Opinions of Seattle?

Question

Hi everyone,

I am interested in reading opinions of this location from both residents and visitors (please specify exact part of Seattle). Would like to know about the impression you have, about employment, safety, environment, the people, cost of living, etc. Anything and everything. :)

Thanks everyone!

Answer 1

Lots of employment available, our unemployment rate is pretty low.

Much safer than most large cities, but we have our bad areas of town like anywhere else.

Environment is tops, Seattle has one of the most progressive recycling programs in the country (they charge people if they don't recycle!) We also have the Puget Sound, many fresh water lakes, the mountains, and crunchy people, heh
Cost of living is quite high, it is only more expensive to live in Manhattan or California. Californian's come here because our real estate seems cheap.

I simply love living in this area, weather is mild but we still have our seasons. We do have a lot of gray days and light rain often, but in the winter we only get about a week of freezing/snowy weather. Summers are sublime (it's 80 and sunny right now).

Here is the best description I have come across to describe this area:

"Living in Seattle is like having the most beautiful girlfriend in the world...

...only she always has a cold!" - unknown

Answer 2

Been to Seattle twice on business and it is kickass. I saw downtown and everything within a 2 mile radius of it and was very pleased. It is a major city without the big city feel. The rain is vastly over exaggerated from what I have seen (we actually get more annual rainfall in the northeast). It helps that I am a big beer fan and there is no shortage of great craft/micro breweries in Washington and Oregon. The cost of living is a bit high for my taste but that is typical of the west coast. I've been almost everywhere there is to go in the US and I can honestly say that if I were ever to move away from Philadelphia, Seattle is the only place I would consider.

Answer 3

Seattle rocks!!!
I plan on retiring there, and it's really a great place to raise children...very eco-friendly...i can say a downside is that everything seems to close early, and you must hear a lot about the rain...commuting is a lil' rough, like any big city, but their bus system is very effective.
I lived in West Seattle area, and worked at the space needle gift shop for a summer, and have made several trips back since.
I really loved the beaches, and not to mention a trip to canada is fairly inexpensive...just a ferry ride away...oh...the ferries, beautiful ride on peugot sound...i feel the citys' downtown area was a lot cleaner, than san francisco, there are a lot of wayward kids/young adults panhandling and such...but nothing out of character for a big city...

Answer 4

I've lived in the Seattle area since 1991, I've seen the housing prices go from $150k average to $425k average. The increase of housing prices, has seemed to drive the crime rate up.

Seattle is a very politically correct, liberal and diverse city. We are the most gay friendly city in the U.S. The population is very mixed with people of all colors.

Seattle is very artsy - we have a large art community and plenty of places that have live local music.

I recently read that Seattle is one of the most childless cities with only 20% of the households having children.

Just some random facts...I love this city but wish the cost of living were lower and the commute not so hairy.

Answer 5

I visited the Seattle area on vacation. I saw downtown Seattle, visited a friend in the residential section, and then went elsewhere to see sights like Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier. My initial impressions of the region were that it's beautiful if crowded. It's a nice area, with the lakes and bay, and the weather is usually mild if sometimes damp.

The population seems a little crowded along the coast, making the north-south roads rather crowded. In other words, traffic looks tough.

Answer 6

Seattle is a great city to live. In fact, the entire northwest part of the state is fabulous. I live an hour north of the city, but have lived in Seattle proper. It is extremely expensive to live in (especially if purchasing your home/ condo). The people are laid back and friendly (depending on where you're coming from...), certain parts of the city are very safe. I would recommend Queen Anne, Ballard, Fremont, or Green Lake. I would feel safe at any time of day in any of these neighborhoods. Traffic does suck, but if you're living in the city and working, it shouldn't be too bad. As far as employment ops, it depends on what field you're in...

Answer 7

I moved to Washington State about a year ago from Maryland. I've only visited Seattle a few times but I can deffinately say the energy is really amazing :) I was a little weary because Olympia and the rest of that state is really slowed pace and I'm from Baltimore, which is a little bit more lively, but Seattle is so green and beautiful... :)

Answer 8

practice for a climate and lifestyle ask your self. you're headed from the barren region to the whole opposite. It rains from previous due August-would with a a million-3 days of snow in the wintry climate. you will see Seattle as relatively punky loopy occasion individuals from diverse cultures. you're used to important city life so Seattle would desire to sense like abode, in ordinary terms much less crime. the main threatening component approximately Seattle is making use of. i does not advise jogging around on my own at night, yet it is in simple terms me. i might take Seattle over Phoenix if I had to choose.

Answer 9

a city near seattle was voted 11th best place to live according to forbes and money magazine.. and its ranking was bases upon employment safety environment people cost of living and much more...i moved to seattle 5 years ago from atlanta and i wish i had moved way earlier. seattle is very posh but at the same time affordable. and the people are very educated. and crime rate is very low.

Answer 10

I live two hours north of Seattle. Its a great town, but housing is expensive. Traffic is quite heavy. A lot of people live on the outskirts and commute (hence the traffic). There is a lot of public transportation that helps a lot.

The good things: the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Mariner's, the Seahawks, friendly people.

The bad things: traffic, a bit of crime, the rain (which isn't as bad as people think).

Good luck ! ! !