Making Friends in Western Washington (Seattle, Bellevue: for sale, lease, buy)

[jwb123]

People participating in this thread might be interested in this article...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pac...213/cover.html

[cdelena]

We recently moved to Vancouver Washington and have found this to be the friendliest place we have ever been. People from up and down the block have stopped to say hello and welcome. Far more inviting than three or four of the places in Texas we lived. I have no doubt we can establish lasting relationships here.

[noplacelikeWA]

This is a recent KING5 report on warmer weather and friendlier people, its not all about getting to a warmer climate is about getting out period!

http://www.king5.com/health/stories/....20452ce2.html

[gentledental4u]

I just want to say thank you all who have added their two cents in this thread. I really appreciate it and it was fun to read!

[Salsa]

What city do you reside? Are you m/f? I'm happily married to a great guy. No kids. Cat and dog. I'm female and live in Olympia. Feel free to e-mail.

GG
GLuvsCats@aol.com

[cobolt]

I think this is an interesting thread because I have been saying the very thing it speaks of. I have been in western Washington for 2 years and have a very hard time making friends outside of the work area and most people with whom I work do not want to socialize with coworkers outside of work. I am originally from Chicago, although I have lived in many states. I moved to WA from Texas and spent much time in the south where people are more hospitable. I do miss houses with porches and knowing one's neighbor. I have gotten out, am very active in hiking and other activities and I still have not made any close friends. I am considering moving away from the state for this reason and the cost of living. I truly empathize with you. There is a sort of invisible barrier with the people here. They like very surface relationships---even in church and volunteer activities. It's time to move on.
Cobolt

[brightcopperkettles]

Originally Posted by cobolt

I think this is an interesting thread because I have been saying the very thing it speaks of. I have been in western Washington for 2 years and have a very hard time making friends outside of the work area and most people with whom I work do not want to socialize with coworkers outside of work. I am originally from Chicago, although I have lived in many states. I moved to WA from Texas and spent much time in the south where people are more hospitable. I do miss houses with porches and knowing one's neighbor. I have gotten out, am very active in hiking and other activities and I still have not made any close friends. I am considering moving away from the state for this reason and the cost of living. I truly empathize with you. There is a sort of invisible barrier with the people here. They like very surface relationships---even in church and volunteer activities. It's time to move on.
Cobolt

That's the thing that bothers me the most; even in churches, I find this behavior. And no one ever comes to see you. Just really different. I guess it's cool for the people who were raised here and don't expect anything different (or maybe don't know they should/could). Growing up in the South really makes a huge difference as to what you come to expect in other people--and miss it when it's not there anymore.

I love my husband (from Bothell), but dear Lord, I wish he would change his mind and let us move to the South.

[zilfondel]

Originally Posted by madicarus2000

Funny thing is my wife and I moved here from SoCal to West Seattle, temporarily, and we really didnt get to meet any of the neighbors. They were nice but seemed to be distant like they didnt want "new" friends. We found a nice little town in Grays Harbor that we moved to but it is so far the same. We tried to meet some of the neighbors but except for a friendly wave, no one has actually tried to introduce themselves to us. So far the only neighbors we've chatted with a lot and seem to be more friendly with is the neighbors who just moved into their house less than a month after we moved into ours. So yes, the only new people we've seem to be friendly with are the new people, just like us.

Gardening is pretty big in the Northwest, perhaps start a neighborhood gardening club or perhaps join an existing one? There are also sometimes community gardens and such...

might be time to take up a hobby.

[cobolt]

Brightcopperkettles,

Yes I agree. People attend church and then part. Even in the group activities and classes there is really no mingling outside of that. There were people I would speak with at church--we would have coffee there or get into a discussion but they were not interested in doing anything outside of that environment---not interested in opening up or sharing outside of that. Even with volunteer activities, choral union, hiking, I just can't get beyond that. People don't visit outside their clicks and friends or family and soemtimes not even then. Even neighbors are not neighborly. It baffles me. At first I thought it was me but I tend to think less so. I have always made wonderful friends wherever Ihave gone.

Maybe you can convince your husband to move? My sister moved here from the midwest about 10 years ago. I told her my observations but she doesn't see it. She thinks everything here is just fine, but she only hangs out with her boyfriend. I dont see that she has a close network of friends or neighbors as well. Maybe you get used to it at some point? I just can't see that happening. I'd rather leave. YOu can always find another job.

[Fat Freddy]

I am basically a very friendly person. I always wave to my neighbors and stop and chat for a while if we meet. But, I have no interest in being "friends". I don't care anything about their lives and my life is none of their business.

I don't want anyone coming to visit, and I don't want to go visit anyone else. I like to do things alone or with my wife and if anyone comes to my door, other than the UPS guy, I consider it an intrusion into my privacy.

But, none of this stops me from being a nice, easy going, friendly guy.