Thinking of Moving to Seattle for Work (home, college)

[TheseGoTo11]

I currently work for a national consulting company that lets me live in any top technology market. I'm considering relocating to Seattle after 13 years in DC, because the business community there seems remarkably creative. Everytime I come back from Seattle, I'm filled with ideas I would never get here in DC.

While everything in SF is about tech, Seattle seems to apply creativity to everything - whether it's tech based or not.

Just curious if other unconventional business types like the professional environment out there, especially those who used to live on the East Coast.

[eskercurve]

I'm rather traditional - I work for Boeing - but I think a combination of IT companies, high-tech manufacturing, and a diversity of activities to do in the area combined with a beuatiful natural landscape means people tend to be more creative. This area is also home to a large number of college graduates. Some numbers I've seen show 51% of all Seattleites who are adult age have graduated from college! Seattleites also drink a lot of coffee, which in some people tends to bring out their creativity. This area is also home to a lot of small business owners, who typically strive to distinguish themselves in their community (take a look around - a LOT of businesses here are small family run places). The people also like consuming goods from small shops here just as equally as large chains, whereas a lot of other places in the nation flock to chain stores due to their being cheaper and consistent. Finally, this area attracts business from all over the world, and some of the best and brightest come here, so naturally that helps.

[Zippy7fo]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

I currently work for a national consulting company that lets me live in any top technology market. I'm considering relocating to Seattle after 13 years in DC, because the business community there seems remarkably creative. Everytime I come back from Seattle, I'm filled with ideas I would never get here in DC.

While everything in SF is about tech, Seattle seems to apply creativity to everything - whether it's tech based or not.

Just curious if other unconventional business types like the professional environment out there, especially those who used to live on the East Coast.

great observation....I wouldn't slant that against DC because that is the culture due to the Fed government being the biggest employer and customer for alot businesses....it's about process, documentation, steps, more documentation, analysis, reports...and the worst part: bureaucracy....

[wsugrad03]

I think it also has to do with the distribution of education. Seattle is one of the most educated cities in America. This kind of educated/liberal thinking tends to be more creative. I think the environment also plays a factor.

[chris]

Originally Posted by Zippy7fo

great observation....I wouldn't slant that against DC because that is the culture due to the Fed government being the biggest employer and customer for alot businesses....it's about process, documentation, steps, more documentation, analysis, reports...and the worst part: bureaucracy....

I'd second this. This is probably the correct answer.

Although having lived in both areas, I'd have a hard time quantifying anything in Seattle as overly "creative". There are simply different cultures and backgrounds that mostly attribute to the different ideas the OP may have observed.

For me, the most notable difference is the pace at which business moves out here - much slower than what I was accustomed to on the east coast. This may also play into the different businesses methodologies that exist here.

/end babbling

[TiredofPHX]

Originally Posted by wsugrad03

I think it also has to do with the distribution of education. Seattle is one of the most educated cities in America. This kind of educated/liberal thinking tends to be more creative. I think the environment also plays a factor.

I'm also considering a relocation to the PNW, particularly Seattle; and one factor is how educated the city is compared to where I currently live.

Keeping in mind that Seattle is liberal as you said, does it have room for someone like me who is more traditional-somewhat conservative, or would I be out of place there?