Should we move to WA?

Question

My fiance and I are thinking about moving from Texas to Washington but are unsure if it's a good choice. He wants to go back to school and go into computer/game programming, is WA a good place for that? I'm an accountant so I can get a job anywhere so we're more worried about him. We also want a place that is fairly affordable, we really want to buy a house within 6mos of moving. How are the prices for homes and cost of living? We think WA would be a beautiful place and the weather is milder which is a plus but we just want to make sure it could be a good fit. So what do you think, would it be a good choice?

Answer 1

Two of my brothers live in Seattle, Washington and they absolutely love it there. My oldest brother does game programing for a company called Amaze entertainment. My other brother who is out there is going to school for the art aspects of video games. It's probably the best location in the nation if you're husband is interested in game programming and/or computer programming. The one bad thing about living out there though is everything is more expensive, but you should be able to manage.

Answer 2

if your husband is into computers, then the west coast in general is a good place for him, either the Seattle area or Silicon Valley in California.  Seattle will definitely be the less expensive choice but do not go over there thinking it is cheap - not these days.  I think that median house prices are at least 250K.  Depending on which part of Texas you are from, that might not be too much different.  other than that, if you think you really won't mind the rain (some people can't stand it) you will probably be ok, just keep in mind that there is a different culture and mix of people in the NW than you have been used to in Texas.  overall, i think it's a great place to live and wish i was living there now!

Answer 3

I live in WA and I love it.  I've been here my whole life.

A lot of people think of WA and think of rain though.  Which isn't entirely true.  It rains a lot in western WA and by the coast.  This includes the Seattle area.  But mid WA and eastern WA hardly get any rain.  I live more in mid WA and I went to school in Eastern WA and I have a sister that lives in Seattle, and I go to Seattle often.  So I got an idea of everything that WA has to offer.

Although the University of WA would be your best bet for Computer Programming, the cost of living in Seattle would be the highest in WA state.  You could get a 2 bedroom apt in a respectable neighborhood for around $1,500-$2,000 a month.  Also it's city life, so parking and traffic are issues.  Plus University of Washington isn't the cheapest school either.  

If you went East in Spokane, the cost of living goes way down.  You can get a nice 2 bedroom apt for around $800-$1,200 in a great neighborhood.  Also rental houses with 4 bedrooms would be around $1,200-$1,600.  Spokane is a big small city really.  It has a lot to do, but it doesn't have the traffic and parking issues.  But it's nothing compared to Seattle.  It's got every store you'd need (like major retailers Wal Mart, Macy, Best Buy) and every restaurant you see a commercial for, plus it has a nice touch of originality.  Spokane itself is a great place to be, as long as you learn the right places to live and spend your time.  Downtown Spokane looks old and slightly unsafe, but north and south and east Spokane are safe and very nice places to live.  The school of Eastern Washington or Whitworth are both great schools for a lot less money.  I went to Eastern and loved it.  I got a Computer Science and MIS degree there.  Nobody every questioned the credibility of Eastern, once you get the degree, it doesn't matter too much where, it just matters what you know and how you present yourself in the interview.  

Oh my I just re-read your question and realized you were looking at buying a house.  Sorry bout the apt info, I assumed since he was going to school.  

Seattle Houses - 2,000 sq foot home = $350,000-$500,000 depending on the area

Mid WA Housing - 2,000 sq foot home = $200,00-$275,00 depending on location

Eastern Washington Housing - 2,000 sq foot home = $165,000-$250,000 depending on location.

I live in Mid WA now and I just bought a home last year for $238k and it's 2,450 SQ feet, brand new.  That was before the market got a little crazy.  My house got appraised for $310,000.  

Let me know if you have further questions.  My email is available.

Answer 4

I moved to Washington about 6 years ago from Mississippi. I've never looked back. I live east of the Cascades. You have 4 seasons here and no humidity. That should be a big draw for you. The area is beautiful. I live in the high desert but I can drive a little ways and be at the Pacific Ocean. in the mountains, the deep woods or a rain forest. Name anyplace else where you can get that diversity. Seattle is a great place and the home of Microsoft. Oh and if you live close to the Gulf you will love this. There are no hurricanes.  

Answer 5

I would highly recommend Western Washington.   Housing is much cheaper outside of Seattle, like Snohomish or Pierce Counties.  The weather is great too!  Plus there is lots to do and see here.  

Some additional info:  

http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Seattle-W...

http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-W...

http://www.cticseattle.com/care_frame-li...

Answer 6

if you like rain move here!