How about we have a "what do you love about Seattle". Haters, stay on your own side, just for once (Vancouver: shops, bus)

[homesinseattle]

Microbreweries and beer tasting rooms everywhere! The willingness of pretty much any bartender (if they aren't busy) to let you try a few beers before ordering a pint. The knowledge that the hops used to make the beer here comes primarily from the our state (Yakima area).

[Canamlian]

I love that I can pop over here in 45 minutes for a last minute weekend getaway

[perigee]

Is that the Skykomish? If you want to keep your spot a secret, I understand.

[Canamlian]

Originally Posted by perigee

Is that the Skykomish? If you want to keep your spot a secret, I understand.

It is. No secret - just found a cabin near Gold Bar on a whim late this week.

[NeptuneDreams]

Originally Posted by Walch1007

Not sure if you're just being sarcastic...I'll assume you're serious.

Honestly, if you can't make it as a black person in Seattle, it's a you problem, not a race thing.

Spoken like a typical, willfully blind, privileged white person.

Even in Seattle, the ever-persistent negative bias about blacks profoundly impacts their lives. We white people just don't see it because a) We are inoculated by our privilege, and b) We are part of the problem.

But I digress...

The climate here can't be beat. That's why I chose to stay here, followed very closely by the natural beauty of the area.

Despite the "Seattle Freeze," there are many other transplants here who ARE friendly (only took me 2.5 years to find them).

I love, love, LOVE all the eclectic little establishments including local artists and musicians.

[homesinseattle]

Neptune, glad you've found a place that feels right here.

[NW4me]

Well, I don't even live in Seattle (or in WA), but somehow I feel impelled to toss in some "likes" for the Emerald City (by no means an all-inclusive list):

The greenery -- in the parks, in front yards, nearly everywhere, really.

The way the land and the water are intertwined.

Superb natural landscapes close by.

Great views from on high... from an airliner approaching Sea-Tac, from the Space Needle, from Smith Tower, from Kerry Park.

Watching boats pass through the locks.

Fun hostels to stay at.

The monorail!

The architectural variety to be seen in a walk through Queen Anne.

The Museum of Flight... a real mecca for an airline geek.

Traveling to Victoria by boat.

People gathering at Gasworks Park to watch the sun set.

The attractive Metro buses... I like the bold colors.

The Experience Music Project -- my favorite exhibit being the huge collection of guitars.

Sure, Seattle has problems, but it also has a quite a few smart, practical people discussing solutions, on websites like Crosscut, the Urbanist and Seattle Transit Blog.

[homesinseattle]

My favorite natural hot springs in the Cascade Mountains that comes out of a cave after walking through an old growth forest (there is a 1,000 year old tree) near an old crystal mine. October, after I have stopped I pick wild chanterelle mushrooms there too, is a great time to camp out near a rushing river nearby. I've done it probably 50 times.

[homesinseattle]

Comfortable refreshing weather, glad it is back.

[homesinseattle]

Little Index, Washington, just an hour from Seattle. Excellent river swimming, neat historic museum, rock climbing/scrambling, super nice people, great blackberry picking and even homemade kimchi made by the Korean American owners at the general store.