Thinking about relocation....Seattle, Washington?
 

So, anyone lives at Seattle, WA? How much is the cost of living there? I would think it is much more than where I am at now (Indianapolis, Indiana).

One of the reason I want to move there is......I want to be close to a city and it is much closer to Vancouver, B.C (where my in law lives). I would think a city is better for musician too right?

So, any thoughts? Thanks!!

Not sure about this, just wanted to bump it for you so you can get your question answered! :)

It's a very expensive location.
 

I don't live there, but we have an office there. It's a terribly expensive place to live compared with most other US cities. Of course, if you already have a well-paying job there, it's a nice place to live. It's not a place you want to move to and look for a job after you get there. You still may want to look at the general area, but outside Seattle. That could mean a commute, but it depends what you do for a living. Most of the people who live there love it.

My brother lives in Seattle and we have considered moving there, but housing is sooo much more expensive there than here in Cincinnati!
It's a beautiful city and there is so much to do and see, but it is expensive!

I see....I wonder how much more expensive is it? Anyone has any idea? The cost of living?

Here are some comparisons I ran through calculators
 

ShareThisCost of Living Comparison:
Indianapolis, Indiana - Seattle, Washington
Change cities
Seattle is
76%
more expensive than Indianapolis.

Housing
is the biggest factor in the cost of living difference.

Housing is
360%
more expensive in Seattle.
A salary of $50,000 in Indianapolis, Indiana should increase to $87,976 in Seattle, Washington

Indianapolis U.S. Avg. Seattle
Cost of Living Indexes Indianapolis Seattle
Overall 75 132
Food 95 111
Housing 40 183
Utilities 98 73
Transportation 94 108
Health 100 127
Miscellaneous 93 100
100=national average

_________________________________________________

Salary in Indianapolis IN:
$50,000
Comparable salary in Seattle WA:
$64,476.06

If you move from Indianapolis IN to Seattle WA...

Groceries will cost: 22.882% more
Housing will cost: 57.406% more
Utilities will cost: 0.475% more
Transportation will cost: 5.283% more
Healthcare will cost: 19.192% more

_________________________________________________




$5,129 net change in disposable income




Cost of Living at Home Typical Salary at Work

Current Location Indianapolis, IN (Edit) Indianapolis, IN (Edit)

New Location Seattle, WA (Edit) Seattle, WA (Edit)

Percent Change in $ +22.5% +12.2%

Explanation The cost of living in Seattle, WA is 22.5% higher than in Indianapolis, IN. Therefore, you would have to earn a salary of $61,243 to maintain your current standard of living. Employers in Seattle, WA typically pay 12.2% more than employers in Indianapolis, IN. Therefore, if you take the same type of job in the same type of company in Seattle, WA you are likely to earn $56,113.

Housing is very expensive, in Seattle proper and in the closer-in regions in the eastside, like where I live. However, if you are willing to commute a bit, you can get a nice home for around $250k. My GF's daughter just graduated from College, and she has found a studio and one bedroom apartment going for $600 - $700/ month in Bellevue, which is a pricey suburb of Seattle. Expect to pay $800/month + for a 2 bedroom. We also have one of the highest gas taxes in the U.S. and lots of traffic, but the payoff is some of the most beautiful country around. I suggest you plan and come for a visit for a couple of weeks. Take time to drive around, do some house/apartment hunting and get a feel for what it is like here. Rent a room with a kitchen and do some of your own shopping and cooking. Drive the major corridors at all times of the day. Your least expensive areas will be Kent/Auburn/Federal Way to the south, and Lynnwood, Everett, Marysville to the North. Summer here usually runs July - September. PM me if you have questions, I would be happy to answer them. I have lived here the majority of my life.

That was great info!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup:

Are you moving w/ your job or something, or just decided you need a change and said, "you know what, I think I'll move to Seatle..." :p

I don't know about the cost of living, but I am always shocked to find out how it compares to where I am...like that a little, 2 bedroom run down house in Compton, CA costs $400,000!:eek:

I know what you mean. The same thing here. You could practically have a mansion for $400K!! :p

Well you already have great info above on the cost of living so I won't go into that...but having lived in Seattle most of my life, I have to say it is beautiful. You have it all here...lakes, ocean, mountains and of course rain!!!:D
All of this within a short drive. Vancouver is an easy drive from the Seattle area and takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

If you have any specific questions about this area, I would be more than happy to answer them.

My hubby is a classical music lover. Do you think Seattle have spaces for musician? I think big cities have better chances for musicians to shine.......

Thanks!!

Wow that's great info! Where did you find that?
Thanks!

Just general searching mostly.
 

I knew last night when I posted my response that Seattle was much more expensive than Indianapolis (only because I grew up not far for there). When I posted it, I didn't even realize how much more expensive. It's pretty startling how much costs vary from one area of the country to another.

I started out on salary.com, which is where I usually look, but you can get all sorts of calculators from doing a Google search for cost of living calculator - Google Search.

Melonie, I just had to comment on the cost of living particularly housing. Myka just graduated and just signed up a lease to rent a studio for $925 :eek: as it is in the downtown seattle area where she is close to work . . .although she has a car (we still have it but bringing it over the labor day weekend) she will be commuting to and from work since parking is $9 a day :rolleyes: Luckily she has a job that pays well so she can afford the apartment but I still am in awe at the cost of living in Seattle . . . compared to spokane :p

Gosh Des, I guess Seattle still outranks Bellevue in cost of living! Congrats to Myka on the new job and new digs!

Thank You, that's interesting!

My brother works in downtown too and most days he commutes in by train.
He's a health nut and he bikes miles from his house to the station and then another couple miles from the station to his office.
He actually had his picture in the paper and they did a write-up on commuters like him! Parking is really expensive!
I love his office in downtown though, it's this huge old warehouse/loft space with exposed brick! They even have a Segway for the workers to use! I wish my work had that type of atmosphere!

One other thing I would factor in when considering Seattle is the amount of rainy days! Personally, it wouldn't bother me and I think the rainfall is why Seattle is so green and beautiful! But I have had many friends say it was depressing to always be indoors because of the rain. I'm not sure how Indians weather is but just thought If throw that factor in. If you are like me and would still get out of the house in the rain then I don't think you will have a problem.
One more thing-you said your husband is a musician and it also reminded me that Portland, Oregon might be an ideal city for you as well. Just a couple thoughts! Hope that helps!

I know when my Brother first located to Seattle he said it took him about a year to get used to the rain and cloudy days, but he LOVES it now!
It was kind of funny to find out that the total average rainfall isn't significantly higher than here, it's just smaller rainfalls. I know they don't typically have the huge thunderstorm downpours like we get in Ohio.
My sister-n-law who has lived there all her life even laughs at us when we break out an umbrella, she said people from Seattle don't use them! :eek:

Really? Didn't know Portland, OR is a good place for musician also! I wonder how far is the drive to/from Vancouver, B.C?

You all might think I am crazy that I actually want to move closer to Vancouver, BC bcoz I want to be closer to my in law!!! :eek:

If I decide to move there, I will make sure I can relocate with my company first before I move there.

The main reasons I want to move there are 1) closer to my in laws (they live in Vancouver, BC and 2) A city will support classical music........

So, do u guys think Seattle is a good place?

Seattle is a huge center for the performing arts. You could consider living North in Everett, less expensive there. I'm partial, but I think its a great place to live.

I agree with you on that...and I would recommend north versus south of Seattle. Seattle has always been known for being a center for musicians. We have had many famous musicians come from here with what is known at the Northwest sound. And the rain...as someone posted... it does rain in Seattle. Sometimes just a mist and sometimes and downpour. Regardless, those of us who live here never use an umbrella. A friend of mine was in a band "The Wailers" and the Beatles actually bought all of their records and based some of their sound on them and Jimi Hendricks. Yes, that was a long time ago when there were no tapes or CD's!!! If you are interested in Portand, which is also a beautiful city, you would have to add about 4 hours to get to Vancouver.

I live in Portland, OR which is about 3-31/2 hrs from Seattle. Seattle is bigger than Portland but it's also more expensive. Seattle would be a great place for musicians (there are also people who play music on the street near the market area). I also know that Portland is really focused on the arts and might be an even better choice. Like I said, it's smaller than Seattle but also cheaper. So maybe you might want to look at both places :)

Go to this website to compare the costs of living: Cost of Living - Cost of Living Calculator from CNNMoney.com

Hope this helps! :)

Thanks for the link! My hubby is a classical music lover.....so, we want to move to a place that musician can make a living!

Also, I have a Qs...just want to get an idea from a real person who is living there to give me an idea how much I would need to make to live in Seattle (as a middle class living style)? Just one single income.......any #? I am not asking to share how much you make........but just how much one should make to live in Seattle as a mid. class? Of coz I know everyone has a different standard of mid class living and has different life style....I already went on few websites and got an idea of the salary vs cost of living comparsion..but I just want to hear from a real person who is actually lives there...so..my guess is 70k? Am I close? :p

I don't think you need to make that much to be middle class (unless you're looking to live downtown). Although making that much will still make you middle class but at a much more comfortable and higher level. I'm not from there, but I'm guessing that $50,000 would definitely make you middle class. In fact, I'm guessing that $40,000 would make you middle class there (you just would still have to watch how much you shop, etc). I also think it depends on what part of town you live in. I'm close to Seattle and so I know a little bit. Hope this helps.

This is good advice. Your question is very difficult to answer because much depends on your own personal lifestyle. The salary compared to cost of living is a good basis....but then you need to take into account your own ability to control spending. If you like dining out frequently, upscale clothing, gourmet foods...then of course your cost of living is going to be higher. Hope this makes sense.

Oh okay. I was just guessing 70K bcoz since Seattle is an expensive place to live....of coz nothing like NYC right? Thanks for your reply! It does help!