Please don't! Washington is full! .

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You're a ferry ride away from Seattle. Silverdale is nearby, as well. They have a ferry to the San Juan area.

If you're not bothered by driving a bit, it's a good location, although WA state is a more expensive state.

I think the cost of living depends on when you were in GA last and what area you lived in. Over the last few years like most places the cost here has gone up. I’m in Gainesville and have visited Washington a few times in the past two years. The only difference I could tell in cost was sales tax being a little higher, 2% difference. The cost of gas was about a dollar higher. However Washington has no state income tax while GA still does.

(Also AA) Port orchard is lovely. Kitsap is whiter than Pierce (where Tacoma is ~30 mins away) but I still have a great time. If you’re used to slightly smaller town vibes you should find something to do, if not there’s stuff (ish) to do in Bremerton and Tacoma.

When you say, “I am AA,” did you mean African American? If so, that will drastically change your experience in Port Orchard. While Seattle are has some black communities and culture, one of my black friends found it very sparse and was very lonely. They left after only a couple of years. Port Orchard will likely be even worse.

I moved to Washington State from NW Florida a long time ago. For the first few years, I couldn’t believe how cold and it was for so much of the year. It was also a huge cultural change. People keep to themselves a lot more.

Make sure to drive with your hazard lights on the entire time.

I grew up in a small town next to Augusta and moved to western WA about 20 years ago. The culture and surroundings really couldn't be more different. I hated the south and love living near the mountains though so it was a great move for me.

I'd consider that to be fortunate! Port orchard is charming.

Nah if you’re this far below the speed limit or driving conditions because you’re not comfortable you need to pull over and wait it out until you’ve calmed down emotionally and are ready to resume driving at a normal speed.

People driving too slow are just as much of a problem as they force those of us with brains to go around them going 30 on the highway when it’s 45° and wet.

Those “all season run flats” are going to be shitty shit tires designed around mpg and nothing else. Get yourself some real tires that have the m/s rating and then actually have the mountain and snowflake on there as well - with a full sized spare.

Get out in some parking lots when it’s snowy and play around. It’s how most of us learned when we were 14.

Honestly you're not half wrong

For WA state in general: Vote by mail is one consistent thing I've heard transplants mention as a pleasant surprise. It's so convenient I would probably have a hard time relocating to another state if it wasn't available.

WTA, all trails, cal topo, Gaia, and Trailforks.

I’ve got them all and all are useful for different things. Also good to have all of them to cross reference with each other too. Though overall my personal favorite is Trailforks.

Sports betting to an extent was recently legalized here. Currently it is legal only on reservation Casino sportsbooks, but I suspect that Oregon, that will expand to sports betting else where using apps like Draft Kings, Fan Duel, etc.

We’re almost there.

Yeah, definitely not talking something like Korean BBQ, which Washington has plenty of good examples of.

Consider living in Bremerton unless you like small towns. Lots of great Breweries in Kitsap County!

Regarding your comment about bbq, I hear where you are coming from as I lived in DFW and NC.

However there is one caveat. You are talking about traditional American bbq. Here in WA there is some excellent, as in world class, Asian bbq that compares to anything I found in the South. Apples and oranges for sure but really, really good bbq and pretty available.

Port Orchard is like, the last not-as-expensive city in Kitsap and it's less crowded than Silverdale or Poulsbo, and less gross than Bremerton proper. It's a good starting point. I get jealous of the weather further north though. PO is pretty gloomy while the sun likes to peak out more in Silverdale and Poulsbo. If you want to go out to eat though, lot more options elsewhere. Worth it if you don't like the crowds. A million percent better than living in Bremerton imo.

Get a buddy to go with you. Someone to talk to and maybe help drive a bit to break it up. Watch the WSDOT website also. https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses/Snoqualmie

If in doubt about the conditions on Snoqualmie Pass, just stay off the road. It is fine 90% of the time, but if you don't want to risk it just grab a hotel room at Ellensburg and wait for things to improve. Looking at the forecast from Jan 14, 2023, things are going to turn to snow after the current period of relative warm weather ends Sunday night.

A primer on the pass restrictions: there are 4 levels: "No Restrictions", "Traction Tires Advised", "Traction Tires Required", "Chains Required". You are good on the first two, just follow the speed limits that are posted. The second two in your case I would advise not risking it, if you are inexperienced and not properly equipped.

I mean you can just move 😅.

Washington has a 6.50 percent state sales rate, a max local sales tax rate of 4.00 percent, and an average combined state and local sales tax rate of 9.29 percent.

Having lived in GA and WA, I can tell you they are vastly different in culture and climate. It really depends on what your personal preferences are. WA is temperate and rainy with a rather liberal culture. It is a great state to live in, but you won't find sweet tea, grits, or good BBQ.

Edit: One thing to consider is that the pay may be a little better at a WA job, but the cost of living is pretty high in WA state compared to GA. Make sure it actually pencils out to be a better financial move for you.

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Family lived in Silverdale, and they went to Seattle when they wanted some sunshine, lol.