For those outside of Seattle, the city is perhaps best known for its rainy weather despite the fact that major cities like New York and Boston actually experience more annual rainfall. With all that focus on the weather, what people might not know is that Seattle is a beautiful and vibrant city that is perhaps best defined by its love for nature. The downtown is filled with tree lined streets that are home to coffee shops, music venues, shops and restaurants while the nearby mountains provide plenty of opportunities for hiking and enjoying the outdoors. If you like to spend your free time enjoying a local beer over great conversation or exploring parks on foot or bike, then Seattle might be the perfect place for your next travel nursing job.
The Seattle Food Scene
Whether you enjoy food, music, art, sports or the outdoors, Seattle has plenty to offer. The city is bordered on one side by Puget Sound, which means easy access to fresh seafood. Practically every restaurant in town will feature delicious seafood dishes that highlight local ingredients and natural resources. If you want to sample some of what the area has to offer, stop by RockCreek Seafood & Spirits (opens in new tab) in the Fremont Neighborhood. (opens in new tab) This Seattle staple emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients for truly unique flavors.Un Bien (opens in new tab) is another favorite among visitors and residents alike. If you are looking to grab a quick and casual lunch while you are out seeing sites, swing by and experience authentic caribbean sandwiches and cuisine. This family-owned restaurant serves up healthy portions, so be sure to bring your appetite and be prepared to take home some leftovers.If you are in the mood for an upscale dining experience, check out Junebaby (opens in new tab), which was named the Restaurant of the Year 2017 (opens in new tab) by Seattle Eater. (opens in new tab) This award-winning restaurant serves southern cuisine and soul food that utilizes, fresh seasonal ingredients, which means you can visit throughout the year to sample new dishes. You are sure to enjoy a great meal and you might just learn a little about the history and influences of southern cooking.
Best Places for Music Lovers
In the 1990s, Seattle gained a reputation for incubating iconic bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Since then, the city has continued to host an active music scene that has most recently produced major names including Modest Mouse and Macklemore. Music fans can head to the Tractor Tavern (opens in new tab) to listen to local and emerging indie artists and enjoy a full bar. Neumos (opens in new tab) also hosts Seattle bands, but draws in larger names such as MGMT. No matter what type of music you enjoy, you can catch a show any night of the week at small venues start at 99 seats to the KeyArena (opens in new tab), which seats 15,000 people.
Enjoy the Best in Local Sports
Sports fans also have a lot to choose from, including professional and college teams. Seattle is home to the NFL Seahawks (opens in new tab), NBA Sonics (opens in new tab), MLB Mariners (opens in new tab), WNBA Storm (opens in new tab) and MLS Sounders FC. (opens in new tab) The University of Washington Huskies (opens in new tab) teams also provide plenty of competitive entertainment throughout the year. You can cheer on local student athletes or watch the professionals show off their skills.
Housing in Seattle for Travel Nurses
While the cost of living in Seattle does run high compared to the rest of the country, there are plenty of clean, spacious and affordable housing opportunities for travel nurses. You can find fully-furnished rooms, apartments and houses that are especially designated for travel nurses and located close to all the local amenities, including the city’s major hospitals. Based on the latest information from Furnished Finder (opens in new tab), the leading source of travel nurse housing (opens in new tab), here are just a few examples of what Seattle has to offer:
Bridge the Gap (Furnished Finder Listing #193145)
Imagine starting each day with a beautiful view of Lake Washington and the Cascades. This property includes large picture windows that not only let in plenty of light but offer a clear view of the landscape. The house is part of a quiet, family neighborhood just three miles outside of downtown Seattle. If you don’t want to fight traffic, you can use public transportation to make the short commute to the hospital. The bus line is just 2.5 blocks away and local restaurants and shops are also within walking distance.During your stay, you will enjoy the convenience of a fully furnished and private bedroom and bathroom along with a shared kitchen that is stocked with everything you will need to cook and dine at home. There is plenty of parking and all utilities, cable and WiFi are included for an incredibly affordable price that will help you save the money you earn and still enjoy the best that Seattle has to offer.
Private Apartment in Modern House (Furnished Finder Listing #206776)
This property is located just a few minutes from Lake Washington and provides easy access to bike trails, city parks and public transportation, including buses and light rail. The owners live upstairs and pride themselves on offering welcoming hospitality to travelers who rent out the bottom floor of the house. It is the perfect location for families or friends who want to split the rent and save money. The space can easily sleep and accommodate up to five people.Some highlights include a spacious living room with a gas fireplace, a private garden with tables, chairs and beautiful landscaping that provides the perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal after work, and a sleek and modern design that is also warm and inviting. Perhaps best of all, the Seattle Children’s Hospital (opens in new tab), University of Washington Medical Center (opens in new tab) and Northwest Hospital (opens in new tab) are all located within just five miles.Seattle is a diverse and progressive city that has attracted young, single professionals from around the country, and has a ton of traveling nurse rentals to pick from. It is full of creative and intellectual energy and a great place to meet people who might share your interests in nature, music, food., and of course, travel! The city is super friendly to travel nurses and offers plenty of beautiful properties that are close to work and provide a safe, clean and welcoming place to rest up after a long shift or a night out out on the town. If you have been considering Seattle as your next job location, it might be time to take a closer look at what the city has to offer.Good luck and safe travels!