Seattle is the furthest north of all major cities in the United States, and has a population of about 610,000 residents. The city has a rich cultural history, especially when it comes to music and theater. Grunge music, which reached widespread popularity during the 1990s, originated in Seattle, as the city produced highly successful bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam. Seattle also has nearly 100 theatrical production companies, and almost 30 live theatre venues. With such an established creative arts presence in Seattle, it’s no surprise that the city serves as host for the International Film Festival, which attracts over 150,000 attendees each year.
Seattle’s economy has remained strong throughout the recession compared to the rest of the country. This economic resilience is likely the result of Seattle being the 8th largest port city in the United States, as well as the city’s extremely diverse economy, which draws from a wide range of strong economic sectors. Seattle’s economic strength has carried over into the real estate market, as the Seattle housing market has remained very stable when compared to the decline in values seen throughout the United States housing market over the last several years.