People who moved from NYC to Seattle: Why did you move? (Pacific: 2014, buying)

[movingwiththewind]

Any positive experience from New Yorkers working in Seattle? So far, only negative responses, and, in my view, only one side of the picture. Is working environment in Seattle really so bad? I'd also like to hear from New Yorkers or others who moved without a job. Have you ever felt like being discriminated as a transplant by a job search / in an interview? I've heard the job market in Seattle is very "local" or "closed" to outsiders. I especially heard it about Vancouver, BC.

[eightiesfan]

I'd agree with most of the previous comments. EX NY'er who moved from San Francisco to Seattle for a gig. Very passive aggressive behavior everywhere, non confrontational, and very indirect. It felt like it took forever to get anything accomplished there, people seem to talk about the issue for days before doing anything about it when it could have been solved in 10 minutes.

It's a beautiful place and I enjoyed my time there but I found the work environment and the people were difficult to deal with.

[shoegal111]

Quote "Also, Ive noticed in Seattle if you dress very professionally you tend to fall out of favor with the more casual employees."

Yes, I had a similar problem JesseJB with my collegues. They spent a great deal of their workday talking about my clothes, shoes, jewelry and handbags and debating on how much the items cost, were they real or good fakes,etc. So much time wasted in the workplace on such a pettiness.

[Under The Clouds]

It does seem like the Seattle culture frowns upon friendliness or outgoingness as "inauthentic" for some reason. By that I mean that people here seem to be suspicious of you if you make overtly friendly gestures early on in an acquaintance. I don't know if that's what is being referred to in this thread, but it was a revelation to me about how much easier it can be to meet people in other cities such as New York.

On the plus side, living in NYC or SF or a similar top city comes with certain expectations or even obligations that some people might not want. Seattle provides certain pretenses of urbanity, without the true need to differentiate yourself from the herd. In NYC, you generally have to be at or near the top of your field, or aiming for that, if you want to succeed there, not just due to the cost of living, but also because people seem to be more demanding of their peers. Contrarily, in Seattle success isn't necessarily rewarded with praise or esteem, but often with scorn and belittlement. I'm generalizing, but that does seem to be part of this city's character.

[JesseJB]

Originally Posted by Under The Clouds

Contrarily, in Seattle success isn't necessarily rewarded with praise or esteem, but often with scorn and belittlement. I'm generalizing, but that does seem to be part of this city's character.

Sounds like Paris.

[eastwesteastagain]

Originally Posted by movingwiththewind

Any positive experience from New Yorkers working in Seattle? So far, only negative responses, and, in my view, only one side of the picture. Is working environment in Seattle really so bad? I'd also like to hear from New Yorkers or others who moved without a job. Have you ever felt like being discriminated as a transplant by a job search / in an interview? I've heard the job market in Seattle is very "local" or "closed" to outsiders. I especially heard it about Vancouver, BC.

I think it may also depend on one's field, though that's just a hunch I have.

I came to Seattle for a specific psychology job, so I'm not a great example, but my husband was on the tech market as a NY transplant after we moved to Seattle and didn't feel closed out or discriminated against getting in the door or in interviews. We noticed that most tech jobs are competitive due to the number of qualified folks here to fill each opening, but he didn't report any major "Seattle-related" frustration with work that I can recall.

So that's at least two positive experiences, right?

[movingwiththewind]

Originally Posted by eastwesteastagain

So that's at least two positive experiences, right?

Agree!

[clogan88]

Originally Posted by dloqi

not sure if this counts, as we literally just moved 10 days ago if you include the 8 days of driving across the country from NYC to WA.... we moved because

1 - people are nicer
2 - the outdoor activities are more plentiful and more accessible than in NY
3 - the huge trees everywhere
4 - much bigger apartment + amenities at much lower rents
5 - did I mention that people are nicer?
6 - even the "less than desirable" neighborhoods are tolerable
7 - i wanted a car and it's much easier to have a car here than in NY
8 - the views here are amazing and plentiful and of trees & water rather than skyscrapers
9 - people are nicer

Ha. The "people are nicer" is the number one reason we are leaving CT and heading out there!!! I love that I'm not the only one who does not appreciate New England's "attitude" problem!

[movingwiththewind]

Originally Posted by clogan88

Ha. The "people are nicer" is the number one reason we are leaving CT and heading out there!!! I love that I'm not the only one who does not appreciate New England's "attitude" problem!

I'd would be very careful to move just because of the "people problem". Seattle also has people, you know. This is exactly why so many people leave Seattle: "Attitude" problem. People always have "attitude", doesn't matter where you move. I think, in addition to that, there should be other, more "legitimate" reasons to move. Good luck and have fun in Seattle! I hope to be there soon, too.

[pangbun]

It does seem like the Seattle culture frowns upon friendliness or outgoingness as "inauthentic" for some reason. By that I mean that people here seem to be suspicious of you if you make overtly friendly gestures early on in an acquaintance. I don't know if that's what is being referred to in this thread, but it was a revelation to me about how much easier it can be to meet people in other cities such as New York.

I like the way u worded this. Me and my wife joke about this, as we have moved this summer from NYC.

Generally we like it out here, but you can feel as if your from another universe, in dealing with the people.