12 Reasons Why Living in Seattle Is Great

Looking to relocate for a fresh start or get into the tech industry? Look no further than Seattle, WA, for gorgeous views, unique landscapes, and a cool factor that never seems to fade away. Here, we’ve compiled 12 reasons why you should consider moving to Seattle!

1. Industry and education.

Microsoft’s headquarters is located in Seattle, and many other tech companies, firms, and startups offer positions there as well, so it’s no surprise that Seattle ranks second in Forbes’ list of cities with the highest-paying tech jobs; the average salary comes in at around $99,000. The Emerald City also ranks fourth among the richest cities in the US, considering that more than 16% of the population has an income of more than $150,000 a year. 57.4% of the population over the age of 25 have at least a bachelor’s degree as well.

2. Views and national parks.

If you’re looking for outdoor adventures or just beautiful landscapes to admire, Seattle has plenty to offer. Puget Sound lies to the west for waterfront views, and Mt. Rainier is visible to the south for mountain lovers. 

Outdoors enthusiasts will love the surrounding national parks and forests, including Olympic National Park, Mt. Rainier National Park, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and North Cascades National Park (which has the most glaciers in the U.S. outside of Alaska). RVers can rejoice in the sheer number of scenic routes and natural preserves to explore. 

3. Diverse neighborhoods.

Former Seattle mayor Greg Nickels coined the phrase “city of neighborhoods” to describe the city’s many districts; the diverse array of neighborhoods is thanks to Seattle beginning its life as a collection of smaller European colonies. 

There are 13 districts to explore, from family-friendly Ballard to vintage Capitol Hill and historic Queen Anne. Check in with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to find the perfect places and events for you!

4. Unexpectedly nice weather.

Despite what you may have heard, Seattle is far from the rainiest city in the US. Winters bring on a constant mist rather than shorter downpours, so be sure to bring warm clothes to fight off the cold and wet. That said, the wet winter makes for a warm and relatively dry summer with clear nights and temperatures in the 70s. If you’re storing gear near Seattle, you’ll definitely want to opt for climate control. 

5. Environmentally conscious design.

Seattle ranks fourth among the top ten greenest cities in America, with more than 20 LEED-certified buildings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). There’s plenty of greenery to see as well, with seven parks per 10,000 Seattle residents. From Kerry Park’s gorgeous views of the skyline to Waterfall Garden’s 22-foot-tall urban waterfall, there’s an outdoor space for every walk of life.

6. Pike Place Market.

This legendary public farmer’s and fish market covers nine acres just north of Downtown Seattle and has been open since 1907. It features over 225 local craftspeople, 200 owner-operated shops, and 80 restaurants featuring local goods and diverse cuisine. From the Michou deli’s Tuscan chicken sandwich to Piroshky Piroshky’s fish-shaped smoked salmon pate piroshky, there’s always something new to find.

7. Coffee, obviously.

Seattle is well-known as a hot spot for coffee lovers, being the birthplace of Starbucks and a nerve center for fresh roasts of all kinds. Drip City Coffee in Belltown offers a friendly atmosphere and smooth-drip coffee, fresh soy lattes, breakfast burritos, and free dog treats. If you’re looking for something a little fancier, Espresso Vivace Roasteria in Capitol Hill exclusively offers espresso creations such as the Café Nico, a small espresso drink lightly sweetened and spiced with orange, vanilla, and cinnamon.

8. Hot dogs.

Every city has its own style of hot dog, and Seattle is no exception. The classic Seattle dog features grilled onions, jalapenos, and kraut or grilled cabbage on a toasted bun with cream cheese, offering a unique and rich texture. You’ll find hot dog carts offering fresh eats from noon to 2 a.m. throughout the city, or you can stop by one of the many local chains such as Mad Dawg’s; restaurants offer veggie dogs and gluten-free buns for people with food sensitivities.

9. The Seahawks.

Seattle takes a lot of pride in their Seahawks, especially considering their most recent 2026 Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots. Home games essentially shut the city down as fans flock to the stadium and cheer on the Hawks; the fans (known as the 12s) broke two world records for loudest crowd in 2013, reaching 137.6 decibels in a December playoff game. Forbes has even ranked the 12s among the NFL’s top ten best fanbases, due to their hometown crowd reach, TV audience, social media rank, and stadium attendance.

10. Walkability.

According to Liberty Mutual, the Emerald City has more than 108,000 pedestrians each day, but only ten pedestrian fatalities each year, making it one of the safest pedestrian cities in America. The city takes proactive measures to keep pedestrians safe, such as adding in 501 crosswalks and deploying speed cameras in school zones to protect students. While creating the pedestrian safety index, Liberty Mutual found that 96% of Seattleites surveyed felt safe walking down the street.

11. Health.

The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro is fourth among Nerdwallet’s healthiest places in America, due to residents’ high activity and the city’s “Healthy Parks, Healthy You” initiative. Seattle also ranks among the top bicycle-friendly cities with plans for 239 miles of new greenways and more than 100 miles of protected bike lanes, as well as bike-sharing and helmet-renting kiosks.

12. The “cool” factor.

Analyzing a number of factors, such as diversity, recreation, arts and culture, and the percentage of 20 to 34-year-olds in the population, Seattle comes only second to Washington, D.C., in coolness according to Forbes. The city and its residents welcome people of all walks of life, races, genders, sexual orientations, and lifestyles, making Seattle’s cool factor accessible to everyone.

If you’re planning on moving and considering Seattle as your next destination, we hope these reasons have helped sway you. And if you’re looking for moving services or storage facilities in Seattle, you’re in the right place! Use Storage.com’s built-in search tool to compare prices on facilities and sort them by the features you need.