Seattle: You're Not Cool If You Don't Love It Here (appointed, houses)

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by DP79

So I've been wanting to write a post like this for a while. I lived in Seattle for 8 years, hated almost every second of it (okay, only the last 6 years or so), and then moved away, to Chicago. I have been happier than I could ever imagine since moving away - the gloom, the doom, the feeling of being on a COMPLETELY different page than everyone else has completely dissipated. I'm back to the real world again, and I feel alive... It's GREAT!

So I've been wanting to say, one of the more unpleasant things about Seattle is the public image kick it's on. Practically everyone that lives there, in one form or another, takes every chance possible to rave about what an AMAZING place it is. It's like they're trying to sell themselves, and one another, on their choice of a living destination. Problem is, not everything about Seattle is that great. Case in point: the weather. The weather is a particularly sticky subject in Seattle. I think, regardless of how gung ho anyone is about Seattle, EVERYONE can agree it's not ideal. You really don't see the Sun for long periods of time, it really doesn't get that warm there, and it really can be kind of a gloomy place (it's definitely no Cancun or anything). BUT... People are so intent on their Seattle propaganda kick that bringing up any negative aspect, no matter what context, is met with MAJOR opposition. Moreover, as one can probably tell from browsing this site for more than 20 seconds, it is practically scorned by the general populace... vehemently, at times.

Now this just adds to the problem. Because, you see, dealing with crappy weather, year after year, is difficult enough. But to be constantly "corrected" by your friends, coworkers, and family, if applicable, is even more annoying. There doesn't seem to be another place in the country that takes such offense to weather complaints. Complaining about the weather is as old as mankind itself. But the public condemnation and ostracism one receives in Seattle for doing such is beyond precedent. It's just bizarre. (And possibly a reason for the "Freeze", see other threads, as it can be quite a divisive phenomenon.)

I've often equated the mindset in Seattle as akin to Stockholm syndrome. You almost have to praise your captor, the weather, when it releases you from its cold, wet grip. If you can't rationalize your stay there as such, you're doomed. And that's best advice I can offer anyone thinking of moving there... Wishing you better luck than I had!

I know people who were born and raised in Seattle, and they don't have much of anything good to say about it, either. I haven't run into the Seattle-boosting you describe.

What I'm wondering is: of all these transplants who end up hating Seattle, and eventually leaving, why aren't they finding each other in Seattle? If there were some kind of transplants club, so people could meet and commiserate, life in Seattle might be a lot more tolerable for them. They might actually have some fun, and make a bunch of friends. How come that's not working?

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by JBVirtuoso;30196016I

ditched the umbrella that I carried every day in Chicago

Why did you ditch the umbrella? You said Chicago has more sunny days than Seattle. Wouldn't your habit have been the opposite--carry an umbrella every day in Seattle, but only when the weather warrants it in Chicago?

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

What I'm wondering is: of all these transplants who end up hating Seattle, and eventually leaving, why aren't they finding each other in Seattle? If there were some kind of transplants club, so people could meet and commiserate, life in Seattle might be a lot more tolerable for them. They might actually have some fun, and make a bunch of friends. How come that's not working?

Or just leave? Why stay? If you need to make life "tolerable" why stay? We have plenty of people here and overwhelming traffic, why stay? Go find your happy place. Ruth, don't you live in New Mexico? OP, why don't you go join Ruth in New Mexico. She's another poster who spends a lot of time here dissing Seattle. It makes no sense why you guys spend so much time here when you don't live here. It's like you just can't get over it that you could not live here happily so you obsess.

[DP79]

Originally Posted by Seacove

Or just leave? Why stay? If you need to make life "tolerable" why stay? We have plenty of people here and overwhelming traffic, why stay? Go find your happy place. Ruth, don't you live in New Mexico? OP, why don't you go join Ruth in New Mexico. She's another poster who spends a lot of time here dissing Seattle. It makes no sense why you guys spend so much time here when you don't live here. It's like you just can't get over it that you could not live here happily so you obsess.

Seacove, there is an undeniable sense of warmth and hospitality in your every post. Have you considered becoming a game show host or possibly a diplomat? I believe our country's global positioning could be strengthened by your vision.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Why did you ditch the umbrella? You said Chicago has more sunny days than Seattle. Wouldn't your habit have been the opposite--carry an umbrella every day in Seattle, but only when the weather warrants it in Chicago?

Weather is Chicago is unpredictable and when it rains it rains hard! Here is just a light rain so really only a light windbreaker is needed, rarely an umbrella is needed!

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by DP79

Seacove, there is an undeniable sense of warmth and hospitality in your every post. Have you considered becoming a game show host or possibly a diplomat? I believe our country's global positioning could be strengthened by your vision.

I'm guessing you deserved the isolation you received while living here and are wounded that everyone smiled and waved at your departure. If your sole purpose is to post rants against Seattle after you've moved away, you deserve the scorn. You might want to move on, it's healthier.

[DP79]

Originally Posted by Seacove

I'm guessing you deserved the isolation you received while living here and are wounded that everyone smiled and waved at your departure. If your sole purpose is to post rants against Seattle after you've moved away, you deserve the scorn. You might want to move on, it's healthier.

You're right, Seacove, you're right. I was so isolated there, and so unpopular. I had no friends, and no one liked me. Wow, you sure know how to jab your finger into a wound and twist, huh? How do you do it? How do you exhibit such warmth and compassion one moment, and such blatantly cruelty the next? Right when I was starting to think I made my first Seattle friend after 8 lonely, tear-soaked years... What a heartbreaker you are, Seacove.

[Back to NE]

Originally Posted by DP79

So I've been wanting to write a post like this for a while. I lived in Seattle for 8 years, hated almost every second of it (okay, only the last 6 years or so), and then moved away, to Chicago. I have been happier than I could ever imagine since moving away - the gloom, the doom, the feeling of being on a COMPLETELY different page than everyone else has completely dissipated. I'm back to the real world again, and I feel alive... It's GREAT!

So I've been wanting to say, one of the more unpleasant things about Seattle is the public image kick it's on. Practically everyone that lives there, in one form or another, takes every chance possible to rave about what an AMAZING place it is.

Sounds like people from... CHICAGO!

[seattlenextyear]

The Stockholm Syndrome effect (also known as "Pride in your Hometown") is common in just about every place on earth. Though it might be the worst in NYC: people there actually believe their city is the best in the universe and not a grimy, noisy, smelly dump.

[Jiff]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I know people who were born and raised in Seattle, and they don't have much of anything good to say about it, either. I haven't run into the Seattle-boosting you describe.

What I'm wondering is: of all these transplants who end up hating Seattle, and eventually leaving, why aren't they finding each other in Seattle? If there were some kind of transplants club, so people could meet and commiserate, life in Seattle might be a lot more tolerable for them. They might actually have some fun, and make a bunch of friends. How come that's not working?

Good idea. Seattle Dislikers Anonymous.

To all those that left because you didn't like Seattle, please spread your word.