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8 Best Cities to Move to From Seattle

Writer's picture: evergreenkeygroupevergreenkeygroup

Seattle is a big city, and it can be hard to find your place. That’s why so many people have been moving out of this bustling metropolis in recent years. They’ve found better opportunities elsewhere. If you want to join them, there are plenty of great cities that will give you what you need without being too expensive or overcrowded.

Here are our top 8 picks for where to move from Seattle:

1. Bellevue, WA

Employment in Bellevue

Bellevue is located just east of Seattle and has become one of the most popular places to live in Washington. It has a thriving economy with many employment options. There are many big companies, such as Puget Sound Energy, Symetra Financial, and Microsoft, in Bellevue which makes it an excellent place to start or continue your career with a fast-growing company.

Real Estate in Bellevue

Bellevue happens to be one of the more expensive regions of Washington to live in, as the median housing cost is currently at about $1,165,000. If you’re looking to move from Seattle and rent in Bellevue, the average cost of a rental ranges between $1,720 to $2,105, depending on the size and type of home you’re renting.

Amenities in Bellevue

Bellevue foodies have a wide range of dining options to choose from. Locals can enjoy everything from a casual deli or sandwich shop to high-end, 4-star gourmet restaurants. Whether you’re looking to munch on something after a night on the town or you’re sitting down to dinner with the family, there are hundreds of restaurants, pubs, and bars to indulge in and enjoy. 

2. Port Townsend, WA

Employment in Port Townsend

Not only does Port Townsend provide a beautiful, Victorian-era seacoast town to live in but it has plenty of employment opportunities as well. In the local county, there are various jobs available in all fields, from healthcare to retail.

The largest private employer in Port Townsend is Port Townsend Paper Mill. The largest employer overall, public and private, is Jefferson Healthcare. Among many other industries to choose from in the area are maritime trades, manufacturing, tourism, and timber.

Real Estate in Port Townsend

While housing in Port Townsend is not quite as expensive as it is in Bellevue, Realtor.com states that the median cost of a home as of August 2021 is approximately $554,500 and homes can range anywhere from the low $100,000s to well over $2 million.

The Port Townsend real estate market is dominated by detached, single-family homes situated on quiet, rural properties. This is a major difference from the hustle and bustle of Seattle, just 2 hours southeast, and can be a great change of scenery for those looking to move out of the busier city.

Amenities in Port Townsend

Unlike Seattle, in Port Townsend you’ll find no raging nightclubs and overcrowded bars. What you will find, however, is a collection of small-town bars and pubs that offer a unique, and enjoyable experience. The restaurants of Port Townsend are made up of a mixture of cozy, local establishments, familiar franchise favorites, and even a local farmers market. 

3. Bellingham, WA

Employment in Bellingham

Bellingham is the perfect place for those who work in the healthcare or educational industry, as the largest employers in the city are St. Joseph Hospital, the school district of Bellingham, and Western Washington University. There are many employment opportunities available in all fields throughout the county as it is known for being a hub of activity with plenty to see and do.

Real Estate in Bellingham

Bellingham is located approximately 1.5 hours north of Seattle and offers a wide range of real estate, priced between the mid to high $500,000s, to those looking to relocate from the bigger city. Potential homebuyers looking to relocate to Bellingham from Seattle can choose from a section of diverse real estate including condos, detached, single-family homes, manufactured and mobile options, rural properties, and subdivisions.

Amenities in Bellingham

When you’re done with your day’s work, Bellingham has plenty of things to do that can help you relax and de-stress. For an active lifestyle filled with outdoor adventures, sports, and activities, look no further than Bellingham. The laid-back atmosphere of Bellingham makes it the perfect place to enjoy a morning run or bike ride through one of its many green spaces. 

4. Tacoma, WA

Employment in Tacoma

If you’re a professional looking for work in the healthcare industry, the education sector, or the local government of Pierce County,Tacoma has plenty of employment opportunities available. Local hospitals and clinics such as St. Joseph’s Medical Center, MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital offer long term as well as temporary employment to those relocating to Tacoma.

Real Estate in Tacoma

Those looking to move from Seattle to Tacoma can expect to see a marked increase in their disposable income. The average cost of living in Tacoma is approximately $300,000 less than that of Seattle. Depending on the section of Tacoma you’re looking into, homes typically cost anywhere from $375,000 to about $600,000. To rent in Tacoma will cost approximately $1,950 per month.

Amenities in Tacoma

Tacoma is home to beautiful parks and green spaces, allowing you to explore the outdoors at your own pace. If you like sports, Tacoma has plenty of options for competition! Whether it’s baseball or football you’re interested in watching; there are teams available for all. The city’s sports options are only the beginning of the variety you’ll find in Tacoma, Washington! 

5. Lynnwood, WA

Employment in Lynnwood

Approximately 25 minutes north of Seattle sits the beautiful Lynnwood community. Lynnwood residents can find plenty of job opportunities within the city borders, and although the top employers include the Edmonds School District and the City of Lynnwood, a large number of jobs are retail positions. The next most populated companies in Lynnwood are Nordstrom, Costco, and Macy’s, with several other large stores following.

Real Estate in Lynnwood

Lynnwood is a small, but popular community with plenty of homes to choose from. The average cost of living in Lynnwood is about $670,000, which according to Redfin.com is up 17.8% from last year. Renting an apartment or condo is comparable to Seattle’s rates at about $1,900.

Amenities in Lynnwood

Lynnwood has a few different entertainment options you can choose between for your downtime. For the athletes of the family there are facilities for local sports teams and gyms where you can work out.

If neither of those interest you, you can always visit the Lynnwood Convention Center for a solid evening of entertainment. This large gathering space can hold up to 1,200 people and has been used time and again for meetings, conventions, weddings, parties, and other receptions. 

6. Everett, WA 

Employment in Everett

Everett is home to Boeing’s Corporate Offices in Washington state, in addition to being one of the largest ports on the West Coast! What does this mean for new residents? Well, if you want a job in transportation, aerospace, or engineering Everett is the perfect city for you!

Real Estate in Everett

Everett has a great range of homes to choose from. You can purchase your very own free-standing, single-family home for less than $450,000 or if that’s not in your price range there are plenty of other options available. Multi-family housing makes up the majority of real estate in Everett, though there are plenty of single-family homes to be found as well. Everett offers a selection of affordable housing as well as multi-million dollar homes.

Amenities in Everett

Everett has plenty to offer sports fanatics when it comes to entertainment. From the iconic Everett Memorial Stadium to the Comcast Arena at Everett there are many places to catch a game. The facility is home to several sports teams; the most popular being the Everett Silvertips who play in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Residents of Everett have plenty of choice when it comes to dining. Locals can find a variety of cuisines including fresh seafood, Irish-American pub fare, Asian fusion, fine Italian dining, and so much more! 

7. Bremerton, WA

Employment in Bremerton

Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. This means that many of the jobs available are focused on the Navy and its employees. The United States Navy employs over 46,000 people at PSNS alone! Washington State Ferries also have a large presence in the shipyards of Bremerton.

Real Estate in Bremerton

Bremerton has plenty of condos and apartments available for rent as well as homes to purchase. Realtor.com reports a 14.3% increase in the real estate market between August 2020 and August 2021, with the average cost of living sitting around $450,000.

Amenities in Bremerton

Bremerton locals have a multitude of diverse entertainment options to explore. Historical options include Puget Sound Navy Museum, the USS Turner Joy Museum Ship, and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Memorial Plaza.

For more excitement, locals can venture out onto the Bremerton Boardwalk where shops, food, and activity line the street. Sit back and people watch or get involved, it’s completely up to you! 

8. Portland, OR

Employment in Portland

For those who wish to relocate not only from Seattle, but from Washington itself, one of the most popular choices is Portland, Oregon. Portland is quite similar to Seattle, but has a smaller population and is more affordable.

The top employers for those looking to work in Portland include:

  1. U.S. Bank

  2. Precision Castparts Corp.

  3. Wells Fargo

  4. Daimler Trucks North America

Real Estate in Portland

Those who wish to move from Seattle to Portland will find that the housing market is a little more affordable than its counterpart across the country. Homes typically sell around the mid $500,000s, though they can be anywhere from the low $200,000s to grand, multi-million dollar estates.

The benefit of living in a city like Portland, is the diversity. Everything can be found among the real estate listings, from small, cabin-like homes to high-rise apartments to large, single-family dwellings.

Amenities in Portland

When it comes to entertainment in the area, Portland offers a ton of options for local residents. From the Oregon Zoo to the Portland Art Museum there is no shortage of activities or history to explore!

Sports fans can enjoy watching teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), San Antonio Spurs (NBA) and the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) when they travel to watch their favorite team play.

Seattle is great! But once you’re done with the busy traffic, the crowded streets, and the ever-rising cost of real estate, you may need a change of scenery. Where do you move to from Seattle? Check out our list of the top 8 choices for relocation! 

 
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