Moving to Seattle

[eightyhoursaway]

Hey all,

I was born and raised in NJ...approx 15 minutes from Manhattan. I'm being deployed to Afghanistan in December, then I may do another year on active duty...I'm not sure yet. What I am sure of, however, is that I need to leave the NY / NJ area. The economy is in shambles here and I want to be a police officer when I'm finished with the military, but no one is hiring at all. I was wondering if anyone had any info on the Seattle PD. I've gone to their website and read up on it, but nothing is better than hearing it straight from people. Is it tough to get hired there? How does the salary compare to living expenses...etc. I'm also a huge football fan and I thought it'd be cool to live in a city where footie is king. Thanks in advance!

[Yoshou]

Hey all,

I was born and raised in NJ...approx 15 minutes from Manhattan. I'm being deployed to Afghanistan in December, then I may do another year on active duty...I'm not sure yet. What I am sure of, however, is that I need to leave the NY / NJ area. The economy is in shambles here and I want to be a police officer when I'm finished with the military, but no one is hiring at all. I was wondering if anyone had any info on the Seattle PD. I've gone to their website and read up on it, but nothing is better than hearing it straight from people. Is it tough to get hired there? How does the salary compare to living expenses...etc. I'm also a huge football fan and I thought it'd be cool to live in a city where footie is king. Thanks in advance!

I'm not sure on how hard it is to get hired, but I know within the last few years Seattle was advertising in NYC trying to swipe their cops and we're constantly picking off Hawaiian police. Pay, from what i understand is above average, but considering average house prices in Seattle is over 400k and rent starts at about 1k for a decent one bedroom apartment, you'll have to decide if the wage is livable.

Here's a lnk to salary info: http://www.seattle.gov/police/jobs/benefits/salary.htm

[eightyhoursaway]

I'm not sure on how hard it is to get hired, but I know within the last few years Seattle was advertising in NYC trying to swipe their cops and we're constantly picking off Hawaiian police. Pay, from what i understand is above average, but considering average house prices in Seattle is over 400k and rent starts at about 1k for a decent one bedroom apartment, you'll have to decide if the wage is livable.

Here's a lnk to salary info: http://www.seattle.gov/police/jobs/benefits/salary.htm

thanks bro

[pendulum]

Seattle PD pays higher than national average, but cost of living is wayyyy over the national average - so if you're chasing money in law enforcement, it wouldn't be the most attractive option.

Now, if you look at some of the municipalities around seattle, you'll find better situations. I know Bellevue PD pays more than Seattle, for instance.

The problem with law enforcement is the application/enrollment process takes over a year, when all is said and done. If you have that kind of time to wait around for that to come to fruition, then it just might be for you! :)

Good luck, and thanks for serving.

[Darth Vegas]

I hear Edmonton Alberta is looking for cops in the US, they are willing to get you citizenship and other perks. It's not Seattle, but it might be something to look into