move to seattle

[legit]

Hello,

I realize this isn't completely bike related, but I was wondering if I could get some good advice anyways. I am currently in college and should be graduating in the fall, for a change of pace I've been thinking about moving to Seattle and getting a job out there after graduation.

One of the things that attracted me to seattle was the bike culture (esp. MTB), as well as the outdoorsiness. I live/work/school in the denver/boulder area and so outdoors stuff is a big part of what I enjoy (camping/hiking/biking). And I'm also a Christian so I would be looking for a good church out there.

I was just wondering if anyone had any good suggestions/comments about moving to seattle?

thanks,
- Legit

[Catgrrl70]

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=393889

[MillCreek]

As a life-long Seattle-area native, the outdoor recreational options are outstanding. Although the Pacific NW is one of the least-churched areas in the country, there are plentiful worship options for all faiths. The big sticky wicket can be finding a job and affording housing. What is your profession?

[legit]

Thanks for the reply's, I am a software engineer. So naturally amazon and microsoft seem like job opportunities, although I think I'd prefer to work in a much much much smaller company.

[markjenn]

I moved from Boulder (Louisville actually) to Seattle ten years ago, so I can speak a bit to the difference in lifestyles.

The Seattle area has a well-deserved reputation for outdoor recreation, but there are some tradeoffs you should be aware of. The first is, of course, the weather. While we don't nearly as severe a winter, we do have a long, dark, dreary winter where it is hard to get motivated to get outside. And the springs and fall are often marked by showery weather which changes hour to hour, so you have to be prepared for rain almost all the time. When I lived in Colorado, the weather was much more conducive to motivating me to go for bike rides. And I miss the thunderstorms.

A second issue is simply how the urban sprawl has hit the Puget Sound area which requires a pretty good drive or a long bike ride simply clear the sprawl and get in the country. Fortunately, there are pretty good urban biking options so you don't need to get into the country all the time.

If you're a skier you have to drastically reset your expectations. They're are several skiing options close by (1-2 hours), but elevations are 4K feet, not 9K, which means rain in the winter and concrete snow.

If you're into boating, this area is simply outstanding though. Sailing, kayaking, power-boating - you name it, it's great.

It sounds like I'm down on Seattle and I'm not, but Boulder is about as good as it gets recreation wise, so you've got big shoes to fill.

- Mark

[markjenn]

Thanks for the reply's, I am a software engineer. So naturally amazon and microsoft seem like job opportunities, although I think I'd prefer to work in a much much much smaller company.

I'd look into Google. They're hiring like crazy here.

- Mark

[BengeBoy]

I'd look into Google. They're hiring like crazy here.

- Mark

276 software development jobs open at Amazon, just in Seattle....

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_5763542_1?ie=UTF8&node=239362011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-2&pf_rd_r=028QATMW97J26GQ0SF9J&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=321627601&pf_rd_i=203348011

[CliftonGK1]

Thanks for the reply's, I am a software engineer. So naturally amazon and microsoft seem like job opportunities, although I think I'd prefer to work in a much much much smaller company.

My fiancee works for Microsoft and loves it there. The big deal with them is getting in the door. Once you're in, if you decide you don't like what you're doing, there's plenty of opportunity to move inside the company.
She started in I.T. Support, moved to Digital Ad Services, and is looking at another move soon. Plus, their benefits package kicks unholy truckloads of butt! She's gone through a lot of surgery recently, to correct complications from a car accident long ago. Total out-of-pocket: $0.00 They've covered EVERYTHING, including unlimited physical therapy sessions post-surgery.

[stringbreaker]

Ski areas try skicrystal.com for Crystal mountain south of Seattle also Mt. Baker has higher than 4k feet and if you really want to take a drive there is a little place called Whistler/Blackholm north of the border. True its not normally the really fluffy stuff they get in the Rockies but any day skiing is better than the best day at work.

[bizzz111]

If you are looking for a job, I know a headhunter that could probably get you a job at microsoft the day after you graduate. It's a "temp" contract job, but pretty much everyone I know that went through her got offered a full time gig at microsoft. It would give you the time to scope out the job scene without being tied down to a particular employer.

If you do get a job at microsoft, you'll want to live on the east side. As mentioned in other posts, the traffic is only getting worse, and congestion pricing/tolls are coming soon, especially on 520 and I-90, which are pretty much the only viable ways from seattle to the east side. Of course if you ride your bike to work, it doesn't really matter. Now that I think about it, I think Microsoft runs their own shuttle service from seattle to the east side, so that might be an option.

[legit]

Wow, thanks for all of the job support stuff. I'd take people up on it, but since I'm still kinda working out the details of what I'm going to do after graduation I think I'll wait a little while. Thanks for the info too, I have read a lot about the traffic and weather. As far as traffic is concerned if I did move out there I would try to get a job nailed down first and then move close enough to commute by bike. And as far as the weather, I think I might be able to get used to it, something about having mountains and an ocean (especially the ocean) near by makes it seem like enduring long gloomy days (which I don't really seem to mind here in CO) worthwhile.

At any rate, thanks for the feedback, maybe when I start to look for jobs I'll come back and post here rather than on a job board or something, as it seems like there are plenty of you willing to help :thumb: which is awesome.

- legit

BTW: Another reason I am interested in seattle is the UW professional Masters Program (naturally in computer science), anyone have any opinions on UW?

[markjenn]

BTW: Another reason I am interested in seattle is the UW professional Masters Program (naturally in computer science), anyone have any opinions on UW?

Great school, especially in computer science. I got my masters in this program. Can't speak too highly of it.

- Mark

[zagnut]

If the only gloom you know is Colorado gloom, you don't know gloom. Find a place to live that's not too far from a bridge, that way when you finally tire of the gloom and drizzle, you won't have far to ride your bike to make that final jump.

Zagnut