Now that you’re here, there’s so much to do in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve compiled a few tips to help you settle into your new home.

Grocery Stores

There are so many different grocery store options in the USA and it varies by state too! In Washington State there are over 10 different types. You will need to sign up for their free memberships online to get discounts by entering in your phone number every time you checkout.

Some similarities between Washington State and Australian grocery stores include both having supermarket chains that offer a broad range of products including fresh produce, meat, dairy, and bakery goods.

Both countries also have discount grocery stores like Aldi and Costco that offer bulk items at discounted prices. Unfortunately Washington State does not have an Aldi like other states in the USA.

Washington State:

1. Safeway

2. Albertsons

3. Fred Meyer

4. QFC

5. Metropolitan Market

6. PCC Community Markets

7. Whole Foods Market

8. Trader Joe's

9. Costco

10. WinCo

11. Amazon Go

12. Cost Plus World Market

Australia:

1. Coles

2. Woolworths

3. Aldi

4. IGA

5. Foodland

6. Harris Farm Markets

7. Ritchies Supa IGA

8. Drakes Supermarkets

9. FoodWorks

10. Friendly Grocer

You can find more Australian-specific products like Vegemite and Tim Tams at Cost Plus World Market, The British Pantry, and Australian Pie Company in the Seattle area and surrounds.

Washington State has more specialty supermarkets like Metropolitan Market and PCC Community Markets that offer organic and locally sourced products.

Pro tips: Buy sourdough bread from the bakery section at Safeway, Fred Meyer or QFC for sugar-free bread. Even the multigrain and whole wheat packaged bread has sugar!

Our Favorite Local Resources for Parents

Local Aussie Mom @MrsRoseWinter

Seattle Events

Looking for fun and exciting events to attend in Seattle? Look no further than some of the best event websites dedicated to the Emerald City. Seattle is a city that never sleeps, with numerous events happening throughout the year, from music festivals to food fairs, cultural events, and much more.

With so many options, finding the right events can be a daunting task. That’s why we've compiled a list of the best event websites dedicated to Seattle, so you can easily find what interests you most.

1. Events12.com

Events12.com is a comprehensive events website that covers Seattle and other cities. This website covers all events ranging from cultural fairs, food festivals, music festivals to sports games, and much more. There’s also an option to filter the events by date, price, and location, making it easier to find what you want. Events12.com even has a list of free upcoming events, so you can enjoy Seattle on a budget.

2. Seattle Met

Seattle Met's website is famous for the city events it curates, from theater shows to music events and neighborhood festivals. Seattle Met frequently updates the events calendar with new happenings, making sure that you don't miss out on the best events in the city. Consider subscribing to their newsletter to get event updates directly in your inbox.

3. Eventbrite

Eventbrite is an online ticketing platform but provides a great overview of Seattle's events. Event organizers from around the city publish their events on Eventbrite, which can range from concerts, fitness classes, and charity events, to name a few. You can even get notified on the latest happenings through the Eventbrite app.

4. Seattle Weekly

Finally, Seattle Weekly provides a more alternative twist to events. It's the go-to guide for finding entertainment and nightlife events, covering everything from arts and music events to parties, shows, and pub crawls.

Whatever your interests may be, there's always an event to suit your preference in Seattle. With the above websites, you can keep up-to-date on the hottest and latest events happening in the city throughout the year. Seize the opportunity to explore and experience the city's culture and make unforgettable memories.

Tourist Activities in Seattle and Surrounding Area

So, you have friends or family who are finally visiting you from Australia and you're not sure where to take them? Here is Rose Winter's go-to list of Seattle tourist activities with ongoing additions from all our contributors.

Bruce & Brandon Lee's Grave

Gas Works Park

Sorority Row - University of Washington

Kerry Park

Olympic Sculpture Park

Discovery Park

Dick’s Drive-In

Seattle Public Library

Amazon Spheres & Amazon Go

WNDR Museum

Argosy Cruise

Pirate Ship Boat or Ice Cream Cruise on Lake Union in Summer