Looking for advice on moving
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 107
Looking for advice on moving
Hi.
I am planning to eventually move to Seattle. Of course everything depends on a few things from my end but ultimately, I will be moving to Seattle from the UK.
having never done anything like this, or moving at all (I have only moved once in my life - from my parents into my own place with their help).
I was hoping people who have experience here could kindly give some advice here.
1) what is the best way of moving from where i live to the USA? I have alot of stuff, mainly boxes of computer equipment, clothes, desks (custom made which I need) etc...
2) Apartment hunting - I am unsure if I can afford to buy (you would think its cheaper in the US to buy compared to the UK. Even though I am more eligable to be able to afford to buy in the US, still I am not "rich"!). So if I am looking for a single bedroom apartment (non shared), then what should I be looking out for? What sort of "bills" are included or any other "tax"/"fees" I need to pay? how much do they typically cost and where is the best area? I am looking for close to ammenties (shops etc...)
sorry for the questions. I just want to do my research and be clued up on this. I am somewhat scared but I need all the help I can get
I am planning to eventually move to Seattle. Of course everything depends on a few things from my end but ultimately, I will be moving to Seattle from the UK.
having never done anything like this, or moving at all (I have only moved once in my life - from my parents into my own place with their help).
I was hoping people who have experience here could kindly give some advice here.
1) what is the best way of moving from where i live to the USA? I have alot of stuff, mainly boxes of computer equipment, clothes, desks (custom made which I need) etc...
2) Apartment hunting - I am unsure if I can afford to buy (you would think its cheaper in the US to buy compared to the UK. Even though I am more eligable to be able to afford to buy in the US, still I am not "rich"!). So if I am looking for a single bedroom apartment (non shared), then what should I be looking out for? What sort of "bills" are included or any other "tax"/"fees" I need to pay? how much do they typically cost and where is the best area? I am looking for close to ammenties (shops etc...)
sorry for the questions. I just want to do my research and be clued up on this. I am somewhat scared but I need all the help I can get
#2
Re: Looking for advice on moving
The one important factor you didn't mention is which visa you will be receiving in order to move to the USA.
Not that we are ignoring your real questions...but if you won't have an appropriate visa, all the other questions are irrelevent.
Rene
Not that we are ignoring your real questions...but if you won't have an appropriate visa, all the other questions are irrelevent.
Rene
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 107
Re: Looking for advice on moving
I agree. all you need to know is that there will be a visa in place
will be getting married and then will be immigrating over to the US to be with my girlfriend/hopefuly future wife
will be getting married and then will be immigrating over to the US to be with my girlfriend/hopefuly future wife
#4
Re: Looking for advice on moving
Can't your fiancee help you with information on apartment hunting or house buying? Seems that you would trust her advice, rather than a bunch of strangers on a forum! If Seattle will be new to both of you, then the advice is to rent and get to know the place before thinking about buying.
#5
Re: Looking for advice on moving
If you're getting married first, and then immigrating, it will be an Immigrant Visa...and she'll be your wife.
If you're not getting married first, then you'll be getting a K-1 fiance visa. She'll be your fiancee when you immigrate.
Rene
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 107
Re: Looking for advice on moving
Noorah - yes, im aware of that But the question isn't about visa but rather about moving.
Sure, I do trust her however I dont want to rely on her all the time. as a man, I should find out these things too you know? She knows more sure but lives elsewhere and I will be living elsewhere due to work. Long story short - I will be seeing her as much as I can and she understands as we both need incomes to support the family and each other. She also doesnt know much about the whole renting thing - someone else "took care of it" in her previous relationship.
Because where I will be working, hopefully, will be in Seattle - she lives a while away (about 1.5 hours). so it makes sense for me to live during the week in Seattle and see each other at the weekend. of course, this isnt a long term thing.
Besides, she doesnt know about translantic moves! And I need to know what the best way is of me having to move my things over there and generally speaking, what I should be looking for in terms of renting an apartment, how much it would typically cost, what other taxes/fees/bills I would need to pay with the rent?
Sure, I do trust her however I dont want to rely on her all the time. as a man, I should find out these things too you know? She knows more sure but lives elsewhere and I will be living elsewhere due to work. Long story short - I will be seeing her as much as I can and she understands as we both need incomes to support the family and each other. She also doesnt know much about the whole renting thing - someone else "took care of it" in her previous relationship.
Because where I will be working, hopefully, will be in Seattle - she lives a while away (about 1.5 hours). so it makes sense for me to live during the week in Seattle and see each other at the weekend. of course, this isnt a long term thing.
Besides, she doesnt know about translantic moves! And I need to know what the best way is of me having to move my things over there and generally speaking, what I should be looking for in terms of renting an apartment, how much it would typically cost, what other taxes/fees/bills I would need to pay with the rent?
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Looking for advice on moving
There are a ton of threads on moving, and there are articles in the Wiki too. I'm sure there was a thread on living in Seattle not so long ago. One thing to consider with your custom made desks and a one-bed (or studio) apartment is will they fit? Or does your GF have somewhere she can store them?
You might get basic cable in your apartment, possibly even low quality internet. Almost certainly you'll pay for electricity, gas if you have it, but maybe trash and water will be included in your rent, maybe not. You'll need renters' insurance, though that's cheap. Maybe you'll get a parking space, maybe you have to pay for it. All depends on the apartment.
#8
Re: Looking for advice on moving
Noorah - yes, im aware of that But the question isn't about visa but rather about moving.
She knows more sure but lives elsewhere and I will be living elsewhere due to work. Long story short - I will be seeing her as much as I can and she understands as we both need incomes to support the family and each other.
Because where I will be working, hopefully, will be in Seattle - she lives a while away (about 1.5 hours). so it makes sense for me to live during the week in Seattle and see each other at the weekend. of course, this isnt a long term thing.
She knows more sure but lives elsewhere and I will be living elsewhere due to work. Long story short - I will be seeing her as much as I can and she understands as we both need incomes to support the family and each other.
Because where I will be working, hopefully, will be in Seattle - she lives a while away (about 1.5 hours). so it makes sense for me to live during the week in Seattle and see each other at the weekend. of course, this isnt a long term thing.
I was/am in the very same scenario. My husband entered on a K-1 and then had to go to Los Angeles for work after only 3 weeks in Phoenix (where we live). We also said it would be temporary, but it's been just over 8 years now. He spends most of his time in LA, and comes home for long weekends every 3 or 4 weeks. We had no problem with his AOS, but in general I think an Immigrant Visa would be easier to navigate in this scenario.
Good luck to you...sorry I can't help with the moving questions...but if you have any visa questions, you can post over in our US Marriage-Based forum.
Rene
#9
Re: Looking for advice on moving
Look up international moving companies on the internet, people like Pickfords, and get a few to come and look at your stuff and give you a quote to ship from the UK to Seattle. When they give you a cost, you can then decide if it really is worth it.
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Looking for advice on moving
Noorah - yes, im aware of that But the question isn't about visa but rather about moving.
Sure, I do trust her however I dont want to rely on her all the time. as a man, I should find out these things too you know? She knows more sure but lives elsewhere and I will be living elsewhere due to work. Long story short - I will be seeing her as much as I can and she understands as we both need incomes to support the family and each other. She also doesnt know much about the whole renting thing - someone else "took care of it" in her previous relationship.
Because where I will be working, hopefully, will be in Seattle - she lives a while away (about 1.5 hours). so it makes sense for me to live during the week in Seattle and see each other at the weekend. of course, this isnt a long term thing.
Besides, she doesnt know about translantic moves! And I need to know what the best way is of me having to move my things over there and generally speaking, what I should be looking for in terms of renting an apartment, how much it would typically cost, what other taxes/fees/bills I would need to pay with the rent?
Sure, I do trust her however I dont want to rely on her all the time. as a man, I should find out these things too you know? She knows more sure but lives elsewhere and I will be living elsewhere due to work. Long story short - I will be seeing her as much as I can and she understands as we both need incomes to support the family and each other. She also doesnt know much about the whole renting thing - someone else "took care of it" in her previous relationship.
Because where I will be working, hopefully, will be in Seattle - she lives a while away (about 1.5 hours). so it makes sense for me to live during the week in Seattle and see each other at the weekend. of course, this isnt a long term thing.
Besides, she doesnt know about translantic moves! And I need to know what the best way is of me having to move my things over there and generally speaking, what I should be looking for in terms of renting an apartment, how much it would typically cost, what other taxes/fees/bills I would need to pay with the rent?
An apartment rent would typically include water (well it used to) and some are all electric, so you wouldn't have to pay gas. It could very well cost you $1000+ a month, but again it depends on where you rent. Rents, utilities, etc are so variable.
#11
Re: Looking for advice on moving
I presume it is temporary until you sort your life out and get married and work a way to live together, so I would suggest Capitol Hill, the gay and student quarter, convenient, lots of amenities. Good for a couple without kids. Good place for cheaperish with good location, just up the hill from downtown.
Capitol Hill is east of downtown, you might want to avoid the area known as Central District which is also east of downtown.
In Seattle, North is posher, Ballard and Fremont are also popular with younger more affluent types.
South is less posh. South-East is getting a bit lumpen in parts, and I recommend that you do not move there until you have lived in Seattle for a while and so can be more discriminatory about neighborhoods.
Oh yes, Bell Town is right on the edge of downtown and has lots of apartments, quite a growing community
Capitol Hill is east of downtown, you might want to avoid the area known as Central District which is also east of downtown.
In Seattle, North is posher, Ballard and Fremont are also popular with younger more affluent types.
South is less posh. South-East is getting a bit lumpen in parts, and I recommend that you do not move there until you have lived in Seattle for a while and so can be more discriminatory about neighborhoods.
Oh yes, Bell Town is right on the edge of downtown and has lots of apartments, quite a growing community
Last edited by kimilseung; Aug 1st 2012 at 12:01 am.
#12
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2012
Location: america currently in birmingham uk.......heading back to asheville nc 2014
Posts: 23
Re: Looking for advice on moving
firehawk.......i have a few friends that live in seattle and my daughter lives in bellingham.......they all love it there......rains alot i hear....lol......but i hear its a very diverse open minded place to be.........as for moving and what to expect.........i cant help you with the movers part but what to expect........rental on apartments are usually first and last months rent with an additional deposit......theres electric, water, gas, cable, phone, internet, automobile/gas, insurance, health insurance, food, and entertainment....oh and your annual IRS maheim....lol.....there are some great package deals on cable, phone, and internet with very good calling plans for you to keep in contact with your family.........im from the south so cost of living is much more in that area.......when i visited my daughter i noticed grocery store items were almost double in price......i wish you the very best in your new adventure........maybe we can meet up next time im in wa state.......steff
#13
Removals Specialist
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 726
Re: Looking for advice on moving
http://britishexpats.com/articles/mo...hods-shipping/
#14
Re: Looking for advice on moving
Welcome to BE and congrats on the impending wedding!
Definitely have a search of BE, plenty of moving threads on the subject, but there are also quite a few good wiki entries up top on things to bring, what not to and things to ask the moving companies.
As for where to live, I'm sure there are previous threads on Seattle that'll make a good starting point and also check out city-data.com for good info.
Definitely have a search of BE, plenty of moving threads on the subject, but there are also quite a few good wiki entries up top on things to bring, what not to and things to ask the moving companies.
As for where to live, I'm sure there are previous threads on Seattle that'll make a good starting point and also check out city-data.com for good info.
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26
Re: Looking for advice on moving
Hi.
I am planning to eventually move to Seattle. Of course everything depends on a few things from my end but ultimately, I will be moving to Seattle from the UK.
having never done anything like this, or moving at all (I have only moved once in my life - from my parents into my own place with their help).
I was hoping people who have experience here could kindly give some advice here.
1) what is the best way of moving from where i live to the USA? I have alot of stuff, mainly boxes of computer equipment, clothes, desks (custom made which I need) etc...
2) Apartment hunting - I am unsure if I can afford to buy (you would think its cheaper in the US to buy compared to the UK. Even though I am more eligable to be able to afford to buy in the US, still I am not "rich"!). So if I am looking for a single bedroom apartment (non shared), then what should I be looking out for? What sort of "bills" are included or any other "tax"/"fees" I need to pay? how much do they typically cost and where is the best area? I am looking for close to ammenties (shops etc...)
sorry for the questions. I just want to do my research and be clued up on this. I am somewhat scared but I need all the help I can get
I am planning to eventually move to Seattle. Of course everything depends on a few things from my end but ultimately, I will be moving to Seattle from the UK.
having never done anything like this, or moving at all (I have only moved once in my life - from my parents into my own place with their help).
I was hoping people who have experience here could kindly give some advice here.
1) what is the best way of moving from where i live to the USA? I have alot of stuff, mainly boxes of computer equipment, clothes, desks (custom made which I need) etc...
2) Apartment hunting - I am unsure if I can afford to buy (you would think its cheaper in the US to buy compared to the UK. Even though I am more eligable to be able to afford to buy in the US, still I am not "rich"!). So if I am looking for a single bedroom apartment (non shared), then what should I be looking out for? What sort of "bills" are included or any other "tax"/"fees" I need to pay? how much do they typically cost and where is the best area? I am looking for close to ammenties (shops etc...)
sorry for the questions. I just want to do my research and be clued up on this. I am somewhat scared but I need all the help I can get
When I first got to the US, I booked myself into an Extended Stay America hotel. They're like hotels, but for longer staying people. The longer you stay, the cheaper it gets. The place is like a studio suite complete with kitchen.
If you want advice from the locals of Seattle itself, check out craigslist (www.craigslist.com) and start posting up there. You'll get advice from the locals themselves. People also advertise places to rent etc up there. Might help.
BTW, did you know Bruce Lee is buried in Seattle?