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Moving to Seattle? Don't make these 13 mistakes

By Natalie Guevara, SeattlePI

|Updated
The sun sets on the Space Needle and downtown skyline as viewed from Queen Anne Hill on November 4, 2015, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

The sun sets on the Space Needle and downtown skyline as viewed from Queen Anne Hill on November 4, 2015, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

George Rose/Getty Images

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

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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 HireAHelper found that between 2015 and 2020, Washington’s population grew by 7.3% — an increase of an estimated 526,325 people for a total population of 7,693,612. With those numbers, Washington experienced the 6th largest population growth in the nation

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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 find out, keep scrolling.

Be aware of the hills and narrow streets

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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.

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

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

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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.

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

Don't use ...

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

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

Learn how to pronounce common words

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

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

Learn the parking rules

Some spots, you have to pay to park. Those spots may have a limit of 2-10 hours. Some spots that are 30-minute loading or carpool spots may be free if you park after a certain time. Some spots are always 30-minute parking regardless of the time. Some spots you need to back-in angle park only. Just read the signs — all of them. If you can't find one, you're probably good to go for now, but look for a meter just in case. Generally, there's a 72-hour limit for all street parking, however.

Some spots, you have to pay to park. Those spots may have a limit of 2-10 hours. Some spots that are 30-minute loading or carpool spots may be free if you park after a certain time. Some spots are always 30-minute parking regardless of the time. Some spots you need to back-in angle park only. Just read the signs — all of them. If you can't find one, you're probably good to go for now, but look for a meter just in case. Generally, there's a 72-hour limit for all street parking, however.

seattlepi.com file

Don't be shocked by the beer prices

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Depending on where you come from, it might seem a bit steep to pay $6-8 for a pint at a brewery. Those prices are pretty normal here. If you need something cheaper, try to find a spot with Rainier on a happy hour special.

Depending on where you come from, it might seem a bit steep to pay $6-8 for a pint at a brewery. Those prices are pretty normal here. If you need something cheaper, try to find a spot with Rainier on a happy hour special.

Wikimedia Commons

Learn what is trash, what can be recycled and what belongs in the compost

You might be surprised what you can and can't recycle or compost. There's a handy flier in several languages at this link.

You might be surprised what you can and can't recycle or compost. There's a handy flier in several languages at this link.

Dan DeLong/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Be prepared for the bill

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Dining in Seattle is more expensive than you might think. Restaurants offer top-notch fare, but be prepared to pay for it — and tip your servers 20%.

Dining in Seattle is more expensive than you might think. Restaurants offer top-notch fare, but be prepared to pay for it — and tip your servers 20%.

Eskay Lim / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm

Leaving items in your car

Just don't do it! Thieves are less likely to smash-and-grab if they don't see anything to grab.

Just don't do it! Thieves are less likely to smash-and-grab if they don't see anything to grab.

Cavan Images/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF

Not planning the time needed to scrape your car

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It's not always freezing outside, but when it is, plan some time to scrape your windows and warm up your car before you go.

It's not always freezing outside, but when it is, plan some time to scrape your windows and warm up your car before you go.

R.Tsubin/Getty Images

Get a Good To Go! pass

It's annoying to put $30 in an account just to pay for tolls that you may or may not need in the future, but it's less annoying than paying an extra $2 to drive through the state Route 99 tunnel because you don't have one.

It's annoying to put $30 in an account just to pay for tolls that you may or may not need in the future, but it's less annoying than paying an extra $2 to drive through the state Route 99 tunnel because you don't have one.

GENNA MARTIN/Seattlepi.com

Layer your clothes

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Sometimes it warms up. Sometimes it doesn't. Either way, it's nice to be able to take that top wet layer off if it's raining — or throw a jacket on if it cools down.

Sometimes it warms up. Sometimes it doesn't. Either way, it's nice to be able to take that top wet layer off if it's raining — or throw a jacket on if it cools down.

RossHelen / Getty Images

MORE SEATTLE NEWS:

By Natalie Guevara

Natalie Guevara is a homepage editor and producer for the SeattlePI.

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