A gorgeous, unique city with some true pain points
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8/3/2020
A beautiful, vibrant city with many unique neighborhoods, Seattle is what you can make of it. Crime is half of what it was 30 years ago, and the city, while having a housing crisis, is also pretty safe (just compare the crime rate with other large cities).
I love the amazing culture of the south end, the nature, and the general attitude is very friendly though often muted. The city parks are second to none, the water is on every side.
The city has done a terrible job at keeping housing costs affordable. The income boom here means everything is more expensive. If you can work in tech or another professional sector that means you will find a great salary, but for most people that is a struggle.
There is a whole industry based around smearing Seattle that is fed by politics. Its disheartening, even for those of us who live here and don't agree with all the city policies. Don't fall for the virtue signaling, there is no city quite like Seattle and the crime rate pales in comparison to most large cities.
The area is now pretty populated. The days of finding solitude on a hike within 100 miles of the city are gone. Affordable housing is harder and harder to find anywhere near the city. The population growth has exploded the last 10 years, and a fair share of pain comes with it. However, there are countless reasons people keep flocking here.
Ian | Seattle, WA