One of the situations Seattle finds itself in is the increased emigration of its residents to other cities and states. People will argue over what specific reasons are behind all of this, but it seems reasonable to assess that the COVID-19 pandemic has played its own role. Across the country, more people are moving out of metropolitan cities and into smaller cities, suburbs, and rural areas in general. One could say the fact that being crammed in with other people in massive cities is increasingly unappealing shows a glimpse of what the “new normal” has become.

So where are Seattle residents moving? Let’s go over some of the nearby cities in Washington state that are gathering up new residents. Perhaps one of these places will appeal to your moving plans as well.

Bothell, WA

Located in west-central Washington state along the eastern shore of Puget Sound lies the city of Bothell. Although Bothell has a higher median home value than the average in the nation, it has seen its fair share of increased job growth. According to BestPlaces.net, Bothell “has seen the job market increase by 2.6% over the last year.” The city also has an unemployment rate of 3.3%, which is .4% lower than the national average. While the sales tax rate is three points higher in Bothell than the national average, the city has no income tax.

Kirkland, WA

Not far from Bothell in King County is the city of Kirkland, Washington. Since the 2010 census, Kirkland has seen a massive increase of over 80% in the city. Part of the appeal to Kirkland is arguably the median income of just over $90,000 a year. Kirkland also has beautiful scenery, arts and galleries, and nearby recreation for the whole family. The politics of Kirkland, unsurprisingly, are liberal as they are across the state. The median home value rests at just over $720,000.

Lynnwood, WA

Another popular destination for those wishing to move out of Seattle is Lynnwood. Located in Snohomish County, Lynnwood boasts beautiful homes, skyscrapers, and lakes nearby. The median household income sits at approximately $50,000 per year. There are approximately 37,000 people living in Lynnwood with a growth rate of almost 5% since 2010. The average cost of a home in Lynnwood is about $500,000. If you still want to go to Seattle from time to time, Lynnwood is only located about twenty minutes away.

People are moving out of major cities and into the suburbs and even urban areas at alarming rates. The crime, politicized society and the benefit of working from home are just a few of the reasons. But it's not just Seattle that is seeing a mass exocus of homeowners. Places like New York city are seeing folks move into places like the Summit NJ real estate market or Millburn and Short Hills. Folks in Washington DC are moving into smaller villages and towns in Southern Maryland. And those in Downtown L.A. are migrating to quieter towns like Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills. It's happening everywhere and the market is straining under the pressure. But as long as there are buyers, sellers will sell and the real estate world will keep on spinning.