Not for everyone
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9/17/2017
I was born in Seattle and have lived here continuously for 57 years.
During that time, I've known probably ten families with children and assets who have read all the stories about how 'livable' Seattle is, seen the pretty pictures (which are taken during the four occasionally-sunny months of the year) and have moved here from their sunny homes in Arizona, New Mexico, Georgia, etc. , bought a home and have lasted about four years before they moved back to where they came from. They all made the mistake of thinking they could adapt to the climate here. Some people can, MANY can't. You see, the issue is not in the statistics of inches of rainfall per year. On that, Seattle is actually not very impressive at all. The rain here doesn't come in a torrential deluge, it comes in an irritating cold drizzle over the course of months, accompanied by depressing gray skies....and the gray skies are here most of the year, even when it's not raining. So, people frequently become afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as S.A.D. Syndrome, which is basically an emotional depression brought about by insufficient sunlight. There are therapies for it, but most afflicted people just eventually leave.
The 'culture' here is proudly, smugly, hard-Left. I'm not talking about what passes for 'liberalism' in most other places; I'm talking about a near-Stalinist culture that adores having an actual statue of Lenin within the City limits. I'm talking about not being able to put a non-Leftist political bumper sticker on your car or a non-Leftist political yard sign in front of your house at election times because your car "will" be vandalized if you park it on the street and your home will be vandalized as well. I'm talking about Black Lives Matter yard signs and about my home being the only one in about a twenty-block radius flying an American flag on the Fourth Of July or Veteran's Day. I'm talking about continuously re-electing people like Jim McDermott and Patty Murray, and with the loudest voices complaining that they are not far-enough to the Left, and so an openly and proudly Socialist candidate was elected to the Seattle City Council. I'm talking about being SCREAMED at for politely holding the door open for someone at the U of W campus because you're 'oppressing' her and you're a misogynist for employing such a traditional courtesy. I've had that happen multiple times. At social events, club meetings, cocktail parties, etc. people will automatically assume that you're on the Left and will accept that as a given, starting conversations with you under that assumption. It seems that 'everything' is about politics....as an example, my mother, who also lives within the City, loves gardening and she wanted to learn how to be a better gardener. She thought that it would be appropriate to join a gardening club. She joined one of the larger ones in the area and they were friendly enough at the outset but as time went on they dropped the pretense of being a gardening club and spent all their time talking politics from a VERY hard-Left perspective. After months of this she left the club in disgust...she grew tired of feeling that she had to sit in a corner like a mouse while everyone else talked exclusively about politics. So much else is similar to that around here....I had the same experience at a bicycle club, and 'office politics' take on an entirely new dimension. If you're not on the hard Left, it's best to stay quiet when discussions of current events come up, otherwise you'll find yourself very much alone at the workplace and possibly without a job, depending upon where you work.
Real estate here is breathtakingly expensive, but you know that already if you've been researching the area. Expect to pay a minimum of half a million dollars for a very small home with a very small yard within the city limits and in a 'relatively good' neighborhood. For a 'comfortable' home with a proper kids-sized play yard in a 'relatively good' neighborhood, $850.K is not uncommon. Budget for constantly-increasing property taxes and little or no public opposition to any proposed tax increases whatsoever.
Traffic through the downtown areas are a nightmare during most times of day, and the Washington State Department of Transportation has publicly stated that traffic congestion is not one of their concerns.
Drug use, particularly hard drugs like heroin is on the rise as is the 'homeless' population who are frequently not the laid-back sort but the junkyard dog sort. They're drawn here by Seattle's 'homeless outreach' ethic.
Remember, Seattle is a 'Sanctuary City' and is actively opposing any Federal efforts to being it into sane legal compliance. The crime and increasing grittiness of the once-friendly suburbs is testament to that and other Seattle policies.
Don't expect to find on-street parking in the downtown Seattle area. Several Mayoral administrations have actively pursued an anti-car agenda and have essentially embraced gridlock as part of their strategy to 'get people out of their cars'. The voters love it.
That being said, if you're into outdoor activities and sports, there's pretty much anything to do around here that you can think of within an hour's drive. There are quite a few excellent, astonishingly-overpriced restaurants in the city as well as in surrounding neighborhoods. The symphony is good as is the theater scene, especially gay-themed theater.
Beautiful buildings downtown, and the San Juan Islands are visual paradise.
Why, you may ask, am I still here? Family obligations. I'll be leaving the city of my birth at my first opportunity. Seattle used to be noted for its friendliness...if you've ever been to The American South, you'll laugh at such a title being placed on Seattle. These days, Seattlites will be friendly if you're a very specific type of person. If you're not that type of person, don't expect basic courtesies or a smile.
Stoat | Seattle, WA