We Are Leaving. (San Diego, Long Beach, Oceanside: real estate market, sales tax, restaurant)

[bloom]

Originally Posted by AADAD

Today was quite a day. People shaking fists at one another on the road. Trucks racing cars at 100 mph on interstate 5. Then a dual car fire and a man threatening to jump onto the 8 from the 5 overpass. Certainly made an impression on me.

.

Are these type of things same or different in WA ?

[USDefault]

Originally Posted by bloom

Are these type of things same or different in WA ?

As a general rule, different. You do have some tailgaters in WA on the 5, but on the whole, significantly reduced aggressive driving compared with California. Now, if the 5 and another major interstate were jammed for hours because of a jumper, no doubt Washington commuters would get annoyed and aggressive just like their California counterparts. But the speeds in WA are a bit slower, you have less dopes in their ricers and exhaust fartcannons gunning their garbage V-4s, and on the whole driving in the PNW is more pleasant than, say, the 5 or 15 in San Diego, anywhere in Los Angeles ever, or the greater SF metro area. Even in Seattle, I've had people let me in when trying to get over or merge; not everyone, of course, but there is a bit more courtesy in the big Washington metros, no doubt about it.

I will also say, Portland is the real shocker -- no one ever, and I mean ever, hits or blares their car horn in frustration. People simply don't do it. Also, Portland drivers stop for pedestrians. Everywhere. In fact, the main thoroughfares throughout Portland have permanent electronic fixtures, signs, and road markings which require "pedestrians first." They are everywhere and prominent. Anyone from Portland can confirm that people do indeed stop for pedestrians, and horn use is very rare. I haven't heard a car horn in Portland in three years. Truth.

[AADAD]

22 days.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by USDefault

As a general rule, different. You do have some tailgaters in WA on the 5, but on the whole, significantly reduced aggressive driving compared with California. Now, if the 5 and another major interstate were jammed for hours because of a jumper, no doubt Washington commuters would get annoyed and aggressive just like their California counterparts. But the speeds in WA are a bit slower, you have less dopes in their ricers and exhaust fartcannons gunning their garbage V-4s, and on the whole driving in the PNW is more pleasant than, say, the 5 or 15 in San Diego, anywhere in Los Angeles ever, or the greater SF metro area. Even in Seattle, I've had people let me in when trying to get over or merge; not everyone, of course, but there is a bit more courtesy in the big Washington metros, no doubt about it.

I will also say, Portland is the real shocker -- no one ever, and I mean ever, hits or blares their car horn in frustration. People simply don't do it. Also, Portland drivers stop for pedestrians. Everywhere. In fact, the main thoroughfares throughout Portland have permanent electronic fixtures, signs, and road markings which require "pedestrians first." They are everywhere and prominent. Anyone from Portland can confirm that people do indeed stop for pedestrians, and horn use is very rare. I haven't heard a car horn in Portland in three years. Truth.

Your detailed description seems accurate, though if you go on a thread per city on topic you may not be able to detect any difference. I hope to spend a few days in Portland and area this summer.

[sfosyd]

San Diego, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago and yes even Seattle. Urban driving sucks pretty much anywhere. I agree the drivers in the Pacific Northwest are more polite especially to pedestrians but driving in Seattle sucks too. Soul sucking traffic, and lots of idiots for no reason just sitting in the left lane. SD drivers are much more polite than many places in the country such as Houston, Boston, or Miami.

AAdad, you will be missed and thanks for all your contributions. It does seem most of your complaints about San Diego revolve around driving. I hear you but don't judge a city by the aggressive, idiot drivers. Boston and NYC are great places but also show the worst of humanity when on the roads. The difference of course is that you don't need to drive in these places. Uber and Lyft are really fantastic and cheap in SD and hopefully in ten years, with the advent of self driving cars, living car free will be a real option for urban dwellers.

[elchevere]

...and Portland has evolved into a very good foodie city--considerably better than SD....perhaps due to the fact many people from the Bay Area relocated there?....and Seattle has the 2 best steakhouses on the West Coast--Metropolitan Grill and John Howie (avoid El Gaucho)....not saying I, personally, would move based there just for the food but I definitely have great options when I visit on business.

Originally Posted by USDefault

As a general rule, different. You do have some tailgaters in WA on the 5, but on the whole, significantly reduced aggressive driving compared with California. Now, if the 5 and another major interstate were jammed for hours because of a jumper, no doubt Washington commuters would get annoyed and aggressive just like their California counterparts. But the speeds in WA are a bit slower, you have less dopes in their ricers and exhaust fartcannons gunning their garbage V-4s, and on the whole driving in the PNW is more pleasant than, say, the 5 or 15 in San Diego, anywhere in Los Angeles ever, or the greater SF metro area. Even in Seattle, I've had people let me in when trying to get over or merge; not everyone, of course, but there is a bit more courtesy in the big Washington metros, no doubt about it.

I will also say, Portland is the real shocker -- no one ever, and I mean ever, hits or blares their car horn in frustration. People simply don't do it. Also, Portland drivers stop for pedestrians. Everywhere. In fact, the main thoroughfares throughout Portland have permanent electronic fixtures, signs, and road markings which require "pedestrians first." They are everywhere and prominent. Anyone from Portland can confirm that people do indeed stop for pedestrians, and horn use is very rare. I haven't heard a car horn in Portland in three years. Truth.

[phinneas j. whoopee]

Originally Posted by James Bond 007

I just love the way so many people assume someone's here illegally just by looking at them.

Unless youre completely stupid you can make an educated guess tho usually this includes listening too.
My hispanic friends can tell them from a much further distance than I can.

[AADAD]

Originally Posted by sfosyd

San Diego, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago and yes even Seattle. Urban driving sucks pretty much anywhere. I agree the drivers in the Pacific Northwest are more polite especially to pedestrians but driving in Seattle sucks too. Soul sucking traffic, and lots of idiots for no reason just sitting in the left lane. SD drivers are much more polite than many places in the country such as Houston, Boston, or Miami.

AAdad, you will be missed and thanks for all your contributions. It does seem most of your complaints about San Diego revolve around driving. I hear you but don't judge a city by the aggressive, idiot drivers. Boston and NYC are great places but also show the worst of humanity when on the roads. The difference of course is that you don't need to drive in these places. Uber and Lyft are really fantastic and cheap in SD and hopefully in ten years, with the advent of self driving cars, living car free will be a real option for urban dwellers.

Perhaps your right, I don't like aggressive drivers that is for sure. There is also the simple lack of cohesion in this community (for Me). I think everyone finds their spot(s) where they are comfortable. It may be in the stars.

[4SR]

OP isn't moving to Seattle, but let's make this clear:

Traffic (ranked by worst) are as follows according to the new Business insider article.

1. LA
2. San Fran
3. New York
4. Seattle

[sprez33]

Originally Posted by bloom

Are these type of things same or different in WA ?

A traveler came upon an old farmer hoeing in his field beside the road. Eager to rest his feet, the wanderer hailed the countryman, who seemed happy enough to straighten his back and talk for a moment.
"What sort of people live in the next town?" asked the stranger.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer, answering the question with another question.

"They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I'm happy to be leaving the scoundrels."

"Is that so?" replied the old farmer. "Well, I'm afraid that you'll find the same sort in the next town.

Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work.

Some time later another stranger, coming from the same direction, hailed the farmer, and they stopped to talk. "What sort of people live in the next town?" he asked.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer once again.

"They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I'm sorry to be leaving them."

"Fear not," said the farmer. "You'll find the same sort in the next town."