Moving from Florida to Washington State

Are you thinking of moving for a new job, education, or atmosphere? In any of those cases, you'll find a lot to offer in Washington State. People gave Washington the nickname of The Evergreen State. It lives up to this reputation with abundant evergreen forests, lakes, and mountains to explore. On top of that, Washington has a burgeoning wine, beer, and seafood industry for those of you who are foodies. When it comes to the economy, Washington has plenty of work and education opportunities. It's also close to Canada. You can make it to Vancouver within a 3-hour drive for a weekend trip.

Here’s what you need to know before moving to Washington State:

What’s the Price of Relocation? Estimating Your Move to Washington State

Cross-country moves can be complicated and pricey. If you're moving from Florida to Washington State, you must prepare your belongings to be transported over 3,000 miles away. If you decide to take the DIY approach, you must rent a moving truck, pay for gas and plan travel expenses. You'll also need to prepare for unexpected costs and emergencies.

In most cases, hiring cross-country movers is a more cost-effective solution. With professional movers, everything is handled for you. The cost you’re quoted will include all moving expenses. Movers are also insured, so if anything breaks in transit, it will be covered. 

The average long-haul cost of moving from Florida to Washington State with North American Van Lines is $4,200. A great way to cut costs is to downsize before you relocate. Consider going through your belongings and deciding what to keep, donate or throw away before moving. Relocating during the off-season or the week can also be cost-effective.

For an accurate breakdown of expenses, use our free online relocation calculator.

What’s the Cost of Living in Washington State

When comparing the cost of living in Washington State vs Florida, you'll find that Washington State is considered more expensive. You can expect to pay more for housing, everyday essentials, restaurants and utilities. The housing market is also pretty competitive. According to Zillow, the average cost of a home in Washington State is $596,914, and the average rent is $1,725.

While owning a house in Washington State is more expensive than in Florida, rent is more affordable. Before you relocate, you'll want to consider assessing your budget to ensure you can afford to maintain your lifestyle in a more expensive state.

Most Popular Cities in Washington State

From the sleepy towns with waterfront views to the city streets of Seattle, there is something for everyone in this vibrant state. If you're a newcomer looking for a new community, here are three cities to consider exploring:

Seattle

Seattle is the largest city in the Northwest United States. It's a seaport city with a strong LGBT community, coffee culture, and technology scene. Some of the strongest industries in Seattle are aircraft manufacturing, biotechnology, IT, and retail. You'll find headquarters for renowned companies like Microsoft, Starbucks, and Boeing there.

The city isn't far away from nature, either. You can access Discovery Park, Alki Beach, and the Volunteer Park Conservatory. You might recognize its iconic Space Needle from several films and TV shows. The Needle is a 605 ft tall building offering 360° views of the city. Seattle's evergreen nature and views have given it the nickname 'The Emerald City.'

Spokane

People call Spokane the 'lilac city' because of how many purple plants thrive there. It even has an annual Lilac Festival with parades.

In Spokane, you can access plenty of arts and culture centers. It houses the Fox and Bing Crosby theaters and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. In downtown Spokane, Romanesque-revival-style buildings add an artistic feeling to the city.

Spokane has industries in aerospace manufacturing, health sciences, and clean technology. Dozens of lakes and rivers near the city make it ideal for kayaking or fishing. And you're still close enough to the mountains for biking.

Bellevue

You might consider Bellevue an 'edge city' because of its proximity to Seattle. You can reach it in a 15-minute drive, separated only by a lake and bridges. But Bellevue has charms of its own to offer. It is home to several beach trails, parks, and playgrounds for a green atmosphere. You can also visit the Bellevue Botanical Garden and Arts Museum for leisure.

Bellevue is French for "beautiful view." In some of its high-rise buildings, you can spot the Olympic and Cascade mountains in the distance. It's also a majority-minority city. Many of its residents are Asian, with Hispanic and Black populations as well.

As for the economy, Bellevue is home to more technology headquarters. Some of these include T-Mobile and Paccar.

How Washington State’s Climate Compares to Florida’s

It's time to trade in your flip-flops for rain boots! Washington State has a wet, mild climate. The rainy season is roughly eight months long but can last until early summer. Once summer comes around, you can look forward to a pleasant, mild climate. The temperature is always warm and enjoyable, perfect for outdoor activities and spending days on the lake.

Evergreen Wonders: What Makes Washington State Unique

You can't deny the natural beauty of Washington State. Washington State is an outdoor lover's dream and is the perfect spot for anyone who loves spending time outside. From the breathtaking views of Mount Rainier to the hikes, trails and outdoor fun in Olympic National Park - there's always something to do!

Once you're done moving from Florida to Washington State, you can also enjoy the state’s incredible coffee scene, live music and food culture. The sleepy towns and cities have cozy coffee shops and grungy music venues. There are also many top-tier restaurants in Seattle.

Ready to kickstart your professional career? Many big tech companies have offices in Seattle. There are many well-paying jobs with Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing.

Make Your Move Easy with North American Van Lines

Whether you're moving to an apartment in Seattle or a suburb in Spokane, North American Van Lines is here to ensure the experience is as stress-free as possible. Our movers are professionally trained to handle the complexities of cross-country relocations. Our moving services are also affordable and completely customizable, so you only pay for what you need. You can also customize your moving plan with affordable storage solutions, auto transportation and fragile-only packing services.

Are you planning on moving from Florida to Washington State? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.