Life Outside the Classroom
Law students may be notoriously busy with school, but that
doesn't mean life stops outside the classroom. Take an urban city,
set it at the water's edge and in the shadow of mountains and
you have one of the most livable cities in the U.S. Combine the
opportunities found in a major city with an active student body
and the result is a vibrant community in which to participate
academically and socially. Our community includes the university
and the surrounding city, which are alive with intellectual, cultural
and social possibilities.
Living in Seattle
Renowned for its coffee shops, mountain views and rich art scene,
Seattle provides countless opportunities for both professional
and personal growth. Our famous companies include Costco, Amazon, Microsoft, REI, Starbucks, and Boeing, to name a few, and the region is home to a number of smaller, highly successful
technology companies. It is also a thriving center for medical,
biomedical and biotechnology research, and is a living laboratory
for natural resource and environmental protection efforts.
As to the city itself, a few myths prevail. For starters, despite its
nickname of “the rainy city,” Seattle averages just 35-38 inches of
precipitation a year, less than Miami (55) New York (47), or Boston
(42). With 30 miles of bike-pedestrian trails, 90 miles of signed
bike routes, and 16 miles of bike lanes on city streets, it's no
surprise Seattle has more two-wheeled commuters than any other
American city. It could also be one of the reasons that in 2005
Men's Fitness magazine ranked Seattle its “Fittest City.”
Seattle has much to offer by arts and culture, too. In addition
to other local and community arts organizations, the city has a
professional symphony, ballet and opera. Seattle's biggest arts and
culture event — Bumbershoot — takes place every Labor Day
weekend, with everything from fire dancing to readings by famous
authors, to live concerts by some of the hottest bands of the day.
Late in the spring, Seattle is home to its own film festival. In 2005
the Seattle International Film Festival screened 348 films culled
from more than 59 countries worldwide—including 10 world, 18
North American and 10 U.S. premieres.
Of course, all of that's just within the city limits. Located between
the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is surrounded by
water. With the Cascade mountains to the east, the Olympics to
the west, and Mt. Rainier just 54 miles southeast of the city, hiking
and snow sports also reign in the Northwest.
As to where students live, the opportunities abound. Most students live off-campus: from
funky Fremont to the incredibly diverse Capitol Hill, a variety of
neighborhoods are a short bus ride away from campus. Campus housing is also available through the University.
Additional resources about Seattle:
[A listing below does not constitute necessary endorsement by the University of Washington School of Law. The law school is not responsible for the content or viewpoints provided on these sites.]