Moving to Seattle. Could use some advice?

[Amy]

My husband has taken a job in Seattle and we are moving in 2 months from the Midwest. I am currently a school counselor at a large school and looking for a job. Any websites that are helpful? The cost of houses are unbelievable. We have pets so renting is not an option, or is it? Any suggestions? Are banks a bit more flexible since the cost of housing is so high? Do educators earn higher salaries? We currently own a huge home here but paid 1/3 of what it would cost in Seattle area. Not sure how people afford to live out there. Would appreciate any information.

[Holly H]

Hello, I am from Seattle. I suggest washjob.com and jobdango.com, two local job searching sites. There ARE pet friendly places here, you just have to look hard, just like anywhere. As far as affordability is concerned, check West Seattle and South Seattle. Bear in mind the further south or north you go of Seattle, the worse it gets in crime. To the east is Bellevue, a hotspot nerds and techies and the rent costs are through the roof. There are plenty of fun quirky neighborhoods, but like any other city, rent varies on the area of the neighborhood. Its almost easier to choose where to live based on your personality, really. West Seattle is virtually the only place where it is still affordable to live, and not too far from the best parts of Seattle, and its lovely there. Its really not hard to live out here. Its an arts and education mecca and the most educated city in the nation, which means your odds are good, but I cannot speak for the scholastic job market as I am not myself in it.

[jabm67]

There's also worksource, which is the site officially working with the WA Dept of Employment Security.