Is there a big "unspoken" reason why a lot of people move to the Seattle area? (Tacoma: tech jobs, neighborhood)

[BigCityDreamer]

I think the skyline of Seattle is pretty nice. Such a serene kind of beauty to it.

[burgerbun]

I moved here for the weather (no, seriously) and the mountains.

And because Seattle's economy is better than Portland's (the other possibility).

Love the PNW, but I have to be near/in a good sized city for my job.

[Frankums]

Originally Posted by The_Fairfaxian

And for God sakes Seattle residents, don't ever become like DC in any fashion.

OH! How they try! How they try!

[coolguy2222]

Let me give you an opinion of someone who doesn't live there and wants to move to Seattle. As well as I've never been there, but I'm saving up for a trip this summer.

I currently live in Oklahoma, but I grew up in Texas some in Dallas but mostly Houston. I've always been fascinated with major cities, skylines, and architecture. Also I love scenery, mountains, tall trees, oceans, lakes, etc... I've looked over every major city in the US and Seattle just seems to get me. I think that's the way most people feel that are in their twenties and are looking to move there. I'm also obsessed with seafood and I've heard they have one of the best markets in the US there. All around it gives me everything I want, while every other city seems to give me just part of it.

[seattlenextyear]

Mountains, lakes, oceans, rivers, big trees. A little snow and few mosquitoes. Fresh salmon available all summer. And 6 hour direct flights to Hawaii.

[ca_north]

Originally Posted by rainforest338

If it's unspoken, then I haven't heard of it.

Maybe some demographics? I know quite a few people that have moved to Washington to get to an area with different cultural make-up. Mostly people from California/Texas that kind of equate living in those states as living abroad. Also know a few (ex-military) that stayed because the firearms laws aren't as restrictive as other areas (one from Massachussetts and a couple from California). One guy I know is contemplating moving to WA because he can have his car registered here, but in CA it isn't considered street legal.
Those kinds of reasons?

I'd like to know what loophole allows a car to be registered in WA but not CA. I suspect it's got something to do with excessive noise, air pollution, or both, neither of which are honorable reasons.

[ca_north]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

So, what do you think? Is it something that is just not talked about openly?

Speaking for myself, the big draw of the Pacific Northwest is the high ratio of whites to other groups, plus the scenery (when weather allows).

I am burned out on "diversity" which too often manifests itself as crime and/or a culture of hanging out in the yard making a bunch of racket. Yes, I know certain types of white people do that, but there are general behaviors that closely fit stereotypes in the real world. Political-correctness sheds light on nothing.

The cloudy weather seems like the price one has to pay for escape to WhiteLand. I suspect certain ethnic groups require more sunshine, biologically, than others. Or warmer temperatures, at least. I have been long debating whether the crummy weather for much of the year justifies the escape-factor.

[isaackko]

nvm

[rainforest338]

ca_north, I'm not sure the exact reason for the vehicle. I think it was mainly emissions--something like an emission inspection is required for all cars on the roads in the entirety of CA, but in WA only in King/Pierce/Snohomish counties. The car would've had to be used on a track only if it stayed in CA. Does this sound about right?
As for the other reason you mentioned for considering a move--diversity, it is big in the cities, but not big in numbers in the rural areas--but the small amount is very visible.
In the cities, you would be getting something of everything--black, asian, middle eastern and hispanic. In the small towns the hispanic populations are the primary minority and are increasing (mostly from Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador). Washington is a sanctuary state and is one of two states that issues driver's licenses to illegal aliens. There are small advocacy groups here that hamstring immigration officials. As with many parts of the country there seems to be a portion of the population that doesn't want to assimilate. So even for a small, country town like Forks you now have special Hispanic market stores and dual labeling in the grocery store, self-segregating neighborhoods, impacts to the schools--the kids get exposure to English at school but Spanish outside. Buddies of mine played in the town soccer teams in Port Angeles and the hispanics wouldn't play on other teams, but instead formed their own, wouldn't attend the gatherings held for all the teams. Tend to be very self-excluding(?) in the community.

[la_fuerza]

Originally Posted by ca_north

Speaking for myself, the big draw of the Pacific Northwest is the high ratio of whites to other groups, plus the scenery (when weather allows).

I am burned out on "diversity" which too often manifests itself as crime and/or a culture of hanging out in the yard making a bunch of racket. Yes, I know certain types of white people do that, but there are general behaviors that closely fit stereotypes in the real world. Political-correctness sheds light on nothing.

The cloudy weather seems like the price one has to pay for escape to WhiteLand. I suspect certain ethnic groups require more sunshine, biologically, than others. Or warmer temperatures, at least. I have been long debating whether the crummy weather for much of the year justifies the escape-factor.

King County and several other counties in Washington are hardly "white land" anymore and the state becomes more diverse by the day. I hear many different languages spoken on any given day. Also most of the whites in Seattle are very progressive and liberal so your views might be outside of the norm.

When I lived in CA, the conservative whites who were looking to "escape" diversity weren't even considering Washington State. They were going to places like Idaho, Montana, Texas and the Midwest. If I were you I would consider those places first.