Comments on: Wambui Shares Tips for Anyone Moving to Seattle, Washington, USA

By: Bruce

Bruce — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:23:21 +0000

The rain comment is overblown. It drizzles alot but not a lot of downpours like Houston, TX, Lagos, Nigeria or Kingston, Jamaica. In fact, if you see a person with an umbrella, 8 times out of 10, they will be a tourist instead of a local.

By: SeaTee

SeaTee — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:20:41 +0000

By: Ciru

Ciru — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:05:35 +0000

@Emma: Thank you. I did not write about the colleges because I have not attended any of them and thus do not know enough to write anything helpful. Hopefully someone else who has had the opportunity will post something (no pressure Seattleites ).

By: emma

emma — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:49:53 +0000

to CIRU: Way to go! Now that is how it is done, you gave good info which helps a person know where and how to relocate over there. Not much info about colleges though but all the same GOOOD JOB!

By: Mwangi

Mwangi — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:03:20 +0000

@Ciru: Thanks for that, you really went above and beyond and made this post even more practically useful.

By: Ciru

Ciru — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:40:19 +0000

I live in Seattle and I have to say I was rather satisfied with this post. It is difficult to direct people as to where is best to live within the city as things as minor as one’s personality play a major role on what would be ideal for a person. For example if you like to live amongst fellow Kenyans then Federal way/Tacoma is a good area. If you prefer to have a private life without too many people passing by while ‘in the area’ then the East side is the best spot for you, but is more expensive. If you like city life and money is no object then downtown Seattle/Bellevue is a good option. If you are on a tight budget then Federal Way/Tacoma is a good option. If on a budget but wiling to sacrifice a little more money for privacy then Renton/Kent area is prime. There are several other cities around Seattle one can live in such as Shoreline, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Kenmore, Edmonds. There is also Everett (I do not recommend living here. Just a personal bias due to high crime and trailer trash/what I prefer to think of as red necks of the west). All these cities vary greatly in population diversity, economics, job availability, ease of commute into Seattle.
As for school districts I cannot be of much help since almost all school districts in the area are having trouble with budget deficits, closing of schools, drug/gang related issues etc. I would suggest checking out specific schools and not the districts in general. North Shore school district is supposedly amongst the best in the Seattle area yet they are trying keep all schools open by cutting down on staff and having staff share positions i.e. today you are a secretary, tomorrow librarian, next day a nurse etc. It’s ugly. It all comes down to individual schools. If you can afford it take your child to a private school.
Best places to visit: http://www.visitseattle.org/visitors/tours/ This is a rather comprehensive site. My only personal recommendation is the Columbia Tower observation deck (recommended for Seattleites too) located at 701 5th avenue 73rd floor (corner of 5th ave and Columbia St). It offers a marvelous almost 360 degree view of Seattle and neighboring cities. The view is absolutely breath taking especially on a clear summer day.
Quite frankly beyond this post if one has a specific question about Seattle it is best you ask it as it is nearly impossible to address all details in one post. After all Seattle is rather diverse.
It is an awesome city to live in and I encourage all to visit at least once in this life time.

By: emma

emma — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:20:42 +0000

Wambui, if your private uni was cheaper than public, wouldn’t it help the masses if you gave the name of your Uni. That would REALLY help those looking for schools up there. Your post lacks necessary details!

By: Simple Meditation

Simple Meditation — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:44:50 +0000

Excellent content and style…keep up the good work!

By: Carol Achieng Otieno

Carol Achieng Otieno — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:30:28 +0000

Seattle sounds a bit like the Netherlands (in terms of how the weather changes suddenly) and alot like Vancouver, B.C, Canada. It always rains there. In the Netherlands, even during Spring and Summer some people have their umbrellas in their bags and a coat incase the weather changes for the worst.
Anyhow, it’s a pretty informative post Wambui, and probably the people who are criticizing live in the U.S, which is not fair to you because the States is so big and so very diverse. I do believe that some places can have private unis that are cheaper than public ones, anyhow that’s my belief.
And Westerners do have a solid habit. They are so excited to encounter you the first time, then the next they’ll whizz past you like you never met. So pretty much, it happens here in Europe as well, and one gets used to this. When they do develop further interest in you and your well-being, pretty much there’s something you have that they would profit from.
I reckon as a starting point, if one has right documentation, things are much easier as Wambui said, and then all the other stuff like which county to choose, which school to take your kids to, and blah blah blah can fall into place..
I’m out!

By: Wambui

Wambui — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:53:57 +0000

I’m in a private college in seattle.
As I did not qualify for financial aid I did my research before coming here and it was cheaper for me to go to the school I am going to than the main public university than in Seattle. 4 thousand dollars cheaper. And it still is!
I know another Kenyan who qualified for financial aid and he picked a private school because he got a better deal with the private school. It was easier on his pocket to go to the private school! so…