North of Seattle vs South of Seattle (Tacoma, Everett: 2014, houses)

[Drake744]

Couldn't really think of a great way to name this thread so I'll just try to describe it better. As I've mentioned in a few of my posts, I'm considering a move to the area towards the end of 2014 for several reasons, and I already use most of my vacation time throughout the year going to Seattle for 3 or 4 days at a time. I have some really good friends there but they're on the south end of the area (Tacoma and Auburn) so that's the side I'm used to. I don't know a lot about the northern suburbs so it kinda made me curious about something, and that's this....does the north side of town have the same outdoorsy feel to it like the south side does (to me)? This may be a naive question to a local but I wouldn't know. I don't ask about the east side because I'm not sure it would be terribly convenient or affordable for me. When I'm south of the city I get a lot of that "feeling" that I'm in Washington and there's a lot of nice scenery I associate with the Northwest, and of course Rainier, but I didn't know if that was the same way up north. It may very well be, but I can't help but think of my time living in LA where there were some suburban areas where you could really see the mountains and had that feeling that you were in Southern California, and there were parts of town that were really flat and just the complete opposite. Just curious if the people of Seattle had any input on this, or if most sides of town have the same general outdoors feeling to them because it's a big selling point for me.

[Inkpoe]

You'll probably find that they feel the same in terms of outdoorsiness. Main difference is which one they'll go to... like people in the North are more likely to go skiing at Stevens Pass whereas down south Crystal. From north of Seattle, you're more likely to see Mt. Baker, not so much on Mt. Rainer, unless you're heading down downtown. Each area has their own access to nature that differs from each direction.

From the Eastside, I can see both Mt. Rainer (from my mom's backyard) and (if I go down a couple streets from house) Mt. Baker. And have much easier access than both north and south Seattle to eastern WA (because of i90).

[mkarch]

Yes, although there's more undeveloped land in the south end. Even Seattle has a bunch of areas that are natural and heavily wooded. I'm in the city, and we can't even see houses on the next block over because the forest is so thick.

[Seacove]

We've never lived in the South suburbs because when we first came here some 20 years ago, we fell for Whidbey Island and even toyed with buying there. We didn't, but went there often and just grew to love the North end because of the coastal island feel. There is not a great driving distance between the two without the traffic; Tacoma is only 30 miles south of Seattle and 30 miles north would take you past Everett. Most people choose the area of Seattle closest to their work because of the traffic. Ideally, you would not commit to a location until you know where your commute would be but that is not always possible. That's why most prefer to be fairly central because even if you were at the same end as your job, if you change jobs, the commute changes.

[Hemlock140]

The Kent Valley/Auburn area is our main warehousing hub, so has more flat areas with big buildings compared to the north and, but the entire Puget Sound region has plenty of trees, and water. Like Seacove said, the commute to work is more important.

[sean98125]

Personally, I think that the area north of Everett feels wilder to me than the area south. The flat land narrows the the thin strip along I-5 and there isn't nearly as much buildable land there. There is a lot of growth to the north, but there is even more to the south and a lot more buildable land there.

[Harrier]

Harrier lived in the South End and always felt that it always seemed urbanized and developed(he lived 5 miles from Sea-Tac Airport).

When he would visit the North End, he saw it as more wild and "outdoorsy".

Harrier knows what you mean about various parts of the L.A. Basin - that area has lots of "natural" variety as well, and is also the most densely populated region of the U.S..

However, Harrier respects the opinion of those who have said that you will find a little of both in both the north and south Seattle areas.

They have lived there longer then Harrier, live there currently, and they have never given bad opinions or advice concerning the region since Harrier has been frequenting this forum, and Harrier has clashed with a few of these individuals.

So, take both of our inputs, but gravitate towards what the current locals say.

Harrier especially respects Inkpoe and also Hemlock140.

Maybe Harrier is mistaken - given todays realities.