3 Areas You Can Save Money If You Want to Call Seattle, Home

Seattle is a great place to live if you don’t mind living in less than sunny weather. With a population of over 600,000, Seattle is not only the home of the Seahawks but also some of the best coffee in the country.

But, making ends meet in Seattle can be difficult for anyone who used to live there or considered doing so. You’ll need a budget and a steady income to cover your living costs in Seattle; however, we’ve come across a few ways to help you save money while you’re doing some research into buying a house in Seattle. There are some you may already know about, and there are others that might come as a nice surprise.

Housing

Decide where to settle down based on a mix of practical considerations and personal preferences.  If you don’t have a reliable car or simply don’t want to own one, look for a place that’s close to main roads and within walking distance of your workplace. 

Just keep in mind that the cost of living (or doing just about anything) is probably going to be high. However, after you leave the city limits and head north, you’ll find that your money goes a bit further on everyday things. Compared to the more expensive areas of Seattle and Bellevue, housing prices in the city’s eastern and northern suburbs can be significantly lower, but you should contact a real estate agent for help choosing which neighborhood is the right fit for you.

Transportation

Seattle’s traffic, parking, and toll hikes make commuting expensive. Cars are the fastest way to navigate around Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods, and half of Seattle workers drive alone to work. Not everyone needs a car, though. You can use Zipcar or Car2go to rent cars by the hour or minute for day trips and shopping outings.

However, Seattle’s bus system is reliable. OneBusAway allows real-time bus tracking. Central Link light rail connects the city’s center to the airport, the South End areas, and the recently built North Gate Station. 

You’d be forgiven for mistaking Seattle’s rush-hour streets for a major cycling race. Bike commuters and bike-only lanes make Seattle a terrific location to ride.

Recreation

Seattle is packed with inexpensive and even free things to do. Do some research on the museums’ free days and look into free summer events such as concerts and movies in the park. Many of the city’s biggest attractions, like farmer’s markets like Pike Place Market, are free to visit and enjoy. Just be sure to have some self-control so that you don’t spend a lot of money while you browse.

One of the most appealing aspects of Seattle is the city’s abundance of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Exploring the natural beauty that surrounds Seattle, from Puget Sound to Olympic National Park and beyond, will not only provide you with delight and exercise but will also save you money on a gym membership!

Final Thoughts

Seattle continues to be a popular place to live because there are just so many great things there. Not only is there a wide variety of outdoor activities, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a diverse population, but it’s also the birthplace of grunge music!  

All that aside, it is expensive to live in Seattle; there’s no denying that. Even though the median income there is $105,391 (in 2021), the cost of living is 62% higher than the national average. It can put a strain on your finances if you don’t prepare before the move. So, if you’re considering moving to Seattle, you should begin putting money aside immediately if you plan on calling Seattle home and want to enjoy everything this great city has to offer.