What BestPlaces Users Say about Seattle
Seattle, Washington is a major city located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, thriving tech industry, and vibrant cultural scene. However, like any city, it has its own unique set of pros and cons when it comes to living there.
According to reviews on BestPlaces.net, many users have shared their experiences living in Seattle. Overall, it seems that the city's natural beauty and diverse population are highly praised, while the high cost of living and traffic are common complaints. User "Samantha" writes, "Seattle is an amazing city filled with art, nature, and opportunity. It's a melting pot of different cultures and I love the diversity here." Similarly, user "David" says, "The scenery in Seattle is breathtaking. You have mountains, lakes, and forests all within reach." However, the cost of living is a recurring concern. User "Emily" states, "The cost of living here is exorbitant. It's difficult to find affordable housing and the traffic is terrible." Another user, "Mark", adds, "I love Seattle but I wish it was more affordable. The high cost of living can make it challenging to enjoy all the city has to offer."
based on 321 ReviewsGet to know Seattle with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Seattle
Seattle - Diverse, Friendly and Beautiful! - 4/9/2007
I moved from Portland, Oregon to Seattle about 1 year ago. Before that, I lived in Detroit, Michigan. I told my friends I was about done with Portland and so bored. I had asked some friends about where they would suggest I could move. Portland is pretty, but it is a snore of a town and LILLY WHITE. I never felt comfortable there. Seattle is a very diverse and beautiful city. I love the much more diverse racial population in Seattle. I really love it!
Also, Seattle has so much to see and do. Seattle has a truly impressive and beautiful downtown. Seattle has a huge skyline…unlike Portland. I feel like I’m actually in a major city in Seattle. Another thing I'm not used to being from Portland. Seattle is a major city. You feel like you are in a vibrant and alive city. From my Portland experience, I felt like I was in a much smaller town there. Seattle has great shopping, great restaurants. The Pike Place Market is amazing and a one-of-a-kind place in the USA.
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Do your research or have a rude rent awakening - 4/7/2007
Seattle apartments do not have central air or air conditioning~ it's standard not to have air conditioning.
Rents will always be different than what the websites note~ call the apartment communities directly or get someone to do it for you. But! stop being fooled by low rent rates they are not low and they will continue to rise.
It's pricey to live here. Average 1/1 in the suburbs is $800-$1000 for a 1/1 and that is the low
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Spendy - 4/4/2007
I moved to Seattle from Eugene,Oregon last year. The transition was smooth and I felt right at home here in West Seattle. Seattle is a beautiful and unique community. The puget sound and olympic mountains are majestic. On my morning walks I am able to enjoy the aesthetics all around me. However, Seattle is expensive and the job growth is rather bleak. There are more wealthy people per capita in Seattle than anywhere else in the country. 65% of the population do not have children. So if you have a family, Seattle may not be the place for your or your kids. This is a rich person's
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Seattle - unfriendly place to live - 4/2/2007
Don't move to Seattle if you have children, you will be disappointed as Seattle is a very un-family friendly place. Also, don't move to Seattle if you do not have lots of money. The people are nasty and unfriendly, the weather is either wet, gray, or ugly most of year. I am moving my family out of the area and to the Mid-West where people and services are more in line with reality. Say
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Seattle from a long time resident - 3/23/2007
Seattle housing is expensive to BUY, but rents for apartments are not too bad. You can still find something fairly nice for 700 and up..maybe less. In summer it's wonderful, sunny and not too hot. You can swim in the lake right in the city on beaches for free! But from about Nov. to March it's pretty bleak and grey: not so wet, just grey, cloudy, bleak. Culturally it's great. Lots to do..But aside from really popular musical bands, local musicians DO NOT make money that much because club owners just talk about music but don't actually figure out to pay them. JOBS: salaries are not that high for the cost of living. Example: maybe a job will pay 3k a year higher, but won't make up for difference in cost. We have sales tax too, no state tax. Big benefit is living close to Canada. Fun to drive up to Richmond BC and Vancouver. Decent bus transportation. People generally polite but they don't have that "warmth" one feels in a diner in the East coast or in NYC (yes, NYC, even grouchy people
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Seattle Summary - 3/23/2007
I've lived in Seattle for 32 years, born and raised here. I thought I would cover a few of the big ones:
WEATHER:
Summer used to be from July 15 - Oct 15th, thanks to global warming, you will now receive some solid sunny days from June 1st. The last few winters have been pretty rough, cold, windy and rainy but if you are a skier/boarder, this is good news! You will get one week of sunny days that are really cold in mid January. You won't have a lot of encouragement from Dec 15th - April 15th, pretty much rainy or overcast. From April 15th - June 1, you have to just get into hobbies and focus on getting your cycling in on the "good days". :)
HOUSING: Seattle may be less than San Francisco and New York but don't be fooled, it is getting expensive. If you have kids and want a neighborhood where they can play, you will either need to plan on living far enough away from the city, where you will be commuting, or you need to make $200k/yr to live closer to the
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The old seattle dead - looking elsewhere - 3/22/2007
Have been here since '91 and seen the town make its final transition from blue-collar burg to San Francisco North. The quality of restaurants, stores, etc has definitely been a boon, but the lack of adequate infrastructure, average/below average housing stock ($600K for a 1500 sq. ft, unimproved bungalow?, sorry the basement really doesn't count), and failing schools is pretty much driving out this
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Seattle - 3/14/2007
The most beautiful (environmentally) city I've seen in the U.S., and I've lived in almost every state (except Hawaii and Alaska, which could give it a run for it's money). But (you knew there'd be one)it's too expensive. Housing is astronomical. You'll be house poor if you buy in Seattle and you are anything other than upper class to wealthy. It's not a realistic housing market for average people. The jobs don't pay what they should to off-set the cost of living (which is above the national average), either.
Things to
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The truth about Seattle - 2/22/2007
I love Seattle but my views are not myopic due to the fact I have lived all over the country. Some of the comments I have read I agree with some I don’t and some are just flat out wrong. Before I dispel misconceptions, stereotypes and other biased ignorant comments, the following are some of the positives of Seattle: 1.) Seattle is the most educated and literate big city in the country, 2.) According to a number of national publications Seattle has consistently been ranked in the top five of fittest cities, 3.) City is in the top 10 greenest cities in the country, 4.) Ranked number one for big cities in Bicycling, in the top 15 for running cities, travel/leisure magazines rate it in their top 10, and 5.) Seattle is the top 3 in terms of progressive politics for minorities and women, second behind San Francisco, in terms of gay and lesbians per capita, and is well known for its liberal and accepting attitude towards interracial couples. Also of note Seattle had an African
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