Has Seattle improved at all (to move, health, county)

[october2007]

Originally Posted by Sockeye66

I moved to Queen Anne Ave N just a few blocks up from Mercer Street 1989. I was making $30/k yr. My buddies, musicians, baristas, food service etc. shared a big house near Green Lake.

I recall early 90's my car being broke into twice but that was outside Seattle, Kent Park and Ride and Southcenter mall.

Our glasses may be rose-colored but that color was placed there by a supported diverse artisan community within our walk-able, active beauty.

I moved there in 1989 too. Apts were cheap then and the downtown was fairly empty after hours but that was before Seattle was discovered. Belltown was a little sketchy and I heard rumors of gang activity but it wasn't anything pervasive. The 90s brought more life to the downtown and it became a wonderful place to be. Apts were still affordable. You had some vagrants but nothing like it is now with the drug fueled homelessness which has led to more property crime (which some deem unimportant). And there have been more shootings downtown in broad daylight (tragically a pregnant woman yesterday). So to me it is much worse these days which is why I finally left although if it got better I can imagine being there again. I have fond memories and enjoyed my 30+ years there.

[87112]

Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site
Ouch, Seattle

A guy can dream, at least give me that of So cal.

[uniquetraveler]

Originally Posted by Tia616

Hello everyone,

I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest, Oregon to be specific. I've been wanting to go back but I've heard a lot of horror stories about Seattle and Portland, OR. And people are telling me not to go back. I'm just curious is it really that bad!

Depends on when you lived in Seattle. We are way ahead of the 80s in terms of crime,but fell behind the pre pandemic level recently..

[mayfair]

I don't think most property crime is reported now, so that might be skewing the statistics.

[jabogitlu]

It isn’t skewing the statistics that much. The late 80s and early 90s were structurally dangerous in cities across the country. Moreso than now.

[admiraladmirable]

don't believe the right wing scare stories. You can find desperate people anywhere on earth.

[Hemlock140]

Just don't drive on I5 through Seattle, or get onto I90 eastbound at Rainier Ave. I had a rock dropped off an overpass shatter my windshield in Oakland, CA about 1982. Not a fun experience when you are going 65, with glass on your lap and can't see.


https://komonews.com/news/local/i90-...-investigation

[Turnerbro]

Good to hear this thread is mostly positive on the current state of Seattle. I don't live there anymore but did visit recently. Noticeable homeless problem for sure but not nearly as bad as some have described. Overall the city felt alive and booming, I never felt unsafe.

[87112]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/se...7ff5a05c&ei=14

Ouch.

[jabogitlu]

Unfortunately that article was only written to further the arguments from the "Defund the Police Is Bad" morons who are just as thin-brained as their counterparts on the other end.

The base threat to Seattle is the fentanyl epidemic and the inability of our courts/prosecutors to move the needle on organized retail theft and black market sales along 3rd/Union.

Seattle City and King County don't play well together in terms of prosecution and it shows on our streets. Unfortunately most local ire seems directed at folks like the City Council who have little to no control over these issues.