Relocation and Travel in Seattle by KatoSeattle
I'm originally from AR myself and found some dramatic differences. Cost is the big one, it is mucho expensive compared to AR, but given that, your survival skills from living in AR are good ones to survive in Seattle. Rents are from $750+ for one bedroom in suburbs to over $1000/mo in prime areas. But you can find suburban areas and college area housing which can be reasonable. You can survive because wages are much higher here. Minimum wage is one of highest in country, even service economy wages are $10-$15/hour or higher. Lots of jobs in health care, computers, social services, etc. Transportation can be easily done by buses here, which save costs; some employers pay for the buspass. Traffic is a hassle, though. Great resale shops - Goodwill rocks, so leave the furniture and stuff behind - it's easy to replace here cheaply. November will be somewhat dark and wet, and the first year you will miss the sunshine brightness you were used to. But it is still light during the day and you have to get past staying inside in the rain-just get out and hike, travel, live life. The ocean on one side and mountains on the other are beauties that can't be missed, and summer will totally win you over. Remember, no tornados, mosquitoes, heatstroke or poisonous snakes (on this side of the mt). For hotels, I would try the travel sites and also look for residence hotels around the airport or South Center Mall area for weekly rates. Eat somewhere in the International District/Chinatown (House of Hong for dim sum due to free parking)or U-District for diversity of choices in college area. Lots of seafood choices along the waterfront; the Crab Pot allows you to eat family style with a mix of seafood. Little expensive, but our visitors have liked the experience. It is easy to reach downtown where you can walk from Pike Place Market to the waterfront (Aquarium) or uphill to a Monorail stop to go to Seattle Center where the Space Needle and Pacific Science Center is. Bring a good raincoat with a hood and brim and fleecewear, plus comfortable shoes, and clothes you can layer (warms up in middle of day, cooler during other hours). Go to the local beaches like Golden Gardens or drive up north to Camano Island or San Juan Islands. Take a ferry ride, even in Nov. it will be enjoyable from inside a ferry. You can drive to the mt's for a day of skiing or snowboarding also, although without snow-wear it might be hard. All in all, it is doable in rainy Nov and livable if you give it a try.
