Seattle is a really poorly run city. If you live outside Seattle it is nice. Bellevue, Kirkland, etc... . As long as you don't mind taking the bus or driving across the bridges in traffic.
Bellevue is "a Microsoft campus disguised as a city".
But no state income tax. That 2.25% tax only applies to income over $250k so if you make $300k, the 2.25% only applies to $50k. And that is only for the city of Seattle so if you live in Bellevue, for example, it won't affect you.
Really? Does it true that only applies to who lives in Seattle?
Yes, Seattle city limits. http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-council-to-vote-today-on-income-tax-on-the-wealthy/
I'm loving it here. family of 4, I'm the sole earner. Make $117k. We live right downtown near Pike Place and it's great. We were in Texas and South Carolina before this. Out of the (many) places I've lived before, this city tops them by a long shot. I don't personally care what the tax rates are as long as I make enough to support my family and do fun things. And I do. I'm very happy with the decision to move here.
Seattle is a great base camp and portal to the pacific northwest
The state constitutions prohibits municipal income taxes. This will never actually be implemented...
Hate to say it but we all thought the same thing about license tabs when a referendum passed to make them under $50.
Laws can be changed
Seattle can be very depressing in the winter and the spring and the fall due to the rain. The 3 months of sunshine we get are golden though. I wouldn't move here if I were you. I plan on leaving shortly.
Me too. Weather is getting me.
It depends on the life you have and how you want to live. No one should convince you it's good or bad because everyone's in a different place looking for different things. I was not sold on Seattle for a few years because I hated working downtown and I was working 70 hours a week and on call all the time. I like it a lot better now that I'm living and working in the burbs. We're looking for a cabin in the mountains because we figured out that's our happy place. I prefer the rain and clouds, but that obviously doesn't work for everyone.
love Seattle, I've been here about 3 years and am an outdoorsy mostly single guy. Really fun city but it can take a few months to find your feet and new friends
I'm a Seattle native so might be biased. Moved back a year ago after living in California and Phoenix for about 13 years. The housing situation is concerning, traffic is horrible, but man, the city is gorgeous. Even when it's gray and rainy it's still beautiful. But my wife wrestles with the weather. She's from a beach town in South Africa so it's understandable. But this is my home.
City council passed a 2% tax today on high income earners. Last week the state passed increased property taxes of $.81 per $1000 assessed value, sales tax increased this year for transportation, and the soda tax just passed. I would run as this city cannot manage money coming in and keeps creating new taxes to help the homeless. Would like this city to manage what is coming in to fight the homeless fight.
Wow, I had no idea. But it doesn't sound nearly as bad as California.
AmzzSeattle is being disingenuous. High income earners = >$250k annual, $500k household. Live outside the city if you're too selfish to help out displaced people that can't make living wage or afford the high rents. It's also to help climate initiatives among other things. That said, the state will fight this since cities are not allowed to pass their own income taxes.