Seattle, United States 🇺🇸
#47
,
Nomad Score:
62%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Seattle, located in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its tech industry, coffee culture, and lush landscapes. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 750,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 100 Mbps; high-speed options available in most areas. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD; several local banks and ATMs widely available. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, high-quality tap water sourced from nearby mountains. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Chase, Bank of America, and international banks like HSBC are available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and hostels like HI Seattle. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular choices. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | HI Seattle Hostel offers dormitory and private rooms. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Pike Place Market area is highly recommended for its attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Capitol Hill and Ballard are both popular with long-term visitors due to their vibrant communities and coffee shops. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork, located in several areas including Pioneer Square. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Allegro, popular for its quiet atmosphere and excellent coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com has numerous tech and creative events throughout Seattle. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Seattle Expats Meetup Group provides regular events and socializing opportunities. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime scooters and Jump bikes are available throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Alki Beach, about 20 minutes away by transit. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Alaska Airlines is based in Seattle. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Delta and American Airlines operate many international flights from SEA (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport). |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Interstate 5 and 90 run through Seattle for easy travel. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | King Street Station serves as the primary train hub, connecting to Amtrak services. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | ORCA card is used for discounts across the metro area’s buses and trains. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Amtrak trains and local bus services provide options for nearby cities such as Portland and Vancouver. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Swedish Medical Center is a leading hospital in Seattle. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Practice Yoga, with multiple locations and classes available. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold’s Gym and Planet Fitness have locations throughout Seattle. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Plenty of laundromats available, such as Spin Laundry Lounge. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and DoorDash are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Seattle-style clam chowder, best at Pike Place Chowder. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Plum Bistro and Café Flora are favorites for plant-based dining. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream for delightful ice cream. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Pike Place Market for fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon is headquartered in Seattle, offering a vast range of services. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Amazon Fresh provide grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Capitol Hill is known for its vibrant nightlife and bar scene. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Pike Brewing Company offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Barolo offers a great selection of wines in a cozy setting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks like Marination Mobile serve tasty bites at various locations. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Canlis is a highly regarded restaurant offering Pacific Northwest cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Space Needle and Pike Place Market are iconic sights. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Seattle Art Museum showcases an extensive collection of artworks. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Pioneer Square is the historical heart of the city. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Saint James Cathedral is a prominent architectural landmark. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Seattle International Film Festival draws film enthusiasts each spring. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Seattle's Chinatown-International District is rich in culture and food. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Paramount Theatre hosts various performances and concerts. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Seattle has numerous farmers markets, including the Ballard Farmers Market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Crocodile is a notable venue for live music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Ballard and Capitol Hill have vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Sur La Table offers various cooking classes around the city. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Frye Art Museum features contemporary and classical art exhibits. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Smith Tower is an architectural landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Seattle’s Native American heritage is represented in various cultural exhibitions. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Mount Rainier National Park offers stunning hiking and nature. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Olympic National Park is accessible within a couple of hours. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Burke-Gilman Trail is popular for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Kerry Park provides a breathtaking view of the Seattle skyline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Union Bay Natural Area is great for wildlife observation. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Alki Beach has designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | USPS, UPS, and FedEx offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit and local Apple Stores provide repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Seattle has several clubs like the Seattle Table Tennis Club. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Seattle Language Academy offers courses in multiple languages. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Seattle Central Library is an architecturally stunning place to study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Seattle Community Centers provide resources and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Geeky Lounge is popular for board games and community events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Tulalip Resort Casino is a major nearby entertainment venue. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $240,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $180,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $330,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $400,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | C corporations are taxed at a state rate of 1.5%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | No specific state-level dividend tax. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Washington state has no income tax. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 0% due to Washington's lack of state income tax. |
| 🧾 VAT | Sales tax is 10.1% in Seattle. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, firms are subject to foreign income reporting. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | 1.1% based on assessed property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 1.78% excise tax for property sales. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Having no state income tax can be beneficial for digital nomads. |