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
Right for some, wrong for others - 12/23/2006
I lived in Seattle with an interruption from 1977 to 1992 (ages 23-38) and have visited every two years or so since then to see family. It should go without saying that a person's experience depends a lot on what you put into it, but nevertheless much of what has been said here in criticism of Seattle society is true. I considered Seattle close to paradise in those early years. There was a relaxed ambience with room for adventure within the city, even for people with very little money, and a friendly live-and-let-live attitude. It was a family city, with many children and schools and neighborhoods where multiple generations had lived. Today's crowding, traffic, expense and rampant tourism in summer has destroyed that intangible sense of what it was to be a Seattleite. Children are scarce in Seattle today (I'm talking about the CITY) and becoming scarcer. Christianity is nearly an artifact, and leftist politics reigns supreme (with a substantial loony component). As for the
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Doesn't matter East Coast or West Coast Drivers - 12/19/2006
I have been reading some of the comments here and ran across some about East Coast drivers. I don't agree when you say its only East Coast drivers that are bad. Doesn't matter where you go in the states you will find people who DO NOT know how to drive. Further more, I drove here From the East Coast and by far the worst drivers are right here in Washington, they will not let you in when coming off and exit, (ANYWHERE IN THE STATE) they are NOT courteous AT ALL. Most drivers are not paying any attention to what is behind them (that is what the rear view mirror is there for) what is beside them (again the side mirrors are there for that purpose) all they watch (and barely then) is what is in front of them. I just got side swiped here ( I have only been here around 6 months) and I have never had an accident, a warning or even a ticket and I have had my license for over 12 years. So, please before you go off talking about East Coast drivers only, take a look at the drivers
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It's what you make of it not what it makes of you. - 12/15/2006
I moved to Seattle from San Francisco 6 years ago and did find it challenging at first to make friends which is counter intuitive to the friendly graces and manners of the people. The pace is slower and there is a leftist radical element which seems to have left SF or converted it to a venture capital bonanza now defunct with the exception of a few survivors...does anyone remember Webvan or BBQ.com?. The geography in Washington is a gift that wraps around Seattle providing mountainous backdrops with pools of clean, sparkling, blue water. People respect and fight hard to preserve it. When you embrace this aspect of the people, you will have more friends on your birthday, during the holidays and in between than you could have ever imagined.
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Response to Heather - 12/12/2006
I lived in Seattle for 2 years (1991-1993, visited 2000) and 8 years in San Diego (1996-2004). Seattle is still expensive. Housing is maybe 20% less than San Diego, but all other items are similar (and no state income tax). I felt Seattle was perfect except for the weather. SD gets 9" of rain a year compared to Seattle's 38" with rare winter snow. The snow doesn't last, however, similar to CO's Front Range. Ask: Do you like 47 sunny days a year? Portland is similar, Olympia is worse (more than 50" of rain). The only argument I have in favor of Seattle is that the culture is alive, the city is walkable, surrounded by water with a view to mountains both east and west. Politically, it's very liberal with a hot nightlife for all kinds of people. San Diego is too conservative and doesn't have a sense of "CITY" like Seattle does. But, honestly, I couldn't stand the Seattle climate and latitude. In December, the sun rises around 8AM and sets at 4:15 or so--the street lights pop
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Dark, Gloom - 12/11/2006
I moved here by default from Alaska because I had family, but after living here for 7 years, I'm getting tired of the gloom. I love the summers here, but they're too short, and after living in Alaska for so long, I can tell that the long dark winters get me down. I feel so much better during the summers, and I'm investigating California because of the
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I'm considering relocating to Seattle, but I have - 11/30/2006
I'm from Orange County, California and the cost of living and traffic is bad. I'm 15 miles from work and it takes me 30-45 minutes to get home and my rent is bad. How good or bad is the traffic, job opportunity, and cost of living here in Seattle? Can someone from Seattle please advice?
Thank you,
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Regarding the 'niceness' of the people of Seattle - 11/17/2006
Hello -
I've grown up here, gone to school and have pretty much only resided here in the Seattle area and I have to admit most of the comments on the people here are accurate. It's a fact (currently anyway) that the northwest is the most educated part of the country and I think you can run in to a lot of pretentious people here. And yes people keep to themselves more and aren't as receptive to new friends, as I've heard from numerous co-workers who've moved here. People are more on reserve here in Seattle. I've noticed when I've visited the southeast region of the US in particular people are a lot friendlier, more open and engage in conversation
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Relocating Seattle/Surrounding Areas - 11/15/2006
Considering relocating to Washington anywhere from BC to Olympia as long as it is relatively close to H2O and the mountains. Origionally from Colorado and realized that I miss the outdoor activities the mountains provide but love the ocean in my current location of San Diego but am sick of the outragous cost of living here and extremely dry climate. Thinking that WA may be the best of both worlds and am looking for any input from someone who is familiar with CO and SD relating them to WA. Do you recommend any specific areas? How is the education system? (I am a teacher) Is this a good place for
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Nice place, but people are NOT freindly - 11/8/2006
I moved here from Northern Virginia, and I must say I've never seen as many homeless people as I have seen here. People are off to themselves, not very friendly. I am seriously considering leaving this area.
If you do move here, don't expect people to be nice. Medical care is less than desireable in this area. Not to mention the number of regional governments is laughable, every little neighborhood is an incorporated city with a good stack of bureaucracy.
I'd be happy to answer questions if you have any...All I can say is..,. nothing beats good old home Virginia!
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Status, SUV's. Noisy - 11/2/2006
Drivers are on the edge with everyone on the phone, watching computer screens and drinking coffee. One assumes that the other is oblivious so honking, passing and inconsiderate dangerous drivers are the norm.
Snobby holier than thou shoppers, looking to see if they are the center of attention make trips to Costco at certain locations "noses in the air only, please"
Monster SUVs' with drivers looking down at the common folk, blinkers? What are those? No Lexus, I guess your not there.
I moved from the East coast and I am used to not expecting warm and fuzzies from people.
Status and social barriers are firmly in place here. Prejudice, intolerance, class distinction abound.
Who wants to know your neighbor? He probably wants something!
Driving somewhere? Leave real early and stay in the low speed lane!
Peace, space, tranquility? Sorry all out of that!
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