Seattle is, simply put, a great place to be. Whether you’re a resident, considering a move to the Emerald City, or thinking about investing in Seattle real estate, there are plenty of reasons that residents and investors love Seattle. Here’s our top 10:
10. Seattle works.
Not only was Seattle recently ranked #1 for work-life balance in the U.S., it’s the 5th best city in the nation for starting a career. A hotbed for young professionals (proof here and here), it’s also #2 number two among the 50 largest U.S. cities for remote work. So whether you’re in-office or work-from-home, Seattle has you covered.
9. No personal state income tax.
Washington is one of seven states with no personal income tax. So residents can put extra cash into buying or renting a great property while also splurging on fine dining, coffee, beer, or any of the other Seattle favorites listed below.
8. You can get some of the best sushi outside of Japan.
Thanks to its location, you’ll find fantastic seafood — and of course, sushi — in Seattle. Two of the top sushi restaurants in the country are here, including Sushi Kashiba, which only has 12 seats (so make sure to get a reservation), and Maneki, which has been a Seattle staple since 1904. You don’t last that long unless you’re serving superior sushi!
7. Younger generations are flocking to the city.
Whether they’re drawn by the entrepreneurial spirit, the city life, or the amazing nature next door, when a place has lots to offer, that’s where the younger crowd gravitates. In 2022, Seattle was named the #1 city to move to for new college graduates. Millennial transplants are flocking to the city and Seattle can call itself one of Gen Z’s top ten most popular cities.
If you’re looking to purchase some Seattle real estate, there’s plenty of unique neighborhoods to choose from that fit any generation — everything from apartments to condominiums and townhomes to single-family homes.
6. It’s a sports town.
Never been to a Seahawks football game at Lumen Field? Even if you aren’t a fan of the team, it’s an amazing experience.
Seattle is home to some of the best sports fans in the country, whether you want to watch the Seahawks, Sounders (the city’s Major League Soccer team, which also plays at Lumen Field), MLB’s Mariners, the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, or the Washington University Huskies. The sports scene is definitely one of the best things about Seattle!
(In 2022, the Mariners made the playoffs for the first time since 2001 — and fought to the biggest road comeback win in playoff history.)
5. The beer.
For some people, there’s nothing like an ice-cold beer. Today, there are tons of great local breweries throughout the country, and Seattle has more than its fair share!
You’ll want to check out these two lists (here and here) of some of Seattle’s best, including Fremont Brewing, Reuben’s Brews, Holy Mountain Brewing, Urban Family, and many others. Here’s to Seattle’s beer scene!
4. Some of the best restaurants in the world are in Seattle.
With chefs becoming celebrities and restaurants being featured all over TV, foodies are always looking for the next big thing. And there are a lot of next big things in Seattle! For example, it’s home to four James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award finalists and some of the best eateries in the country.
If you’re looking for suggestions on where to eat in Seattle, you’ve got lots to choose from! (Try this list and this one.)
3. You’re never far from great coffee.
Of course, Seattle is where Starbucks was founded. But the Emerald City offers many other options thanks to a highly caffeinated number of coffee shops per capita of one per 2,308 people — it ranks fourth in the United States.
If you’d like to get your cup of joe from a different coffee shop, here’s a list of some options that will warm you up (or cool you down, if you prefer iced coffee).
2. Seattle’s healthy vibes will rub off on you.
You don’t have to be a health nut to live in Seattle, but there’s plenty of evidence that it’s a place that’s good for you. Ranked the fourth-healthiest city in America, Seattle is also the country’s best city for outdoor activities.
Local residents also enjoy easy access to fresh, local food — and many of them enjoy walking, running, or bicycling through the seventh-greenest city in the country. It’s no wonder Seattle is nicknamed the Emerald City!
1. It’s one of the friendliest big cities in America.
Seattle is one of the most welcoming cities you can live in, and it deserves its reputation as a great place to make your home.
It’s ranked #10 on this list of best big cities, and in addition to all the young adults it attracts (see #7 and #10 above), Seattle is listed as the seventh-best city in the nation to raise a family.
If you’re thinking of moving to the Seattle area or interested in adding a new investment to your real estate portfolio, we have you covered! Head on over and check out home auctions in Seattle and Seattle homes for sale.
