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Old 06-19-2009, 11:36 AM
 
5 posts, read 17,345 times
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Have any of you moved to NW Washington from the Midwest? I'm wondering just how different it will be in regards to people and their demeanor. I am really laid back and not materialistic. I lived in an area of Michigan quiet a few years ago that was really materialistic and I never really felt comfortable there. People were also really guarded and not very welcoming. I just wonder if it will be the same around the Enumclaw area, where we will be moving to. I at least want to be prepared as much as can be as I was not prepared when we moved to Michigan. I just want to know what to expect and not be blind sighted!
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Old 06-19-2009, 05:06 PM
 
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I am also originally from the Midwest and now live in the south sound area. I don't believe there will be too much of a culture shock moving to a smallish, somewhat rural area like Emunclaw. Not like there would be moving to New York or the South or even Seattle.
One thing I had to get used to here is even in fairly small towns and cities in this area there are lots of drifters and transients, much more so than I ever remember growing up in the Midwest. Could be the nature of the area and it's economy that attracts this element perhaps going back to the old rough and tumble pioneer days. At any rate, be prepared to see more of that, even outside the major cities.
Some people claim there is a stoic and standoffish streak in people here(see the Seattle forum for that). I don't notice it much, but I live in a smaller town where those things are less true everywhere. I am rather neutral on that subject.
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Old 06-19-2009, 09:51 PM
 
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Thanks for the reply! I did read the Seattle forum and about the whole freeze issue before I posted, that's what got me thinking about it. I was hoping a smaller town would be different though, so thank you for your thoughts.

Also thanks for the heads up on the drifters.
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Old 06-19-2009, 10:16 PM
 
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I think the smaller towns around Seattle ARE a little different, but I would say that as each year passes, these areas become more and more a part of the Seattle megalopolis. It is a gradual, but a noticeable change. Maybe a bad example, but how many of these small towns now have a Starbucks?
And, how many of these small towns now have new subdivisions? Just a couple of tell-tales.
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Old 06-19-2009, 10:59 PM
 
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Wow, I'm from Michigan and that was not my experience at all - you must have been on the east side, huh? Those of us on the west side were too poor to be guarded and materialistic. We're moving to Washington, too. Hope your experience improves out west!
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Old 06-20-2009, 12:11 AM
 
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Another Michigan person moving to Seattle area too, huh? My wife and I are moving in 2 weeks, and really looking forward to it. Just remember a place is only as good as you make it. If you don't get out and do things, its not going to seem very welcome and warm. If you get out and do things, meet new people, it'll be great.

When we were there for a short time on our honeymoon, we couldn't have been happier. Granted we were in a happy time, but everyone was nice and very welcoming, even the people on the street were nice.
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Old 06-20-2009, 12:14 AM
 
Location: PNW
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I don't think you'll have culture shock, either. If you moved to Bellevue you'd find a more materialistic culture, but I don't think you should worry too much about Enumclaw.
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Old 06-20-2009, 08:26 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jennywren123 View Post
Wow, I'm from Michigan and that was not my experience at all - you must have been on the east side, huh? Those of us on the west side were too poor to be guarded and materialistic. We're moving to Washington, too. Hope your experience improves out west!
LOL...we were just outside of Ann Arbor. I had family in Flint and I know it wasn't like that their either, which is why I know each area is different.
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Old 06-20-2009, 08:32 AM
 
5 posts, read 17,345 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Midas AG View Post
Another Michigan person moving to Seattle area too, huh? My wife and I are moving in 2 weeks, and really looking forward to it. Just remember a place is only as good as you make it. If you don't get out and do things, its not going to seem very welcome and warm. If you get out and do things, meet new people, it'll be great.

When we were there for a short time on our honeymoon, we couldn't have been happier. Granted we were in a happy time, but everyone was nice and very welcoming, even the people on the street were nice.
Wow, lots of us Midwesterners are moving there! I agree you do have to get out and do things, but there is still a vibe people give off as well. I do love how there seems to be an endless supply of outdoor activities there. I'm really looking forward to the move as well!
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Old 06-20-2009, 09:51 AM
 
Location: Ocean Shores, WA
5,092 posts, read 14,829,848 times
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Generally, no matter where you are, you get back what you put out.

If you go through your daily life happy, friendly, and non-judgmental, that's how people you come in contact with will treat you back.

If you live within yourself and your public demeanor projects an unhappy, suspicious outsider, that's how you will be perceived and treated.
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