Jeremy Schooler here. Born and raised in Port Orchard, I've lived in the Seattle area for over 40 years with my family. Monthly expenses: Our mortgage runs about $1,800 (significantly lower than Seattle proper), groceries $800, transportation $400 including ferry commutes, healthcare $500, and entertainment $300. Having watched housing costs double here in 10 years, my budgeting tip is to explore Kitsap County - I helped a client save $600/month by buying a fixer-upper here instead of renting in Capitol Hill. A photo is available on my LinkedIn profile.
I'm Erik Daley, originally from Phoenix, AZ, and I've lived in the Seattle area with my family of four for over 15 years. Our monthly costs are a huge jump from Arizona: our mortgage in Queen Anne is around $5,200, groceries are $1,200, and transportation is $500. My best advice is to think like an investor--I've helped clients offset their mortgage by purchasing a property with a rentable space, like a duplex or a home with a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU), effectively turning their biggest liability into an income-producing asset. A photo is available on my LinkedIn profile.