Potential job move - Seattle

[Saunterer]

I see that ec9 is asking between Dallas and Portland in another thread; so I thought I would illicit some input also about a potential job offer to move to the Seattle area.

(BTW, ec9, I spent three weeks in Portland back in 1997 or so and absolutely loved it. I would choose it over Dallas. Been to Dallas many times....)

Anyway. I had a tech company call me up for a phone interview and I was actually hoping for a position in Raleigh, NC (grew up in NC and want to get back...) and based on my experience they want me to potentially come to their HQ in Bellevue. I've been to Seattle quite a few times and liked the visits; but would I want to move there? Based on cost of living it'll be about 35% more than the KC area.

Any local residents or transplants to the Seattle area want to chime in with any tidbits or tips that I can't find readily on a website? Any good areas to look for homes away from the metro areas? How long would a 20 mile commute be (time-wise for the wisecrackers ) into the Bellevue area? Any particular areas to avoid? I have a daughter in high school; any schools districts to look into (especially since she's a dancer...)?

I'm currently quite happy with my current employment, but if I get an offer that's hard to refuse, I want to be confident in my decision. Plus been in Kansas for 10 years now and we are getting itchy for some new adventures.

 

[oldrifleman]

The best school district at least as far as I know is north shore. They have great programs and thier teachers are recognized on a regular basis. Housing is still depressed in the Seattle area. but probably significantly higher than you are used to. Figure $400K for fairly new 2000 Sq ft house on a 6000 sqft lot. If you want to get away from the metro area I would look for houses in the Fall city, Carnation, Duval area, it is more rural than the East side. As far as a commute the 20 mile will take 30-40 min. If you have any questions send me a PM. I live in the Bothell area.

 

[ec9]

Good to hear.. seems like most of the comments on Portland are positive minus the rain I could of actually gone for Seattle as well but I'm hoping to live out a bit in OR. I do love the boat (floating)houses in Seattle though there's some pretty sweet ones. I spent a few years in RTP area too. Lived in Apex NC while plugging away at being a keyboard jockey in the cubicle race for glory. So had you asked about RTP I could of been more helpful

However maybe this will help a bit.

Check out the citydata forums there filled with a lot of biased reviews but there is some good info there if you can read between the lines.

 

[Saunterer]

but probably significantly higher than you are used to. Figure $400K for fairly new 2000 Sq ft house on a 6000 sqft lot. If you want to get away from the metro area I would look for houses in the Fall city, Carnation, Duval area, it is more rural than the East side. As far as a commute the 20 mile will take 30-40 min.

Thanks for the info. Based on a lot of cost of living calculators that I have looked at, home prices are significantly higher than what we are used to. (Plus being underwater in my home now, makes it even more difficult. ) I'll poke around those areas.

ec9,

I actually grew up and lived in NC (down in the Duplin County area) for 26 years. Quite familiar with the area. I'll make it back there eventually.