NCAAbbs

This place is a far cry from the place described by the old song by Perry Como. In that song he describes a place of natural beauty and optimism. The reality is that Seattle has become one of the worst places to live in America. Traffic is a nightmare. Interstates are carrying 3 times as many cars as they were designed to carry. I've been flipped off more times in 1 month up here than I was in the entire 25 years I lived in Ft. Worth, TX. Commute times to/from work are typically 60 to 90 minutes each way. Everything is more expensive here and especially housing. This place has become as expensive as California. A pagan tree-hugging culture prevails. A lot of these people up here don't even know there is a God. And if that isn't enough, it rains all the time which doesn't really bother me, but it rains a LOT. In November of this year it rained over 15 inches.

I guess if you're are going to go to work at Microsoft and make 100K to 400K/year then maybe it wouldn't be so bad. You could actually afford a condo or even a small house in Redmond. But if you're a 32 to 35K/year guy like me, the options are much different. It means living in the cheaper side of town where rents are only 800/month, but having to put up with the dreaded commute back and forth every day.

Don't consider a move here unless you're absolutely certain the Lord is directing you to come up here.

I visited Seattle in Aug a few years back. The perfect time I was told, the weather was wonderful.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the region, I was stuck near my conference.

It is a beautiful area, but I don't doubt the growth has made it painful to live there.

It pains me to see such burdened growth there, when Middle America has infrastructure (roads, housing, schools, etc) that is being unused. Seems like both regions could benefit w/ some redistrubution of industry...but how that would be done well, is beyond me.

The disdain for traditional religion there was obvious, even on a short visit. There seems to be an odd mix of "rugged individualism" and a desire to adopt ideas from all over (Asia, Native America, Europe).

I am reminded of Proverbs 17:24
"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth."
when I see the weird things that people worship when they reject Christianity.

However, the mix of peoples does inspire innovation. From Microsoft to Starbucks to Grunge Rock, no doubt that Seattle has been a big player in shaping our current culture.

Didn't you do any research before moving there? Do searches on the internet and they would tell you it is an expensive place to live. There are cost of living calculators comparing where you used to live to that as well. Honestly, none of what you said should have been a surprise when you moved there.

My company has mentioned to me multiple times about the opportunity to move to Washington, DC. Unfortunately for them they can't afford to pay me the amount of money it would take for me to maintain my standard of living back in Dayton, Ohio. Until they do that (cost of living is more than double that of Dayton) I won't be going anywhere... not to mention traffic, and how bad it is almost all day long.

mlb Wrote:Didn't you do any research before moving there? Do searches on the internet and they would tell you it is an expensive place to live. There are cost of living calculators comparing where you used to live to that as well. Honestly, none of what you said should have been a surprise when you moved there.

Like everything else he posts, I think he just wants to bitch.

A fellow student I went to college with said the rainfall was blown out of proportion. I've never been there so I couldn't say first hand. According to him you must have caught a bad month.

I'm trying to get transferred to Bergen, Norway, which is described as the Seattle of Europe.

Endzone2 Wrote:Everything is more expensive here

Blue state.

I was stationed at Fort Lewis and loved the area. It was expensive but since I lived on base at the time I enjoyed the area.

Crewdogz Wrote:I was stationed at Fort Lewis and loved the area. It was expensive but since I lived on base at the time I enjoyed the area.

When it's clear, yep. It's nice. Everything's green. The General has a friggin' awesome view of Ranier. ...but, IMO, the place sucks. You guys that are saying the rain is overstated, BS. It's also not like the rain down in the South, where it rains hard, then it ends. This is a month-long drizzle-rain that gets on your damn nerves almost as bad as the protesting hippies in Olympia. Not to mention the mudslides on I-5. ....then again, it's better than Yakima.

Damn glad I'm done with Lewis for a while. Ft. Wainwright next.

Alaska? brrrrrrr

fsquid Wrote:Alaska? brrrrrrr

It gets 95 degrees in Fairbanks. Of course, it also gets -60.

RebelKev Wrote:

fsquid Wrote:Alaska? brrrrrrr

It gets 95 degrees in Fairbanks. Of course, it also gets -60.

no sales tax up there too if I remember right.

fsquid Wrote:no sales tax up there too if I remember right.

....and the permanent fund dividend.

Actually, I think they do have a sales tax, I don't think they have a state income tax.

Endzone2 Wrote:This place is a far cry from the place described by the old song by Perry Como. In that song he describes a place of natural beauty and optimism. The reality is that Seattle has become one of the worst places to live in America. Traffic is a nightmare. Interstates are carrying 3 times as many cars as they were designed to carry. Commute times to/from work are typically 60 to 90 minutes each way. Everything is more expensive here and especially housing.

welcome to civilization.

as far as commuting, i dont drive. who needs a car when you've got this:






What is Seattle's commuter rail like?

niuhuskie84 Wrote:What is Seattle's commuter rail like?

Bwa, yeah, right.

DrTorch Wrote:I visited Seattle in Aug a few years back. The perfect time I was told, the weather was wonderful.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the region, I was stuck near my conference.

It is a beautiful area, but I don't doubt the growth has made it painful to live there.

It pains me to see such burdened growth there, when Middle America has infrastructure (roads, housing, schools, etc) that is being unused. Seems like both regions could benefit w/ some redistrubution of industry...but how that would be done well, is beyond me.

The disdain for traditional religion there was obvious, even on a short visit. There seems to be an odd mix of "rugged individualism" and a desire to adopt ideas from all over (Asia, Native America, Europe).

I am reminded of Proverbs 17:24
"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth."
when I see the weird things that people worship when they reject Christianity.

However, the mix of peoples does inspire innovation. From Microsoft to Starbucks to Grunge Rock, no doubt that Seattle has been a big player in shaping our current culture.

Yes I have often thought the same thing Dr. Torch. Why does everyone congregate here when there are vast open spaces--even in the state of Washington. Think of the open spaces in SD or ND or WY for that matter. It really doesn't make sense.

I start a new job Monday, and I'm gonig to try moving to a place no more than 3 or 4 miles from work--if I can afford it. Will give that a try. I just didn't realize how bad the traffic really was up here. It is pretty up here. No doubt about that. I'll put up a few pics of the place.

Golf course about 5 miles from Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA


Building across street from golf course in Redmond, WA


Heavy snow last week. Pacific Hwy in Kent. Even kept the hookers and drug dealers in.

fsquid Wrote:I'm trying to get transferred to Bergen, Norway, which is described as the Seattle of Europe.

I think Bergen is on the coast and is a major shipping port? Lots of merchant shipping related business there?

mlb Wrote:Didn't you do any research before moving there? Do searches on the internet and they would tell you it is an expensive place to live. There are cost of living calculators comparing where you used to live to that as well. Honestly, none of what you said should have been a surprise when you moved there.

My company has mentioned to me multiple times about the opportunity to move to Washington, DC. Unfortunately for them they can't afford to pay me the amount of money it would take for me to maintain my standard of living back in Dayton, Ohio. Until they do that (cost of living is more than double that of Dayton) I won't be going anywhere... not to mention traffic, and how bad it is almost all day long.

Why would you want to leave Dayton anyway? Although I haven't lived in the area for almost 30 years, I remember going to a mall there and also going to a ZZ Top concert at some kind of UD arena there in the mid-70's. A band called Atlanta Rhythm Section was also playing with ZZ Top.

Endzone2 Wrote:Yes I have often thought the same thing Dr. Torch. Why does everyone congregate here when there are vast open spaces--even in the state of Washington.

I think you answered the question right there. Not many other places in the US has vistas like the Puget Sound region. A waterfront lush green landscape against a huge mountainous region. Come to think of it, the only places like that in this country would be on the west coast. I've been to Seattle a few years ago and thought that it was beautiful except the city seemed it was getting too congested. Also I read a news report a while ago that had NW cities (Seattle & Portland) on top as having the most courteous drivers in the nation. Miami was ranked at or near the bottom. I gotta find that one....

moloch_322 Wrote:

Endzone2 Wrote:Yes I have often thought the same thing Dr. Torch. Why does everyone congregate here when there are vast open spaces--even in the state of Washington.

I think you answered the question right there. Not many other places in the US has vistas like the Puget Sound region. A waterfront lush green landscape against a huge mountainous region. Come to think of it, the only places like that in this country would be on the west coast. I've been to Seattle a few years ago and thought that it was beautiful except the city seemed it was getting too congested. Also I read a news report a while ago that had NW cities (Seattle & Portland) on top as having the most courteous drivers in the nation. Miami was ranked at or near the bottom. I gotta find that one....

Don't believe that BS survey. I saw that too and it is pure lunacy. These drivers up here are raging lunatics. They just stop short of shooting each other (most of the time) and that is why that survey is skewed. Let me tell you something. I lived in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for 25 years, and in just 1 month of living up here I've been flipped off more times on the interstates than in the entire 25 years I drove in the DFW area. These people are savages. There are times when I get flipped off and I don't even know what for. If they think you're driving too slow or too fast, you can get flipped off just for that. Then they also honk at you and try to intimidate you and harass you as much as possible. I've been tempted to ram them and also knock these young punk motorcycle riders right on their @ss. I really have been. If not for the fact that my dad gave me the nice car I'm driving now, I probably would have done it. I've considered leaving Seattle for that reason--I fear what I am capable of doing. I wish more people would get shot up here on the interstate. I know that's a bizzare thing to say, but maybe that would put an end to their outrageous behavior. Talking to the guys I work with, they agree with me and say it has gotten really bad in the past few years. That newspaper article is absolute nonsense! These interstates are carrying 3 times as many cars as it was originally designed for. These is basically a pagan culture up here, and these are the most unforgiving drivers in the world IMHO. And having been to all 7 continents and Greenland and most of the 50 states I know a little bit of what I'm talking about I think.

Until Global Warming hits Washington I will stay where I am at.

RebelKev Wrote:

fsquid Wrote:Alaska? brrrrrrr

It gets 95 degrees in Fairbanks. Of course, it also gets -60.

My brother in law lived there, he said the good thing is that you can play golf 24 hrs a day when the daylight is up, if you have the stamina.

JTiger Wrote:

RebelKev Wrote:

fsquid Wrote:Alaska? brrrrrrr

It gets 95 degrees in Fairbanks. Of course, it also gets -60.

My brother in law lived there, he said the good thing is that you can play golf 24 hrs a day when the daylight is up, if you have the stamina.

True. Longest day is the 21st of June. I have pics of me drunk off my ass at about 2AM, in broad daylight.

RebelKev Wrote:

JTiger Wrote:

RebelKev Wrote:

fsquid Wrote:Alaska? brrrrrrr

It gets 95 degrees in Fairbanks. Of course, it also gets -60.

My brother in law lived there, he said the good thing is that you can play golf 24 hrs a day when the daylight is up, if you have the stamina.

True. Longest day is the 21st of June. I have pics of me drunk off my ass at about 2AM, in broad daylight.

I spent a summer in the Brooks Range. Got there on June 10th and it didn't get dark until August.

Endzone2 Wrote:

moloch_322 Wrote:

Endzone2 Wrote:Yes I have often thought the same thing Dr. Torch. Why does everyone congregate here when there are vast open spaces--even in the state of Washington.

I think you answered the question right there. Not many other places in the US has vistas like the Puget Sound region. A waterfront lush green landscape against a huge mountainous region. Come to think of it, the only places like that in this country would be on the west coast. I've been to Seattle a few years ago and thought that it was beautiful except the city seemed it was getting too congested. Also I read a news report a while ago that had NW cities (Seattle & Portland) on top as having the most courteous drivers in the nation. Miami was ranked at or near the bottom. I gotta find that one....

Don't believe that BS survey. I saw that too and it is pure lunacy. These drivers up here are raging lunatics. They just stop short of shooting each other (most of the time) and that is why that survey is skewed. Let me tell you something. I lived in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for 25 years, and in just 1 month of living up here I've been flipped off more times on the interstates than in the entire 25 years I drove in the DFW area. These people are savages. There are times when I get flipped off and I don't even know what for. If they think you're driving too slow or too fast, you can get flipped off just for that. Then they also honk at you and try to intimidate you and harass you as much as possible. I've been tempted to ram them and also knock these young punk motorcycle riders right on their @ss. I really have been. If not for the fact that my dad gave me the nice car I'm driving now, I probably would have done it. I've considered leaving Seattle for that reason--I fear what I am capable of doing. I wish more people would get shot up here on the interstate. I know that's a bizzare thing to say, but maybe that would put an end to their outrageous behavior. Talking to the guys I work with, they agree with me and say it has gotten really bad in the past few years. That newspaper article is absolute nonsense! These interstates are carrying 3 times as many cars as it was originally designed for. These is basically a pagan culture up here, and these are the most unforgiving drivers in the world IMHO. And having been to all 7 continents and Greenland and most of the 50 states I know a little bit of what I'm talking about I think.

Endzone2, as RobertN could explain to you, the reason you find so much cilivity on Texas highways is because we are all gun-carrying lunatics who will shoot you for looking cross-eyed at them, much less for flipping them off. I saw twelve shootings last week, and the police cleared them all as justified. Damn tailgaters.

Enough sarcasm for now. My real thoughts? I think southern drivers are just more polite to each other than others. We are all brought up with the ideals of gentlemanliness and neighborliness, and this translates into more civility (not universal, just more common).

There is a development near my home that is causing severe traffic problems - long lines, uncontrolled intersections, etc - and all you have to do is drive up to it and someone will stop and wave you across or let you in. Just as conservatives are more compassionate, they are more polite.

OptimisticOwl Wrote:There is a development near my home that is causing severe traffic problems - long lines, uncontrolled intersections, etc - and all you have to do is drive up to it and someone will stop and wave you across or let you in. Just as conservatives are more compassionate, they are more polite.

Ever been to Atlanta?

Of course, one could make the case that the problem there is transplanted yankees and liberals.

Brookes Owl Wrote:

RebelKev Wrote:

JTiger Wrote:

RebelKev Wrote:

fsquid Wrote:Alaska? brrrrrrr

It gets 95 degrees in Fairbanks. Of course, it also gets -60.

My brother in law lived there, he said the good thing is that you can play golf 24 hrs a day when the daylight is up, if you have the stamina.

True. Longest day is the 21st of June. I have pics of me drunk off my ass at about 2AM, in broad daylight.

I spent a summer in the Brooks Range. Got there on June 10th and it didn't get dark until August.

That is just nuts to me. Then again, when I lived in England, it didn't get dark until 11pm in the summer. The winter sucked though, dark at 3!