Seattle may be famous for coffee, software, and rain, but once you’re here, you’ll find the real attributes that lure Foster students from around the world: innovative, global companies with strong growth potential; abundant resources for entrepreneurs; and engaged alumni who open doors for new Foster students in the Northwest and around the world.
As you consider your life in Seattle, look into the following University of Washington resources and information regarding living in the Pacific Northwest!
For an overview, check out the International Student VIRTUAL Housing Fair presented by Circle. This event was held last year for incoming students. This recording will offer you the opportunity to learn from representatives from some of the rental companies that are popular with UW students, covering information including types of housing, living off campus around Seattle, as well as living on UW campus.
Select the headers below to learn more.
Climate
One of the first things you’ll hear about Seattle is that it rains. The truth is that Seattle averages only 36 inches of rainfall annually—less than Washington DC (39 inches) and New York City (40.3 inches). Summers are warm and relatively dry, with temperatures rarely climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are typically wet and gray, but mild enough to allow for year-round outdoor activities. In fact, Seattle temperatures drop below freezing an average of only 15 days per year. There are four distinct seasons, and the spring months in particular on the UW campus are spectacular!
Things to Do
Seattle and the greater Pacific Northwest offer a wealth of activities that appeal to just about any interest, including outdoor enthusiasts, music and art lovers, culinary and wine experts, and many others. When you arrive on campus, a good place to start is the University Visitors Information Center located in Odegaard Library where a variety of brochures and schedules for sights, events and tours are available.
Learn more about our amazing city via the following links:
Foster’s Points of Interest Pamphlet (shared by the MBA program)
Official City of Seattle website
Seattle Convention and Visitor Bureau
Citysearch Seattle
National Geographic City Guide: Seattle
Seattle’s Neighborhoods
Seattle is a very neighborhood-oriented city. Each neighborhood has its own unique identity, feel, and way of life. When looking at neighborhoods, be sure to keep in mind accessibility by Metro Bus to important places such as the UW and downtown. The following are general descriptions of local neighborhoods:
- Ballard: Scandinavian fishermen and loggers founded Ballard bordering the Puget Sound, and the maritime influence is still strong. A large pleasure-boat marina with seafood restaurants and spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains lies adjacent to public beaches at Shilshole. Ballard offers a wide variety of housing options, many of which are newly constructed apartment buildings to accommodate an increased demand for space in the very walkable and trendy neighborhood. There are frequent buses to and from Ballard, but travel times can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.
- Capitol Hill: A diverse shopping and residential area, with some of the city’s loveliest old mansions, lies on the hill south of the UW campus. The Capitol Hill area is Seattle’s most dense urban neighborhood, with a large co-op house population. Rent is similar to the University District, and there is an abundance of shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Parking is tight, but the bus service is good.
- Eastlake/Lake Union: Right next to campus and close to downtown, Eastlake faces Lake Union’s working waterfront, where you’re likely to see retired military vessels, oceanographic ships, and tugboats. A colorful houseboat community is moored at the northern end, and several restaurants overlook the lake.
- Fremont/Wallingford: Both neighborhoods host small shops, bars, and international restaurants. Fremont hosts more filmmaker/artists’ studios and has a more robust nightlife, while Wallingford hosts a playfield and Gas Works Park. Both neighborhoods are popular rental locations and have a number of reasonably priced rentals with fairly easy access to the Burke-Gilman Trail and UW.
- Green Lake: Seattle’s most popular neighborhood for outdoor recreation, Green Lake is a mecca for joggers, bicyclists, walkers and roller-bladders who make their way around the three-mile perimeter path. This has become a very popular area, and rent is nearly as high as in the University District. Bus service to UW is good and it’s a relatively flat bike ride to campus.
- North Seattle/Northgate: This major residential area has at its heart one of the Northwest’s first indoor shopping centers, Northgate Mall. It is also home to North Seattle Community College. Rentals are a bit larger and less expensive with easy bus, light rail, and highway access to UW.
- Queen Anne/Magnolia: Rising 456 feet north of downtown and the Denny Regrade, Queen Anne hill is a historic residential and small business community overlooking the Seattle Center and Elliot Bay. Magnolia’s Discovery Park overlooks Puget Sound and has some great views (for which rents tend to be higher). Metro routes from these areas to UW are more limited.
- Roosevelt: Located just north of the University District and east of Green Lake, the Roosevelt neighborhood is largely residential with many of the homes dating from the early 1900s. This is a good area to shop for antiques and to sample international cuisine. The area offers a number of rentals and good UW access.
- University District: This area offers all types of housing, but you definitely pay for it! Rent is high and many units are not well maintained. Parking is also difficult to find. The benefit to living in this area is that it has everything you need (laundromats, shopping, movie theaters, health clubs, restaurants and, of course, campus) within walking distance. Metro bus service in this area is better than in any of the other residential areas.
- University Village/Ravenna: Primarily residential, this area offers the large University Village shopping area, easy UW access, and a beautiful park/play area (Ravenna Park). This neighborhood just east of the UW is a bit quieter than the University District proper.
You can also check out this Seattle Neighborhood Guide, which some of the MBA students made!
Rental Listing Service
Below are some suggestions of places to try. Keep in mind that some listing services charge a finder’s fee. Please note, none of these rental services are affiliated or partnered with the UW.
hotpads.com
padmapper.com
seattle.craigslist.org
trulia.com
http://washington.uloop.com/housing/
On Campus
Housing & Food Services (HFS)
On-campus housing makes your life simpler: one stop, one bill, one priority: You. Housing & Food Services (HFS) offers a wide range of options for graduate students, whether single or married, with or without children. Safety, convenience and good value are earmarks of campus housing, and there are so many opportunities for social and professional linkages. Interested students are encouraged to contact Housing & Food Services for information.
Keep in mind that you’re searching for housing in mid-June, outside the traditional academic year (Autumn, Winter and Spring Quarters). Be sure to review the Summer Housing Guide provided by HFS for specific information about living on-campus during the Summer Quarter.
Once you’ve decided on a neighborhood, spend some time in the area. Check for “For Rent” signs and complete apartment applications even if there aren’t vacancies.
Public Transportation
A UW issued U-Pass provides unlimited rides on King County Metro and Community Transit buses as well as other benefits. It is probably your best way to commute to school. A U-Pass is a required part of your UW student fee and is incorporated into your Husky ID.
U-Pass Information Line: 206.221.3701
King County Metro Customer service: 206.553.3000
Community Transit Customer Service: 425.353.7433
Biking
Seattleites love their bikes almost as much as they love their coffee, which is probably why Seattle is consistently ranked as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the United States. If you’ve never considered a cycling commute, now may be the time to start – biking is a great way to avoid traffic, explore the city, and fit a fun workout into your everyday routine!
The University of Washington has a variety of resources for those looking to bike to campus, including a Bike Commuting 101 guide and an online hub of information on bike storage and parking, safety, routes, and much more on their Bikespace page. There is even a student operated, full-service bike shop on campus which offers affordable repairs as well as bike maintenance courses.
If biking is your preferred method of commuting, you will be happy to hear the UW is located on the Burke Gilman Trail, which is an excellent place to begin looking for housing- along and near the trail.
Bike parking is a service provided to those who wish to pay for something more secure than traditional bike racks. Bike house and locker permits are available for purchase for a year at a time. See the bike parking website for rate information. To purchase a bike house permit, you may purchase the permit online or contact Transportation Services (206-221-3701 or [email protected]). Information on purchasing online is available in the customer portal guide.
Driving
Parking on Campus
There are a variety of ways to park on campus including, but not limited to, pay by the hour/day/night lots, commuter tickets, motorcycle permits, load/unload zones, and discounted weekend rates.
Transportation Services Sales and Administration can answer any additional questions you may have and can be reached by phone at 206-221-3701 or by email at [email protected].
Complimentary parking is available weekday evenings from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and on weekends from noon on Saturday to 6 a.m. Monday morning. Parking is also complimentary during holiday closures. See the parking page for annual closures.
Carpool
Another commute option is to carpool. Besides being good for Seattle’s congestion problems, carpools of three or more people with valid U-Passes may park on campus for a discount. It is easy to find commuting partners through a regional program called RideShareOnline.