Wanting to relocate to Seattle Area, from Phoenix and lost on area to pick. (Tacoma: relocating)

[*hinalea*]

northernexposure --
Then you will like the rain in Seattle...the rain is misty and rarely does it ever pour or storm )
Gig Harbor is a nice area...a lot of people who have money live there. The only downside that it is in the south sound and the closest major city is Tacoma rather than Seattle. It's a little rural...If you have to commute to Seattle it would not be too fun but if you don't then it's pretty nice.
Thanks...if things work out hopefully I get to go back!

[fairweathergolfer]

*hinalea*, I hope you can get back too one day. Even though I am now a conservative (moved on from liberal-not to make a judgment, just the truth), I feel the same way you do here in Los Angeles.

Seattle is a wonderful place for so many reasons and I have also been in AZ, it is hot and dry and I can see why you are anxious to get home. It is fairly temperate where I live in West LA by the water, but still there is just something about the raw casualness of Seattle, with all of its quirkiness, NW intellectuals, gray skies, coffee shops, the wharf, the lakes . . . that I adore. It is a great city for so many reasons. By the way I also love Hawaii, what a wonderful place to be from . Thanks for your post.

[Bossanovawitcha]

I'm being relocated to work out of Bothell (from Phoenix), and am excited about the misty, cool weather. Scottish Highland blood in me was meant for it.

Phoenix has some really nice areas, and 6 months of impeccably weather, but I'm looking forward to the change in climate.

Worried about the real estate bubble - not a big risk when you're buying a 250k house, but when you're buying a 500k house its a bit scary plopping down your savings nestegg just to get in and watch it potentially disappear..

[Seattletony]

Having lived in Phoenix for 6 years, hinalea I can tottaly relate to what your going through. After the first year of living there, when the novelty wore off I couldn't take it anymore. The 6 months of heat, lack of culture, no water, and 80 shades of brown and brownish air. Since I have been home, I feel healthier and more alive. Give me green, water, RAIN, hills, culture, and fresh air.

[Bossanovawitcha]

I can attest to Seattletony's description of 'shades of brown.'

With poor public transportation and unlimited desert development, there is no end in sight I'm afraid.

[Seattletony]

Not to get off subject because this is a Seattle forum but while I was living in the Phoenix area, I began to think that building in the middle of a desert with a limited water supply water being a necessity not a luxury was pretty stupid. On top of that, you sprawl uncontrolably out into the desert is all setting up for a recipe for disaster. People see the 300 days of sun and take it and run with it without thinking about the other quality of life factors i.e. good schools (if you have children), clean air, and comfortability. Seattle is not perfect by no stretch of the imagination but it does have certain natural advantages over places like Phoenix, Vegas, and most of Socal. People see rain as a liability but I see it as an asset and since I have been HOME I appreciate it much more!!!!

[scubashawn]

I have to tell you that Home prices are a lot higher in the Seattle area then PHX. That being said....If you want to experience sporting events , good restaurants, etc....I stay within the city limits of Seattle. There's really not much crime...maybe stay away from the south side. I lived in North Seattle (Haller Lake area) and loved it. We could be downtown in 10-15 min. If you live in the burbs...renton...etc...It will take you for ever to get anywhere. Traffic is horrible. It's not like the valley of Phoenix.

[scubashawn]

Natural advantages ?????? Like what ? I am originally from SoCal, have lived in both Seattle & Phoenix. I think all are great places to live ! I wouldn't say that Seattle has any advantages over the others. It just depends on what you like. They all are completely different from one another.

[scubashawn]

And by the way....Schools are excellent in Socal and Phx....

[Seattletony]

Seattle has natural advantages in terms of water is what I meant sorry for not being more specific. So. Nevada, Arizona, and Socal are all tapping into the Colorado River whose waters are receding and have been for years Salt River is tributary of the Colorado River. Socal and Phoenix area are notorious for being underfunded and lacking in resources money when it comes to education. No doubt that these areas have some good schools but not near as many as the greater Seattle area. Seattle metro is the most educated big city in America in terms of high school diploma's and adults with bachelor degrees second only to DC in terms of advanced degrees.