After years of lobbying from students at Rainier Beach High School, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has signed the “ORCA Opportunity” plan, which will provide free bus passes to students. Under the legislation, ORCA passes will be available for free to Seattle Public Schools high school students and Seattle Promise scholars at Seattle colleges. Funding the Plan Existing Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) funds from a voter-approved sales tax and car tab fee will pay for the year-round ORCA passes, which are valid for most public transportation in the area. The new plan will also allow STBD funds to pay for more routes, meaning more service hours on current and future RapidRide lines. Transit Accessibility After lobbying from the students at Rainier Beach High School, the city launched a pilot program – the Youth ORCA Program – which offered free bus passes to low-income students if their households fell within the income threshold. This past summer, Seattle decreased youth bus fare to 50 cents for King County Metro buses and $1 for Sound Transit. According to the program’s official website, it is currently [...]

From the classic beef patty with a shake and crispy fries to more exotic burgers made with tantalizing ingredients like smoky lamb, pork, bison and shrimp, these are some of the best places in the Emerald City to chow down on every interpretation of this American classic. Heyday If you’ve got a hankering for a burger but crave more than a run-of-the-mill beef patty, Heyday’s handcrafted burgers are made for you. This Seattle hotspot offers burger options like smoky lamb and bison in addition to the uniquely mouthwatering Saigon burger, which is made of a blend of beef, pork and shrimp and topped off with Napa cabbage, fresh mint and cilantro, pickled daikon, carrots and a spicy Sriracha aioli. Red Mill This eatery, which was named one of Seattle’s top four hamburger spots in 2018 by locals, has been a staple in the community for generations. Although the original location closed in 1967, current owners John and Babe Shepherd have worked diligently since 1994 to revive the legend. Food critics from the Seattle Times highly recommend ordering a side of Babe’s Onion [...]

Moving is a major life event and you want everything to go as planned, but often, that doesn’t happen. That’s why many people rely on traditions to ensure the move goes smoothly. Here are 10 superstitions from around the world that are supposed to bring good luck to a new home. […]

Moving can be a challenge for anyone. For a hoarder, it can be even more difficult to manage. Their home is likely packed to the gills with clutter – old newspapers, piles of books, boxes full of clothing and other detritus – making the process of moving to a new home overwhelming. While most people consider a move the perfect time to ditch unused items, someone who hoards has a strong attachment to their belongings and won’t want to toss or donate them. Here are some ways to help ease a hoarder’s transition to a new home. Understand the Situation Hoarding disorder is defined as having difficulty parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder feels distressed at the thought of discarding their items – often leading them to fill every available space in their home with clutter. Hoarding is linked to other mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While it’s not clear what causes hoarding disorder, risk factors include: Family history – People who are related to someone with [...]

Starting a new job is stressful, and needing to relocate for that job may send your stress levels through the roof. Uprooting the life you’ve built and starting a new chapter somewhere else is always a challenging experience, from learning to navigate the streets to finding local businesses and service providers to cater to your needs. As your to-do list leading up to the move grows, it can understandably be difficult deciding where to begin. To make the process easier, there are a few things you should accomplish before the big move. Choose an Experienced Realtor Hire a professional realtor who knows the area, especially if you’re moving to a place you’ve never been. A knowledgeable realtor will be able to provide recommendations and information you’ll need to choose a neighborhood you like or suggest alternatives that fall within your price range. Their experience in the area will also allow them to give you proper estimates and details about the length of the entire home-buying process. Some realtors may try to take advantage of your situation by suggesting high-priced properties. To prevent [...]

Boxes are crucial for any move. With so many options available, this seemingly simple choice can become overwhelming. Here's a breakdown of the most popular choices. Learn more about Continental Van Lines here.

Do you dream of living in a wintery oasis complete with glaciers, wildlife and the Northern Lights? If so, moving to Alaska may be the perfect next step for you. And, if you’re like more than half of Alaskans, you’ll most likely end up somewhere in Anchorage. There are plenty of pros to living in Anchorage, like: Access to outdoor life and adventure No local/state income or sales tax Permanent Fund Dividend payments A young population with an average age of 32 Your enjoyment of Anchorage will likely depend on which neighborhood you decide to call home. Here are some of the neighborhoods which are consistently recognized as the best in the city. Huffman-O’Malley Like many of the other entries on this list, Huffman-O’Malley has a low crime rate. The neighborhood is one of the largest, with a population of nearly 11,000. Residents will be pleased to find a variety of home styles here. Though the average home listing price and median rent may seem steep, residents in this area have a median household income of more than $140,000. While all of [...]

From the hustle and bustle of Pike Place Market to stunning views of Mt. Rainier and the thrill of the Space Needle Observation Deck, Seattle offers something for everyone. For those looking to explore off the beaten path, the city is full of hidden gems. Here’s a guide to some of the Emerald City’s best-kept secrets. Smith Tower The Space Needle gets all the attention, but it’s not the only building in Seattle offering a bird’s-eye view of the city. Smith Tower is known as Seattle’s original skyscraper, and while it’s no longer the tallest in the city, it offers breathtaking 360-degree views of downtown, stadiums, the waterfront, and yes, even the Space Needle. You can also host parties and weddings at this historic spot. Dr. Jose Rizal Park Want to capture the Seattle skyline but don’t want to deal with crowds? Skip the popular Kerry Park and head to Dr. Jose Rizal Park instead. This park on the west side of Beacon Hill offers beautiful views of downtown, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. There are trails for biking and walking [...]

Moving to a new city, state or country can be exhilarating. Many people view relocation as an opportunity to start over and get a new beginning. Despite the benefits, relocating is often considered one of life’s most stressful events! One of the most dreaded aspects of the moving process is the home inspection and the task of finding someone to complete it. Where do you start? Who can you trust? Ask potential home inspectors these questions before making your final hiring decision. 1. What Are Your Experiences and Certifications? Every state has different requirements for their licensed home inspectors. For example, to be licensed in Washington, applicants must have completed: At least 120 hours of board-approved classroom instruction 40 hours of field training while being supervised by a state-licensed inspector The written state exam In New York, in addition to training time requirements and passing the written state exam, applicants must have performed at least 100 home inspections. There are several certifying organizations which offer further assurance that your state-licensed home inspector knows what they’re doing. One of these organizations is the [...]

Moving away from home is an exciting step toward an independent life, but also a nerve-wracking experience full of unknowns. Follow these tips to avoid the most common first-time moving mistakes. Call Continental Van Lines for help.