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Moving Your Children to Puget Sound
The Puget Sound region of Washington state is home to residents who
live in bustling cities, suburbs and farmlands which extend north
to south from Stanwood to Olympia. Puget Sound itself is a body of water
which forms a complex and intricate system of channels, inlets, estuaries,
embayments and islands. However, the
region's natural beauty and location will not be the first things
that your children think of when you tell them that it will be their
new home. Your young ones will be thinking of what moving will do to
their lives. Follow these steps to help them cope with their anxieties:
1. Have your children help you find out what Washington
state has to offer. Visit Internet sites, your local library or bookstore
to find books about the region. (You can view a list of recommended sites
following this article)
2. Read about Washington's history and recreation opportunities.
Talk to your children about the history behind Seattle,
Olympia and sites like Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier, the Lewis
and Clark Trail, various historical forts, and local Indian Tribes as
well as the seasonal salmon migration.
3. Tell your children about Boeing and the Museum of
Flight, Experience Music Project, Science Fiction Museum and Hall of
Fame, the Space Needle, Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Science Center.
Make plans to visit these child-pleasing institutions.
4. Talk to your children about the local sports teams, the Mariners and
the Seahawks. Discuss attending games when you move to the area. Remind
them that they will be surrounded by recreational opportunities like
skiing, fishing, hiking, boating, hunting and more.
5. Talk to them about their concerns. No matter how
exciting Puget Sound may be, they will be worried about leaving their
friends, schools, sports teams, music classes and familiar places. Show
your children that moving to Washington does not mean an end to those
activities.
6. If possible, visit your new home with your children before moving.
Let them see their new school while it is in session. Review the activities
they'll find in their new school. Go to a museum
or ball game while you are in town. Make the trip as much fun as you
can.
Moving can be an exciting adventure for families
as they look forward to new places, friends, and neighbors. Many families
find that the experience of moving and exploring their new home often brings
them closer.
Helping Children Adjust
The general
confusion and disorder that moving entails can make the experience both
physically and emotionally draining. The tasks of sorting, packing and
moving all take a toll on everyone's energy. Expect an element of grief.
No matter how eager you are to move, there will be places, things, and
people you all will miss. Sometimes, a combination of the exciting prospect
of moving and the sense of loss that the same change could bring produces
emotional ups and downs.
Moving
is a challenging and difficult experience, especially for
children. It is natural to be concerned about the
effect of the move on your children. Parents can help ease the
transition for their children by making the move a positive experience.
It is important to remember that reactions from
children will vary depending on their personality and age.
Your child's personality is important because it can affect how long it
takes for your child to adjust to the move.
What to Expect
Infants or Toddlers
Infants and toddlers
tend to handle a move quite well. They may sense
your anxiety and stress level, and become more fretful and
demanding in the weeks before and after your move. Older toddlers
who have just begun to understand a few basic household rules like "Don't
jump on the furniture or draw on the walls" may
need to relearn the rules in the new house.
What you can do
Keep your infant or toddler on their regular schedule. It is important
to have as little disruption as possible. Also, be sure to take time out
to play and spend time with your child. Make sure you keep their favorite
toys and belongings close by before, during and after the move.
Preschoolers
Preschoolers are often excited about the move, which can be a reflection
of what the adults in their life are feeling. They usually don't fully
understand what is going on and may feel that the chaos and uncertainty
may somehow be their fault. Because of their young age and limited experience,
Preschoolers
often don't understand what items will go with them and what will stay
behind. They often become fearful about what will happen to their toys
and treasured belongings.
What you can do
Explaining to your preschooler what is happening during the moving process can
help them understand why you are doing things. Reading books about moving to your preschooler
can help them understand the upcoming move. By packing their belongings last with their help
you can alleviate some of their fears. Also, try to stick with their normal everyday routine
so that they feel less disruption.
School-age Children
School-age children usually look forward to an upcoming move and are great
organizers. They can be a big help in planning and preparing for the move. It is a good idea to include them
in the moving process and put their boundless energy to good use.
Relationships with
friends, neighbors and family is very important to school-age children.
While they may understand that separation from those closest to them is
about to occur, they may not fully understand the long term implications.
Before
and even immediately after the move most school-age children can be happy,
cheerful and optimistic. They often imagine that the move will magically
transform their lives into a wonderful new adventure. Following the move,
however, they can often experience feelings of loss, confusion or even
anger, especially if they do not form new relationships right away.
What you can do
Arrange to visit and tour your child's new the school before enrolling them. Make sure that your child feels comfortable in the
new school and can find their way around, they often fear becoming lost in new surroundings. Also check out the new neighborhood
for other children that are close in age. Be sure to introduce them as soon as possible. If your new neighborhood has few
children, be sure to check out local clubs, sport groups and activities that will bring your child in contact with others their age.
Arrange to give a going-away party for your child before leaving. Be sure to take lots of photos and even have a
journal or scrapbook handy so your child's friends can sign it and include their addresses and contact information. Having pictures
of your new home and neighborhood on hand can also help smooth the transition.
Your Teenager
A move will invariably be most difficult for your teenager. Teens are just
learning to form long-term relationships with their peers and often even
boyfriends or girlfriends. Moving, and in particular, a long distance move
can often seem like the end of the world to your teen. They often experience
anger, hurt, grief and frustration when faced with this kind of change.
What you can do
Give your teen a lot of time to get used to the idea of moving. Tell them as soon as you know. Saying their good-byes can take
quite a while and the longer you can give them, the more likely they are to accept the upcoming move.
Teens often worry a lot about making friends and
fitting in, despite their seeming maturity. Make sure you check out their new school, available social activities
and possible job opportunities in the new neighborhood and share your findings.
How they look is very important to teens. Be sure you pay
attention to the styles and culture of your new surroundings. By observing
other teens in the area you can get a good idea about how teens are dressing.
Try to supply your teen with a wardrobe that will help them feel more in
tune with their new peers. You can also help your teen adjust by actively
listening. Try not to judge or sway their feelings or concerns. Allow them
to voice their fears openly and work through their negative feelings by
offering support and understanding.
How long does it take to adjust to a move?
Research
shows that adults and children may take as long as
one and a half years to fully adjust to a move. Depending on the ages of your children, however, a normal adjustment period can
take anywhere from two weeks to one month. Feelings of frustration, anger, and confusion are common
emotions when the hectic chores involved in moving wind down and you realize that your old home and friends
have been left behind.
To make a smooth transition into your new home:
Be a good listener Allow your children to voice their
concerns and opinions without judgment. Help them to work through their
fears and try to honestly answer any questions they may have about their
new home. Remind them of the positive aspects of the upcoming move.
Stick to your regular schedule. Keep routines as
normal as possible. This is not the time to make a lot of major changes
in your family life. This will help alleviate a lot of the stress associated
with the changes that often follow a move.
Don't expect miracles. Adjusting to new situations takes time. Children have different personalities and
handle things differently. Older children will usually take more time to accept the change.
Be open about your feelings. Children feel more comfortable
when they know that they are not alone in what they are feeling. By saying, "Gee,
I sure do miss my old friends," or "Today I'm going to check
out the new neighborhood! " you can help your children adapt.
Get them involved with their peers. Join in community
activities as soon as possible. Introduce your child to neighborhood
children. Find local groups such as YMCA, Scouts, Campfire,
4-H, and church youth groups.
Use books, movies and the internet. There are many
great resources available that can help your children prepare for and
understand moving. Younger children can greatly benefit from stories
where the characters experience and overcome stressful situations.
Recommended Internet Sites
Washington Secretary of State - Washington History: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/history
Washington State History Museum - Discover the stories of Washington's past: http://www.wshs.org
Washington State Historical Society - Columbia Kids: http://columbia.washingtonhistory.org/kids/index.html
Washington State Historical Society - Washington Stories: http://stories.washingtonhistory.org
Washington State Parks - Interpretive Activities: http://www.parks.wa.gov/interp.asp
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife - Salmon Facts: An informational guide to our state's natural treasure: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/outreach/fishing/salmon.htm
Washington Indian Tribes (Access Genealogy): http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/washington/index.htm
A Coastal Journey through the Northwest's Intertidal Zone (Poulsbo Marine Science Center): http://www.poulsbomsc.org/tutorial.htm
Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame: http://www.empsfm.org
Fall for Salmon: Salmon Watching Opportunities (King County Department of Natural Resources): http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/fall4salmon/salmon-watching.htm
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum (Metro Parks Tacoma): http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=825
Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour: http://www.futureofflight.org
History of Washington State and the Pacific Northwest (for older readers): http://www.washington.edu/uwired/outreach/cspn/hstaa432/index.html
King County Salmon and Trout Identification: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsandplants/salmon-and-trout/identification.aspx
Lewis and Clark National Historic Park (US National Park Service): http://www.nps.gov/lewi
Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service): http://www.nps.gov/mora
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm
The Washington State Legislature Welcomes Kids of All Ages: http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/StudentsPage
The Museum of Flight: http://www.museumofflight.org
Pacific Science Center: http://www.pacsci.org
Real Ghosts at Fort Worden, Pt. Townsend, Washington (Hollowhill.com): http://www.hollowhill.com/wa/ftworden1.htm
Seattle Art Museum: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org
Seattle Center: http://www.seattlecenter.com
Seattle Space Needle: http://www.spaceneedle.com
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Planning Your Move With Your Spouse and Family
Relocating due to a new job is often becoming a necessity and fact of life in today's job market. Often it is the primary wage earner who prompts this type of life altering move. The impact of a move for these reasons can have adverse effects on the trailing spouse and the entire family. This can create significant strain within the family and affect your relationship with your partner.
When you and your family are faced with this type of dilemma, there are many things to be considered before making a final decision. To adequately prepare your family to make an informed decision before firmly committing to a move, it helps to educate yourselves about the community you are moving to, how the move will effect your family's long term financial stability and what resources you may need to make the move successful.
Steps you can take to help make an informed decision:
1. Make at least one or more trips to the new community and check out the various neighborhoods, schools, temporary housing, jobs and recreation opportunities. Picture yourselves living there permanently and decide whether you would be happy there. If anyone has any questions or concerns, now is the time to discuss them. Keep a list of these issues for future reference.
2. After all the issues have been noted, create a pros-and-cons list for the entire family to review. Be sure that all family members participate in the creation of the list so that any previously unvoiced concerns can be added. Once the list is made, the two main partners should work out any issues that concern them in particular and the family's overall welfare. Subjecting children to any debate or disagreements between spouses is not helpful. Once the spouses agree, addressing the issues with the rest of the family is advised. If any issues on the list are not resolved because of lack of information, be sure to revisit them later and not just ignore them.
3. After the spouses are in agreement about the move's impact on the trailing spouse, the couple should add up the total costs versus salary increase benefits involved in making the move. This approach can often bring to light factors that may help weight the final decision in the end. It can often highlight future expenses that the move can bring about, such as increased costs in child care, hired household help or the increased mileage and time costs involved in a lengthy commute. These costs should be considered prior to the move.
4. Another way to weight all factors, is to use the pros and cons list to assign a number score to each factor. With the pros listed from top to bottom on the left, and cons on the right, give each factor a number value based on it's impact on the family as a whole. Using the scale of 1-10, with 1 being the lowest impact and 10 being the highest, you can score each issue and add up all the scores under each column. This can often help you visualize how the factors are tipping the scale.
5. When the overall cost of the move is added up, the primary wage earner must be diligent in negotiating for a wage and compensation package that will make monetary sense for the entire family. In some instances companies even offer job placement help for spouses in order to gain qualified employees. Be sure to find out if this is the case when negotiating. Also make sure that the job offer, salary and any perks are firm before committing. This will help prevent any nasty surprises from popping up later.
6. When the trailing spouse is forced to give up a career, finding another job can be challenging. It is a good idea to research jobs in the new community before the move. This can be done by visiting internet career sites that post jobs by employers in or near your new location. It can also help to post your resume on these sites before your move. Be sure to use your new address on your posting in order to keep potential employers from wondering if you are just "fishing" for a job offer. Checking out the state's unemployment website can also provide important local information about typical wages, job availability and unemployment rates. Once you have made the move, allow yourself time to find your next job. This will keep you from becoming discouraged, allowing you ample time to adjust to your new surroundings.
7. If your spouse is reluctant to move to the new area because he/she does not care for the area, the salary of the new job should be great enough to compensate for their feelings of displacement.
8. Many reputable companies will pay for relocation, offer temporary housing, pay escrow closing fees and even buy your previous home if it is on the market for a specific period of time. Even though these perks can seem to be very generous, you need to take a good look at the housing cost differences you may encounter before you make a final decision.
9. When moving, you cannot forsee all difficulties that may arise. When problems arise, deal with them calmly and put them in perspective by viewing them as a learning experience. Do not place blame or become overly discouraged if the entire family participated in evaluating and planning the move. Keep in mind that all new experiences help families to learn and grow. Children in particular learn to be more resilient and open to change when faced with new challenges.
10. Sometimes, a long-term agreement can be reached between you and your spouse when you cannot come to terms with a proposed move. You can always agree to live in the new area for a specified period of time or allow your spouse to choose the location of your retirement.
For local jobs, salary and wage information visit the following sites:
Washington State Unemployment Insurance: http://www.wa.gov/esd/ui/icapp/start.htm
NWjobs: http://marketplace.nwsource.com/jobs
Jobdango: http://jobdango.com
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Moving: How to Move Your Pet Safely
If you and your pet are getting ready to move, follow these recommendations to keep your companion safe on moving day.
Plan ahead. Advance planning will make your move less stressful on you and your pet. Pack over a period of time, and try to maintain your pet's normal routine.
Invest in a high-quality, sturdy pet carrier. If you have a dog or cat whom you want to keep safely confined on moving day, get a carrier ahead of time and gradually accustom your pet to spending time in it.
Purchase a new ID tag for your pet. As soon as you know your new address, get a pet ID tag that includes your new address and telephone number(s). (Or obtain some other visible form of pet identification such as a collar with ID information imprinted on it or an identification band that attaches to the collar but does not dangle like a traditional tag.) An up-to-date ID tag is a lost pet's ticket home.
Keep your pet secure. On moving day, place your pet (whether in the carrier or not) in a safe, quiet place, such as the bathroom, so that he or she cannot escape. Place a large sign on the door that says, DO NOT ENTER, and be sure that friends and professional movers are aware that the room is off-limits.
Make your car trip safe. If you're traveling by car and your dog enjoys car travel, you may want to accustom him to a restraining harness. Because most cats aren't comfortable traveling in cars, it's best (for their safety as well as yours) to transport them in a well-ventilated and securely placed carrier. Never leave pets alone in a parked vehicle during warm weather as the temperature rises quickly and can injure or kill them. In any season, a pet in a parked vehicle is vulnerable to being harmed or stolen. Never put an animal in the trunk of a car, the open bed of a pickup truck, or the storage area of a moving van.
Talk to your veterinarian. If your pet doesn't enjoy car rides, consult your veterinarian about behavior modification or medication that might lessen the stress of travel. Depending on your destination, your pet may also need additional vaccinations, medications, and health certificates.
Find hotels in advance. Listings of animal-friendly hotels will help you find overnight lodging during your move. Our online information on Finding Animal-Friendly Hotel Accommodations will point you toward some useful resources and get your planning on track.
Plan ahead for air travel. Check with your veterinarian, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the airline if your pet will be flying. Also be sure to check out our online tips for traveling with your companion animal. You will need to take precautions to ensure your pet's safety, so give yourself ample time to work out all the arrangements.
Prepare your new home. Take with you all the familiar and necessary things your pet will need from day one in your new home: food, water, medications, bed, litter box, food and water bowls, and health records. Also have on hand a recent photo of your pet, for use if your pet becomes lost.
"Reprinted by permission of The Humane Society of the United States."
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Storage
What Kind of Storage Do You Need? Self-Storage or Container Storage?
When moving to a smaller home or if you have to put your things into
storage between moves, it’s a good idea to check out the options
for short and long-term storage.
Just remember that when you’re selecting storage, research the
company, ask the right questions and tour the facilities before you sign
the agreement. Also, remember to purchase insurance. You are solely responsible
for your things and any damages will not be covered. Talk to your home
insurance representative or the storage company for more information.
Store it Yourself
Self-storage works best for short-term storage or to store items for
the long term that you may need to access more frequently. This type
of storage, also called mini-storage, is charged on a monthly basis and
the storage spaces range in size. You provide your own lock, which can
ensure you that your space isn’t being accessed without your permission.
Access to storage is usually granted at specific times, but ask the company
first about access to your things.
In most cases, you deliver and pack your storage unit yourself; however,
if you can’t move your items, the storage company may do it for
you for a fee. Some companies offer free moving service with the storage
agreement. Ask what is included in the rental of the space (electricity/heat,
security, etc...) and in the service before you sign.
Container Storage
Container storage is normally used for long-term storage or for a set
period of time. This works best for people who are moving from one place
to another and need a place to store all their household items until
their new place is ready. Friends have used this type of storage option
for when they traveled for an extended period of time and needed a place
to put all their belongings.
If you choose this option, the company will bring containers to your
house which you pack yourself, with the help of instructions. You will
have to determine how many containers you’ll need. A company representative
should be able to help you with the calculation. I suggest you do a complete
home inventory to assist in the decision. Your things are then moved
to the storage facility by the storage company. Access to your things
is extremely limited, if at all. Again, ask the company if there is any
access.
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Moving Your Utilities
Keep your move stress-free by dealing with your utilities well in advance of moving. This will prevent your having to experience the trauma of moving across town or across the country and arriving to find the phone line dead, the lights out and no running water.
Gas, electric, phone, sewage, water, trash and cable companies each have their own recommended lead-time for service start/stop notification, a good rule of thumb is to contact their customer service departments at least two weeks prior to the move for transfer of service, and a month prior for establishing new service.
On moving day, be sure to keep your electricity and gas on, and the phone working until you have waved goodbye to your old neighborhood. Plan to have those same utility services connected at your new home at least 24 hours before you move in. Here are a few more tips that can keep you connected during your transition:
Arrange for a Final Reading
Contact your utility companies and arrange for a final reading of the gas, electric and water. Be sure to keep a copy of your bill and final reading.
Supply a Forwarding Address
Supply all your utility, phone, cable, water, sewage and trash companies with a forwarding address where they can send final invoices. By overlooking this important step, you could be hit later by late fees and credit problems.
Make Sure You Pay in Full
If any of your payments are overdue, pay them. This will allow you to collect any refunds or deposits that are due. Often people forget that they may have put down a sizeable deposit months or years back.
Keep Phone Numbers and Contact Information With You
Bring your local phone directory, address books, or copies of your bills in case you need to contact your old utility companies.
Check Out the City and State Websites for Where you are Moving
If you are moving to another area of the country they may have different regulations and set-up processes for utility services. Many city and state websites will provide utility information and service provider contact information for new residents.
To Apply for Service
Every utility company has their own policies and new service requirements. Often, you must submit an application, and sometimes a deposit or credit check needs to be completed if you haven't previously done business with that company. A security deposit is sometimes required, which can be quite a large amount depending on the projected amount of usage that your new residence may use. Keep in mind that companies sometimes offer incentives for first-time consumers, so try to negotiate a better deal or have the deposit waived.
Don't Forget Water, Sewage and Trash Service
Water and sewer service can often be arranged directly through the appropriate town or city department. Garbage pickup and recycling services can vary from locality to locality. Some of these services are included in your city and/or town property taxes and some are billed from private companies contracted through the municipality where you live.
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Northwest Utility Company Contact Information
| TELEPHONE SERVICE | ||
| Qwest | (425) 251-9191 | www.Qwest.com |
| Verizon | (800) 483-1000 | www.verizon.com |
| ELECTRICITY | ||
| Puget Sound Energy | (800) 321-4123 | www.pse.com |
| Seattle City Light | (206) 625-3000 | www.ci.seattle.wa.us/light |
| Snohomish County PUD | (425) 258-8230 | www.snopud.com |
| Lakeview Light & Power | (253) 584-6060 | www.lakeviewlight.com |
| NATURAL GAS | ||
| Puget Sound Energy | (800) 999-4964 | www.pse.com |
| GARBAGE AND DISPOSAL SERVICES | ||
| Allied Waste Services Bellevue | (425) 646-2400 | www.disposal.com |
| City of Kirkland | (425) 828-1124 | www.wmnorthwest.com/kirkland |
| DM Disposal | (253) 845-6955 | www.murreysdisposal.com |
| Eastside Disposal | (206) 682-9730 | www.rabanco.com |
| Federal Way Disposal | (253) 833-3333 | www.cityoffederalway.com |
| Household Hazardous Waste | (206) 296-4692 | www.govlink.org |
| Meridian Valley Disposal | (206) 682-9730 | www.rabanco.com |
| Waste Management Northwest | (425) 481-1100 | www.wmnorthwest.com |
| WM - Rainier/Tukwila Collections | (425) 243-4050 | www.wm.com |
| Recycling Information | (425) 391-0650 | www.metrokc.gov |
| SeaTac Disposal (Allied Waste) | (253) 872-7220 | www.rabanco.com |
| Solid Waste Utility | (206) 684-7600 | www.ci.seattle.wa.us |
| Sno-King Disposal | (425) 814-1695 | www.ci.redmond.wa.us |
| Waste Management, Rainier | (206) 243-4050 | www.wm.com |
| Waste Management, Seattle | (206) 762-3000 | www.wmnorthwest.com/seattle |
| CABLE TELEVISION | ||
| Comcast | (888) 262-6300 | www.Comcast.com |
| WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTS | ||
| Alderwood Water District | (425) 743-4605 | www.alderwoodwater.com |
| King County District # 20 | (206) 243-3990 | www.kcwd20.com |
| King County District # 45 | (206) 762-3540 | |
| King County District # 85 | (206) 243-4377 | |
| King County District # 90 (NE Renton) | (425) 255-9600 | |
| King County District # 125 (Burien) | (206) 242-9547 | www.waterdistrict125.com |
| Lake Forest Park Water District | (206) 365-3211 | www.lfpwd.org |
| Seattle Public Utilities | (206) 684-5900 | www.seattle.gov |
| Shoreline Waste Water Mgmt | (206) 546-2494 | www.cleanscapes.com/shoreline |
| Shoreline Water District | (206) 546-2494 | www.shorelinewater.org |
| Bellevue/Mercer Island | (425) 455-6973 | www.ci.bellevue.wa.us |
| Fall City, Ames Lake Water | (425) 747-9484 | www.fallcity.org |
| Kirkland City Water | (425) 587-3800 | www.ci.kirkland.wa.us |
| Mirrormont | (425) 486-4578 | |
| Issaquah, Sammamish Plateau | (425) 392-6256 | www.sammplat.wa.org |
| Kirkland/Kenmore, North Shore | (425) 823-6101 | |
| New Castle/Bellevue, Coal Creek | (425) 235-9200 | www.ccud.org |
| North Bend | (425) 483-9104 | www.northbend.govoffice.com |
| Northeast Sammamish | (425) 823-6101 | www.nesswd.org |
| Redmond, NE Sammamish | (425) 868-1144 | www.ci.redmond.wa.us |
| Renton/Factoria, King Co Water | (425) 235-9200 | |
| Snohomish, Cross Valley | (425) 485-8461 | www.crossvalleywater.net |
| City of Black Diamond | (253) 631-0351 | www.ci.blackdiamond.wa.us |
| Cedar River Water & Sewer | (425) 255-6370 | www.crwsd.com |
| Covington Water District | (253) 631-0565 | www.covingtonwater.com |
| Curran Road Mutual Water Assoc. | (253) 537-1388 | www.curranroad.com |
| Fox Island Mutual Water Assoc. | (253) 549-2671 | www.foxisland.net |
| Highline Water District | (206) 824-0375 | www.highlinewater.org |
| Water District #111 of King Co. | (253) 631-3770 | |
| Lakehaven Utility District | (253) 927-2922 | www.lakehaven.org |
| Parkland Light & Water Co. | (253) 531-5666 | www.plw.coop |
| Rainier View Water Co. | (253) 537-6634 | www.rainierviewwater.com |
| Sound Water Co. Inc. | (253) 847-6452 | |
| SE Tacoma Mutual Water | (253) 537-8534 | |
| Spanaway Water Co. | (253) 531-9024 | www.spanaway-water.org |
| Soos Creek Water & Sewer | (253) 630-9900 | www.sooscreek.com |
| Summit Water & Supply Co. | (253) 537-7781 | www.summitwater.org |
| Tacoma Water | (253) 502-8247 | www.tacomawater.com |
| Woodinville Water District | (425) 483-9104 | www.woodinvillewater.com |
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Washington State Voter Registration
In the State of Washington, elections are administered at the local level
by County Auditors (except King County, which has the Records, Elections
and Licensing Services Division). These offices are available to help
you with registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot, and other
elections-related services.
You must complete a voter registration form if you are registering for
the first time in Washington or if you have moved to a new county. If you
have moved within the same county, you may transfer your registration by
completing a new form or by contacting your County Auditor by mail, email,
or phone. There is no registration by political party in Washington state.
To register to vote in the state of Washington, you must be:
• A citizen of the United States.
• A legal resident of Washington State (you must have lived in Washington
State at the address from which you are registering for at least 30 days prior
to the next election at which you vote).
• At least 18 years old by election day.
You may not register to vote if
you are:
• Presently denied your civil rights due to a felony conviction.
• Judicially declared mentally incompetent and ineligible to vote If you
meet the above criteria you can register by completing and mailing in a voter
registration form.
ID necessary to register:
If you register by mail and do not have a Washington State driver’s
license, Washington State ID card, or a Social Security number, you will
be required to provide one of the following items when you cast your
ballot.
• Valid photo ID.
• Valid tribal ID of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Washington State.
• Copy of a current utility bill.
• Current bank statement.
• Copy of a current government check.
• Copy of a current paycheck.
• A government document that shows both your name and address.
If you do not provide one of the above items either before or at the
time of voting, your ballot will be treated as a provisional ballot.
TO REGISTER, SIMPLY DO THE FOLLOWING:
• Download the Voter Registration form from the Washington State Secretary
of State website at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx or
request a form be mailed to you from your local county auditor, contact information
can be found at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/viewauditors.aspx,
or by calling the Secretary of State’s toll free Voter Information Hotline
at 1-800-448-4881 (TDD 1-800-422-8683).
Complete the form using the easy-to-follow instructions.
• Mail the completed form to:
Office of the Secretary of State
Voter Registration by Mail
PO Box 40230
Olympia, WA 98504-0230
The deadline for registering or transferring your voter registration
is 30 days before an election. If you register by mail, your application
must be postmarked by the 30-day cutoff or it will not become effective
until after the election. If you are not already registered to vote in
Washington and you miss the 30-day deadline, you can register in person
at your county elections department until 15 days before the election.
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Washington State Vehicle Registration
When you move to Washington State, you have 30 days to title and register your vehicle. Once you do so, you will be issued Washington State license plates. You may title and register your vehicle in Washington State by mail or in person at a local vehicle licensing office.
Title and registration fees depend on several factors, including the weight of the vehicle, the address, and the types of license plates to be registered or renewed.
The fees start with the basic fee of $30.00 PLUS a fee based on the weight of the vehicle. For example:
0–4,000 lbs: $10
4,001–6,000 lbs: $20
6,001–8,000 lbs: $30
All vehicles registered in the state must pass a vehicle emissions test which costs $15.00. Vehicles can be registered by mail or by visiting a local vehicle licensing office. To find out exactly how much the fees are for a vehicle, contact a local vehicle licensing office, call (360) 902-3770, option 5, or go to the Washington State Department of Licensing website fee page at: http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/fees.html.
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Washington State Drivers Licensing
Once residency in Washington State is established, you have 30 days to get a Washington driver license. Those with a valid out-of-state driver license, must visit
a driver licensing office.
When you go, you must bring with you:
• Proof of identification, including your out-of-state license.
• Cash or check to pay the $45 fee for your first Washington driver license ($20 for your application and $25 for your license).
• Your social security number, which is mandatory to help enforce child support laws. Your social security number will be verified but does not appear on your license.
Complete a driver license application, which includes:
• Your address.
• Physical and mental fitness statement.
• Previous driver licenses information (if any).
• Suspensions, revocations, or cancellations of prior driver licenses.
• Take a vision test and demonstration of color recognition.
After completing the steps above, written and drive testing is waived unless there is
a medical/physical condition which indicates that testing is required. Out-of-state licenses are returned to the Department of Licensing so they can be invalidated. If you have an out-of-state license that is expired, you must pass a written and driving test.
A temporary license is then issued at the driver licensing office, which allows driving for 45 days. A permanent new Washington drivers license will be processed and mailed within 5 days.
Steps to getting a first time drivers license:
Before getting a drivers license, a teen must:
• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Pass a traffic safety education course.
• Have an instruction permit for at least 6 months.
• Have at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice with someone who has been licensed for 5 years or more, including 10 hours at night.
• Not have any traffic violations within 6 months of applying for the license.
• Not have been convicted of any alcohol or drug offense while holding an instruction permit.
Once these steps have been completed, visit a driver licensing office and:
• Present a signed certificate showing an approved traffic safety education course has been passed.
• A parent or guardian must sign the Parental Authorization Affidavit to grant permission and confirm driving practice.
• Pass a written test (if not previously taken).
• Pass a driving test.
• Pass a vision screening test.
• Meet identification requirements.
• Provide a social security number, or sign a declaration if no social security number has been issued.
When teens get a drivers license, they must follow some special rules and restrictions.
These rules are in place to help protect teen drivers from accidents and help them develop and improve driving skills in the safest way. For those under 18, an intermediate
driver license will be issued and they must follow these special rules:
• For the first 6 months, they cannot drive with passengers under the age of 20 unless they are members of their immediate family (such as a spouse, child, stepchild, siblings, both by birth and marriage).
• For the next 6 months they may not carry more than 3 passengers who are under 20 years old who are not members of their immediate family.
• For the first 12 months, they cannot drive between 1am and 5am unless they are with a licensed driver age 25 or older.
The only exception to this rule is if they drive for agricultural purposes, meaning they transport farm products or supplies under the direction of a farmer.
After 1 year of following these rules and driving without a collision or traffic citation,
they can drive without limitations on the time of day or the age and number of passengers.
After turning 18, these special rules no longer apply and the intermediate drivers license automatically becomes a regular license. If any of the special rules for teens are violated, or any other driving violation is committed, or have been involved in a collision, a warning letter will be sent by the Department of Licensing. If 2 driving violations are committed, a letter will be sent that suspends driving privileges for 6 months (or until age 18, whichever is shorter). For 3 driving violations, the license is suspended until age 18. Parents will receive a copy of any warning or suspension letter sent to out. After a year of driving safely without a driving violation or accident, the passenger and nighttime driving restrictions expire and will not be reinstated. However, if under 18 teens are still subject to receiving the warning letter and license suspension penalties.
Police enforce the restrictions of an intermediate driver license as a “secondary action.” This means that if a teen driver is stopped for a traffic offense, the officer can cite the driver for any violations of intermediate license restrictions.
A drivers license will NOT be issued until the teen is18 years old if they are convicted
of one of the following offenses while using an instruction permit:
• Driving under the influence (RCW 46.61.502).
• Physical control of vehicle under the influence (RCW 46.61.504).
• Driver under 21 consuming alcohol (RCW 46.61.503).
• Alcohol or drug violations (RCW 46.20.265).
Those teens with a valid out-of-state license must get an intermediate license and meet all the same requirements.
For more information go to: http://www.dol.wa.gov
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Washington State Traffic Fines and Infractions
The Washington State Patrol does not set fines for speeding and traffic
violations. The base penalty is set by the Washington State Supreme Court
(RCW 46.63.110) but does not include statutory assessments, which are set
by the State Legislature. Additional fines or fees may also be assessed
at the city or county level. Speeding fines are based on the number of
miles per hour the violator was exceeding the speed limit and if the limit
was under or over 40m.p.h. At the present time, these fines range from
$93.00 for 1-5m.p.h. over the limit if speed limit is over 40 mph to
$411.00 for exceeding the limit over 35-40m.p.h. in any speed limit zone.
In addition, Washington state has many traffic infractions that may not
be enacted in other states. Some of these are listed below.
Whenever a child who is less than sixteen years of age is being transported
in a motor vehicle that is in operation and that is required by RCW 46.37.510
to be equipped with a safety belt system in a passenger seating position,
or is being transported in a neighborhood electric vehicle or medium-speed
electric vehicle that is in operation, the driver of the vehicle shall
keep the child properly restrained as follows:
• A child must be restrained in a child restraint system, if the passenger
seating position equipped with a safety belt system allows sufficient
space for installation, until the child is eight years old, unless
the child is four feet nine inches or taller. The child restraint system
must comply with standards of the United States department of transportation
and must be secured in the vehicle in accordance with instructions
of the vehicle manufacturer and the child restraint system manufacturer.
•
A child who is eight years of age or older or four feet nine inches or
taller shall be properly restrained with the motor vehicle's safety belt
properly adjusted and fastened around the child's body or an appropriately
fitting child restraint system.
•
The driver of a vehicle transporting a child
who is under thirteen years old shall transport the child in the back
seat positions in the vehicle where it is practical to do so.
Washington’s “Click-it or Ticket” law states that every person
sixteen years of age or older operating or riding in a motor vehicle shall wear
the safety belt assembly in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner.
No person may operate a motor vehicle unless all child passengers under the age
of sixteen years are either: (a) Wearing a safety belt assembly or (b) are securely
fastened into an approved child restraint device. A driver can be ticketed for
every unbuckled passenger in the vehicle under the age 16. Anyone age 16 and
up can get their own ticket. The fine is $112 per person.
Jaywalking in Seattle is looked upon as a fairly serious offense.
Washington code 11.50.280 specifically states, “pedestrians facing a steady
or flashing ‘Don’t Walk’ word legend or hand symbol shall not
enter the roadway.” The fine is $46.00. The stated reason for such strict
enforcement is that the tickets are a “collateral result” of the
city’s
campaign for pedestrian safety, which is supposed to focus on nabbing bad drivers
and decrease traffic problems when autos can’t make timely turns due to
jaywalking pedestrians.
Littering is also severely frowned upon in Washington state. A ticket from the
Washington State Patrol costs a cigarette butt litterbug $1025 plus court costs.
If the cigarette butt is found to be the cause of a roadside fire, the litterer
will also be billed for emergency response, clean up and repair costs. Hoping
to break truckers of the dirty habit of leaving “truck bombs” for
road crews to clean up, Washington state lawmakers created a “dangerous
litter” category in 2002 and
increased fines to $1,025 from $95 for general litter. The “Litter
and it Will Hurt Campaign,” launched in 2002 urges everyone to
call a toll free line to report litterers. The number is, 1-866-LITTER1. In order
for action to be taken, the caller must provide a license plate number of the
vehicle involved in the incident, auto make & model, time and place. The
call information is used to cross-reference the license plate number and car
description with information in the Department of Licensing vehicle registration
system. If the plate and description match, the listed registered owner of the
vehicle is sent a letter from the Washington State Patrol, notifying them of
details of the incident and the fines for littering. If caught littering by the
Washington State Patrol, the fine is $95.
Unsecured loads in Washington will cost you. In response to a recent public outcry
over several fatal and near-fatal cases caused by unsecured loads, the Washington
legislature increased the penalties for failing to secure a vehicle load and
littering. These laws, established minimum fines for littering, illegal dumping,
and unsecured loads. As of July 2005, the fine for transporting an unsecured
load is $194. If an item falls off a vehicle and causes bodily harm, the driver
now faces gross misdemeanor
charges and penalties of up to $5000 and/ or up to a year in prison.
Washington believes that work zones are no place for impatience or aggressive
driving. The “Give Em a Brake” traffic law doubles
fines in work zones. Fines cannot be reduced, suspended or waived. People driving
negligently in work zones, or who remove, evade or purposely strike safety devices
can be found guilty of “endangerment of roadway workers,” punished
as a gross misdemeanor and a license suspension of 60 days.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor
or any drug if the person drives a vehicle or operates vessel or vehicle while
doing business while intoxicated within Washington state if:
• The person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration
of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person’s breath or blood.
• While the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating
liquor or any drug.
• While the person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating
liquor and any drug.
• Use of any vessel in a reckless manner or while under influence of alcohol
or drugs is prohibited.
The fact that a person charged with a violation of this law is or has been entitled
to use a drug under the laws of this state, shall not constitute a defense against
a charge of violating this section. Analyses of blood or breath samples obtained
more than two hours after the alleged driving may be used as evidence that within
two hours of the alleged driving, a person had an alcohol concentration of 0.08
or more, and in any case in which the analysis shows an alcohol concentration
above 0.00 may be used as evidence that a person was under the influence of or
affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug.
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Moving & Taxes
When you move, the federal government allows you to claim certain credits when you file your taxes the following year. Below are the basic qualifying deductions you should be aware of.
Type of Deduction: Above-the-line tax deduction (you don’t need to itemize).
Basics: If you moved to start a new job, or to seek work in a new city, you may be able to deduct the cost of your moving expenses from your income. Qualifying expenses include costs for packing and shipping your household goods and personal property, and costs for travel and lodging. Meals are not deductible as a moving expense.
Limits: You can deduct the cost of moving expenses that exceed any reimbursements from your employer. You must meet the qualifications in order to claim this tax deduction.
Qualifications: Your move must be because you started a new job. You must
meet the distance and time tests.
• Distance Test: Your new job is located at least 50 miles farther from your old home than the distance between your old home and your old job. For example, let’s say you commuted 25 miles from your old house to your old job. Now, you found a new job 75 miles away from your old house. Your commute to your new job is at least 50 miles further than your old commute (75 miles as compared to 25 miles). If you move, you can deduct your moving expenses.
• Time Test: You must work full-time for at least 39 weeks during the 12 months following your move. If you are self-employed, you must work at least 78 weeks in the 24 months after you move.
Where to Claim the Deduction: Moving expenses are reported on IRS Form 3903, with the total expenses also reported on Form 1040 Line 26.
From the IRS: “If you meet the requirements, you can deduct the reasonable expenses of moving your household goods and personal effects to your new home. You can also deduct the expenses of traveling to your new home, including your lodging expenses. You cannot, however, deduct meals.” (from IRS Tax Topic 455, http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.html)
Tax Law: The moving expense deduction is found in Internal Revenue Code Section 217. For more information go to: http://www.irs.gov.
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Moving Checklist
(Click here for print copy)
Two Months Ahead:
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