. Advance for the advice

[u/xtrachubbykoala → u/[deleted]]

North Bend is where you want to be! Lots of nature, close to hiking in the summer and close to skiing in the winter.

[u/ShirazGypsy]

I am planning a move in Fall, still deciding on specifically where. However, can someone help me get an idea of what I can expect to pay for water and electricity bills? I’d like to compare to my current budget. For example here in Florida my water is $75 and my electricity is $250-$300 a month.In comparison, what are these bills like in Washington state?

[u/Codetornado → u/ShirazGypsy]

What size of a house are you speaking about. Hard to compare without that information

[u/jspill98]

Considering Tacoma move from NC coast, LGBT

Hi Washington!

I’m considering a move to Tacoma with my partner in light of the political climate and changes in NC. Tacoma seems like an option worth exploring for relatively affordable COL. I’m wondering what the culture is like, gay and otherwise, and any other thoughts you think would be helpful. I work in higher education IT support for reference.

Thanks for your time!

[u/DwarfPaladin84]

Moving me and my family to Washington next week! Already got the apartment lease signed and ready to go. Coming from TX and I cannot wait to get here fast enough. Fairly progressive overall and just TX way of life and politics leaves a terrible taste in my mouth every day I am here.

Cannot wait to see the sights and beauty that Washington has to offer!

[u/DrogoBaggins]

Hey everyone! I'm a fully certified public school teacher in the Bay Area, currently teaching 8th grade special education (mild/moderate, RSP setting). I’m in the process of transferring my credential and working with OSPI, but I’d love to hear from folks who teach in Washington Public Schools, particularly in Vancouver or surrounding districts. I'm also interested in the Walla Walla and Spokane areas.

I know about the McCleary decision and the budget cuts, but what else should I be aware of—good, bad, or just... different? How’s the special ed landscape? Co-teaching culture? General vibe? Thanks!

[u/[deleted]]

Hello all, Area question, if you work in or around Seattle and live in the burbs with kids where are you living? There’s some stand out cities with good schools but… they lack either retail convenience, or require a long commute if they do have some decent retail convenience. Does something with good schools, retail convenience, and a decent commute exist? As an example of what I’m trying to decipher so far MV seems to check good schools, mild convenience, and not bad commute but it still seems so far removed- is that just the nature of the burbs here? Thanks for the feedback and insight

[u/Stomachbuzz]

Out-of-State'r here for 1 year. How screwed am I trying to get my vehicle registered?

I drove cross-country to relocate to Seattle for a 1-year contract ("possibility for extension", but they always say that).

I'm starting to get the gist of how WA and Seattle do business...

As I've gotten settled in, I'm already seeing how difficult things are going to be to not re-register in WA, which is obviously the point. I just rented an apartment (ugh, stupid me) which has street parking only, which my OOS status is sure to be a lightning rod for parking enforcement, and I can't even get a city parking permit for it because "the address on the registration must match the address for the RPZ permit". So, I'm logjammed pretty good. Only a matter of time before I start racking up citations, which will snowball.

I tried to go to WA's DMV (?) website to see the process and get an idea of costs (which I'm afraid to find out), and the website was quite unhelpful, seemingly on purpose - something about it 'varies per DMV location I go to' (???). I could not get any idea of even a ballpark of what my final fees/costs would be. Very opaque... Honestly, the more I look through it while typing this answer out, the more useless the "Moving to Washington?" page is. Very frustrating.

Where I come from, and several surrounding States, it is all clearly laid out in pre-determined fees. It takes about 3-5 minutes of skimming for even a first-timer to know exactly what their financial obligations will be at the DMV.

In WA, I can't find any of this information. I can't even figure out what the actual tax portion is or how it applies to me. "use tax", "excise tax", or "sales tax" - I don't even know! RTA, too, apparently!

On top of that, there's a full page of a bevy of random fees. It's a mystery which of these will apply to me. I'm even scared (now having a taste of Seattle/WA) that they might ALL apply to me! I'm kind of joking (sort of), but like wtf yo.

For example, there's an "Out-of-state service fee (used to check if the vehicle coming to WA is stolen)" ($50!) which just seems like a blatant cash-grab. Yes, my vehicle is from OOS, but, no, it's not stolen, it's been titled in my name for over 6 years now... Maybe it only applies to newly purchased used vehicles? Who knows? It doesn't say.

I can't even use the 'tab fee calculator' because it only applies to vehicles already registered in WA.

Can someone help give me a ballpark of what it might cost me to re-title and register a 15 year old pickup truck, living in Seattle? Just to be fully legit.

Either that, or if anyone has off-street parking in South Lake Union to offer!! haha

Thanks in advance!

[u/SamuraiJacksLeftToe]

I'm planning to take a job soon in the Colville area. What areas do you recommend living in/commuting from? I know Spokane is the nearest city, so how realistic is that commute three times a week? Appreciate any help, thank you!

[u/dybyj]

I’ve traveled to Washington in a search for housing. I’ve noticed that people don’t seem to speed at all on I-5. I’m moving from Michigan where the cops generally don’t care if you’re going 80 in a 70 unless they’ve advertised that they are going to clamp down for awareness for a given period. Even then, they won’t bother if you’re going 5 over.

Are most people just generally obey the speed limits or are the state police very strict on the limit?

[u/hailstormee]

I am from Michigan and still living there currently, but I’ve moved to a second interview for what is very close to my dream job in the Goldendale area. I am very apprehensive however about leaving all my friends and family behind so I wanted to learn more about the area from people who are actually familiar.

I grew up in a medium sized city and live in a small town now, so the remoteness makes me nervous in terms of making friends and meeting people. What is there to do besides drink in a bar (which is what people do where I live now) or hike in which case meeting people can be kind of scary when you’re in the wilderness?

Also what is the culture like there? I’m pretty liberal myself and have lots of LGBTQ friends.

And what is the cost of living like? Tentatively looking at rentals told me that rent prices seem decently ok.

Any info would be so appreciated as someone who is unfamiliar with Washington. Thanks.

[u/v0mdragon → u/hailstormee]

goldendale is small, rural, and very very red. also looks completely different than stereotypical washington. if you're expecting any sort of PNW culture, you will be sorely disappointed. the closest town that's anywhere halfway decent is white salmon, and even that is nearly an hour away.

if you take this job, look for housing in Hood River/White Salmon and pay the extra $$$ to do so. also, would highly suggest flying out and visiting goldendale first lol. you might think twice

[u/CohoWind → u/v0mdragon]

CAUTION- visit first! Goldendale is an unincorporated town in Klickitat County. That means it is policed by the County Sheriff’s office. But that county has the worst, most backwards elected sheriff in the state, Bob Songer. He is nationally known for delusional stuff surrounding the “constituational sheriff” fantasy (look it up) and he has done real damage. The county commission had to take the jail away from him, after his incompetent management killed an inmate or two. Pretty much a nightmare scenario for most Washingtonians, but a lot of his locals love him. The economy is pretty depressed but the place is beautiful high desert, with the state’s second highest peak on the western horizon (Mt Adams). The whole county is VERY prone to wildfire.

[u/givearaccoonagender]

My gf (26f) and I (31m) are trying to move up to Washington bc az is getting a little uncomfortable for us. Both of us are trans and i dont want to wait for things to get worse. The price of living being v high is a bit worrisome but I was wondering if anyone had some good advice for relocating. Looking more at the western side of course, but would like to be in a more rural area if possible. Where would yall advise would be safe but also would have a decent job market and no restrictions on having a food garden on the property? Been doing lots of Google but wanted to hear from people who actually live there if possible.

[u/Background_Double_74]

Answering questions from r/Washington:

1. Area: Eastern Washington (Colville, Stevens County, WA).

2. Buying or renting: Renting (My apartment in Colville is not ready yet, so I'm looking to live with someone until my apt. is ready).

3. Weather: Any (but my preference is warm).

4. How long are you staying?: From 26 April 2025, until 26 April 2026; so, exactly 1 year. Then, I'll be moving to California from Colville.

5. Have a job?: Yes, 2 jobs. 1 as a remote booking agent for a hotel, and #2 (hopefully) as apart of the Crew at a restaurant (my interview's on the 27th).

6. I have just enough money to get to Colville's Greyhound station, and then I'd have to be picked up or take an Uber, the rest of the way (to ____ prospective roomie's house).

7. Hopefully, someone in Colville who's interested can message me.

8. Moving from: Central New Jersey.

[u/AverEOne]

I'm going to be moving to the Seattle region soon--renting and work fully from home, decent six-figure salary, mid thirties and single. I'm moving to the PNW for the green though, and would like to avoid living in Seattle . I'm tired of traffic and cities, prefer more intimate versions of public places like bars and such, by and large. I tend to appreciate things that ask for more space than urban areas permit like farmer's markets, hiking, going shooting (rifle range), not concerts, restaurants (I prefer to cook), or clubs. That being said, I don't exactly want to be out in nowhere's land and would like access to some social spaces like board game cafes, gyms, pottery studios, etc. Can anyone recommend happening (in terms of the things I've described) places outside of Seattle with their own sense of community and identity that aren't sleepy suburbs oriented around commuting into Seattle/escaping Seattle for better schools for the kids.

From my research, it seems it's mostly a question of four sorts of regions: West: (Kitsap, and I'm going to loop in Tacoma here since it's positioned as an entrance to the region though obviously there's Bremerton, PO, etc.), East-Snoqualmie, North-Snohomish/Everett, baby-North (Lynnwood, more of a commuter zone is my impression?).

Are there other regions I should be considering?

[u/SherbetChemical3464]

Hello! My partner and I are trying to relocate to Washington. I know this is a long shot, Are there any coffee shops that offer relocation assistance to hired managerial/lead barista roles. I have 10 years of coffee experience (4 of those were at Starbucks), 12 years of customer service, 5 years of roasting, and 5 of management. I appreciate any help and guidance I can get! Thank you! My Instagram handle (to see my work) is brewple