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These are the mistakes people make when they first move to Seattle

Moving to the Emerald City? Don't make these mistakes

by Natalie Guevara, SeattlePI

You can hardly walk a block in Seattle without passing some transplants.

And you can tell who they are - they usually stick out from the pack.

Maybe they pulled out an umbrella, or maybe they scoff at the price of a craft pint. Maybe they pronounce the G in Pagliacci.

There's certainly nothing wrong with being a transplant. A recent study by U-Haul shows arrivals of one-way U-Haul trucks were up 6% in 2019 when compared with 2018 numbers, while departures were up 4%. With those numbers, Washington became the No. 5 "growth state" in the country, U-Haul said, up from 29th place in 2018.

There are plenty of opportunities here in major industries, so it makes sense that it's a destination for people looking to advance their careers. We are also home to a few top universities, so students may also make their way here.

But whatever your reason, there are a few things Seattle transplants should know.

To get an idea, keep scrolling.

Be aware of the hills and narrow streets
Some roads around the city are steep, and it can be nearly impossible to drive a moving truck up them. Others allow for two-direction travel, but are only really wide enough for one car due to parked cars on both sides, which can also be tricky for large vehicles. Be aware of which roads to avoid — and have alternate routes available.
Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com

Some roads around the city are steep, and it can be nearly impossible to drive a moving truck up them. Others allow for two-direction travel, but are only really wide enough for one car due to parked cars on both sides, which can also be tricky for large vehicles. Be aware of which roads to avoid — and have alternate routes available.

Watch the speed limit
Freeway speed limits around Seattle are 60 mph, and limits on surface streets vary. And people actually drive the speed limit — or close to it — here.

Freeway speed limits around Seattle are 60 mph, and limits on surface streets vary. And people actually drive the speed limit — or close to it — here.

Don't use an umbrella
Unless you're OK with everyone knowing you're not from around here. It rarely rains hard enough for an umbrella to be worthwhile, and when it does, wind makes the umbrella a hazard. Just try a jacket with a hood instead — you might be surprised how much it works.
Elaine Thompson/AP

Unless you're OK with everyone knowing you're not from around here. It rarely rains hard enough for an umbrella to be worthwhile, and when it does, wind makes the umbrella a hazard. Just try a jacket with a hood instead — you might be surprised how much it works.

Don't use ...
It's not "the 5," it's "I-5." It's not "the Puget Sound." It's just "Puget Sound."
GENNA MARTIN/Genna Martin, Seattlepi.com

It's not "the 5," it's "I-5." It's not "the Puget Sound." It's just "Puget Sound."

Learn how to pronounce common words
Pagliacci is pronounced "PAW-lee-ah-chee," not "PAG-lee-ah-chee," for example. For an exhaustive list, click here.
Meryl Schenker/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Pagliacci is pronounced "PAW-lee-ah-chee," not "PAG-lee-ah-chee," for example. For an exhaustive list, click here.