Houston-equivalent Areas in Seattle (Bellevue, Burien: condos, townhomes, neighborhoods)

[pianopeep]

Maybe somebody who lived in Houston can help me with this question. I'm toying with the idea of moving to Seattle and I was wondering what areas would be like these Houston areas:

Montrose: Gays, Hipsters, Bohemians, and Eccentrics
Washington/Rice/Military/Memorial: Bars and New Yuppie Townhomes/Condos
Midtown: Recently (past 10-20 years) gentrified and hip-ified urban wasteland (still sketchy)
Galleria/Uptown: High-end Shopping!
Medical Center: Self-explanatory

My sister is adamant that I move to Bellevue. But Bellevue makes me think of Houston's Sugarland, Missouri City, or Memorial City which are way too much trouble to travel from to get to the happening Houston spots (610 loop). Is this an accurate assessment on my part? The thought of crossing Lake Washington (and paying toll) just to go to the happening spots in Seattle makes me hesitant.

[BATCAT]

I have never lived in Houston, but I've visited a number of times. Drawing a lot of direct comparisons between areas might be hard- the two places have such different layouts and overall feels.

That said, you could certainly compare Capitol Hill to Montrose, except I think Capitol Hill is a few years ahead in terms of development and rising rents. But in terms of cafes bars, thrift stores, and an overall bohemian feel (which it seems in both is being eclipsed by pricey development) there's a comparison to be made.

The Galleria area area reminds me of parts of Bellevue, but in geographic terms, they have very different spaces within the two cities.

[kaonevar]

I've lived in Houston & Sugarland, and now live in Seattle.
The two cities are so drastically different, I don't think Houston exists here. And honestly, I'm not sure I'd want it to.
We moved here to escape the feel and politics of Texas. :/

That being said, Bellevue would be very much like the Galleria area, mixed with a lot of Sugarland.
Medical Center could possibly be parts of U-District near UW's medical school I guess...
Washington/Rice/Military/Memorial = Belltown.
Montrose = most of central Seattle (Fremont, Phinney Ridge, Capitol Hill, Ballard, etc.)
Midtown = probably north and south of Seattle, so neighborhoods like parts of Northgate, Burien, White Center, Rainier Valley, etc., but even then, parts of those areas not at all. That's a hard one.

[rmkiefer07]

Originally Posted by kaonevar

I've lived in Houston & Sugarland, and now live in Seattle.
The two cities are so drastically different, I don't think Houston exists here. And honestly, I'm not sure I'd want it to.
We moved here to escape the feel and politics of Texas. :/

That being said, Bellevue would be very much like the Galleria area, mixed with a lot of Sugarland.
Medical Center could possibly be parts of U-District near UW's medical school I guess...
Washington/Rice/Military/Memorial = Belltown.
Montrose = most of central Seattle (Fremont, Phinney Ridge, Capitol Hill, Ballard, etc.)
Midtown = probably north and south of Seattle, so neighborhoods like parts of Northgate, Burien, White Center, Rainier Valley, etc., but even then, parts of those areas not at all. That's a hard one.

^^ This - I would add from what I recall of Midtown, it would be somewhat like Georgetown - but it has been over twenty years since I lived in Houston so I could be off the mark.

[mrman78]

I lived in Houston for 12 years before finally escaping ha. I would agree with both of the above posts and they have pretty much covered it, but yeah, Houston does not exist here, never will and I would never want it to. It is probably the most different you can get from Houston in the US IMO lol.

Anyway, good luck with your move if you do choose to leave!

[AreWeThereYet??]

Originally Posted by pianopeep

Maybe somebody who lived in Houston can help me with this question. I'm toying with the idea of moving to Seattle and I was wondering what areas would be like these Houston areas:

Montrose: Gays, Hipsters, Bohemians, and Eccentrics
Washington/Rice/Military/Memorial: Bars and New Yuppie Townhomes/Condos
Midtown: Recently (past 10-20 years) gentrified and hip-ified urban wasteland (still sketchy)
Galleria/Uptown: High-end Shopping!
Medical Center: Self-explanatory

My sister is adamant that I move to Bellevue. But Bellevue makes me think of Houston's Sugarland, Missouri City, or Memorial City which are way too much trouble to travel from to get to the happening Houston spots (610 loop). Is this an accurate assessment on my part? The thought of crossing Lake Washington (and paying toll) just to go to the happening spots in Seattle makes me hesitant.

I lived in Houston for 5 years... If I have to take a guess:

Montrose = Georgetown
Rice/Military = Capital Hill
Houston Heights/Timbergrove = Green Lake
Galleria = Downtown Bellevue
Medical Center = University

The burbs here are leaps and bounds better than the burbs in Houston. Much better scenery (mountains, lakes), better outdoor activities, etc. Also, the weather here is much better

Good luck.