Moving to Seattle vs SF area….
Dear Fellow Parents,
We as a family are debating moving to Seattle or San Fran area (maybe Berkeley), and really need to hear from people who have lived in both places! Please, give me your input on which one is easier for myself and my 6 year old son to make friends. I don’t want to live in the suburbs, but looking for a great urban community that will make space for us. Would love to have a convo with anyone willing and knowledgeable about this. Please try to comment based on actual lived experience with relocating a kid at this age and being a parent who needs friends.
Sincerely,
Hope
Mar 18, 2024
Parent Replies
Hi Clara, I recently moved to Berkeley from out of state with young kids, and I also grew up in a suburb of Seattle. We considered moving to Seattle also, but ultimately chose Berkeley because of the weather and for career reasons among other things. Wondering where you'd be moving from and if you have any experience with PNW winters, which are very long and grey (ie, take a look at Seattle forecast for the next 10 days). That's the first consideration. Seattle has a thing it's become a bit known for which is the seattle freeze, ie, people who move there for work sometimes say they feel a bit isolated from locals. (Though I think a move to a new town is what you make of it!) I think schools are the thing you would want to consider also, and I don't know much about Seattle schools. But encourage you to visit and go on a tour of the schools! Talk to other parents? In general I'd highly recommend living or spending at least a few weeks or months any town you are considering before you move. Is it possible for you to try living in both places you're considering this summer, to get a feel for neighborhoods and people? Also the Facebook group Into the Unknown is a good resource. Good luck!