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Moving to Seattle-Seattleites, do you really hate non-natives?
am_monkee:
Well, it looks like I will be moving to Seattle at the end of August, beginning of September. While this is a few months away, it is a major move, as I've lived in Chicago and NY all my life. I believe there are a few BYOAC members in the area...perhaps you could offer up some advice, suggestions of neighborhoods, things to avoid, etc.
A few questions/concerns I had:
* Would it be possible for me to bike year-round? Yes, I know it rains, but I'm used to that. I mean in terms of ice/sleet, snow, etc. How's public transportation?
* Also, is this thing about 'the Seattle Freeze' really real? Do people ignore non-natives?
* I am moving for my job (sort of-my doctorate research) and will need to be in Seattle-not the surrounding area or suburbs. Therefore, what is the cost like? Can I afford an apt. studio for around 700 or less in a decent neighborhood?
* How does the apt. search go? Any brokers? If I plan on moving in Sept. 1st, what is the best time to visit Seattle to lock an apt.?
*Any thoughts/suggestions/comments about the city would be much appreciated. I'm a little nervous because the Northwest is unchartered territory for me-I've never even visited.
Thanks in advance!
Chris G:
From the windy city to the rainy city, eh? :) Welcome.
I'm a non-native, but have lived here about 12 years, so I can give you a "little of both" perspective. I also don't live in the city, so you should know that. You will get much different answers from folks who've lived here all their lives and/or who live/have lived in the city.
I have lots of friends who bike (bicycle and motorcycle, not sure which you mean) year-round. On average, it snows about once or twice in the winter and the snow doesn't stick around for very long. This year was an exception.
The public transportation is ok. Compared to other cities (SF, for example, where I'm originally from) I personally find it lacking. My wife takes the bus downtown every day and the buses are fairly hit-and-miss schedule-wise. But you can get pretty much anywhere with a transfer or two.
I have never heard of, nor experienced, the Seattle Freeze. People in Seattle are very nice (too nice sometimes - try getting someone to go first at a 4-way stop sign). Maybe this is a little different in the city? I doubt it though.
You might be able to find a decent studio for around that price. Not sure about the location, though. Again, I'm not in the city and haven't rented for years. I'm sure someone else can help more with that. Here's a link to the Craigslist apt section to get an idea.
I would strongly urge you to move earlier in the summer, if possible, or at least visit. Summer is the only time of year it doesn't suck here weather-wise, and the summer is absolutely beautiful and wonderful to be here. Then it rains for like the next 8 months. ;D
Good luck and feel free to let me know if there's anything else I can do to help you out.
:cheers:
Chris
Chris G:
Also: Perhaps a reputation of attitude toward non-natives may be related to some contempt toward Californians in particular. Some people around here blame them for moving to the area and driving up housing prices (which can be perceived negatively or positively depending on one's perspective) and for making it a "meaner" place, in terms of their driving habits.
But this could be said of Californians moving to any state (I can get away with saying that, being a former Californian). ;D
am_monkee:
Chris,
Thanks for the tips man. I had actually never heard of the supposed 'freeze' until I started checking out articles about Seattle. There seem to be a number of theories explaining 'why they are the way they are,' but none seemed too plausible. Good to know about biking (and unfortunately, I did mean bicycle. I wish I had a motorcycle, but that is on a long list of 'wants' that never seem to happen).
I don't think I've ever been in a city that transportation wasn't 'hit or miss,' so I'm cool with that. Every system has its flaws, and as long as there is transportation, I'm cool with that.
I'm definitely going to try to make it out for a bit in the summer, but I have to finish some research here in NYC, so I can't leave before that. :(
I haven't decided when exactly because I'm not sure about the apt. market. I know you're no longer a renter (lucky bastard), so I don't expect you to have an answer, but that's one thing I have to figure out soon.
Thanks for the info and if anything comes to my head (or yours), I'll post up. Anyone else--advice, etc. much appreciated.
btp2k2:
Yes.....we hate Californians....Everyone else is cool.
Oh....we do hate Bears fans and Stealers fans (yes, I did spell it like that on purpose)..... :tool:
Being born and raised here, I can say yeah...there is the "Seattle Freeze"....but mostly to the down southers....Californians moved up here in droves in the 80's and turned most of the eastside to a mini southern california. They even have black and white cop cars.
Public transportation sucks....we have been trying to get a light rail system for years and the politicians can't pull their heads out long enough to see how badly it is needed.
Your best bet for a place is to look in the early summer. You might try the University District. It is close to downtown and has a lot of apartments for the college kids. Greenwood or Ballard wouldn't be bad either. Finding a place is mostly just show up and talk to the property management. One thing to be aware of though....the big new craze in real estate around here is buying apartment buildings and converting them to condos. A friend moved into a new apartment a few months ago and found a notice on his door the other week that they are kicking everyone out because they are going to be converted in the next few months....weak!
The thing about this city is simple.....we are too busy sticking our noses into a cup of Starbucks to notice anyone else. Everyone has to drive the same Subaru Outback wagon, sip the same Starbucks, wear the same REI jacket. There really isn't an original person in the entire city. If you can get past that, the scenery is amazing, the city really is beautiful, with the Cascades in the background and the water. The greatest part about Washington is the environment. From Seattle, you drive 2 hours to the west, some of the most beautiful coastline you have ever seen, an hour to the east and you have mountains and skiing , an hour past the mountains you have desert, a couple hours to the north, lush fields and farms, drive to the south....well....there really isn't any need to go south....Except Portland...you can go down there for the weekend and shop without sales tax....pretty cool.
A friend on vacation once said "Every where you go here is a new postcard waiting to be snapped"....it really is that beautiful
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