Politics & Current Events
MrsAJL
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
NPCER: Washingtonians - Talk to me about living in Seattle
I'm looking for information about living in Seattle. Pros/cons, info about public schools, general vibe/feel of the area. If you want a specific area, it would be Bellevue.
I'm trying to get an idea of what DH may have gotten us in to. 
Re: NPCER: Washingtonians - Talk to me about living in Seattle
I've lived in Seattle about 10 years and really love it.
Pros: Good laid-back vibe, lots to do - music, culture, sports, entertainment, eat/drink, etc. Beautiful - lots of water, mountains, very green.
Cons: Public schools in Seattle aren't great (especially those in the Southend), but Bellevue/Eastside schools are pretty good - some even excellent. Traffic is bad - particularly the Bellevue - Seattle commute. COL is pretty high.
Prepare for 6-9 months of gray skies and temps in the 50s. . . but it rarely gets really cold or really hot.
Would that be to work for a giant international computer company?
I've lived on the Eastside (Bellevue area) for about 14 years now, and love it. Very suburban, but plenty to do. Good schools. Low crime for the most part and excellent police department. Nice parks.
I live in Bellevue and love it!
Pro: great central location on the eastside, good school district, shopping, many companies have offices here (ie Microsoft's Bellevue campus is downtown) Yummy restaurants, decent park system
Con: housing is still pretty pricey in Bellevue, 405 is a mess, tolling on the 520 bridge if you need to get to seattle, we kind of have a slightly snobby reputation, lovely grey weather
I live in Federal Way, which is about 25mins south of Seattle, but have only been here for about 2.5 years. We're actually looking to move the Bellevue area in the next year, especially if I get the job I'm interviewing for.
I don't know a lot about the public schools, but I do know there are quite a few private and Montessori schools in the whole sound area, so there is a lot of support for different education systems. Everyone up here seems really nice and laid back (I come from Cali, and IMO, people there are very fast-paced, in a rush, and kind of rude). There is a TON to do, not just in Seattle, but also Tacoma. The capitol is a little over an hour from Seattle and Canada is about 3 (and you have the option of larger city like Vancouver, BC or the more quaint like Victoria depending on which direction you want to go). Tons of arts, nature, and sports in the area too and there's also a ton of diversity as far as people/culture. We really like it up here, and the Bellevue-Redmond area is one of the nicer ones (although I really wouldn't suggest Federal Way, lol). It is, however, pretty expensive, in terms of living.
The one other thing, and I know everyone says it but really they aren't joking, it rains A LOT. I mean, I love the rain and even I am so so sick of wet gloomy weather. We get about 2.5 months of Summer and then it's right back to gray, and it really does weigh on your psyche.
My SIL lives there!
My husband was there for 3 years (2001-2004), so my comments are completely secondhand.
He lived near the marina on the lake (?), and was able to bike to work (at the University). The main pro was the stuff to do. Lots and lots of outdoorsy-type stuff virtually all year round (since it doesn't often snow in the city, but it does snow in the mountains). He was near the Red Hood brewery and the microbrew scene, as well as restaurants and obviously coffee shops were really nice. Also, you can live in a houseboat!
The major con he experienced was that he moved there less than a decade after the Seattle music scene (and coffee scene) took off, and there was a lot of "you're not a native, you'll never understand/fit in" attitudes from the natives. That might have changed. I find a similr attitude among certain people in LA, but they're so vastly outnumbered by transplants that it doesn't matter, and Seattle might be getting that way now.
It's like other west coast cities (LA, San Francisco, Portland) in that you have people who are generally liberal who get outdoors a lot.
ETA: He said it does rain 9 months out of the year, but July-September are absolutely beautiful.
40/112
Lots and lots of outdoorsy-type stuff virtually all year round (since it doesn't often snow in the city, but it does snow in the mountains).
Er... true, for the city. It snows every year on the eastside, and how much you get depends on where you live, but I count on needing my 4WD and work closing at least once.
He was near the Red Hood brewery and the microbrew scene, as well as restaurants and obviously coffee shops were really nice. Also, you can live in a houseboat!
You can't live on a house boat in Bellevue.
The major con he experienced was that he moved there less than a decade after the Seattle music scene (and coffee scene) took off, and there was a lot of "you're not a native, you'll never understand/fit in" attitudes from the natives.
I've lived here 14 years and never felt that way.
Did she move here or grow up here? We've actually met quite a few people who moved to this city not only from California, but from Modesto (where both my H and I are from) so this is apparently the city to move to if you're testing the WA waters, lol. It's not terrible, but really, not one of the best areas either.
She grew up down here, but went to Puget Sound and didn't come back. The vast majority of H's family lives in around Seattle and they spent every Chistmas and summer up there as kids. When MIL & FIL move this fall it will be just us in sunny CA. Well, us and my family.
FIL hates snow (prob why I like him), so I suspect he'll be at our doorstep at the first sign of flurries after they move.
I gotta say, that was kind of the vibe I got when we visited.
Yep...pretty much.
In 14 years, never been there.
The native Eastsiders have instilled in me a healthy fear of places like Federal Way, Tacoma, Des Moines...
You frogot to add Renton, Kent & Auburn to that list!
Hahaha... I actually live in Renton now!
But.. about 20 feet into Renton from a backwoodsy part of Newcastle.
I didn't understand what the fuss was about Renton until I had to go to something where I drove through downtown and by the high school. OK, so its no Chicago project, but those kids looked scary!!
Too funny! The highlands are totally different. I consider that area part of Newcastle.
Side note did you see we are getting not one but two walmarts in Bellevue!?
I did, but I don't believe it!
Neither are great areas, but really, do we have to drag them down further? Ugh.
Technically the Wal*Mart going into the old K-Mart building is going to be food only, so in theory it's supposed to be better. Where is the other one going in?
OP, I'm an eastsider myself, and Bellevue has a reputation of being "snooty" but I personally love the eastside and find it way easier to navigate than Seattle. The one-way streets and lack of parking in Seattle proper drives me batsh?t crazy, but I love that I have relatively easy access to music and theatrical events, so I suck it up and pay for an overpriced garage and deal.
Lots of good food, places to shop, and outdoorsy things to do. Plus it's only about 3 hours (give or take) to Portland or either Vancouver, and 6 hours for good skiing or the Oregon Coast.
The weather is pretty much summed up by this comic by The Oatmeal.
Normally I like being able to cozy up in sweaters for most of the year, but last year it was like the grey was never ever going to let up and I thought I was going to die, but I didn't realize *why* until my husband and I went to NOLA for our anniversary in May. The 3.5 days of solid sunshine perked both of us up immensely and it was actually kind of awful coming home to more drizzle. I'm seriously considering investing in some broad spectrum lighting.
Nonny- the other Walmart is going in Factoria (old mervyns box). It will be general merchandise.
OP- I forgot to mention its a relatively quick flight direct to Hawaii! We try to go twice a year when the grey and cold gets to be too much. (seems like this is the norm for our friends and coworkers) Oh and we have Amazonfresh which is the best thing ever!
H works in Bellevue (for a very large maker of very large airplanes, his work campus also includes a large facility for a certain large software company) and we live in West Seattle.
It's the kind of commute that people say is "awful!" but, in reality, it's only about 30 minutes each way. Now, he intentionally goes into work early (by 7 ish) so he can leave early (by 4 ish) so he misses the worst of the commute, but it's also nice to have him home early enough to do something before dinner.
Also, he works from home 2-3 days a week. This is something that's very common round these parts, particularly for tech / geek / computing jobs. Heck, I used to work from home, and I worked for the state. It's a really nice benefit.
...so, point being that you don't have to live in Bellevue if you work there.
As PP's have said, Bellevue has some great attributes - it's like the best of suburbia, with it's own downtown core. It's generally regarded as having some of the best schools in the whole country (like every year when whatever publication comes out with the Top 20 Public High Schools list, all the Bellevue HS's will be on it), but it's very very expensive to buy there.
The cool thing about the area in terms of "vibe" is that you can pretty much pick your poison. Like West Seattle, where we live, is kind of where hippies go to have families. There are Seattle neighborhoods, and towns and neighborhoods on the Eastside, that each have very distinct feelings. If you look around, you'll find your tribe!
Other stuff - the weather is "bad" if you're coming from California. If you're coming from the East Coast, you'll be in happy joy land territory. Coming from Austin, I don't know... you'll probably feel keenly the lack of sun in the wintertime. We're supersupersuper north, which means that in the summer, the sun rises at some ungodly hour in the morning and sets at (no kidding) like 10pm. BUT in the winter, it rises at like 10 am and sets at like 3 pm. So it's not just 50 degrees and drizzle, it's dealing with a lot of darkness. The difference from the southern US will be very very noticeable.
I moved here in 2000 and never really noticed a snobbery among those born here... but I have noticed that there are a LOT of transplants. You'll meet people from everywhere, which is kind of nice and fun. Also, it's not like everybody you meet is fully settled. People are on the lookout for new friends (as geeky as that sounds) and casting about for new entries to their social circles.
You're Jewish, right? (I might have you mixed up with somebody else, if so, sorry, and ignore this paragraph.) H and I attended a temple in Bellevue a few times that is kind of out of the ordinary. Bet Alef (link to their website)... though they have a new Rabbi since we went (Fun Fact: Ted Falcon, who was the founding Rabbi, wrote Judaism for Dummies... he's now doing a lot with the Interfaith Amigos). Anyway, Bet Alef was warm and welcoming. If what they're doing is interesting to you, I'm sure you'll find community there.
Anyway... sorry about the novel! PM me if you want to talk... and definitely let me know if you're going to visit or move here, we can do a GTG... the Seattle area Nesties are quite fabbo!
I am the 99%.
I've lived in Seattle for over 16 years (Midwest transplant). I live in seattle proper so can't speak to bellevue too much.
I've never felt not welcome by Seattle natives, but I've also found it rare to meet a true native. The vast majority of people I've met are transplants from somewhere. I have heard from numerous people that it can be difficult to make friends because people sort of have their set circle of friends. But I personally haven't experienced that.
Pros: people are generally very adventurous. It is common to meet people that are serious mountaineers, have travelled extensively, go white water kayaking, etc.
There is a lot to do. The city has some great theaters, museums, and fun sports teams. But you also are a short drive from the mountains, lakes, ocean, and (a little further) rainforest.
The city is pretty "green" and proactive.
The summers are unbelievable. Sun rises before 6am, sets after 9:30pm, no humidity, few bugs, and mild temperatures.
Except for a very large book company that I hear works their employees to the bone, Seattle work life in general seems to value a good work/life/play balance.
Cons: the winters are dreary. Short days, grey skies, drizzle, etc (although if you're a skier you think of the rain in the city as inches of new snow in the mountains)
COL is fairly high. And the real estate market seems to doing really well and recently homes are selling after just a few days on the market. Often over asking. Not necessarily a con but can be difficult to buy a new house.
Traffic can be bad. I used to commute Seattle to Federal Way. It was the reverse commute so not bad, but it made me very thankful I wasn't commuting the other way.
The Seattle political process can be very tiring. Each year there are numerous public initiatives on the ballot and we tend to vote things to death. I think we voted "yes" on building a monorail on 4 separate ballots before it was finally voted "no". Same thing with tunneling our waterfront highway (although it was never voted "no" - just went to public vote numerous times). It's great that people have so much say, but can also make it difficult for anything to move forward.
Dear god, this is true. It seems like we vote on the same things over and over and over again.
Every election it's like, "didn't we already vote on this?"
but, we have Tim Eyman, so there will always be interesting ballot questions.
I am the 99%.
So true, but we eastsiders tend to somewhat ignore the yes/no viaduct/waterfront/monorail cycles.
Oh, and you almost never hear "Washingtonians," my sense is that refers to the other Washington.
Seattleites. Eastsiders.
I am the 99%.