Moving to Seattle/surrounding area

SheriffLauren · May 4, 2016

HI, I'm relocating out there next week! I've visited a bunch and love the area. Looks like a bunch of outdoor stuff, people seem pretty into art, games and music. The pay scale looks pretty good, I think WA (specifically the greater Seattle area) pays in the top 10 of US states for RN salaries. And no income tax! But I think sales tax is 9%? Anyway people are super nice. What area of nursing are you looking to do? and before you go make sure to start the licence transfer process, that can take a few weeks to a month.

CaneRN · May 4, 2016

Thanks for replying! I really enjoyed my visit, but it's tough to know after a fairly quick trip. I agree most of the people I interacted with were friendly. At this point, I don't have a specialty I'm looking into exactly since I'm on a very generalized unit now. I think I can always get more specific later. I actually do have my license already! I started the process early lol. I'm hoping to find something in the next few months. I'm just trying to look for something good. Good luck with the move! Please let me know how it goes. I don't know how to message people, but maybe you can keep me informed on here somehow lol. Any info is helpful!

RiskManager · May 4, 2016

I am one of the few remaining Seattle-area natives. I always mention three things that can be a shock to newcomers: (1) It really does rain seven months out of the year here. Not usually driving rainstorms, but steady drizzle for days on end. On the other hand, it rarely gets very hot, with maybe two-three weeks of temps in the upper 80's in the summer, and it rarely snows in Seattle. The weather is generally gorgeous from May to September. (2) The price of housing (buying or renting) is astonishingly high and is rapidly approaching San Francisco levels. This is largely due to lack of housing supply and that the dot-com wealth in the area has driven up prices. Bidding wars for desirable areas are not uncommon. (3) If you have to commute into downtown Seattle (Pill Hill is where the major hospital campuses are) be prepared to spend a lot of time on the freeway. Seattle is bounded on the east and west by water and there are limited routes into and out of the city. The limited road infrastructure plus booming traffic makes for a terrible commute. I live about 50 miles north of Seattle. When I have to go into downtown or Pill Hill for a meeting, it generally takes me between 2 and 2.5 hours to drive in, and that is leaving at 0600.

Having said all that, I love the area, and have turned down many opportunities to leave. Especially if you like outdoor recreation, Seattle is ideally placed for that.

CaneRN · May 5, 2016

Thank you for your input, RiskManager. Yes, I certainly noticed the heavy traffic when I visited, haha. My very first job I actually lived about two blocks from my hospital and loved it so I was really hoping to replicate that in some capacity. Although two blocks might be a bit unrealistic. And yes, I love being outdoors and active etc. which is one of the things that led me to look into the state in the first place. I was actually just offered a job yesterday so I will be spending the next few days carefully thinking! That is why replies from others have been/will be helpful :)

Seattlebound · May 6, 2016

I'm moving to the area as well from across the country. Attempting to hold off on renting an apartment until I accept a position, so I have a better idea on where I want to live. My roomate is going to work in Redmond - I wanted to split the distance. If I worked in downtown Seattle area, I wasn't sure if living on a suburb on the east side like Bellevue or Kirkland would be too much of a commute.

CaneRN · May 6, 2016

Hi Seattlebound, great name. I actually just accepted a position in Seattle yesterday so the living thing has quickly become my next "thing" lol. I'm most certainly NOT the best person to ask as my number of hours in both places can be described in terms of hours there, but I enjoyed both locations (Kirkland and Redmond). Again from the brief time there if I was going to pick one of those I would probably choose Kirkland, but again I was only there for like 4 hours, tops, so my opinion is skewed at best lol. Good luck! Where are you coming from if you don't mind me asking?

RiskManager · May 6, 2016

I'm moving to the area as well from across the country. Attempting to hold off on renting an apartment until I accept a position, so I have a better idea on where I want to live. My roomate is going to work in Redmond - I wanted to split the distance. If I worked in downtown Seattle area, I wasn't sure if living on a suburb on the east side like Bellevue or Kirkland would be too much of a commute.

Commuting to and from the Eastside to downtown Seattle involves crossing Lake Washington on either the 520 bridge (toll) or I-90 bridge (eventually to be toll). The commute is relatively short in terms of distance, but heavy in terms of traffic. Riding the bus from the Eastside to downtown Seattle during typical business hours is a viable option.

Seattlebound · May 6, 2016

I'm sure that I will end up driving. Saw the toll bridges,wasn't sure if one had less or more traffic going to Seattle. I figure they are both the same. I'm sure I will get the night shift from 7pm-7a, so hopefully traffic isn't as bad???? I'm from new England

CaneRN · May 6, 2016

Oh nice! Ok so your from the other coast too lol. I'm moving from Florida.

RNdonut · Jul 28, 2016

Hi! I am going to be moving to Seattle/Bellevue from Florida in the beginning of next year. What are the best hospitals to strive for? Right now I'm on a cardiac PCU and would love anything cardiac! I'm also looking to go back to school. Are there any good Master's Programs in the area?

Thanks!

tokmom, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2016

University of WA is excellent for anything nursing related. They also have satellite campuses.

Welcome to WA!