Seattle Living
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12/8/2010
People: Passive aggressive. Customer service is excellent compared to Chicago, and people you meet on the street are polite, but beyond surface interaction they have little to them. There has been an unfortunate influx of twenty-something hipsters in recent years, driven to this city no doubt because of tales of eco-friendly grocery stores and innumerable grunge bands. They are aloof, obnoxious know-it-alls with sticks up their asses. I find myself afraid to go into a number of coffee shops for fear that they will all laugh at me if I pronounce my order wrong.
Racial diversity: Racism exists, as it does everywhere, but you cannot feel it as heavily because people are either more tolerant or more passive aggressive. There are a lot more mixed people and a lot less segregation than in a city such as Chicago. Unfortunately, there is a huge amount of gentrification in Seattle and many minorities are being pushed into neighboring suburbs.
Culture: Lacking. This city has little passion when it comes to the arts, visual and performing. If you're not an art connoisseur or a hipster, you'll feel out of place at art galleries, and if you're not interested in producing indie or grunge music, you'll have little audience or support in Seattle.
Food and Drink: There are many great authentic Ethiopian, Japanese and Vietnamese places to eat. See a taco truck? Trust that it will also be authentic and delicious. (I am speaking in general terms. There are gems from alot of other cultures too, as with any major city.) The seafood is particularly superb. Also a bevy of cafes to choose from. And I mean, about five on every corner. Get learned in the art of coffee, and do it fast. This ain't no Dunkin' Donuts, so no ordering of "a large coffee" allowed.
Environment: One of the great things about Seattle is that you don't have to go far to find nature. You're right next to Puget Sound, there are an innumerable amount of park and hiking trails.
There are many, many hills, which is great if you want to work on that killer ass you've always been dreaming about, and awful if it decides to snow or get icy. It is rainy and gray a lot, and when it rains, it is often mild and halfhearted rain that drags on for days at a time. Load up on vitamin D if you want to save yourself from seasonal depression.
Energy: Considerably low. I blame the hipsters, for their nonchalant attitude. Downtown is dead by 12 on weekends.
Fashion: Very laid back. We don't give a damn whether you wear Ferragamo heels or socks and sandals.
Marie | Chicago, IL