Review of Seattle, Washington


glad to get out...let me tell you why
Star Rating - 11/28/2007
Moved to the area several years ago, and I'm finally getting out. I've fulfilled my obligations and finally free to go. I cannot wait, and let me tell you why.

On the upside the city is surrounded by beautiful nature with islands on one side, mountains on the other, forests, beaches, etc. You can find tons of good restaurants, from Malaysian to African to European and continental. People are largely well-educated and the area boasts fine educational institutions. British Columbia, Canada just a few hrs to the north, Portland to the south. People are very tolerant of individual thought, dress, etc, and very respectful of privacy.

On the very bad side, the people are lifeless, passionless, fatally introverted, cocky, rude, arrogant, and impossible to get to know. The streets are just filled with loneliness under the grey dome of overcast permanently covering the city. At first you think its just you as a newbie, but then you hear the same story over and over again from others. Do a Net search on "Seattle Freeze" and see my point.

I feel bad for the good people who came here to get involved in the music or art scene, or were duped by "Singles", or for whatever other reason they came to start a new life but were punished by the social disease here. It butts people away and shuts people down, turning even the bright newcomers into another face in the grim shadows of this city.

It rains all the time, the nightlife is pathetic, and the cost of living through the roof. I don't mind spending the money if Im getting something for it, but I can get bad attitude from people much cheaper other places.

If you are an artist or intellectual introvert, for example, and want to be left alone, this is your place. Your neighbors probably won't say much more than "Hello" and your coworkers won't invite you over for dinner. But if you like to enjoy life and feel included, don't let Seattle crush your spirit. Profit from the hardship and mistakes of others.

Granted, everyone has their own personal experience, but you hear it from so many people in this city you wonder if there is something in the air and water.
JasonWASEA | Seattle, WA
Reply to this Comment

7 Replies


You can thank all elitist liberals for your bad experience.
eighties | Danville, CA | Report Abuse

I think all of you would much prefer living in a conservative environment which to each his own. I think most of you are pickup trucks(with "W" stickers on the back) and Walmart and Seattle is Volvos and Starbucks. To each his own
tony | Chandler, AZ | Report Abuse

aww... I'm sorry to hear that. I'm a transplant here in Seattle myself, moving here in '92. It was a completely different scene back then, and I've been witness to the desmise of the friendliness of the city. I know what you're talking about. But on the upside, there are people like me, people that have been here long enough that we almost consider ourselves "natives" that take the time to get to know our neighbors and put a smile out there for everyone to see. And the nightlife... well, it's not abysmal as you might believe -- there are actually a few happening spots around town. That being said, I'm considering moving out of here myself because 1) it's expensive as hell to live here and 2)the attitude has really started to permeate most factors of existence. I feel ya on those two points.
Emilia | Seattle, WA | Report Abuse

I say the same things about the Phoenix area and it is always sunny here!!
Anonymous | Chandler, AZ | Report Abuse

Thank God! I thought it was just me. But after reading this and a few others, I realize I'm not being negative about this Washington state, Its just odd and unfriendly. I'm originally from San Diego and yes Californians can be vain/fake, but at least we're happy. I don't feel the underlying passive aggressive, unhappy, arrogant negativity, in California that I feel here. I totally agree the Pacific NW hands down has some of the most beautiful landscape. But your right no wants to be bothered, everything is someone else's problem. For example the apartment complex where I live, yeah the people are such lazy slobs they can't open the trash bin and throw their stinky garbage in or for that matter throw their trash away at all. And I live in a nice somewhat expensive area next to the Plateau. The attitude you get from people makes me want to kill myself, no really I was so depressed at one point. But reading these comments has helped me understand it's not me and it's not because I miss San Diego so much, it's because the people here kinda suck (not everyone but close to it). Went to Washington DC in Sept, never been there, didn't know what to expect and hands down the people are much friendlier and happier. You don't feel like a cloud of dome is hanging over your head or that everyone is angry or unhappy.
Shirley | Issaquah, WA | Report Abuse

Oh my goodness! I am in total agreement with you Jason. I feel that there is a lot of beauty and promise here, but the people leave much to be desired. If you make a general comment or smalltalk with soneone, chances are you will be completely ignored. I have never seen anything like it in my life! If I did not have to live here for work, I would be out of here.
Brook | Snohomish, WA | Report Abuse

I agree to a point, but I think it depends on YOU. I made a lot of good friends by doing things like participating in sports. Good friends is a relative term. We have all been fooled into thinking you can have a casual lifestyle by tv shows like Friends, but it just isn't so. One thing I learned in Seattle is you get somewhat intolerant of all the people coming into the city, because your job situation can be like sitting on the razor's edge. How many of us have made friends only to see them laid off or fired, and move away? A person would develop a pretty strong defense mechanism after going through that enough times. However, if you are single, you should learn to do things by yourself without feeling sorry for yourself. You will not be ALONE doing stuff alone.
Wilbret | Midland, GA | Report Abuse
MORE REVIEWS OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
- 3/17/2023
A Bright Star just a bit tinged with age
I have lived here since 1975, I moved here from California but was born and raised in Mich...
Steve | Seattle, WA | No Replies

- 6/12/2022
Bittersweet
I’ve lived in Seattle for just under 7 years and while it can be a stunningly beautiful pl...
Mason | Seattle, WA | 1 Reply

- 5/28/2022
great place to live, but very expensive
if you can afford it, Seattle is a very nice place to live and raise a family! however, it...
Sanford | Arvada, CO | 1 Reply

- 4/8/2022
Good to visit but not to live
I've lived here for 15 years. Seattle downtown, including Cap Hill is not nice place to li...
Jacque | SeaTac, WA | No Replies

- 3/21/2022
Wonderful city, if you like being depressed
Lived here 24 years, was in Southern Oregon before that. I've missed small town Oregon sta...
Tom | Issaquah, WA | No Replies

- 1/4/2022
Don’t do it, this state is a complete MISTAKE
I have lived here my whole life, born and raised. To be honest with you.. I HATE IT! This ...
Sunshine | Federal Way, WA | 1 Reply