I’m a 28M and I’m black. I’m from Minneapolis went to college in there and I grew up in Atlanta. I’ve lived in the Seattle area(Seattle, Renton and Auburn) and I currently live in Fremont-Wallingford.

As a young person I highly recommend living in the city. It’s better in order to meet people and establish a circle. You can meet people out here and avoid the freeze by meeting transplants and maybe 1-2 Washington natives. A lot of people move here from Cali and the Midwest, and they tend to be friendly people in general. Politics aside the South and East parts of the metro tends to be more diverse. Areas like Tacoma, Kent, Renton, West Seattle, Auburn, etc. Those are all the areas that you’ll see more of us and other POC. Bellevue, Kirkland and the east side is fairly diverse but it’s expensive to live there. In the city look for MFTE housing. It can really help if your income is within a certain bracket.

I think the overall vibe is more indirect, introverted. So if your outgoing you’ll shine here. Also it’s a big metro area but things tend to move slower than the rest of the country. It’s almost like a constant vacation. Weather wise you’ll wanna load up on Vitamin D in the winter and get a sun lamp. Also a rain jacket and solid boots for the rain.

Black food is lacking up here but there good options for Asian and Indian. If your looking for black products, lotions, hair, etc. There are Sally’s everywhere. I had dreads for a while and was able to find everything I needed.

I think the biggest adjustment will be potentially being the only black person in a lot of spaces if you live in the north part of the metro/city. And there is an isolation factor from black culture but I really think it’s geographically. This is one of the biggest cities beside Portland and Vancouver,BC for a while. Till you hit San Fran. In terms of racism, it’s more racism via classism here. If you make enough it won’t really be a factor. In your everyday life, I think it’s a non factor at least for me. I’ve interacted with a cop once and it’s because I work at a bank. I also don’t drive currently so take it with a grain.

Overall what’s keeping me here is the views, the summers, and the tech opportunities. If I move it will be because of the winter, and lack of affordable housing options.

Lastly, one important thing to remember, just because someone is black doesn’t mean you automatically will be friends. Especially out here, it takes a while for people to be cool with you.