Moving to Seattle: Adjusting to the Climate, Culture, and Lifestyle Differences from Southern California

Moving to Seattle: Adjusting to the Climate, Culture, and Lifestyle Differences from Southern California

Welcome to Seattle, Washington – a city that’s vibrant, unique, and full of surprises! As an expert on Seattle, I can tell you that there’s no place quite like it. From the breathtaking scenery to the friendly locals, Seattle has something to offer everyone. But as someone who’s moved from Southern California to Seattle, I understand that it can be a little hard to adjust to the weather and the culture here. That’s why I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you make the most of your move.

Let’s start with the weather. Seattle’s climate is very temperate, with temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 degrees on a regular basis. But if you’re used to those San Diego 75 sunny days, the overcast and rain might come as a bit of a shock. The Pacific Northwest experiences a lot of gray and overcast weather, especially during the fall and winter months. This can cause a lot of people to feel down and sad. But don’t worry, the summers here are second to none and are the most beautiful summers you will ever see.

Speaking of darkness, we have something called the “Big Dark” which is hard to adjust to. By Thanksgiving time, we narrow down to about eight hours of sunlight a day. You’ll wake up in the dark, leave for work in the dark, come home from work in the dark, and basically anything you do is going to be happening in the dark. So, make sure to prepare yourself for this.

One thing to be aware of is the Seattle Freeze. People in California have always been very kind, fun, and open. But up here in the Pacific Northwest, people are a little more reserved, and you really have to prove that you are there to make friends. Making friends here is not impossible, but it does take a little more time, effort, and energy on your part. So, take time to plug into work friends, church friends, find hobbies that you can do with other people, and make it an active part of your process when you move from California to Seattle to get to know other people.

The cost of living in Seattle is already a little bit lower than in some areas of California, and we have another benefit that you can factor in – no state income tax! In California, state income tax ranges from about 8.3 percent to 12.3 percent, but here in Washington, we actually do not have any state income tax at all. So, whatever you earn is yours. Obviously, you still have to pay your federal taxes just like you would anywhere, but that could be an extra eight to twelve percent more income back in your pocket.

Seattle is known for its music scene, art, and culture. While California is known for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, we do things a little bit differently here. We have a lot more museums, galleries, and street art. In fact, there’s a ton of beautiful murals and graffiti to check out all over the city. Seattle is also a wildly dog-friendly city, so if you’re a dog owner, you’re going to love it here. Dogs are welcome inside restaurants and cafes, and you’ll see them everywhere you go. In fact, there are more dogs in Seattle than there are children!

Overall, moving from California to Seattle might be an adjustment, but it’s definitely worth it. Seattle is a beautiful and unique city with a lot to offer. Whether you’re into music, art, or the outdoors, there’s something for everyone here. So, embrace the weather, make new friends, and get ready to experience all that Seattle has to offer.