Seattle, United States 🇺🇸
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Seattle is a major city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, known for its tech industry and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 750,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 120 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD (local currency). Major banks include Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Mint Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Commonly accepted payment methods include credit cards and digital payment apps like Venmo and Zelle. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, VRBO, and local leasing agencies offer a range of options. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Vacasa are popular for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like HI Seattle Hostel and hotels like the Green Tortoise offer budget-friendly options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork (various locations) and The Riveter in Capitol Hill. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Deadline Coffee and Victrola Coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups and local tech events, often found on platforms like Eventbrite. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Seattle Facebook group and local networking mixers. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft dominate the ride-sharing market. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Jump bikes available for rent throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Alki Beach, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Seattle. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Alaska Airlines for regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines offer international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Interstate 5 (I-5) and State Route 99 provide access to and from the city. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | King Street Station serves as the primary rail hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | ORCA cards for public transit use across buses, light rail, and ferries. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Amtrak for rail travel and various bus services like Greyhound for nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Harborview Medical Center is the top-rated facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaTree and The 8 Limbs Yoga centers are popular for wellness enthusiasts. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym and LA Fitness are widely available. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats such as Spin Cycle are found throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and DoorDash are the most popular. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Dungeness crab is a local delicacy worth trying. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Plum Bistro and Cafe Flora serve excellent vegan cuisine. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream and Fran's Chocolates are local favorites. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Pike Place Market offers a range of budget-friendly food options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon is headquartered here, offering a wide range of products. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and FreshDirect are convenient grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Capitol Hill is known for its vibrant nightlife and bar scene. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Ballard Brewing District hosts several popular breweries. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Barrio and The Tasting Room offer great wine experiences. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks can be found at various locations, especially at Pike Place. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Cafe Campagne serves delightful French cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Space Needle and Pike Place Market are must-visit attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Seattle Art Museum and Museum of Pop Culture are major cultural landmarks. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Pioneer Square Historic District is the city's birthplace. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. James Cathedral is a prominent historical church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Seattle International Film Festival is a notable annual event. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Capitol Hill is known for its artistic and diverse community. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Paramount Theatre hosts various performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Pike Place Market is the most famous local market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The city has a rich music scene with venues like The Crocodile. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Fremont is known for its vibrant street art scene. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Sur La Table offers cooking classes for food enthusiasts. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Frye Art Museum showcases various modern art pieces. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Smith Tower is one of Seattle's oldest skyscrapers. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Seattle's Great Wheel symbolizes the city's waterfront heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Mount Rainier National Park is about two hours southeast. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Olympic National Park is accessible within a 2-3 hour drive. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Burke-Gilman Trail is a popular path for cyclists and walkers. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Kerry Park provides stunning views of the Seattle skyline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Union Bay Natural Area is a great spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Golden Gardens Park allows bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | UPS and FedEx offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit and TechStop provide device repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local bars like the Spin Seattle offer table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | University of Washington and community centers offer ESL classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Seattle Public Library's Central Library is a popular study spot. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Seattle Center offers various community events and programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Arcade-style venues like The Unplugged and Mox Boarding House cater to gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Emerald Queen Casino is the main casino in the area. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $700,000 for a studio in downtown Seattle. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $500,000 for a studio in nearby suburbs. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $850,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment in the downtown area. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $650,000 for a 1-bedroom in the suburbs. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1.2 million for a 2-bedroom apartment downtown. |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $900,000 for a 2-bedroom in nearby communities. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | C corporations are taxed at a rate of 21%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Qualified dividends taxed at capital gains rates, typically 15-20%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Federal system, with state-level taxes applicable. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The highest federal income tax rate is 37%. |
| 🧾 VAT | There is no VAT, but a sales tax of 10% applies. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, the US has regulations governing taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxes based on assessed value, averaging around 1%. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Real estate excise tax is applied at varying rates depending on the sale price. |