Back in 2006, we first had the idea of moving away from our longtime home area in Texas and little did we know how that idea would change our lives. We chose Seattle from cities across the country that we thought would fit us best and visited it that year. Our visit only persuaded us further that the Pacific Northwest was the right place for us and we worked together to realize our goal of moving here.
While the process of moving to Seattle is no longer fresh on our minds, we are still benefiting from our decision to move here. There have been some sacrifices and challenges along the way, but we have settled into the lifestyles we've wanted to establish for ourselves in a city that we love.
We are formally concluding this chapter in our lives with this, the 1,000th post, and looking to challenges ahead. We are leaving this blog as a reference and inspiration to all those who share the dream we have realized.
Posts
46 comments:
Thanks for the blog!
Hell of a job on the blog. Maybe in the future you will be other blogs such as a travel blog.
Thank you for sharing. We are planning a move in Jan. I will surely refer to your blog for help and direction. Take care!
Hello,
I just found your blog cant wait to start reading. We are wanting to make this move. I am so nervous we have two dogs and four kids. I grew up in Manhattan , Ny and living in South Carolina is killing me slowly. thank you for taking time out and writing this blog.
Thank you for writing this blog we really want to make this move.
I live in Weatherford, TX and I'm going to Seattle for college - can't wait I'm glad I found your blog, Thank You for it.
Thank you for investing the time and energy into this blog, we are moving from Arizona in a few months and this will no doubt be my go to for all things moving related, Coryanne
Thank you so much for this blog-- it's an incredible resource. My husband and I are planning a move up to Seattle this fall, and even though plans are beginning to fall into place, I am SO overwhelmed... but this blog has really helped put me back on track and remind me that yes, it can be done.
Now to see if we can manage it with a cat, too...
ive been researching where to move after finishing graduate school next year and always seattle in mind but your great blog sure has been helpful, a great "insiders view"! goodbye oklahoma, hello seattle! thanks for all your work, most helpful!-Chris
1st, thanks for writing this blog for us, very helpful.
As yourself, I have decided to move from Dallas to Seattle.
One thing I could not find in your logs, what it cost to move your stuff from Irving to Seattle? Can you please share your experience and some suggestions?
Thanks again!
-Zack
Good question. We talk about moving a little bit in #12 of this post and this post. I think the final cost for us to move all the way up here was $2,300, but we didn't have much stuff and we moved in the winter, so your rate will vary a lot. It was a pain finding a mover, but if you schedule an appointment with the big companies and get a quote then you can find the best one and it's really not too bad. Good luck!
Hello, I've been making my way through your blog for the past few weeks now and have found it hugely entertaining, and I'm not even planning a move to Seattle. I have visited twice, however, and absolutely loved it, so I enjoy reading about the neighborhoods and your experiences and seeing your beautiful pictures. My SO and I are actually planning a move from Florida to San Diego in the near future (another city I'm in love with), as we prefer their weather and beaches, plus I have family there. But if we hadn't decided on California, Seattle would probably be my next choice! I love also that there is a large craft beer scene there (as well as San Diego). I noticed you guys haven't talked about that, though I haven't read your entire blog...perhaps not your cup of tea?. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences; it's been an enjoyable read!
Thank you so much for this blog! I have been dreaming about moving to Seattle like, forever!! I did the research but never had a chance to visit. As far as I am concerned, this is confirmation! Thank you for taking the time to write about your move so that people like me could have a general idea of what it's like. I will be moving there soon myself, it's official!
Sincerely, P.J.
We are a large family, four kids, five show border collies who are sick of the heat and the lack of culture and the just plain un friendly-ness of San Antonio where I've lived for 10 years.
Will we really miss the sunshine? will it drive us truly crazy? Will our house smell like wet dog forever?
Starting the job search tomorrow, after making the decision. A little scared, a little excited. Rainy city, here we come :)
Good luck!
The first year or two, the lack of sunshine might not be a problem, it wasn't until the 3rd year that it got really old. I suppose I still prefer it over the heat of Texas though.
It really depends on the person though. I don't have as big an issue with the lack of sunshine as others. And I definitely prefer it over the Texas heat.
Wow. This is great. We've been working on a move and career change to Seattle for almost 2 years and are doing it in stages next month. The sunshine might be hard, but I'm so willing to trade it for -14 degrees in a Minnesota winter.
We are planning to move from MN as we think we'll prefer cloudiness to snow and cold. Excited to read the rest of your blog!
Thanks for the blog. We're moving from Texas to Seattle next month so it has been really helpful and inspiring!
I am really glad that I found your blog as I am planning on moving to the Seattle area with my son sometime soon. I saw that your last post was last year and if it is at all possible I was hoping if you could post an update. Thanks you greatly for posting your experiences.
Wow! Thank you for writing this blog. My fiance and I are planning on moving out of Dallas to either Seattle or NYC, though we are both leaning more towards Seattle. I know you've shut the blog down but if you happen to read this, how would you say the job market is for people of the culinary world? My fiance is a chef and will need to start fresh in Seattle. I have a job transfer. Thank you!
I think the market is good for chefs. There are a lot of foodies here and a ton of restaurants. New restaurants open all the time. I have no idea how the interview process goes for chefs, it might be hard to get a job from afar, I'm not sure.
This is a beautiful blog and I wanted to say how much I enoyed it. I visited Seattle and the Hoh last May, and every since then I have been thinking about moving to Seattle. I loved it so much and had a wonderful time. I plan to make more visits. I live in Texas right now, and it was very inspiring reading how you moved from here to Washington. I love your photos and you guys seem like really cool people. Good luck.
Thank you so much for keeping this blog online to serve as a reference. We've lived in Texas for almost 10 years now, and it was great until I started having vision problems that required surgery. I've been mostly cooped up at home since then, as I still do have some difficulties driving.
We are planning on moving to a city with better public transport, and, like you, we fell in love with Seattle after our visit last year. The information on your blog is invaluable, and we will be sure to read it thoroughly! Just wanted to say thanks :)
Thank you guys for the blog it has been very helpful and I can't wait to make the move!
Just found your blog a couple days ago and have just about read it all. My wife and I honeymooned on the west coast 5 days in seattle in Sep '12 and have been discussing moving to seattle for the past several months and of course were from Texas also. Thank you very much for the blog it's extremely informational and will be very helpful when we move!! Thank you again
Oh god we have the best transportation ever, between metro, light rail, rapid ride , soon there will be trolly kind of thing.
Troy and Lesley: Two years later, I find this blog that is similar to the situation of my girlfriend and I, who moved here exactly one year ago from NYC. It has definitely been challenging--and still is--but looking out my window at a fleeting glimpse of the Puget Sound makes me glad we did it.
I don't know if you guys are still checking the comments of this blog, but just wanted to send a note. Are you still in Seattle? If so, it would be nice to meet up if you have the chance.
I have yet to read your blog, but I will.
Hi,
I actually found your blog because I was searching around, looking for others who've written about their adventures in moving. I wasn't sure if I was the only one who's experienced the ups and downs of it all. I wrote a post that deals with my latest, somewhat of a breakdown here:
http://www.jaygaulard.com/life-is-a-series-of-course-corrections/
But I will tell you this, it's great to browse through your site. I don't feel so alone anymore.
Thanks,
Jay
Troy and Lesley,
My husband and I are in the DFW Metroplex (Flower Mound/Lewisville area) and are interested in moving to Washington state. We're debating between Seattle and Spokane, which we understand are quite different. We plan to visit both cities in a week-long trip this fall, hopefully in October.
Not to sound creepy, but would you two let us buy you dinner when we're there so we could ask you questions in person? We plan to interview the locals in both cities, but it does help talking to others from Texas since the climate and cultures are so different. Just thought we'd ask.
Your blog is a great resource and a blessing. Thank you for writing it!
Glad our blog has been so helpful for you and so many others!
Thanks for the kind offer, but we decline meeting with our readers. You can post your questions about Seattle or Spokane here on the blog or send us an email.
WOW!! Thank you for all your valuable information. My fiance and I will be packing up the Penski truck and moving to the Seattle area on Oct. 1, 2013. We are leaving hell (sorry, I mean Houston)for the beautiful Pacific Northwest! What an adventure.....thanks for all your information and thoughts.
A wonderful blog and a great read! My boyfriend and I have recently decided to tackle a move from Dallas to Seattle. We're glad to have discovered this helpful insight!
this is a great blog. I was forced to move form Southern California to Northern California. My dad was transferred. I am a high school student so I had almost no choice. I miss my home so much now. In the beginning, I was fine and now I am homesick. Any Advice? my blog is http://www.anewgirlatorhs.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for sharing this blog! Me and my family will be making the leap to Seattle in May. My wife and I are both from the Sherman, TX area and we currently live in Anna, TX along with our daughter. After several vacations to Seattle(all seasons) we've decided that Seattle is the place for us. I already have a job lined out and my wife hopes to have one by the time we move(late May early June). We will be flying up the last weekend of Feb to look for the best living situation. Undecided weather we wand to live in the city neighborhoods(Ballard, Magnolia, Green Lake) or a near by suburb(Bothell, Kirkland, shoreline). We know the city newbie hoods are more expensive and we are willing to live in a smaller place to be closer to the city. We aren't to familiar with the suburbs though. Just curious what your thoughts were about the surrounding suburbs? Are they worth giving them a try? I'm just worried if we were to live in a suburb, we would miss out on the Seattle vibe. Is this something people can still experience living in the suburbs? If so, we'd be willing to give it a try and maybe have a little more living space. Thanks again for the blog! It's been very inspiring:)
Congratulations and good question. A lot of people love the suburbs of Seattle and wouldn't want to live in the city. While they're not for us, I think you'll find that they have a similar vibe. Seattle can be gritty at times and the suburbs provide a better-manicured experience.
Which area is best for you depends on what you're looking for. Compared to where you're coming from, you'll still find diversity, a variety of shops and restaurants, and a open-minded culture in the suburbs. The city is more extreme in some regards, however, which can be a good thing if you're looking for that experience.
Home prices in the suburbs can be similar to those in Seattle, however you do get more for your money. There are less-expensive suburbs as well.
I offer consulting services related to my recently-published book in case you'd like to explore this topic further.
My biggest concern is finding a mover. We are moving to Seattle in August and are coming from Florida. Moving 3 kids, and decided to see most of our furniture except the kids beds and our mattress. Most of what we are moving is clothes, books, toys, tavs, etc. I see so many horrible reviews for movers. How do you find one that is reputable that won't break the bank?
Decided to sell. Not see.
Finding a good mover can be one of the most stressful parts of a move. Unfortunately all major movers have made mistakes, and those mistakes are easy to read about on online review sites. It's a complicated industry, too. For example, when you move across the country, your stuff will be moved by more than one moving agent. In short, get quotes from three movers and check the BBB for all moving agents that would be involved in moving your stuff. My book, Move to the Place of Your Dreams: A Relocation Handbook has a lot more information.
Great blog! My family is looking to relocate to Seattle from Alabama, so it's a HUGE move for us! I'm looking to connect with people living there, if possible..love this blog and I'm still browsing!
Thank you for this blog. I am currently living in San Francisco but considering a move to Seattle in the spring. I love the PNW. I love San Francisco as well, but the cost of living my cause me to leave.
Thank you so much for this blog-- it's an incredible resource. My husband and I are planning a move up to Seattle this fall, and even though plans are beginning to fall into place, I am SO overwhelmed... but this blog has really helped put me back on track and remind me that yes, it can be done.
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