Anyone who knows Texas and Seattle please HELP (apartment complex, for rent)

[sahal2010]

I'm an international student, sophomore business, studied for a year in Indianapolis(IUPUI) and and looking to transfer to a GOOD school in business. the reason for that is that I am looking for a city full of life, culture, art, diversity and a very vibrant downtown and a campus that that doesn't make you feel like a stranger like it did to me in Indy. My main problem is that my scholarship covers all the tuition fees and the health insurance but only gives me 15k a year for all other expenses including rent. I would LOVE to move to NYC or LA or SF but since I don't like sleeping on the pavement...

I was thinking of either going to SMU in Dallas or UT in Austin or Seattle University. My main concern for Seattle is the gloomy weather and the cost of living. I'm really hope you can advise me and guide me to the city that best fits me.

[sahal2010]

I've heard that people from the north are friendly and helpful...please help .

[back2sa]

I'm from TX, currently living in Seattle, getting ready to move back to TX next year. Your 15K will definitely go further in TX but if you found roomates to split things with in Seattle you would do fine. Not sure what other bills you have though.

Yes, the weather is gloomy 9 months out of the year but there are days with sun and it's not a constant rain. Many days of just gray sky.

[Embraer]

I have lived in Dallas and recently moved to Seattle.

Texas is anything but vibrant. We lack much of that urban feel and there are not many things to do outside of going to the movies and out to eat.

The weather in Texas will keep you indoors between May and September due to the opressive heat and humidity. Going outside for more than 40 minutes will drain you physically and mentally even if you are just walking/sitting somewhere.

With that said, SMU is a good school and the area immedietly surrounding the University is one of the nicest areas in Dallas. 15k a year for rent,which is 1250 a month can pay for a decent one bedroom in that area...I'm assuming the entire 15k is for rent. If that is for rent AND other expenses then you will have a rough time.

On the other hand, Seattle is more expensive but that is where the negative ends. Like the previous poster said, with roomates you could afford something very nice. Also, you could afford a nice 1 bedroom apt with about 500 to 600 sq ft for between 900 and 1200 a month in the downtown Seattle area.

Seattle is much more vibrant and has many more things to do than Texas could ever dream of. In Seattle you have the Ocean, mountains, forests, city, and every activity that goes along with all those places.

The weather is not opressive, and the temps are mild year round. Combined with little to no humidity that makes going out and about very pleasant. You will deal with overcast skies for much of the year, but don't confuse that with dark and gloomy.

Most of the time it is a high in the sky overcast with occasional breaks throughout the day. Hard rain is not very common, but the drizzle and mist is. The summer months are sunny for the most part but with no extreme heat.

Overall Seattle would be the best place; but each person will have their own tastes. If you could I suggest visiting both places before moving. Just keep in mind the above points as guidelines.

[Bigtex77]

I wouldn't come here if I was a college student.

[jwb123]

Wow, as usual just disregard everything Embrarer as said and certainly don't use his word as "guidelines".

I live in Austin and have just moved here almost a year ago, from Seattle - where I lived for almost 10 years.

I don't live in Dallas, and the last time I visited there, I was maybe 17 - so I cant speak for Dallas... but living in Austin has been amazing.

Austin has great vibe that I have not felt in any other city that I have lived in (DC, Seattle). Yes, there are great restaurants - I mean, really really great food and atmosphere restaurants... but there are festivals, sporting activities, a bunch of lakes, a vibrant downtown that is full of activities and fun things to do. Austin is not particularly diverse, but neither is Seattle.

Austin's cost of living is less expensive than Seattle's - and the quality of life in Austin is huge.

I have spent this entire summer out and about in Austin - and yes, it's hot - but it's not oppressive, it's not unbearable - and yes, people still go out and do what they need & want to do and are active in the heat. I didn't spend the entire summer sitting inside existing on AC.

You will deal with overcast skies for much of the year, but don't confuse that with dark and gloomy.

Most of the time it is a high in the sky overcast with occasional breaks throughout the day. Hard rain is not very common, but the drizzle and mist is. The summer months are sunny for the most part but with no extreme heat.

... and then you can do a quick search of this forum and find weather discussed ad naseum through out, and find that the majority of the people who actually currently, or have lived there, say exactly the opposite.

Seattle actually IS dark and gloomy many of the months, which is the draw for some people initially. The "summer months" really are the summer "month" as August is the only reliable sunny and warm month.

I would agree though, visit both places prior to your decision. Good luck!

[noplacelikeWA]

Since the OP is looking for a runner up to his/her first choice of NY, LA, or San Fran, I think it is a no brainer... SEATTLE!

[long_time_seattleite]

Originally Posted by Embraer

You will deal with overcast skies for much of the year, but don't confuse that with dark and gloomy.

Most of the time it is a high in the sky overcast with occasional breaks throughout the day.

This is very incorrect. If you think this is how the weather is here, you will be in for a big surprise when you arrive. Sure, what you describe does happen occasionally during the “rainy season” -- aka late-October through mid/late-June), but it is not the norm during that time.

I live in Seattle, and I wish I could take a picture outside right now for you. Clouds are very low and have basically engulfed and covered up the nearby hills outside my window, which are only a few miles away.

Seattle also gets a lot/increased fog due to being in a maritime environment, especially in the late-summer/fall. There are days when this burns off by the afternoon, but there also also plenty of days where it hangs around much longer.

Also, the clouds here are often low-hanging, and can and do create that “closed-in” feeling, and, again, this is very common.

During the “rainy season” (again, aka late-October through mid/late-June), it is ordinary for visibility to be greatly reduced due to low-hanging cloud cover.

While we do have days with high cloud cover and breaks of sun, they are not the norm. We get a mixed bag out here, but normally, the cloud cover is pretty low and encompassing.

I love Seattle, and I love the weather here. I do, however, want to paint a fair picture for non-residents.

[Embraer]

And as usual we all have to forgive Jenbar's sour attitude as that can and does taint facts.

She said herself that she has never lived in Dallas...so scratch her opinion. If anybody cares to know what Austin-more specifically a town outside of Austin- is like then she can give her vast wisdom that comes from living there for 1 year.

As for the weather in Seattle I won't get into that as it has been discussed plenty here on the forum and a quick look in any thread will answer most questions.

What we can talk about is lifestyle and cost of living. Everything I said was true about both places. I lived my whole life in Dallas before moving to Seattle a few months ago. Before that I made regular trips up to Seattle.

The lifestyle here is light years ahead of anything Dallas ever provided. And for those who don't know, Dallas is the most progressive and cosmopolitan city in Texas...and that is not saying too much at all. If your idea of a good time is eating out at chain restaurants, going to the movies, and catching the occasional sporting event then Dallas is your place.

Just make sure you can support the oppresive heat for half the year. Most people can't.

Here in Seattle the weather is nice, in the sense that the temps don't prevent you from doing anything outdoors. There is neither extreme heat or cold. You must not be bothered by cloudy weather to live here. But at the same time don't take that as meaning that it will be dark and overcast all the time.

Put it this way: I have never been unable to do anything outdoors here in Seattle that I have wanted to do because of the weather. I have ran, rollerbladed, and even went boating in everything from light drizzle, to mist, fog, and overcast days. Not once was the weather so oppresive that I considered staying in and just surf the TV.

I have a nice apartment in Belltown right on the waterfront-Elliot Bay Plaza for those who are familiar with the area- It is a one bedroom one bath with a GREAT view of the sound and mountains.

Rent is $1150 a month, I have free wi-fi, access to a spetacular gym, a terrace and clubhouse that is out of this world, and I'm within walking, and I do mean WALKING distance to various shops, cafes, movie theaters, performing houses, bars, restaurants, etc...

In Dallas I paid $850 a month for a one bedroom in the Addison area which is one of the most urban areas of Dallas, and I was not within walking distance of anything except a CVS pharmacy. And you know what my view was? The apartment complex behind our condos and a partial view of a local bar called Carsons Live. No Wi-Fi, a small gym with outdated equipment, no sense of community as the neighboors were all cold and snobbish, and I was lucky to get a unit with washer and dryer.

And that was an upscale condo in an upscale part of town. Imagine your average apartment in your average neighborhood down there.

Put it this way...I was planning a move to Seattle for a couple of years and I can say that I have not regretted it. This is a great place with a great quality of life. Even a cousin of mine who is a hater of cold/cloudy weather and laughed at the idea of me moving up here has now begun to consider a move here herself after visiting me a couple of times.

Just remember to visit first before doing anything. I did and that gave me a good base to start from. And watchout for some of the opinions on this forum...

[scirocco22]

We each have our own opinions but more than opinions, we each "see" things a bit differently especially when it comes to things such as weather, climate, or the vibe a certain place has.

Please make your own decisions as to which "opinion" or member's post you want to disregard or which one you want to give credence. It doesn't necessarily mean that poster is right or wrong, it's just the way they "see" it ...believe what they say or don't believe it, you have the choice.

This is the purpose of this board, to listen to other's opinions and viewpoints. Some may express their opinions as if they know-it-all and are the expert on the particular subject. You still have to make a decision on how much you want to believe or whether to believe any of the words at all even though some may even state that it is a "fact." We all see facts in a different manner too.

Thanks.