7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving To Seattle (from California!)

Coming from the East Coast, I'm always overdressed for things in Seattle. But the laid back thing isn't just clothes, its people's attitudes too and that part I've come to appreciate

I'm a transplant from the Midwest myself, been here 23 years. When I visit friends and family back home I always tell them that as a country boy with a limited understanding of fashion, one of the things that I appreciate most about Seattle and the Northwest in general is that you can dress any way whatsoever and no one's going to question you at all 😃 I even recognized my fellow Seattleites at a layover in Dallas fort Worth from three terminals away, I saw how everybody was dressed and said those are my peeps right there 😊

I don't live in Seattle, but I think of how fortunate it would be to live that close to Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier NP and the San Juan Islands. I remember taking the ferry from Anacortes to one of the San Juan Islands on a sunny, summer day and thinking it was one of the most beautiful settings I've ever seen.

May-September, Seattle/Bellevue is paradise. Endless sunshine and 65-75 degree weather with cascade mountains on one side , Olympic mountains on the other; Puget sound on one side, lake Washington, lake sammamish on the other . Truly gorgeous in late spring to early fall. It’s a well kept secret. I don’t even want to go to Hawaii until the long winter strikes!

One big difference between Seattle and Bellevue is that unlike Seattle, if you shoplift or smoke fentanyl or car prowl in Bellevue, you will be arrested and prosecuted. Bellevue is cleaner and safer, if a bit more boring. But, sometimes boring is better. Seattle is 20 minutes away if a raw experience is what you crave. Also, in Bellevue, you can park your car for free almost everywhere. Not so in Seattle.

Rain in Seattle is highly overrated. We may have a few gray days during the winter but the temps are warmer than most other Northern locations making it well worth it.

I moved from LA to Seattle last year and now I want to move back to LA. I miss it so much.

This was a great video. The one place that I really enjoy is the Public Library and what an architect masterpiece it truly is. Just going in and climbing to the top floor really is a neat place to go. Thank you for sharing!!!

I was born and raised in Bellevue and for the most part you got it pretty spot on. I always thought Seattle was so much cooler but as I’ve gotten older I’m always frustrated having to go over there because of the traffic, parking, cost, and general dangerousness of some areas. I still love Seattle, don’t get me wrong, but Bellevue is much more suited to that suburban-city family dream

We had a similar journey. Grew up in Tacoma, moved to San Diego then Orange County and now back to the PNW. So happy to be back working and living in the PNW!

This is a cool perspective on Seattle from someone who lives 45 min away from the city, moved away for some years and came back lol. As someone who actually lives in the city of Seattle, it’s like 60% true. Truth: Seattle does get dark at 4pm in the peak of Winter. It can be grimy and ratchet in certain neighborhoods & on public transit. Fancy restaurants have no dress code (except a few like Canlis, Palisades, Chinooks, etc) And of course: the Seattle Freeze from locals, but transplants are cool & so are locals once you break that shell. The truth: Seattle’s style is Hiking Chic. Patagonia, Filson, Northface, Arc’teryx, HH, etc. We dress for functionality for the elements, not a brunch on South Beach lol. Plus we have hellllla healthy options. There’s more healthy options in Seattle than non healthy options, LA just has more because LA is bigger. I mean this is still the West Coast after all. And I might be wrong on this…but Seattle’s architecture is pretty known for its Victorians & Craftmans. I mean walk around one of the fancy old neighborhoods like Mt Baker, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Laurelhurst, etc & the houses have more character than the boring average cookie cutter houses in states like California, Florida or Arizona. Just my 2 cents.

My gosh It’s been 7 years!! I remember tuning in to your road-trip vlogs back to Seattle being so excited for your 2nd channel. You’re such an inspiration to me, can’t wait for your next vlog 💚

I moved to Seattle from California back in 1996. I seen cities grew a lot. Yes, it rains a lot but it is paradise in summer and stays light until 930 pm. Love the greenery and water here. The reason Bellevue blew up because of Microsoft is there and all other tech companies there. Crime in Seattle definitely gotten worse since Covid and the more people going to be and worse cities get. I love living in Seattle. Wouldn’t move back anywhere else.

I love your videos of Seattle! I live in Atlanta and I swear during the winter, I might as well be in Seattle! All it does is rain! lol

Great insight! I moved from LA/Redondo Beach to Maui, got tired of heat and sun, love Seattle weather. Enjoy the summers here, but really prefer the winters.

3 new Sweetgreens coming soon to WA 😍 11th + Pine South Lake Union Totem Lake Zero in Oregon 🥲

I’m from Northern California and moved to the East Side in March of 2020. Just moved back home in October 2022, but it’s not home anymore!!! I miss everything about Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, etc., the people are so nice and well-educated, and so modest in comparison to Californians! I plan to move back!

I'm a semi-retired Seattle native who abandoned Seattle for the Eastside decades ago, and I'm so glad I did. I just watched this video and I think you would do people a favor by stating: Unless you actually work in Seattle you'll enjoy life here more in the outer lying communities. Try to find a place fairly close to your work, and strongly consider the commute in your decision making because the traffic and congestion, especially in the dark wet months, sucks here! The freeways here are nothing like other major cities, they don't get better due to the geography limitations and likely never will. The increase in crime in Seattle is real, I still work there part-time and I see it regularly. Also, the "Seattle Freeze" is more about people being colder and generally not as openly friendly here as in many other areas of the country (not the weather). I've noticed it every time I've traveled to a warmer climate area of the U.S. people are generally just friendlier there. We do seem to become hermits from Nov thru March, maybe that's why, and for as long as I can remember we don't really welcome people who move here from other places because we have the attitude that it has ruined what Seattle used to be like and has caused the price of living to sky rocket here. -A Seattle native

Very good summary. I grew up in Wenatchee, then lived in LA for 9 years, then back to Seattle. I find LA people to be friendly, but not necessarily nice. Seattle people are not overly friendly but they are nice nice once you get to know them- which takes time.

I live in Sacramento and while it's too hot in July/August, the people are more down to earth here. It's also very diverse with plenty to do if you like hiking and nature.