So you've gotten an offer. Welcome to Microsoft! Intern or FTE, we're happy to have you. There's a lot that happens here, and it can feel like drinking from the firehose. We've structured this Notion site as a sort of Wiki to help guide you through the process, along with all your important questions! This "General" section is set up in semi-chronological order of what needs to happen/be thought about in what order.
Just want to start off with some terms we'll be using in this document. If you don't remember them, it's not a big deal as they're usually fairly easy to figure our by context. Just in case though, here:
You'll have quite a few options for where to stay. The Microsoft office (no pun intended) is located about halfway between Redmond center and Bellevue center, but is within the borders of Redmond. It's also only about 20 mins (by car) away from Seattle center, which gives you a rich selection of living options. I expand into each of those options in the sections below, as well as how to actually get a place in each of them (as it's different depending on where you are).
In terms of actually getting to work, you have a few options:
Commuting by car is the fastest way to get to work, but it is also the most expensive. Not only do you have to pay for the car and gas, you also have to pay for insurance (which is quite expensive if it's your first car), registration tabs for the state of Washington (and renewal every year), plus tolls if you commute across the 520 bridge or any other toll road. Tolls on the 520 bridge are EXPENSIVE, as much as $4.30 each way during rush hour. That's over $8 per day just on tolls. It's even more expensive if you don't have the automatic toll transponder.
If you own a car, you can carpool with other Microsoft employees to split gas and toll costs. If you don't have a car, you can share a ride with someone who does. There is a carpooling app called Scoop which you can use to arrange carpooling, and Microsoft partners with Scoop to provide discounted prices to riders and more pay to drivers. Having 3+ people in the car also allows you to use the HOV lanes on the bridges, which allows you to bypass most traffic.
Microsoft offers a service called the Connector, which is a private shuttle just for Microsoft FTEs. There are fixed Connector routes going from many neighborhoods in the Greater Seattle area to Microsoft's campus in the morning, and back in the evening. You do have to reserve a spot on the Connector though. If you don't have a reservation, you can try to walk-on, but if there are no empty seats you're out of luck. The Connector is very convenient; the seats are comfy, there is usually wifi, and there are often only 3 stops so it's quicker than the public bus. However, the Connector usually only drops off at (and picks up from) the Overlake Transit Center at Microsoft (soon to be renamed Redmond Technology Station) so if your building is far from there, you'll have to walk or take a shuttle to get to your specific building, which can add commute time. You can book Connector trips on aka.ms/merge.