Is Seattle turning into California? (Issaquah, Highland: condos, houses, neighborhood)

[41Willys]

In terms of being over crowded. The more pictures I see, the more it reminds me of Cali. It just looks like there are houses EVERYWHERE.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about, I live in NJ, the country part of NJ. There's alot of hills around here and it's pretty scenic. I've been to Cali a half dozen times or so and noticed they have alot of the same hills there, except these hills are covered in houses instead of tree's.

I know the Seattle area is known for it's pine tree's but I'm seeing more and more houses all over the place on the outskirts of town. Does anyone else see this? Is it changing into an over crowded city & burbs? Any feed back would be appreciated.

[VeronikaW]

Having just moved to the Seattle area from CA (and having once lived in NJ (Clifton)), I have to say, my husband and I were surprised by how close the houses are in our neighborhood (Eastside). Our neighborhood feels very CA to me, but that's probably why I chose to live here.

V. =)

[ness]

Until you have smog, there is still a BIG difference between Cali.(at least SoCal) and WA. I think WA is probably more similar to the Bay Area.

[41Willys]

Originally Posted by VeronikaW

Having just moved to the Seattle area from CA (and having once lived in NJ (Clifton)), I have to say, my husband and I were surprised by how close the houses are in our neighborhood (Eastside). Our neighborhood feels very CA to me, but that's probably why I chose to live here.

V. =)

So its like Perth Amboy or Queens NY in terms of crowded houses?

Originally Posted by ness

Until you have smog, there is still a BIG difference between Cali.(at least SoCal) and WA. I think WA is probably more similar to the Bay Area.

No,no, not smog, population. Maybe this is another reason for the bad traffic problem??

[VeronikaW]

Originally Posted by 41Willys

So its like Perth Amboy or Queens NY in terms of crowded houses?

I wouldn't say it's that bad, but I'd have to guess in our neighborhood, no one has a lot that's bigger than 1/4 of an acre, probably much smaller, and it's similar to the tract homes in CA. We do live in an area with a large number of condos, so that plays a part, as well.

I think naively, I thought houses would have more land up here. We had a nice sized yard in New Jersey, so I guess that's what I was expecting here.

V. =)

[41Willys]

What town are you referring to in Wa. ?

[ness]

Originally Posted by VeronikaW

I wouldn't say it's that bad, but I'd have to guess in our neighborhood, no one has a lot that's bigger than 1/4 of an acre, probably much smaller, and it's similar to the tract homes in CA. We do live in an area with a large number of condos, so that plays a part, as well.

I think naively, I thought houses would have more land up here. We had a nice sized yard in New Jersey, so I guess that's what I was expecting here.

V. =)

I can only speak about southern calif. since that's where I'm at, but I have to tell you that 1/4 acre lot here is considered HUGE. My lot is 7,500 square feet in a suburban area of LA and its considered a large lot. The tract homes that are now built here (SOCal) usually have a small strip of land at the back that basically holds the air conditioner and a small area...i guess big enough for a patio table. From what I've seen many areas in suburban WA have much larger lots for houses. Now....right in Seattle they are closer together with smaller lots, but that's pretty typical with any major city, isn't it?

[VeronikaW]

Originally Posted by 41Willys

What town are you referring to in Wa. ?

Issaquah Highlands

Originally Posted by ness

I can only speak about southern calif. since that's where I'm at, but I have to tell you that 1/4 acre lot here is considered HUGE. My lot is 7,500 square feet in a suburban area of LA and its considered a large lot. The tract homes that are now built here (SOCal) usually have a small strip of land at the back that basically holds the air conditioner and a small area...i guess big enough for a patio table. From what I've seen many areas in suburban WA have much larger lots for houses. Now....right in Seattle they are closer together with smaller lots, but that's pretty typical with any major city, isn't it?

My husband will tell you have I spacial relationship problems. I'm from Orange County, and most recently San Diego. I was too lazy to go look up the square feet of lots down there, but I have to say that where we live now (in the east side suburbs 20 miles from downtown) the yards look to be about as big as a typical Irvine, CA yard, so, non-existent practically. Some of the older houses in the area have bigger lots, but we were surprised by how close the houses are in our particular community.

V. =)

[ness]

Basically everywhere now there is a formula that holds pretty true. New housing developments = smaller lots b/c smaller lots = more units per acre = more $$$ for the developer. Granted some developments have larger lots, but they are NOT the norm.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by 41Willys

In terms of being over crowded. The more pictures I see, the more it reminds me of Cali. It just looks like there are houses EVERYWHERE.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about, I live in NJ, the country part of NJ. There's alot of hills around here and it's pretty scenic. I've been to Cali a half dozen times or so and noticed they have alot of the same hills there, except these hills are covered in houses instead of tree's.

I know the Seattle area is known for it's pine tree's but I'm seeing more and more houses all over the place on the outskirts of town. Does anyone else see this? Is it changing into an over crowded city & burbs? Any feed back would be appreciated.

crowding is not the key.
the key is certain signs that can only mean it is becoming california.
are there a lot of fat people wearing shorts in jeeps driving up and down the freeway?
are the people very rude?
do they fight for parking spaces and hate to walk?
do they consistently fail to greet you or say good morning?
when they finish a conversation do they simply walk away without concluding the conversation?
do they think that all predators (2 and 4 legged) are our misunderstood friends and need a hug?

then it has become california!!
cowabunga man!

stephen s
san diego ca