I strongly suggest you consider Portland in your search you could buy a great house here in an awesome location and forget about renting. As far as acceptance I don't think anyone even blinks an eye to that. In fact we have a few same sex parents in our neighborhood and it's not surprise to see that here. If you are comfortable with yourself you'll be happy here in PDX. Also if you ever need a Seattle fix it's a three+ hour drive or hop on the train...or 45 min. flight:) Good Luck
ilovesalad | Portland, OR | Report Abuse

You are going to save 200-400 dollars in rental expenses; only because everyone wants to buy. Now your drink prices will decrease by some 10-15% but your food costs are going to go through the roof. Now in regards to your issues with you and your partner’s sexual preference/identity, let me assure you that the two of you can live in a total state of “Bliss” here in Seattle. But most importantly, take in account of this city has a very “Finicky” (Fickle at best) economy as well. We have one of the highest inflated cost of living in America; some 32% higher than the National Average. When I moved here in Oct. of 2002 I purchased my 4br home—that was constructed in 1907—for 265K, I sold that very same home 9mo ago for 588 K. Better yet, 56% of the price increase came in the last year that I owned it. In closing, if you are well educated or willing to seek higher education, career mind, well disciplined and chemical free, you are about to enter the gates of EDEN, but if you fail to meet anyone of these criteria’s your could be setting the scene(s) of your own personal holocaust! But on the brighter side of it all, most people that I have ever met here in Seattle have adapted with complete ease and swear by the city. So…”Choose your path” but take ALL things in consideration when you and your mate try make any definite decision, better yet, take a trip to Seattle and see for yourself. May I recommend the Capitol Hill area? It is a very…VERY open mind section of towns that will be predominately young, but fortunately, dress apparel and sexual identity is neither a “Death Warrant” nor “Professional Suicide”. Also try this site for entertainment choices, rental and employment options and that site is: www.thestranger.com. I think it will connect you to the community that you will feel best suited for your choice settings. But on the brighter side of it all, most people that I have ever met here in Seattle have adapted with complete ease and swear by the city. Dave
DAvid | Seattle, WA | Report Abuse

I am transferring from Atlanta to Seattle with my current job and would really appreciate any information. I'll have my daughter with me who just turned 18. I want to live downtown but don't know which areas are safe. I'd like to live within walking distance distance of shopping and restaurants. Which areas are best for this?
Doug | Marietta, GA | Report Abuse

I've lived in enough places, including Seattle, to know that the grass definitely isn't greener ("emerald city" notwithstanding). Moving all the way across the country may only marginally improve your lives, if at all. It takes years to make good friends and feel part of a community no matter where you go. You can waste years of your life trying to find the "perfect" place, as I have done. I'm sure there are some tolerant people to be found in Boston. If people give you a hard time, it's their problem. At least you know where you stand with them. As for saving money, people are feeling squeezed from coast to coast. No one moves to Seattle because it's a great bargain.
James | Washington, DC | Report Abuse

You will love it here. Seattle has a temperate climate and Gays pretty much run the city. One drawback is that the winters can be grey, dreary, and rainy for weeks at a time, but we get little snow. The summers here are lovely and rarely too hot.
Hal | Seattle, WA | Report Abuse

Hi, I'm a realtor in Seattle and live on Capitol Hill, an extremely "gay-friendly" community. (We host gay-pride where venues will actually go out of their way to change their labels on coffee cups to include the rainbow icon). Happy hour ales are $1.00 at some places, regularly $3, cocktails regularly around $5-$7 depending on the drink and martinis around $7-$9. Cost of living - you can easily find a 2 br for $1200/mo in the city and even cheaper outside of the city. Seattle is home of Microsoft, Boeing, Nordstrom, Starbucks, Nintendo, Amazon, T-Mobile (to name a few) Headquarters so jobs are a plenty and pay is above the national average. Please feel free to email me if you have any other questions. I can suggest places to stay on Capitol Hill and check out if you are in the area visiting for a week (which I think is a great idea). Renee reneefentress@johnlscott.com
Renee | Seattle, WA | Report Abuse

My advice would depend on the type of life you want. If you are interested in making a nice salary, the Seattle area pay is rather good. Just don't except a big welcome (or any welcome at all for that matter). All of the G/L couples I know don't have any more friends than the rest of us. Even in bars and clubs people just do not mingle like you would think. I can't seem to figure it out. The winter will be mild to you in comparison w/Boston. Summer here is short, but wonderful. Seattle is not the worst place to live, but I certainly would not chose it again.
Brook | Snohomish, WA | Report Abuse

Hey Doug, your best bet is to go visit for a week and do a radius search around your office. See what's its like first. I lived in Belltown, and loved it. I walked everywhere unless I felt like driving out of town. Queen Anne is also nice. Understand there are restaurants and shopping in various areas, not just in downtown proper. But it really depends on your tastes. I also moved to Seattle from Atlanta and I think living in town is your best bet for making friends.
Wilbret | Midland, GA | Report Abuse

Seattle has a very active G/L scene. How you fit in is up to you. I have gay friends that have had both experiences. Some love it, whereas others view Atlanta as a more open-minded place for them. Drinks can be expensive, but it really depends on where you go. Trendy clubs will of course gouge you, but a beer in a pizza joint is reasonable, for instance. I would fully expect martinis in a martini bar to be high, since you are really paying for the 'experience.' Rent is very high in Seattle. You might be able to find a small 1br/ba apartment in town for 1200-1500 bucks. Lofts and dumps are available for less. 2br units can be 1500-2000+. Some apartments include parking. Some don't. That is a big deal, so check it out. A one BR will typically only give you one spot, so if you have 2 cars, you'll be searching for a spot or paying for one. I preferred to live downtown near the water, but the gay scene is Capitol Hill and Fremont...and there are tons of good apartments, condos and co-ops to consider there. If you are used to commuting, there are definitely nice apartments as low as $750 and under if you want to commute 13 miles to work (assuming you work downtown, of course). The difference is you will either end up paying $300/mo to park at work or take public transportation, which may mean taking a bus, transferring, then taking a shuttle to the nearest stop to your work.
Wilbret | Midland, GA | Report Abuse