Would advise networking right away - i.e. Linked-in etc
Are there any companies that either have a Branch office in Seattle or your locale? Call them and set up an informational interview -
When I emmigrated to the USA, I wanted to live in San Francisco or Seattle - after discovering how much it would cost to rent a rabbit-hutch in Bellevue, we settled in beautiful Portland - the City of Roses

- My Mother-in-law lives in Kent and commutes to Issaquah every day - no thanks

Find out more about the environs as well - lastly Good Luck