18years in Phoenix, to Seattle in '09 (Redmond: apartments, find a job)

[Bella0528]

oh and i am NOT looking forward to humidity---i have thick curly hair--AHHHHHHH. I hopefully will find a good hair dresser--sure can't in Arizona! I wasn't aware of the acne, that's not a good thing to hear, ugh!

[tortoisegirl]

I live in Redmond. Actually I don't like Seattle-Seattle too much. Not really into the traffic, people all over, tall buildings, driving on hills, etc. Definitely like it better in the suburbs.

I lived a couple hours North of Phoenix back in Arizona (Prescott). It's nice to be back in a bigger city with all the amenities.

I have a Garmin that works pretty well. It's one of the ones without the flip-up antennae so it takes longer to find satellites. It's allowed me to feel more confident driving around because I have it just in case, and I can take a spur of the moment trip across town without planning out and getting directions beforehand. Best few hundred dollars I've ever spent. Definitely need the GPS more here because the roads aren't planned-out straight roads that go through everywhere--lots of roads u-turning, ending, changing names, etc.

I don't know much about the viaduct either but I know it's a really old freeway that basically goes over everything near downtown. I'm sure someone can chime in and correct me!

The acne thing for me was just my skin reacting to the humidity change--it got a little better after awhile. I gave up on my hair awhile ago! Everything is pretty laid back here. At my office it's jeans and fleece everyday.

[seattlenextyear]

Originally Posted by tortoisegirl

I live in Redmond. Actually I don't like Seattle-Seattle too much. Not really into the traffic, people all over, tall buildings, driving on hills, etc. Definitely like it better in the suburbs.

I lived a couple hours North of Phoenix back in Arizona (Prescott). It's nice to be back in a bigger city with all the amenities.

I have a Garmin that works pretty well. It's one of the ones without the flip-up antennae so it takes longer to find satellites. It's allowed me to feel more confident driving around because I have it just in case, and I can take a spur of the moment trip across town without planning out and getting directions beforehand. Best few hundred dollars I've ever spent. Definitely need the GPS more here because the roads aren't planned-out straight roads that go through everywhere--lots of roads u-turning, ending, changing names, etc.

I don't know much about the viaduct either but I know it's a really old freeway that basically goes over everything near downtown. I'm sure someone can chime in and correct me!

The acne thing for me was just my skin reacting to the humidity change--it got a little better after awhile. I gave up on my hair awhile ago! Everything is pretty laid back here. At my office it's jeans and fleece everyday.

Yay, thanks for validating my recent Garmin nuvi purchase.

[MichaelinWA]

I don't know if it's the tall buildings, but our Nuvi often gets really confused in downtown Seattle, where I work.

"Recalculating."

"Recalculating."

"She," as we refer to the female-voiced unit, recently told us to turn in the wrong direction, on a one-way street downtown. It was like something out of Stephen King.

It's a very handy device overall though. The only other problem - and this would be the case anywhere - is addressing for new construction. Oh, and we lost our prior GPS, a Garmin StreetPilot, to a window-bashing thief. I posted about this experience one time. So use caution.

[seattlenextyear]

Yeah, I was worried that even having the mounting thing on the dashboard would make my car more vulnerable to break-ins. I figured I'd take the unit with us if we park downtown.

Do you use the FM traffic feature?

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by MichaelinWA

I don't know if it's the tall buildings, but our Nuvi often gets really confused in downtown Seattle, where I work.

"Recalculating."

"Recalculating."

I have nuvi 360 and have the same problem in downtown

[tortoisegirl]

I think the contributing problem to the recalculating is your maps may need to be updated (as do mine). The ones on my new Nuvi are still at least a few years old. They do charge for maps. I usually take mine with me in my purse, and hide the cord and mount under a seat. I do not mount it to the window because of the telltale ring it leaves. I had a cup holder mount that broke so now I just hold it.

The traffic feature I don't think came with mine (750?). I wouldn't use it anyways and it cost extra.

[MichaelinWA]

Nope - just got the 2009 map a couple of weeks ago (for free, just before my 12 months were up). It seems to be more of a sporadic signal loss problem, probably caused by buildings. I don't have the problem elsewhere in the area, but I did have issues in downtown Boston recently.

We use the garmin dashboard friction pad, and it works great. We also take the unit with us (either in my pack or my wife's purse) and hide the pad. Fortunately the Nuvi is small and very light.

Originally Posted by tortoisegirl

I think the contributing problem to the recalculating is your maps may need to be updated (as do mine). The ones on my new Nuvi are still at least a few years old. They do charge for maps. I usually take mine with me in my purse, and hide the cord and mount under a seat. I do not mount it to the window because of the telltale ring it leaves. I had a cup holder mount that broke so now I just hold it.

[GameHog9]

Originally Posted by Bella0528

I looked to see if anyone wrote anything on the transition from Phoenix, AZ to Seattle, Wa--I didn't see anything, I did see Seattle to Phoenix--but that doesn't really help me.

I'm probably repeating some questions--but hopefully someone will still write me back. I am moving out in April '09. My boyfriend has lived in Seattle almost his whole life--he came out to Phoenix 3 years ago to take care of his mother---long story short, job offer back in Seattle. I have no strings to Az, wasn't born here (Niagara Falls, NY--first 11 years) but I have lived here for 18 years!! I have never driven in weather and it completely freaks me out--but I know somehow I will get through it.

I really don't mind RAIN at all, I welcome it and love it--you don't get hardly any in Phoenix, but I actually get sick of all the SUNSHINE every day--give me some seasons! I know there is heavy fog sometimes, and gloom, again I am ok with that. I love all the water and green--reminds me of back home actually....my boyfriend thinks I will love it because it will remind me of home (more so than Phoenix!)

Anyway--I am rambling -- I will be living in West Seattle not real far from Lincoln Park and Alkai Beach I guess. Please tell me anything and everything. I already got my Garmin GPS system I just need some new friends in Seattle now

You too?! Finally, someone who understands me!

[Bella0528]

Well I would be living in West Seattle for at least a year--and then wherever we plan on getting a place at....I could possibly do a job transfer w/ my company here--which is actually in Redmond==didn't like the whole idea of driving on a floating bridge though--LOL. It seems like it might be a commute from where I will be at.

Jeans and fleece everyday!! That is my kind of job!! I wear jeans here to work --w/ a polo and sneaks--I am not sure if I will be staying w/ my employer (of 8 years!) or trying to just get a new job--think it might be a new job--I am currently in the admin/clerical field--think I may need some schooling working in Washington.

I got the new Garmin w/ the 4inch screen--not sure about the whole antenna thing--I have 'til January 31st to return it--so hopefully it's a good one--I need a good one--not one that takes awhile. I still can get lost here! LOL. That makes me a little nervous hearing it sent someone down the wrong way on a one way street!! That's EXACTLY what I don't want to do. I don't think I will be driving downtown alone for a bit anway.

The new Garmin I got requires no extra fee's for updating--it's the newest model I believe. I pick it up on Thursday to know for sure.