Seattle alternatives (Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver: houses, neighborhoods, buy)

[CirculateRX]

Hi friends,
Wife and I want to ask a quick question to you Seattle locals.
We really enjoyed your city for its abundance of shops and restaurants on the roads. Downtown, cap hill, Ballard, Kirkland, Edmonds, we loved the access to eating and shopping. We come from Phoenix where it’s shopping strip malls and that’s it. Even downtown is just buildings, nothing for pedestrians really. We’ve noticed places like Chicago, NY, Portland, Boston, all feel like people focused downtowns with all the shops and food places. Can you name any other cities that feel more people focused? We would like a city that’s at least moderate sized to large sized.

[homesinseattle]

Do you mean in this area or anywhere? Around here, Tacoma, Bellingham, Kirkland, Everett and Spokane are reasonable size cities with lots of what you describe.

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by CirculateRX

Hi friends,
Wife and I want to ask a quick question to you Seattle locals.
We really enjoyed your city for its abundance of shops and restaurants on the roads. Downtown, cap hill, Ballard, Kirkland, Edmonds, we loved the access to eating and shopping. We come from Phoenix where it’s shopping strip malls and that’s it. Even downtown is just buildings, nothing for pedestrians really. We’ve noticed places like Chicago, NY, Portland, Boston, all feel like people focused downtowns with all the shops and food places. Can you name any other cities that feel more people focused? We would like a city that’s at least moderate sized to large sized.

Minneapolis, Denver, and Madison WI come to mind though Madison may be a bit too small. Sacramento you could even throw in there. And Philly.

[CirculateRX]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Do you mean in this area or anywhere? Around here, Tacoma, Bellingham, Kirkland, Everett and Spokane are reasonable size cities with lots of what you describe.

I mean nationally <3

[CirculateRX]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

Minneapolis, Denver, and Madison WI come to mind though Madison may be a bit too small. Sacramento you could even throw in there. And Philly.

Do you feel Denver is really like that? I mean there's that 16th street place but not much else?

Sacramento seems nice... pretty good weather, houses are affordable, I've been told it's a boring city though? idk I'll have to go see it!

[87112]

I have been to Sacramento and Denver, neither places are all that interesting. Nice scenery yes, but lacks any kind of soul that would make you go back.

Off the top of my head I would say San Diego because right down the freeway is Tijuana whose Centro District is a serious kick in the butt if you need something to see that is interesting. I just can't get enough of TJ, reminds me of Asian cities where they have everything within walking distance and all the vices you need is so easy to get.

[CirculateRX]

Originally Posted by 87112

I have been to Sacramento and Denver, neither places are all that interesting. Nice scenery yes, but lacks any kind of soul that would make you go back.

Off the top of my head I would say San Diego because right down the freeway is Tijuana whose Centro District is a serious kick in the butt if you need something to see that is interesting. I just can't get enough of TJ, reminds me of Asian cities where they have everything within walking distance and all the vices you need is so easy to get.

You hit the nail on the head with denver. We visited recently and it was a great city, very nice, but, my wife and I both feel like "eh". No soul maybe. Seattle was trashy and so many issues but it had soul and we liked it. San Diego was the same feel, lots of heart and soul.

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by CirculateRX

Do you feel Denver is really like that? I mean there's that 16th street place but not much else?

Sacramento seems nice... pretty good weather, houses are affordable, I've been told it's a boring city though? idk I'll have to go see it!

I like Denver - it’s not on Seattle’s level in terms of what you’re describing but none of the cities I mentioned are save Philly. As you said, part of Seattle’s charm is the unique urban/vibrant neighborhoods, including but not limited to downtown. Denver does have that to a lesser degree, but I think Denver is above average.

Sacramento I actually really like. It’s smaller, and yes more boring than Seattle but for its size I do think it’s somewhat underrated. I thought it was going to be a snooze fest but honestly, I thought the dining/nightlife offerings were pretty good and it had some cool neighborhoods.

I’ve heard good things about Austin and Nashville as well but I’m not in a position to comment about them because I’ve not yet visited. Miami too, I’ve been there but only very briefly and didn’t get to really explore.

[homesinseattle]

My sister lives in Nashville. It definitely has a bustling and interesting city center. The live music and busking (people think just country but all kinds) culture is fabulous. My son lives in San Diego, another great one. Pittsburgh is really revitalizing, interesting central core. Stepping just across the border, Vancouver BC is exceptional and lively downtown.

[CirculateRX]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

My sister lives in Nashville. It definitely has a bustling and interesting city center. The live music and busking (people think just country but all kinds) culture is fabulous. My son lives in San Diego, another great one. Pittsburgh is really revitalizing, interesting central core. Stepping just across the border, Vancouver BC is exceptional and lively downtown.

Ill look into Pittsburgh, though it seems COLLLD.
Maybe we'll just have to save for 5 years and buy in SD lol.