u/WaferCommon9442

I would like to move to Seattle, but I'm worried about signing a lease- there is some chance that due to a family situation, I'd have to move before the end of a 1 yr lease. I'm fine with some penalties etc but I'd like to get an idea of what that would be legally? Am I on the hook for the entire year?

Also, are furnished places totally uncommon?

Lastly, I'm retired and live off savings which I can show- when I lived in the UK I'd just prepay my rent by 6 months- is this a thing here?. Also I do have excellent US credit but haven't rented in the US or lived here for many years- but retained my US credit cards so have a rating due to that.

thank you