Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:47 am
etsnyd wrote:I think Seattle people are superficially friendlier and nicer than NYC folks. But they tend to be harder to get to really know, and to be included and welcomed into their group is much more difficult. At least this has been my experience.
I haven't been to SP in ages and last time I was here, I was asking nearly the same question. Moved here last year.
My experience has been the same as etsnyd - most people are really friendly superficially. However, with the exception of climbers looking for partners or guys asking me out, the people I meet casually mostly act like I've fallen off the planet once we part. (This goes for people who give you their numbers, cards, ask you to FB them, etc…they seem truly surprised when you actually contact them.) I've only developed friendships with people that I see regularly for some other reason (work, non-profit boards, climbing, etc.) My impression is this is different for younger men (that guys are more open to new friends) but I could be imagining it.
The weather has been fine. The summer was totally clear and dry. In the winter, even during the worst stretches rain, the sun would come out every day or two. I have a view of Rainier from my balcony and on my commute to work so I see it fairly frequently all year and nearly every day during the summer.
Despite climbing in that really popular "moderate" range (5.8 - 5.10b and a little easier alpine) I easily found uncrowded climbing areas with easy access. I made it to Squamish almost every weekend for 2 or 3 months.
I'm a total geek and there are plenty of geeky activities, especially if you're a liberal leaning, wine sipping, NPR type. Lots of interesting lectures, musicians, authors on book tours, etc. swing through Seattle. The regional theater scene is pretty good. Nice museums. Good restaurants and wine. (There are better of course, but it's solid here.) If you never want to dress up again, it's a good place to be. I've been debating whether or not to donate all my suits and dresses to Goodwill (keeping one set for the occasional business trip to NYC or DC.) I reverse commute (live in Seattle and work outside) so I don't see the traffic that people complain about. The little neighborhoods with their unique characters are fun to explore.
So, I'm not totally in love with the city but it's not bad.