Living in Seattle VS Bellevue | Everything You Need to Know
Are you torn between living in Seattle versus Bellevue? Well, it's a tough decision to make as both of these cities offer unique advantages and drawbacks. In this video, we'll explore the pros and cons of living in each city, covering everything from housing costs and job opportunities to lifestyle and amenities. Whether you're relocating to Bellevue or looking into buying a home in Seattle, this video will help you make an informed choice that aligns with your priorities.
Hi, my name is Darius Senses, your Greater Seattle Realtor friend, and welcome back to my channel. Well, this region of the Greater Seattle area is a vibrant place, giving you the best of both worlds, an excitement of a city living and many options for a quieter lifestyle in the suburbs. These two distinct cities that we're covering in this video, Seattle and Bellevue, are both here in King County in our great state of Washington.
And while they share close proximity, these cities have their own distinct personalities, amenities, and lifestyles. One of the most significant factors to consider when deciding between Seattle and Bellevue is the cost of living. While both cities are more expensive than the national average, there are notable differences.
In Seattle, the overall cost of living is around 49% higher than the national average. Housing is a major contributor to this, with a median home price in Seattle hovering around $875,000 as of early 2024. On the other hand, Bellevue is even more expensive than Seattle.
The overall cost of living in Bellevue is a staggering 68% higher than the national average. Housing costs are particularly high, with the median home price in Bellevue reaching a whopping $1.8 million as of early 2024. It's also important to note that while Bellevue is more expensive overall, salaries in the city tend to be higher due to the concentration of tech companies and other high-paying jobs.
However, if affordability is a top priority, Seattle will offer better options for those on a tighter budget. Both Seattle and Bellevue have booming job markets, and the biggest contributor to that in both of the cities is the tech sector. Seattle region in general is a hub for tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, as well as a growing number of startups and innovative companies.
The city's job market is diverse, with opportunities in fields such as technology, aerospace, healthcare, and tourism. Seattle, also being the bigger city of the two, offers a wider array of opportunities in multiple industries. Bellevue, on the other hand, is often referred to as the tech city of the Pacific Northwest.
It's home to the headquarters of multiple Fortune 500 companies, and even for other companies that we all would recognize that are not headquartered here in Bellevue, most of them have a very significant presence. For example, Amazon is technically headquartered in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle, but it's also the largest employer in the city of Bellevue. Microsoft, which is another tech giant that's headquartered in Redmond, also has a significant presence in the city of Bellevue.
Also, T-Mobile's world headquarters are in Bellevue, and the list just goes on. And while the job market in Bellevue is heavily focused on the tech industry, it also offers opportunities in fields like finance, retail, and healthcare. So if you're in a tech industry or looking for a high-paying job, Bellevue may be a better option.
However, if you're seeking a more diverse job market or opportunities in other industries, Seattle could be a better fit. But with all that said, let's not forget that the two cities are just about 10 to 15 minutes away from each other. So it's not uncommon for people to live on the East side and commute into the city of Seattle, or vice versa.
And overall, the whole region here has a booming job market. So even if you land a job in one or the other city, that does not mean that you have to be limited to living there too. When it comes to lifestyle and amenities, both Seattle and Bellevue have a lot to offer, but they cater to different preferences.
Seattle is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and music venues. The city also boasts a thriving food scene, with a wide range of restaurants and breweries. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Seattle's proximity to natural wonders like the Puget Sound, the Olympic National Park, and the Cascade Mountains.
The nightlife in Seattle also has a lot more to offer, with more bars, nightclubs, and so on. Bellevue, on the other hand, offers a more suburban lifestyle with a focus on shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation. The city is home to upscale shopping centers such as the Bellevue Collection and the Bravern, as well as numerous parks and trails.
While Bellevue has a growing arts and culture scene, it's not as robust as Seattle's. So if you're looking for a more urban, culturally rich environment with a vibrant nightlife, Seattle may be a better choice. However, if you prefer a more suburban lifestyle with easy access to shopping, dining, and outdoor activities, Bellevue could be a better fit for you.
What we usually see is that perhaps single young professionals or young couples before they start families tend to enjoy the vibrant lifestyle of downtown Seattle. And then when either the family grows or they want a quieter lifestyle, they tend to move east. That was my personal case.
When I first got married, my wife, Meg, and I lived downtown Seattle for a few years, and we really enjoyed it. We lived in the South Lake Union neighborhood in a condo tower called the Cosmopolitan. And then as soon as our first kid was on the way, we ended up moving over to Issaquah.
So that's been my personal experience, which seems to be fairly common here in our region. Transportation is another important factor to consider when deciding between living in Seattle versus living in Bellevue. Seattle has a well-established public transportation system, including buses, light rail, and commuter trains.
The city is also relatively walkable and bike friendly, especially in the downtown area. However, traffic congestion can be a significant issue during rush hours. Bellevue, on the other hand, is a lot more car dependent than Seattle, although the city has made efforts to improve its public transportation options.
The East Link light rail extension, which has been under construction for a while now, and now in 2024 is finally starting to operate, it will provide direct connection between Bellevue and Seattle. However, the city is still a lot more car dependent than Seattle is. It does have I-405, I-90, and 520, which are all running through the city, which makes commuting to and from the Bellevue fairly convenient.
So, if you prefer to rely on public transportation or live a more walkable lifestyle, Seattle may have more options for you. However, if you don't mind driving or plan to take advantage of the new light rail connection, Bellevue is still a solid choice. The weather in Seattle and Bellevue is quite similar as both cities are located in the Puget Sound region.
However, there are some subtle differences to consider. And actually, just learned about this while I was preparing for this video. Seattle is known for its rainy and overcast weather with an average of 152 rainy days per year.
The city also experiences mild temperatures with average highs in the 70s and 80s during the summer and average lows in the 40s during the winter. Bellevue, on the other hand, tends to be a bit drier and a bit sunnier than Seattle, with an average of only 137 rainy days per year. The city also experiences slightly warmer temperatures during the summer and average lows in the mid-30s during the winter.
So if you prefer a slightly drier or sunnier climate, Bellevue might be a better option for you. However, if you don't mind the frequent rain and overcast skies, Seattle could also be a good fit. But again, the difference here is very minor as both cities are so close in proximity.
Deciding between living in Seattle versus Bellevue is a personal choice and it depends on your priorities and your lifestyle preferences. Seattle offers a more urban, culturally rich environment with a diverse job market and a robust public transportation system. But it's also more expensive than most parts of the country and prone to rainy weather.
Bellevue, on the other hand, provides a more suburban lifestyle with a focus on shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation, as well as a thriving tech industry. But it's even more expensive than Seattle, and it's also more car dependent. Ultimately, both cities have their pros and cons of living there, and the decision will come down to what you value most.
Whether you're relocating to Bellevue or buying a home in Seattle, it's essential to factors and choose a city that best aligns with you and your needs and your preferences. And if you'd like to learn more about the best neighborhoods of Bellevue and the pros and cons of living in Bellevue, then subscribe to my channel because I put these videos out weekly. Also, be sure to follow me on all my socials so you don't miss any future videos.
Please hit the like button if you found this video informative, and you can click on the boxes on the screen to view my other videos. Once again, I'm Darius Senses, your Greater Seattle Realtor friend. Thank you for watching, and I'll catch you in the next video.
