SF Bay Area vs. Seattle (Kent, Olympia: neighborhoods, college, closing)

[skidamarink]

OP, you're more likely to get pro-Seattle replies when asking former Bay Area residents who now live in Seattle to compare the two. Obviously, they are here because they like it better. Did you also ask former Seattlites living the Bay Area now about their opinions? Might wanna do that.

[GoBlueInSeattle]

Originally Posted by jm31828

Umm, I do get out- and have been around A LOT. My wife and I have traveled extensively over the last ten years, having explored all parts of the country except the Southeast. There are many pretty parts of the country, but I stand by my opinion that NO place compares to this area. Washington is not Maine with more people, more rain and less snow- Maine does not have jaw-dropping scenery like Mount rainier, Mount Baker, the Olympic Mountains, or even what is offered in most of the rest of the Cascades.
And yes, I have spent a lot of time in Montana and Wyoming. I am originally from South Dakota and lived 10 years in Nebraska, so those were my "local" scenic areas that we could drive to. Pretty, and definitely dramatic in places, but still not nearly as nice as what we have out here.

And we have also visited the San Francisco bay area several times- a scenic city no doubt, one of our favorites- maybe my 2nd favorite area of the country- but still not as pretty as this area. It's too dry looking, and the mountains around it are not nearly as high- and it is missing a massive looming peak like Mount Rainier to add to the view.
Getting further out of the city is nicer, we do love the Big Sur area and Yosemite is amazing- so again I would say that area is definitely our 2nd favorite area.

Sorry, I wouldn't call myself a "homer"- I have only been here 4 years- have lived in several other parts of the country, and chose this area to live. So these observations are made from someone who is looking objectively at what this area has to offer in comparison to everywhere else.

I have been all over this region and stand by my statement that the Seattle does not have any "jaw-dropping" views. Its certainly nice, but there are many other areas of the country with far more jaw-dropping views. I think this area just attracts parochial homers, even if not originally from the area.

[GoBlueInSeattle]

Originally Posted by jm31828

Umm, I do get out- and have been around A LOT. My wife and I have traveled extensively over the last ten years, having explored all parts of the country except the Southeast. There are many pretty parts of the country, but I stand by my opinion that NO place compares to this area. Washington is not Maine with more people, more rain and less snow- Maine does not have jaw-dropping scenery like Mount rainier, Mount Baker, the Olympic Mountains, or even what is offered in most of the rest of the Cascades.
And yes, I have spent a lot of time in Montana and Wyoming. I am originally from South Dakota and lived 10 years in Nebraska, so those were my "local" scenic areas that we could drive to. Pretty, and definitely dramatic in places, but still not nearly as nice as what we have out here.

And we have also visited the San Francisco bay area several times- a scenic city no doubt, one of our favorites- maybe my 2nd favorite area of the country- but still not as pretty as this area. It's too dry looking, and the mountains around it are not nearly as high- and it is missing a massive looming peak like Mount Rainier to add to the view.
Getting further out of the city is nicer, we do love the Big Sur area and Yosemite is amazing- so again I would say that area is definitely our 2nd favorite area.

Sorry, I wouldn't call myself a "homer"- I have only been here 4 years- have lived in several other parts of the country, and chose this area to live. So these observations are made from someone who is looking objectively at what this area has to offer in comparison to everywhere else.

What the heck is "dry" looking? Is "wetness" some aspect of scenic beauty? Seriously, if you can't appreciate the beauty of areas where it doesn't rain year round, you have a problem. That kind of thing is right up there with Seattle being "clean" as a noteworthy positive attribute. As in "New York City is ok, but its too dirty" type of statements - usually uttered by clueless suburbanites.

[GoBlueInSeattle]

Originally Posted by skidamarink

OP, you're more likely to get pro-Seattle replies when asking former Bay Area residents who now live in Seattle to compare the two. Obviously, they are here because they like it better. Did you also ask former Seattlites living the Bay Area now about their opinions? Might wanna do that.

Don't kid yourself - I've met quite a few Bay Area refugees up here who would move back in a heartbeat if they could afford it. Its not about the awesomeness of Seattle - its about the way cheaper housing costs.

[GatsbyGatz]

Originally Posted by GoBlueInSeattle

I have been all over this region and stand by my statement that the Seattle does not have any "jaw-dropping" views. Its certainly nice, but there are many other areas of the country with far more jaw-dropping views. I think this area just attracts parochial homers, even if not originally from the area.

Quite the statement. Where exactly are these many other areas? And please limit your examples to views that can be had within actual city limits and not some mountain adjacent to cities (for instance, obviously a climb up the mountain to the Griffith Observatory in LA will give you an expansive view--what examples can you give of views better than Seattles within the core residential parts of the city?)

[jm31828]

Originally Posted by GoBlueInSeattle

What the heck is "dry" looking? Is "wetness" some aspect of scenic beauty? Seriously, if you can't appreciate the beauty of areas where it doesn't rain year round, you have a problem. That kind of thing is right up there with Seattle being "clean" as a noteworthy positive attribute. As in "New York City is ok, but its too dirty" type of statements - usually uttered by clueless suburbanites.

Dry looking= hills that are brown with dead looking grass and few to no trees.

[jm31828]

Originally Posted by GoBlueInSeattle

I have been all over this region and stand by my statement that the Seattle does not have any "jaw-dropping" views. Its certainly nice, but there are many other areas of the country with far more jaw-dropping views. I think this area just attracts parochial homers, even if not originally from the area.

No, I have been to almost every major metro area in the country- I have yet to find any with a view as dramatic as Mount Rainier looming over the Seattle skyline. San Francisco's views are very nice but are missing a really jaw-dropping element like the massive Mount Rainier, I like Portland with its views of Mount Hood over the city- but even there it's not quite as dramatic because it does not include a large body of water. If you consider my views to be those of a parochial homer, then I could say the same thing about people who live in the Bay Area and love it there! I mean, why are THEY exempt from this kind of label?

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by jm31828

Dry looking= hills that are brown with dead looking grass and few to no trees.

Yes, this.



Compared to this.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Yes, this.



Compared to this.

Now wait, this isn't exactly fair. the number of trees in the Bay Area varies greatly from place to place depending on microclimate and soil conditions. it doesn't look the same because the plant make up is different but there are greener expanses than that.

[jm31828]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

Now wait, this isn't exactly fair. the number of trees in the Bay Area varies greatly from place to place depending on microclimate and soil conditions. it doesn't look the same because the plant make up is different but there are greener expanses than that.

Very true, and this image looks a lot nicer than what you see in other parts of the Bay. I guess I was referring to the big hills/small mountains that are the big backdrop you see- they are not forest-covered as those around Seattle are.

But this image does look nice- is it from the southwest part of the peninsula? I seem to remember the area west of Palo Alto looking like this, if I remember correctly.