Visit Seattle: 2026 Travel Guide for Seattle, Washington | Expedia

Here's what you need to make an hour to afford living in parts of western Washington

I’ve lived in Seattle, Washington, for over 30 years, and I’ll be honest. The biggest surprise for people relocating here isn’t the politics or the cost of living. It’s the pace. People move here from New York, LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta expecting nonstop pressure and a high-stress, hyper-professional grind. And yes, Seattle is ambitious. It’s smart. It moves fast. But life here doesn’t feel the way people expect. There’s big-city living, but with balance. You’re outside more than you t