Thinking about moving from Illinois to Washington, but still can’t decide? No problem there, we’ve got you covered. Making a decision to move to a new state can be quite challenging. There are plenty of things to consider and research to do. On one hand, we are sure Illinois has been a great home for you. But, on the other hand, Washington has so much to offer. Luckily, there’s no need for you to do everything alone! In this article, we at Verified Movers have gathered information to make your decision a little bit easier.
First things first, here are some interesting Washington facts
Before we go into the serious topics, here’s some fun information about your soon-to-be home to kickstart your research with.
- Washington state is the only state named after a United States president.
- The state of Washington is the biggest producer of apples out of all other states in the union.
- The United States wealthiest man Microsoft’s Bill Gates lives in Medina.
- The biggest coffee chain in the world at the moment Starbucks was founded in Seattle.
- The state of Washington borders the Pacific Ocean to the west, Oregon to the south (the Columbia River forming most of this border), Idaho to the east and British Columbia and Canada to the north.
If this was compelling enough for you to make the decision to move, contact interstate moving companies Illinois today to get an estimate for your move.
One of the most striking differences between these two states
It’s no secret that Illinois’s landscape leaves something to be desired. With the exception of Garden of The Gods, sort of a random hidden gem, the state as a whole is extremely flat and 85% corn. Definitely not the most attractive of landscapes for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a state with plenty to do outside. Conversely, Washington is considered one of the most beautiful states in the Pacific Northwest. The Pacific Northwest often referred to as Cascadia, has a landscape known for being unparalleled in natural beauty. The Cascade Mountain Range divides Washington into two parts, Western Washington and Eastern Washington, both diverse in features and weather. Furthermore, the colossal 14,411 feet high Mount Rainier can be seen by half of Washington. Ready to make the leap yet? If so, don’t postpone contacting Washington long distance movers to organize everything on time.
Pros of moving from Illinois to Washington
We have already told you all about the great outdoors Washington has to offer. Now we would also like to add one more thing. Due to its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and too many lakes, streams, and rivers to count, this state has a lot to offer to those that feel more comfortable in the water too. Keep in mind that with this naturally comes both a higher quality of life and plenty to do outdoors at any time. Furthermore, you probably already know there are very little to no choices when it comes to medium to larger-sized cities in Illinois. Well, besides Chicago, of course. On the contrary, Washington is a vast state with various cities to choose from. Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane are only some of them.
Cons of moving from Illinois to Washington
As much as it hurts to say, it’s the money. On the whole, the cost of living in Illinois is affordable. Rent in the state is $974, about $40 below the average rent in the US. However, Chicago, Illinois’ largest city, is where the prices go up. The average apartment rent in Chicago’s around $1,800 a month. Let’s be honest, that’s pretty pricey. But it fades in comparison to Washington which is an expensive state to call home. The state’s most popular city, Seattle, will cost you $2,100 for a two-bedroom apartment. In case you were wondering it’s 80% higher than the national average. Although other cities in Washington are slightly cheaper to live in, be ready to pay a little more than you’re probably paying in your current city.
Now that you are familiar with both pros and cons of moving from Illinois to Washington, the best movers in Chicago are there to make your wish into reality.
Let’s compare job opportunities and overall growth in these two cities
Let’s talk about Illinois first. Much of its economy consists of agriculture. With manufacturing and mining being large industries in Illinois, too. However, Chicago is an obvious exception. Over the past decade, the city’s become a major player in the tech and startup space. So, basically, while Illinois as a whole might not offer many opportunities for young professionals looking for a successful career, there is certainly opportunity in Chicago. And then we have Washington. Its thriving economy makes it the perfect place for professionals looking to make a name for themselves. Washington state experiences rapid growth in the tech industry. No city added more tech jobs than Seattle in 2016 and 2017. And software engineers there have an average salary of $130,000 a year. In addition, Seattle is also home to business giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks.
Finally, it’s time to make the jump (or maybe not?)
If you choose to move, make sure to be aware of everything you need to know before moving to Washington. To sum up, if you love the great outdoors and aspire to make a name for yourself in the tech space (or at the very least build a strong career), moving from Illinois to Washington is a pretty obvious choice. Naturally, it certainly has some drawbacks. To be honest, we still can’t wrap our heads about at the rent, although the opportunities waiting may be worth it. Anyways, the choice is yours to make and we believe it will be the right one.