observation from a home-grown local
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1/9/2010
My grandparents on both side were immigrants to Washington in the very early 1900s. My parents grew up in Seattle before most people from other states had ever heard of it. Before the 70's I think Seattle could be characterized as more of a blue-collared medium-sized town that Boeing (and Weyerhauser) had built. Yet, being on the Pacific Rim had always kept the town/people open to other cultures, to travel, and to higher education (after all, the immigrants and settlers worked hard so their children could have a better life). Traffic was snarl-free up until the 90's. People were friendly, open, curious, polite, although a little reserved (hey, with many having Scandinavian and Asian roots, what do you expect?). As transplants came into the area because they loved our cheap housing (compared to other bigger West coast cities, at the time, from the 80's on), our scenery, and the year-around activities, they brought with them their arrogance. The Seattleites my generations of family grew up with did not experience any of the bad traits characterized in all of the blogs I have read on this site. I have lived in other countries and other big cities, and still love this area. But, the neighborhoods that have become "hip" (and those with the highest price tags) do feel like what is portrayed by you others. But the modest, still hard-working, non-"hip" neighborhoods in the other parts of the city and counties, will reveal some of the friendliness and good qualities I and my family grew up with. Incidentally, I have lived in NE Seattle, NW Seattle, SE Seattle, and the Eastside, including rural King County. I am a graduate of the University of Washington, have lived and travelled in Europe and in Asia (so I think I can speak fairly objectively). I wonder if some new transplants realize that sometimes, some Seattleites are so busy experiencing outdoor activities (hiking, biking, camping, sailing) that they don't make time for the more traditional "hospitality" acts that maybe people from other parts of the country expect? Not passing judgement on either side, but just making an observation.
Grace | Bellevue, WA