Additional Information
Life in Seattle
Seattle is located in an ideal part of the Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by mountains and water, the greater Seattle area features picture-perfect views and abundant recreational opportunities year-round. Seattle has mild winters and cool summers. High temperatures in July average about 75° F (24° C), while low temperatures in winter drop below freezing an average of only 15 days per year. Average yearly rainfall in Seattle is 36.2 inches (92 cm), compared to 19.5 inches (50 cm) in San Francisco. The mountains are only an hour car ride away for winter skiing, pleasant hiking trips and camping. Even for those who do not intend to go hiking, the mountains provide beautiful scenery rising over the city.
The University of Washington borders Lake Union. Beautiful scenery and proximity to downtown render the campus location idyllic. Surrounding the campus is a diverse and exciting neighborhood that offers many social and educational opportunities. Near the University of Washington there are numerous small ethnic restaurants, serving everything from Thai to Mediterranean to Mexican cuisine. The main shopping street, "The Ave", runs alongside the University of Washington and is easily accessible to all. In close proximity to the University there are several movie theaters and grocery stores. Also near the University is a large shopping center with clothing stores and fancy restaurants. For additional shopping, clubs, restaurants, movie theaters, museums, shows and sports events, downtown Seattle is only a 15-minute bus ride away. See information on dining options at the University of Washington.
Seattle's art community is vibrant and diverse. From art exhibits to theatre to live music, Seattle can cater to all tastes and styles. The music scene in Seattle is alive with bands playing in small cafes and clubs all over the city on a daily basis. Music for all tastes can easily be found. The Experience Music Project (EMP) offers large concerts and a history of rock n' roll exhibit. Museums are easily accessible, with the famous Seattle Art Museum located in downtown. Many museums and art exhibits in Seattle offer a student admission rate. Theatre is also plentiful, with small productions of varying art styles available. The city is famous for its experimental theatre. Seattle also offers more traditional shows, including ballet dance performances by the acclaimed Pacific Northwest Ballet. For more information on things to do in Seattle, visit any of the following websites: Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau; Seattle Tour Map; NWSource.
Commuting in Seattle is very easy with the bus lines that run throughout the city. University of Washington students will receive a U-Pass with which they will be able to ride the bus at any time, anywhere in Seattle. The U-Pass will be automatically mailed to the student and an $18.00 fee (subject to change) will be charged to the student's account. If you do not wish to pay the fee, simply return the U-Pass to the cashier's office at the beginning of the quarter. Public transit information is available King County Metro. Maps and driving directions are online at MapQuest or Expedia.
In the greater Seattle area there are approximately 3,275,000 people. For additional information on Seattle, please see the city website. For information on moving to Seattle, the Seattle Chamber of Commerce website may be helpful.
Housing, Health, Childcare
Housing
Seattle is divided into numerous unique neighborhoods. Most University of Washington students prefer to live in the University District, Ravenna, Wallingford, or Capital Hill for their proximity to UW. Housing options include University dormitories, your own apartment, shared apartments, your own house, or shared house.
Graduate students can also apply for graduate student housing on campus. For more information on the types of housing available through the University, please visit the Housing and Food Services website.
For listings of off-campus housing, you may go online to http://depts.washington.edu/gpss/guide/offhousing.html or to any of several of Seattle's newspapers and look in the classified section.
- The Daily: UW campus newspaper
- Seattle Times: Seattle daily newspaper
- The Seattle Weekly
- The Stranger
- Craig’s List
- Northwest Classified Advertisements Online
Health Services
The University operates the Hall Health Primary Care Center as a medical care facility for currently enrolled UW students and, on a fee-for-service basis, for their dependents. Services offered include primary care clinics and specialty clinics (Women’s, Sports Medicine, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Immunization and Travel Clinics). The clinics are open from: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The clinics are closed on weekends and holidays. Their telephone number for general information is (206) 685-1011 and the telephone number for insurance plan and billing information is (206) 616-1881.
Childcare
The University of Washington has many childcare options available to UW students, most at additional cost.
