The technology boom is pushing its way north up the Pacific Coast, boosting real-estate prices, sparking neighborhood squabbles and creating new demand for luxury homes asking $1.5 million or more.Real-estate agents say Seattle, the longtime home of software giant Microsoft and online-retailing behemoth Amazon, is attracting more technology firms because it offers a combination of local talent and lower housing prices than the tech centers of California.
In the past year, Best Buy, Alibaba and HBO have announced or opened IT-related operations in the city, according to the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Amazon will add to its Seattle footprint with two new buildings, while Google, Facebook, Twitter and Hulu have all expanded their Seattle offices in the past few years.