Seattle Calmer Than Many Other Sizable Cities in the USA? (Pacific: real estate, rental)

[homesinseattle]

Yeah, I get it. People of the Seattle area can be passive aggressive sometimes on the roads and a little crazy when rooting for sports teams. Many seem to agree though that things here vibe in a fairly calm, non-aggressive way compared to many parts of the country. Why do you think that it is? I often get really amped up when I go back east to places like Boston, DC, NYC, Miami and indeed feel the difference when I return to the Pacific Northwest. Even LA and SFO seem pretty jacked up compared to here. For many, Seattle is too mellow, it suits me just about right. For me, I think these things contribute:

-Much Scandinavian heritage in this area (they are quite calm people).
-Many waves of people from SE Asia came here (many are peaceful Buddhists).
-The soothing effect of beautiful nature (mountains, trees, water, flowers) all around.
-Recently, cannibas vapor in the air ?
-Relatively comfortable climate, not too hot or cold.

[eugene_b]

My guess would be something related to its size. I don't have a lot of historical context but my understanding is that it's experiencing a population boom and only now starting to stand in the same league with big grown up cities. In places like NY if you go up north, it's pretty nice and chill there too. It really gets stressful once you get into crowded big cities where you need to study, work and compete super hard just to be able to afford a tiny studio (in a very poor shape too). You can observe the same dynamics in other developed but very overpopulated countries.

[Montezia]

I find Seattle calming mainly because its 1. Quiet 2. The weather to me is "sleepy" weather 3. The pace and the people are slower paced. Also Seattle seems to take good care of their real estate from what I'm seeing on rental sites. There's not really any dilapidated buildings like in nyc and they seem pretty quick to always be fixing and improving things.

There's also the fact there's forest everywhere. And perhaps the people smoking weed as well.

[flyingsaucermom]

I've heard there are studies that support people living near bodies of water are calmer. I've personally not researched it, but it makes some sense.

[blaserbrad]

I think it depends on your neighborhood. The people even in a centrally located area are, in general more mellow than those in NYC, Chicago, or L.A. But I will say,as having lived in many neighborhoods in Puget Sound, than the more central you are, the busier, and more outgoing the people are. I think anyone coming from a smaller city would probably have to adjust to the faster pace of things. But yeah, if you're coming from NYC, Chicago, L.A., D.C., or SF, it would probably seem like everyone just took a couple bong rips lol.

[thatguy950]

I wouldn’t say they’re calmer necessarily, well at least not on the inside. They bottle it up more, or are on some kind of drug/pill, but I’ve found them to be extremely uptight, easily offended, and humorless people. Just because they drive slow on the road doesn’t mean they’re calm or chill, look at how many serial killers the area produces

[Arushan]

I'd say it's due to the weather, less sun intensity, and scenery. When I cross the Cascades or south of Eugene, I feel more energized and amped up. And need less caffeine. It's a bit weird.

[41Willys]

Weather is a huge factor. Its laid back and calm because people are groomed to deal with the wet weather. Its calm, but is it an outgoing and friendly calm? I feel its friendly, but you can get mixed emotions about that after witnessing peoples driving habits in the Seattle area. Charleston is a very laid back and calm place. As are most southern cities where it never gets cold or rainy. And their driving habits reflect the same. Laid back, friendly, and not in a hurry.

[mayfair]

Originally Posted by Arushan

I'd say it's due to the weather, less sun intensity, and scenery. When I cross the Cascades or south of Eugene, I feel more energized and amped up. And need less caffeine. It's a bit weird.

I agree. After many years people who don't get away to a sunny place in winter get less energized and slow becomes the status quo. Look at how many coffee stands we have and how many cars are lined up there on a winter day. I think the sluggishness is cumulative. Many don't feel it for a few years.

[87112]

Hate the rain and clouds with a passion.
2 days of it and I start cussing at the weather.

I just close my eyes and think of the desert and sun and warm temps.