A Digital Nomad Guide to Seattle

Seattle Visa

The USA, in general, is not an easy country to get into with its high security and need for visas. Passports from most countries across the world will need to obtain a visa before arrival, and many are just an evisa which is done very easily online. 

There are a few visa-free countries that can enter the USA, such as Canadian citizens, so anyone with a Canadian passport can enter the USA quite easily. Some other neighboring countries of the USA can enter visa-free, but it is best to check the USA government website to confirm if your passport is included in this.

Most European countries, Australia, and neighboring countries will need to obtain an evisa before arrival, which allows you to enter for tourism purposes. This is known as an ESTA, and the process can all be done online and costs around $15 USD per application. This will allow you to stay in the USA and its territories for up to 90 days.

If you are not from one of the countries on the ESTA list, then you will need to apply for a visa before arrival from your nearest American embassy. It is best to contact your nearest embassy for more details as they vary between countries.

Culture and Food in Seattle

Seattle has a great selection of restaurants and places to eat. You will find many traditional restaurants, street food, and young hip cafés serving up creative fusion cuisine. Seattle has many coffee shops serving up sandwiches and bagels, but you will also see a selection of hipster venues experimenting with all sorts of cuisines serving full meals. There is a huge Asian influence on cuisine in the area, so make sure to check out the incredible fusion venues in Seattle. 

Restaurants

There are many restaurants around Seattle, and I found that the best were located around Pike Place Market as this is where the locals cook dishes using locally sourced ingredients, and you will get some of the freshest food in town here. The most popular venue is The Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar which is a casual restaurant serving food from the market. Some of the best places to go to are Place Pigalle, Alibi Room, and JarrBar. You will find many whilst walking around the market, so have a wander and see what draws you in. I didn’t have time to visit them all, but I’d love to go back and try them.

Fast Food

Being an American city, you will always be able to find typical fast-food chains, but Seattle is home to some really creative fast food venues. Emerald City Fish & Chips, Katsu Burger, and Pike Brewing Company are all unique to the area, and they serve up some great fast-food style dishes. 

China Town

If you like Asian cuisines, then you need to head to Chinatown. As well as having amazing grocery stores such as Uwajimaya Seattle, there are some fantastic restaurants. My favorite restaurant in the area is Samurai Noodle Shop. They serve up some of the best ramen I have ever tried, and there is a nice hipster vibe in the restaurant. 

Vegan and Vegetarian

There is a good selection of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Seattle, and you will find that most restaurants are able to cater to dietary needs such as gluten allergies and lactose intolerances. Some of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Seattle are Wayward Vegan Café, Café Flora, Sunlight Café, Harvest Beat, Veggie Grill, Blossom Vegetarian, and Kati Vegan Thai.

Seattle Nightlife

Seattle has a fantastic nightlife scene, from cabaret shows to dive bars, gaming bars, or high-end clubs; Seattle has something for everyone. There is so much going on in the city, and it is famous for being a music hotspot for the USA, so you will likely find live music events every week. There is a more lowkey vibe to Seattle’s nightlife scene, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have fun.

Nightclubs

The majority of nightclubs are located in the city center, either by the waterfront, downtown Seattle and Pike Place, or towards the central district. Some of the top nightclubs are Q, Vue, Ora, and Kremwerk. Most will require you to be on a guest list or pay a fee to enter. 

Bars

Seattle has a great selection of bars, some more casual than others, but none the less there is something to suit every personality. There are many classy cocktail bars, pubs, and dive bars across the city, so the best way to find a place to suit your vibe is by searching online or asking around communities that share similar interests. Here are some of the quirky and fun bars that are worth a visit. Flatstick Pub in Pioneer Square is a great place for games such a beer pong, and it is a lively pub; Bathtub Gin & Co. is a quirky basement bar serving up a selection of prohibition-style cocktails. Rumba is a 1950s Caribbean-style bar serving over 200 different rums in a quaint library-style venue. The Hideout is a popular bar with those who like to sip on creative cocktails whilst surrounded by artworks. The Hideout, as suggested in its name, can be difficult to find and is not so impressive from the outside, but as soon as you enter, you are in a creator’s world. 

Live Shows

There are a number of small theatres in Seattle, and you can see some of the best burlesque and cabaret shows here. I had the opportunity to watch a show at the Can Can Culinary Cabaret for a friend’s bachelorette party, and it was so much fun. Sometimes shows can be a little on the expensive side, with tickets costing around $50 USD, not including dinner, but it is totally worth it. If you are into musical theatre or burlesque, then make sure to check out one of the quaint theatres in Seattle. It is a great way to celebrate a birthday, or just have a girl’s or guy’s night out on the town. 

Gaming Bars

If you are a fan of video games and drinking, then make sure to check out one of Seattle’s gaming bars. My favorite of the many gaming bars in Seattle was Raygun Lounge. It has a great selection of video games, board games, and retro arcade machines. The prices are very reasonable, and there is a warm, friendly atmosphere. Other highly rated gaming bars in Seattle are Gamma Ray Games, Shorty’s, and Jupiter Bar.

Things to do in Seattle

Seattle is a city rich in history, culture, and nature, which means that there is a lot to do. From hiking in nature to enjoying typical city life and to visiting museums and galleries.

• Pike Place Market

  The Public Market is one of the most iconic things to experience in Seattle, and it is one of the world’s oldest continuously running markets after starting up in 1907. The market is famous for the fish throwers, and if you are not familiar with this, then look it up on youtube! At various times during the day, the fishermen throw the fish across the market stands to each other, and it has become a popular stunt to watch. The market is also home to some of the best local produce and handmade goods. It makes for a nice relaxing afternoon activity.

• Museums

  There is a good selection of museums in Seattle, some showcasing history and some just for fun, experimentation, and curiosity. Here are some of the top museums that you should visit in Seattle. To better understand Seattle, the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) is a great place to start. National Nordic Museum is another historical museum that is great for those interested in life before European settlers arrived. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Pacific Science Center, and Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience are other great museums to better understand Seattle and its multicultural history.

• Art Galleries

  There are a number of creative galleries in Seattle and here are just a few of the top ones to visit. The Museum of Pop Culture is a great place to visit for musical history as the museum is inspired by many musical artists; Seattle Art Museum, Frye Art Museum, and Seattle Selfie Museum are also fun to visit.

• Underground Tour

  Seattle suffered from the Great Fire, which destroyed most of the city. As a consequence, a new city was built on top of the old, which is Seattle today. But there are special tours that take you below the city to walk the streets that once made up the city. Tours can vary in price, but they tend to cost around $22 USD per person. You can also go in the evening on a ghost night tour too, which makes for a spooky experience.

• Space Needle

  The Space Needle is probably one of the most iconic structures in Seattle, and it is a popular building to go up. There are a variety of tickets for entrance, but the most simple visit costs $35 USD for an adult ticket which allows you to go up the tower. If you are on a budget, then you can still walk around the base and explore the cultural area where it is located.

• Boat Trip to Victoria B.C

  Seattle is situated on the border to Canada, so you are able to get there fairly easily, providing you have the correct visa and a valid passport. The ferry varies in price but generally costs around $145 USD for a round trip from Seattle to Victoria, British Colombia. The ferry takes just under three hours, and it is a very picturesque ride, crossing the Sound and along the coastline up to Canada. It is a little expensive but it a great way to get to Canada.

• Olympic National Park

  One of the USA’s most unique national parks is Olympic National Park, and it was made famous by the Twilight series as a lot of the filming took place here. The National Park sits on the coastline and is home to a number of unique animal species, and has a very damp climate. This means that it can sometimes become humid, and there are some areas that are referred to as jungles. Even if you just drive around the Park for a day, it is a beautiful way to soak up some of the wildlife. It is also possible to camp or stay the night in a cabin, so make sure to check out the National Park’s website for more details.

• Olympic Game Farm

  This is a wonderful nature park, where you can take yourself on a safari to see a wide selection of both native and nonnative animals. You generally have to take your own vehicle, and it costs $17 USD per person. Why not get a group together and go on a day excursion to see some of the beautiful natural wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.

• Lavender Farms

  If you happen to be in Seattle during the summer from around June to July, you can visit the lavender farms as they are in full bloom and will be approaching the harvest season. There are a number of lavender farms around Seattle, but one of the best is Purple Haze Lavender Farm which has an entry cost of around $12 USD.

• Mount Rainier

  Seattle is surrounded by national parks, and Mount Rainer is one you can see from the city. The famous snowy peak towers over the skyline of Seattle, and it makes for an epic backdrop. It is possible to take tours up to the National Park, and on a clear day, if you hike up to the peak, you can have some incredible views of Seattle. Check out the national park website for more information.

• China Town

  If you want a break from the hustle-bustle of the city, then why not head down to China Town, where there is a slightly more relaxed vibe and an Asian community. There are some fantastic grocery stores here as well as Asian restaurants serving some of the best food in Seattle.

Best Time to Visit Seattle

Seattle is known for its dull and grey weather, but it isn’t always doom and gloom. Although winters can be harsh, summers are beautiful, and temperatures rise to comfortable levels. Seattle is located in the Northern Hemisphere, so the winter months generally span from November through until March, and the summer months are from June until September.

The summers in Seattle are the best time to visit as the days are long, dry, and warm, which means you can be outside and really enjoy exploring the city and surrounding areas. The hottest months and most popular times with tourists are from July to August. The average temperature in summer reaches around 22 C (73 F), and it rarely drops below 12 C (55 F). although the summers don’t get particularly boiling hot, they do hold a nice average temperature making outdoor sports very pleasant and not too sweaty.

Winters in Seattle can be harsh, with short days and a lack of sunlight. It is also the time of year when Seattle experiences a lot of rain and, in the mid-winter, even snow. January and February are the coldest months, with temperatures dropping as low as 2 C (36 F). February is the only month to see snowfall throughout the year.

Seattle for Families

Seattle is a great city for families as it has pretty much every facility you could ever want, it has a lot going on, and it is a city close to nature. This means that you can balance family life with the great outdoors whilst still have comforts and services close to home.

Goodmigrations.com and expatica.com are great websites for expats and families as you can get a good idea of what life is like for families in Seattle. There are international schools, daycares, and after-school activities for children, so you don’t have to worry about the lack of facilities available to you. As for entertainment, Seattle has a lot of attractions that are children friendly such as the Olympic Game Farm, national parks, museums, Woodland Park Zoon, and the Seattle Aquarium. 

If you are unsure whether to relocate to Seattle, then make sure to check out expat groups on Facebook as you can ask people directly about their experiences as a family moving to Seattle. This is where you will get true honest advice directly from people there. As the cost of living is quite high, you may find that living just outside Seattle is more beneficial.

Living in Seattle

Seattle Transportation

There is a good selection of transport options in Seattle, from bus services, ferries, taxis, and a monorail. Depending on how you prefer to get around, you have plenty of options that connect the city in a convenient manner. Seattle has a transport card called the ORCA card. It can be purchased for just $5 USD, and then you can top it up as you go. They can be used on a variety of modes of transport in the city; however, the ferries are not included, and it is best to check when buying it where you can use it. An all-day pass can be loaded onto the card for $8 USD, or you can pay for single journeys, which usually cost around $3.50 USD. 

Streetcars

These are similar to the monorail service, but they run along a different line. There are two lines; the First Hill line and the South Lake Union neighborhood line. A single adult journey will cost $2.25 USD, and this can be paid in cash or using the ORCA card. You can also buy day passes for $4.50 USD. This is a great way to get around the city, especially if you are located just outside; however, they don’t always run late and have different operating times depending on the day, so make sure to check the timetable.

Seattle Center Monorail

This is possibly one of the most iconic transport methods in Seattle, and it runs from the Westlake Center, which is in downtown, to Seattle Center, which is at the base of Queen Anne hill. I only took this once when in Seattle as it serves more of a purpose for tourists rather than being useful for commuting. Only one-way tickets can be purchased, and they cost $2.50 USD. 

Buses

King County Metro Transit is the bus company that runs the buses across Seattle. Timetables and schedules can be downloaded using their app. Bus tickets tend to cost around $2.75–$3.25 USD using the ORCA card.

Taxi

Getting around Seattle is very easy, and there are multiple taxi apps that work in Seattle. Uber and Lyft are the best apps for rideshares, whereas curb and flywheel are good for private rides as their rates are very reasonable. Seattle Yellow cabs app is a taxi app specifically designed for use in Seattle, and it is the best way to get a local cab.

Lime

An increasingly popular way of traveling around cities is to use the Lime electric scooters or city bicycles. Lime charges $1 USD to unlock a bicycle and then charges you for time/distance, depending on if you are using a scooter or bicycle. There are also Jump bicycles which are free to unlock and then only charge $0.15 USD per minute.

Ferry

If you want to visit Bremerton or one of the surrounding areas across the water, then you can take the ferry. The ferry generally can’t be paid for using the ORCA card and requires you to buy a separate ticket for journeys. The prices vary dramatically depending on the route you are taking; some are just passenger ferries, and others allow vehicles too. For the Seattle to Bremerton ferry, which is most popular, it costs around $9 USD each way.

Fitness and Health

Seattle has a wide variety of gyms, yoga centers, leisure, and sports facilities, and outdoor sports activities, so you have a large selection to choose from to help you keep fit. The most common form of exercising is going to the gym as it is easiest, but you will find more options in Seattle that might change your preferred form of exercising.

Gyms

There is a large selection of gyms in Seattle, so the best way to find the perfect one for you is to look in the area that you are planning on staying in. Each district has a great selection, and here are some of the best in the city; Rival Fitness, which costs $95 USD per month plus tax and a signup fee, Seattle Strength and Performance, which is $99 USD per month membership or $29 USD for drop-ins, Anytime Fitness and Flow Fitness. Gym memberships can vary between places, but they generally start at around $100 USD per month.

Yoga

There are a number of yoga studios and yoga classes in Seattle, and here are some of the top-rated. DRIFT Yoga Juice Bar is a top-rated yoga studio and offers a variety of classes and memberships. Most studios charge around $22-$30 USD per session for drop-ins, but with memberships, the average price of classes can drop to around $10-$15 USD per session.

Climbing

There are a number of climbing and bouldering centers in Seattle, and this is a great form of exercise. Most centers often have a great community vibe too, so if you want to make some friends outside of your workplace, then this is a good place to start. Most climbing centers offer monthly memberships, and they tend to cost around $75 USD per month, including a start-up fee. Others offer day passes which cost around $20 USD. There is also lots of natural climbing in the Seattle area, so if you are experienced and are there in summer, then why not ask around for a partner to climb in the wild with. Some of the best bouldering and climbing gyms are Half Moon Bouldering, Seattle Bouldering Project, and Edgeworks Climbing Seattle.

Free Exercise

If you are on a lower budget but still want to exercise, then a great option is to go for runs in the city. There are many trails along the waterfront, and this is a great free way to keep fit. Alongside this, you can also walk and hike as another free form of exercise.

Seattle People

Seattle has a very chilled-out vibe for a city of its size, and its people mostly follow this way of life. Many residents are relaxed and welcoming as it is a tourist city, so people are used to seeing foreigners in the city. This means that they are not only tolerant but go out their way to help you. I have only had great experiences when in Seattle, and I always felt like there was a warm vibe amongst its people.

However, this being said, it is different depending on the area you are in the city. In the business district and the areas that are dense with people working the hustle-bustle lifestyle, there is slightly less tolerance as people are busy at work. I think this is a common theme amongst large cities, and unless you are there for business, you most likely won’t be hanging around these areas much.

Outside the city and on the islands in towns such as Bremerton, you have more of a small-town vibe, so there can be some resistance to foreigners, but you are also very welcomed in the more touristy areas. I never had any problems, and I really enjoyed every area of Seattle. I felt warmly welcomed, and I really enjoyed my time there.

Seattle Insurance and Medical Care

It is always advised to take out travel insurance wherever you go as accidents can always happen. It is especially recommended to take out medical insurance in the USA because the cost of healthcare is one of the highest in the world. Most insurance companies will cover you in the US but make sure to check before as you really don’t want to have it invalid in the USA. The cost of simple treatment in the US can be up to ten times higher than when compared with other westernized countries in the world. It is also possible that if you don’t have insurance, you may not be treated if you can’t afford it. So this is why it is so important to have insurance in place. Luckily I have never had any issues when in the US, but when I was traveling with a friend from the UK, they needed stitches in their finger for a deep cut, and it cost them around $2,000 USD. They were able to use their insurance to help with the claim, but it wasn’t a simple process, and it was very expensive for a minor injury.

As for your belongings, it is advised to have insurance for your items as you never know what might happen. While Seattle is a pleasant city with a very low crime rate, incidents still happen, so it is advised to always leave your belongings in a safe place and to always be vigilant of your bags and personal items.

Make sure you are fully covered by reading our full Digital Nomad Travel Insurance guide.

Jobs in Seattle

Finding a job in Seattle may prove difficult as working as a foreigner in the USA requires a work visa. To obtain a work visa, you will need to have a job in place, and the employer will act as your sponsor for your work permit. You will need to apply for and arrange a job before you go or perhaps get a transfer with a company that you are already working for in your current country. 

There are very strict policies for working in the USA, so make sure to check that your employer knows where you are from and they know they will need to get you a visa. The best way to find a job is online, and there are a number of websites that are great for finding a job. Typical search engines such as indeed.com, glassdoor.com, and LinkedIn are great for finding work in Seattle, but there are other methods such as using the official USA government website to find jobs for foreigners.

If you want to just volunteer in Seattle, then it will be easier for you to work and find a position. This has its benefits as while you may not be being paid, sometimes costs are covered, such as accommodation and food. Workaway.com volunteermatch.org, seattleworks.org, and seattle.gov are good resources for finding volunteering opportunities.

Check out our Digital Nomads Jobs Postings to find the best jobs available for Digital Nomads.