Expat Advice: Living in Seattle, United States
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Seattle
What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?
My wife & I have signed up & taken a variety of classes that are available at local community centers in & near our neighborhood in N. Seattle. These reflect our interests and are:
1.) Inexpensive dance classes ($45/6wks) – "Living Traditions" & inexpensive dances/socials on weekends at the Swedish Club (Queen Anne) & Leif Erickson Ballroom (Ballard).
2.) Inexpensive Chi gung exercise classes – U. Dist. Community Center
3.) Inexpensive Karate classes – contact Dennis at the Phinney Ridge Community Center.
4.) OSAT Climbing Club – a group/club with a passion for mountain climbing, biking, hiking, etc. Contact the local REI for their number.
5.) Green Lake Basketball League – pickup league in the winter at Green Lake Community Center. There is also a softball league, etc., but, we haven’t played in that.
In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.
I suppose this depends on your life experiences. I do know some statistics. There is a very high Asian population in this city. There is not a high African American population (8% & only Portland is lower in the US). The Latino population is also not large; but, is more than the African American. A majority of the city has descent from the Scandinavian region.
What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?
Microsoft & Boeing are the largest employers although Boeing may be changing their approach. Recently, some more biotech startups are popping up. I’m not sure how most people find their jobs. I had secured my present job before arriving through the paper. Headhunters place alot of people.
If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.
Bring a lot of money if you want to own your own home. Basically, the real estate market has rocketed (like everywhere) and it is now especially difficult to find reasonably priced homes in the city. This doesn’t mean that we have a lot; but, that both of us work in order to pay the bills.
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