Fascination with Seattle? (Bellevue, Rainier: transplants, violent crime, how much)

[Your_Killin_Me_Smalls]

So what is it? A lot of people say it looks like a cool place. I guess a lot of you guys live there so tell me some of the cools things about seattle. I heard it rains a lot which I actually like...as sad as it may sound. And the space needle thing looks cool but what else?

[eskercurve]

Probably, for me, a Chicago transplant, is the slower way of life. I got tired of the uber-competitive nature of work in Chicago and the kill-yourself work ethic. There's still work ethos here but not nearly the same level.

Natural beauty is paramount. Two mountain ranges, a few major mountains, lakes, beaches, even arid areas if you want to drive are well within reach.

A dirty secret is that summers are GLORIOUS.

Another thing I like are the diversity of things to do and things to see. Yeah, in Chicago you can do almost anything under the sun, but you get just a different feel in a smaller city with big city appeal. The people genuinely pride their city, mostly.

And I like coffee. Even more so since I moved here, as some of the smaller roasters really know their joe. Pair it with some croissants or home made donuts ... or vegan bars ... mmmm.

Best wine in North America, both imported and domestic. Best beer in America too.

The space needle is actually just one attraction. Pike Place Market is another, the Experience Music Project is another, Alki beach is another, the sculpture park is another, native american and asian art abounds, etc.

[pw72]

It's mostly the intangibles. Getting up in the morning and seeing beautiful mountain ranges, (OK, not possible EVERY morning), but whatever...

Enjoying the mild temps year-round. (OK, again, not ALWAYS possible), but most of the time.

A vibrant skyline (s), with both Seattle and Bellevue displaying some of the most active skyline activity in the U.S. this side of Atlanta.

And the people. Yes, a little skittish, but deep down very friendly, if you can get past that first layer.

I love my hometown, always will. It ain't for everyone, but IS for many. Enjoy.

[SonicsFan93]

The natural beauty. Getting to see the lush greenery and the mountains.

The People. Forget the "Seattle Freeze", the people here are genuinely nice, and just a bit laid back. If you make any attempt to make friends here, you will succeed.

The weather. I like the rain and drizzle, but the summers here are mild, sunny and gorgeous! Winters are mild too, not much snow.

Our sports franchises and events (our culture). The Seahawks, The Mariners, The Sounders, The Storm, the Boeing Classic, the Rock n' Roll Marathon, and the 3BA on the sports side. Plenty of things to do or see around town besides sports as well: Plays at the 5th Avenue and Paramount Theatres, the local farmers markets, the Seattle Art Museum and Sculpture Park, the Seattle International Film Festival, Folklife, the Bite of Seattle, etc.

The diversity. Seattle is more diverse than most cities in the United States. This is a good article about the immigrant experience in Seattle: Seattle Metropolitan Magazine / Arts & Entertainment / Family / Detail

[pw72]

Sonicsfan93, I want to play million dollar password with you. Really.

[Backstrom]

Unlike major cities in the South, Seattle is not gritty and dusty. I can't emphasize enough how much the landscape is part of Seattle's appeal. Crossing the lake during an afternoon commute might be one of the best parts of my day.

[LookinForMayberry]

As an 18 year inhabitant, I found all the good, and the ugly. It is a great place to live. It also has its downsides: traffic being the worst, but its also incredibly dirty, and the people tend to take a "love it or leave it" attitude. We lived in North Seattle (Fremont and Westlake) for the first ten years, and you cannot keep your yards free of passers' litter, or the outside of the house free of the grim.

They are also pretty condescending to their homeless -- we've traveled half the country now, and nowhere else I've been has people lining the city streets and intersections, begging.

The cultural offerings are many, but the people are so laid back that they think nothing of holding up the performance by 20-30 minutes while they stand talking. Often, they continue to talk through the performance. The theater tends to be mostly political, and the dance tends to be modern. I quit going to SAM after years of disappointing exhibits. God help if you would like to see something performed other than The Nutcracker at Christmas.

Hiking is great, but you have to go quite a long distance to avoid the crowds. Cougar Mtn, the Cascades, Rainier -- the trails might as well be escalators at the airport. In the last years, we became fans of going further east, and once you drive about 3 - 4 hours, the trails free up.

Great nightlife, jazz, rock, classical -- it's all there.

Biking trails around town could use some work, but they are there.

You got to go, but realize it isn't perfect.

[thegreatnathan]

Originally Posted by LookinForMayberry

As an 18 year inhabitant, I found all the good, and the ugly. It is a great place to live. It also has its downsides: traffic being the worst, but its also incredibly dirty, and the people tend to take a "love it or leave it" attitude. We lived in North Seattle (Fremont and Westlake) for the first ten years, and you cannot keep your yards free of passers' litter, or the outside of the house free of the grim.

They are also pretty condescending to their homeless -- we've traveled half the country now, and nowhere else I've been has people lining the city streets and intersections, begging.

I totally disagree on these two paragraphs. Seattle's got it way better than other cities in terms of homelessness and cleanliness. Traffic's bad, true, but I've been to other big cities and it's pretty similar in many big cities.

As far as people's fascination with the place: it's all just a personality fit, like any place. I think people like the laid backness of the lifestyle. It doesn't have the intense pace of some more urban cities, but it has a lot that they offer in terms of music scenes, dance, etc.

[bigal32]

Compared to Houston, here is why I like Seattle

- I hate sun and hot weather, so Seattle weather is perfect.
- It's beautiful being near mountains and water (as opposed to concrete flatness)
- It's pedestrian friendly
- The economy is more high tech, innovative (tons of startups) and diverse (as opposed to energy centric like Houston)
- It's culture is more liberal, but not overwhelmingly so because the yuppies balance out the tree huggers
- It seems like most people are transplants, which despite rumors of a "freeze," I find makes it easier to meet and befriend people.
- The city is just the right size, not too big, not too small
- There's a foodie culture (which to be fair exists in a lot of places)
- Violent crime is non existent compared to Houston (someone getting shot here is a big deal, but there are multiple shootings every day in Houston, and almost a murder every day)

[erin3465]

As a quick aside to an otherwise good post: No way is the wine better in Seattle than the Bay Area. I love Washington Wines, but Northern California wines are way more refined and, at least for the time being, better.

Originally Posted by eskercurve

Probably, for me, a Chicago transplant, is the slower way of life. I got tired of the uber-competitive nature of work in Chicago and the kill-yourself work ethic. There's still work ethos here but not nearly the same level.

Natural beauty is paramount. Two mountain ranges, a few major mountains, lakes, beaches, even arid areas if you want to drive are well within reach.

A dirty secret is that summers are GLORIOUS.

Another thing I like are the diversity of things to do and things to see. Yeah, in Chicago you can do almost anything under the sun, but you get just a different feel in a smaller city with big city appeal. The people genuinely pride their city, mostly.

And I like coffee. Even more so since I moved here, as some of the smaller roasters really know their joe. Pair it with some croissants or home made donuts ... or vegan bars ... mmmm.

Best wine in North America, both imported and domestic. Best beer in America too.

The space needle is actually just one attraction. Pike Place Market is another, the Experience Music Project is another, Alki beach is another, the sculpture park is another, native american and asian art abounds, etc.