Cheer Me Up About My Move to WA (Seattle, Spokane: movies, live in)

[mustang34]

Obviously you have your mind set on Seattle, but I will say this anyway. As hard as many find it to believe (such as my sister-in-law's parents) Eastern Washington is a desert. This desert is about 1/3 of the state. Ironic that we are the Evergreen State. Now to the point. There is plenty of sunshine and a river where i live. Tri-Cities, fastest growing area in the state. Still not as big as Seattle though, and it's a 4 hour trip from here to Seattle. Still we are about 230,000 people. May be too small and boring for you, if you're from Miami, and the winters are cold here. Cheaper cost of living. You do need winter tires and clothes, not too expensive. I like it, try a search.

[PG77]

thanks mustang34, but i will be stayin with my sister in Ruston until i get settled, so Seattle is the best choice for me as far as jobs go i think at this time...i am from Bradenton, Florida (near Sarasota) and originally from Ohio and i cannot deal with snow so I probably wont go to Eastern Washington once I am on my feet

[mustang34]

That's cool, good luck with your move.

[StealthRabbit]

I would think it a pleasure to give up the heat, humidity, bugs, and crawly things, hurricanes and immigrants.

An occasional Volcano, Earthquake or Tsunami come much more as an exciting surprise, and far less frequent. I think you will enjoy the change, plan to get out a lot and try new things. If you need some sun, drive east, or fly south. Very quick and ez; and pretty cheap too.

BC is REALLY nice to visit too.

Eastern WA snow is not like Ohio. You can get some areas that will be sunny and snow is gone quickly. None of this 'all winter stuff' unless you are at a higher elevation (ski area), or in a few of the high storm areas.

Good luck, and I think your cat will really like it

[PG77]

thanks for the info i have three days to go, i fly out Wednesday, so am nervous and excited at the same time...i do want to visit BC, but do you have to have a passport now?

[major2001]

I too am lately thinking of a move due to Michigans bad-and-getting-worse economy before I have to take a total loss on my house...if I can sell it! I have no family left here but elderly (90's!) Aunts in SF and Oregon, cousins in WA state, a fav. cousin in Alaska. A brother (temporarily) in Seattle but who wants to move back here! I am an RN so can get a job anywhere, have a good one here. I can "retire" from the university hospital in 6 1/2 years (I am completely vested in the retirement program with over 400 k in my 401k so far but will gain retiree health insurance if I stay to age 53 1/2) Do I stick it out here, then move and still work elsewhere after I retire in 6 years, or go now before things get worse here but probably lose the paid health insurance when I retire? I am just starting to think about where I would like to be, have never been but am thinking Northern CA, Wa or possibly Oregon? (love what I've seen/heard about thosee areas, and very beautiful!) Or, maybe the Carolinas near the Coast? I have a 9 year old, am a single parent, want to own a decent home (not a dump!) and live where the economy is decent. And the surroundings pleasant. I currently make around $75 K and have a pretty nice house but a 40 mile commute, each way!! (too ecpensive in AnnArbor where I work, but good pay there)
Help!!

[wohelo]

I can totally understand your anxiety about the move. Think of it as an adventure. I have friends that were driving across the country to the PNW and fell in love with Fort Collins CO and didn't even make it to Oregon. So, keep an open mind and enjoy the journey....who knows what you might discover. My cat has traveled with me all over the West without any problems. Enjoy and be safe. Welcome to WA.

[PG77]

thanks my son wants to move to Ft. Collins, CO...he has done a lot of research on it. also, my cat has flown with me before in the past and done really well...i hope he flies okay this time with me...we both are a bit older now

[ulsterscot]

I moved from Georgia to Washington a few years ago. I lived there for four years. You get used to the six months of grey/rain. And it was nice not having all the taxes to deal with. I eventually had to move away though. I couldn't deal with all the wannabee hippie types. If I wanted to see people burning the American flag I would have moved to Beirut. ( Eastern WA is different, but I couldn't find work out there ). I hope you and your cat find a great place to live! Remember, gortex is your friend.

[PG77]

thanks!