Seattlebound-Tips, suggestions, advice

stickboy · July 2008

Time to check out something diff. Been living on the east coast all my life, seen it all pretty much from Toronto to Miami(even lived there for approx 4-5 yrs) and even as far as Pittsburgh and Chicago. Been to the Gorge twice for 3 PJ shows and loved the city and the scenery and can see myelf there. I liked the pace as compared to here in NY, not so much always on the go, not so much tress on a minute to minute basis, the economy seems better, better paying jobs, more afordable housing, etc.
Now the thing is theres 3 of us involved. Leathermandi and her bf and I have had this idea for a while now and she wants to go to school out there at NW for performing arts so we're gonna just go for it. I'll let them explain or add to this thread in case I miss something but yea, they're sick of Savannah and life there, Im done with NY after all these yrs, am not comitted to anything and, am single so I have nothing holding me back from seeing the world. I almost did it a few yrs ago with another friend Purple Chick but things were a lil diff. then and couldnt do it, but that itch remained and I HATE living with regrets and now knowing what if...so now I have the ability to check it out, and am looking forward to it.
I also wanna change my surroundings as well which plays a big role in my psyche and spirit..too much shit here in NY gets the best of me and affects me in ways it shouldnt so a breath of fresh air and new environment should help me in that aspect. Jobs dont pay enough to live here, rent is ridiculous, etc
I/we have friends in Vancouver and Cali which we'll get to see more often, so that kinda weighs in on that too..also getting to maybe catch a few shows on the west side next PJ tour for a change and many more other factors but what I 'm looking for is from the long time residents of Seattle and even recent transplant to let me know WHAT you love about it and what keeps you there. Also affordable places to live, doesnt have to be in the city, somewhere temp. cause they'll be joiing me a few months later in which case we'll prolly just get a 2BR house. Areas with best probability to get a job really quick and basically any kind of info that would help to get started there.
Thinking about heading out sometime in august, b4 sept kicks in
Thanks and much appreciated
cyall on the west coast real soon

PJaddicted · July 2008

Hey YOU! I missed you on the last little tour...how did that happen?

I love it out there...might retire in Washington if some of my boys end up out there.

Will I see you at one of the EV shows?

oxc

sennin · July 2008

Come over to our place.

West Seattle is the place to be!

stickboy · July 2008

PJaddicted wrote:

Hey YOU! I missed you on the last little tour...how did that happen?

I love it out there...might retire in Washington if some of my boys end up out there.

Will I see you at one of the EV shows?

oxc

yea I KNOW! :( I figured w'd bump into each other...hell even me and joey PLANNED to meet and we didnt..it was THAT crazy for msg trying to get up with everyone. I'm doing one ed show with joey 2nd nite.
I was thinking about retiring to Greece a lil early but Im not done here yet

I wanna do a lot mor and see more.

D I might have to check u out when I get there..dunno much about west seattle or where its at, but Im sure we'll figure it out. Cant be too hard

mensane · July 2008

sennin wrote:

West Seattle is the place to be!

you got that right!

i moved here from north carolina in 2001. love love love it. the natural surroundings make it paradise. you can live in the city and enjoy all that it has, but on days off, you are a short drive from the mountains and the coast. the summers here are the best. the rain can be a little overwhelming during your first year, but you just have to keep reminding yourself that without the rain, you wouldnt have all the green.

west seattle is great because you are a short 10-15 minutes from downtown (where i work), but your neighborhood doesnt feel urban.

Urban Hiker · July 2008

sennin wrote:

Come over to our place.

West Seattle is the place to be!

West Seattle sucks ass!

Seriously, though it has it's charm, it's cut off from the rest of town.

mensane wrote:

west seattle is great because you are a short 10-15 minutes from downtown (where i work), but your neighborhood doesnt feel urban.

Until shit happens with the viaduct.

However, if the OP is looking to rent a 2br house, some of the "transitional" areas of West Seattle might be a good bet.

decides2dream · July 2008

that's awesome eli!
good luck!

obviously, i have no experience living out there, but just a word of caution...it isn't THAT much more affordable, house prices, jobs, pay, etc. hubby and i were considering relocationg years ago and really, really researched a lot of different areas. quite honestly, going from a city to a city...sure there ARE obvious differences, but not as much as you'd think. seattle has been growing and growing, and yes, getting pricier. while i am sure it's not 'quite' at NYC prices, it still ain't cheap, and i don't really think your paycheck to expense ratio is that much better.

that said, the CHANGE in and of itself might be GREAT for you!

i know we do still think of it from time to time, for different reasons than your own, but right now our jobs keep us rooted to NY. i hope it's a really good thing for you - good luck!

so yes, i said all above with love

....just don't want you to be disappointed from a financial perspective, b/c i don't think it much 'easier'.....but the change of scenery and pace of life is a BIGGIE, and could be wonderful....so ENJOY!

Urban Hiker · July 2008

decides2dream wrote:

that's awesome eli!
good luck!

obviously, i have no experience living out there, but just a word of caution...it isn't THAT much more affordable, house prices, jobs, pay, etc. hubby and i were considering relocationg years ago and really, really researched a lot of different areas. quite honestly, going from a city to a city...sure there ARE obvious differences, but not as much as you'd think. seattle has been growing and growing, and yes, getting pricier. while i am sure it's not 'quite' at NYC prices, it still ain't cheap, and i don't really think your paycheck to expense ratio is that much better.

that said, the CHANGE in and of itself might be GREAT for you! i know we do still think of it from time to time, for different reasons than your own, but right now our jobs keep us rooted to NY. i hope it's a really good thing for you - good luck!

so yes, i said all above with love ....just don't want you to be disappointed from a financial perspective, b/c i don't think it much 'easier'.....but the change of scenery and pace of life is a BIGGIE, and could be wonderful....so ENJOY!

So true. D2D is right. A lot of our jobs don't pay so well considering the cost of living.
I'm basically stuck working for ONE place if I want to stay in my particular field and still make a decent living. I love my job, but overall the atmosphere where I'm working isn't a good fit for me. We all make our sacrifices, eh?

There's another forum I like to visit when checking other places out. It's: http://www.city-data.com/forum/#u-s-forums
Be forewarned - they take their TOS very seriously. I forgot you're not supposed to 'bump' threads there and had a warning from the mod as soon as I did it.

It's funny you're considering moving here, just as I'm looking into to moving to NYC. Though, my move won't be for a couple of years. And, I still have to sell my husband on the idea.

We do have beautiful scenery in the PNW. I love when the sun comes out and reminds me of that.

PJaddicted · July 2008

stickboy wrote:

yea I KNOW! :( I figured w'd bump into each other...hell even me and joey PLANNED to meet and we didnt..it was THAT crazy for msg trying to get up with everyone. I'm doing one ed show with joey 2nd nite.
I was thinking about retiring to Greece a lil early but Im not done here yet
I wanna do a lot mor and see more.

D I might have to check u out when I get there..dunno much about west seattle or where its at, but Im sure we'll figure it out. Cant be too hard

See you BOTH on August 5th!!!!!!

oxc

stickboy · July 2008

PJaddicted wrote:

See you BOTH on August 5th!!!!!!

oxc

sweet!

Looking forward to it,.

Thanx so far guys and dream..def gonna keep that in mind, so thank you...and yes i know its all love, cause thats just you, i've BEEN known that about you, you and PJA, 2 people that truly care.

Lukin66 · July 2008

I've lived in Seattle for quite sometime, and I love it! I don't mind a PM or something if you want to know somethign specific

chiquimonkey · July 2008

have never lived in seattle, but have a good friend that lives there and she loves it! it can be expensive, but sounds worth it though.

and the thought of having you guys over on the west coast makes me smile bigtime!!

good luck with whatever you decide to do, i'm cheering you on!

CityMouse · July 2008

mind if I jump in here a bit and ask how much rent typically goes for in seattle? Say like a nice 1 or 2 BR with a dishwasher in a cool neighborhood?

Lukin66 · July 2008

CityMouse wrote:

mind if I jump in here a bit and ask how much rent typically goes for in seattle? Say like a nice 1 or 2 BR with a dishwasher in a cool neighborhood?

It really does depends on where you live.... The neighborhoods here are very stratified. An apartment with 1/2 BR in the University District would go for around 900-1100 (as long as it's not in September when all the student move around) but the same place may go for 1500-1800 in Wallingford, a little less than a mile away. Were you looking someplace specific?

CityMouse · July 2008

Lukin66 wrote:

It really does depends on where you live.... The neighborhoods here are very stratified. An apartment with 1/2 BR in the University District would go for around 900-1100 (as long as it's not in September when all the student move around) but the same place may go for 1500-1800 in Wallingford, a little less than a mile away. Were you looking someplace specific?

no, I just always having moving in the back of mind, keeping options open...

Lukin66 · July 2008

CityMouse wrote:

no, I just always having moving in the back of mind, keeping options open...

Yeah, rent fluctuates from about 700 onward here

CityMouse · July 2008

Lukin66 wrote:

Yeah, rent fluctuates from about 700 onward here

700 is a pretty low low-end though. not bad.

stickboy · July 2008

700's not bad at all.

hows public transportation out there?

Urban Hiker · July 2008

Craigslist is a great resource for prices, then you can do a search for the neighborhood (or ask here) to get a feel for the place.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/?SAB=see

Urban Hiker · July 2008

stickboy wrote:

hows public transportation out there?

There's a reason I'm such a big fan of walking.

IMO, it sucks. I live downtown, so it's not nearly as bad as other places have it with taking time for transfers and such.

We've wasted a lot of time trying to agree on a viable mass transit system. We are making some slow progress.

A lot of southenders commute on the train. We're getting some light rail starting next year. Mostly we just have busses. http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation.aspx

stickboy · July 2008

wow I typed in 500-700 rent max and this is what I got

http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/apa/see?query=&minAsk=500&maxAsk=700&bedrooms=

Urban Hiker · July 2008

stickboy wrote:

wow I typed in 500-700 rent max and this is what I got

http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/apa/see?query=&minAsk=500&maxAsk=700&bedrooms=

Wow!

There are a lot of good deals listed there, many in good neighborhoods. I've forgotten what it's like to rent without pets (namely, two large dogs).

stickboy · July 2008

Urban Hiker wrote:

Wow!

There are a lot of good deals listed there, many in good neighborhoods. I've forgotten what it's like to rent without pets (namely, two large dogs).

if the 3 of us left today Id lock up that 2br for 690 by seatac in a heartbeat!

sennin · July 2008

The busses are decent at best. Ride a bike!

Urban Hiker · July 2008

sennin wrote:

The busses are decent at best. Ride a bike!

And if our hills wear you out, many of the busses have bike racks, so you do have the wimp out option.

stickboy · July 2008

sennin wrote:

The busses are decent at best. Ride a bike!

def.! and I dont mind walking.

Lukin66 · July 2008

stickboy wrote:

if the 3 of us left today Id lock up that 2br for 690 by seatac in a heartbeat!

Good thing you like walking, Seatac is about 10-15 miles south of Seattle proper

my2hands · July 2008

sennin wrote:

Come over to our place.

West Seattle is the place to be!

I loved "Dukes" restaurant... dinign on the roof watchugn the sun dive into the sound

fucking awesome. of course the peopel i was with were smokers so they couldnt wait 3 seconds to realx and enjoy the scene after the meal, they had to run downstairs liek junkies for the nicotine. i f'n hate that, being a smoker is not an excuse to be rude

Fahka · July 2008

So can anyone from Seattle tell me about the northwest academy of healing arts? Ive researched the school and seems like a great place but Is it viable? Are they well known in that area? How is the building where it is located? (2707 Cali Ave suite 201) I can't seem to find a picture of the place so i guess i'm asking if its shammy at all

Know anybody who attended? What were their feelings? i'm basically interested in the things i cant find the answers to until i come visit the place(which will be very soon)

Can anyone suggest a cool "surrounding" town outside of seattle that is easily accessible in and out of the city? (just in case money would be an issue)
Are there any recommended "spots" to live, in seattle? Where are the places to avoid?

Does anyone know off hand what the ferry prices are? Also, what is the ferry situation in a nutshell?
If someone can give the the low down, if i make it out that way, i will so get your ass drunk when i arrive

I'm also an aspiring musician.. which is a big portion of why id like to attend school there. (you know, have some fun and hopefully get a few live gigs under my belt whilst obtaining an education) I hear mixed things about the music scene at the moment (its all a matter of opinion anyhow) But i guess my question is.. is seattle an easy place to promote ones band/self? Is it hard to find venues/clubs/bars to play at? (i know there are plenty around but, im basically asking is it hard to become "part" of the live music scene there? or at least get ure foot in the door? )

and this is probably the most important question... will i get looked at like i'm an asshole if i light up a smoke on the street?

Again, any and all help would be greatly appreciated

stickboy · July 2008

go Diz! Covering all bases..I think some guy named Stone Gossard went to that school...I could be wrong tho

you forgot to ask one major thing Mandi..I got you tho

how are we looking in the "Bud" dept? Is it good/accesible good prices? I have a delivery service here in NY that brings me my bud so Im hoping I can find something like that out there

Fahka · July 2008

stickboy wrote:

go Diz! Covering all bases..I think some guy named Stone Gossard went to that school...I could be wrong tho

you forgot to ask one major thing Mandi..I got you tho

how are we looking in the "Bud" dept? Is it good/accesible good prices? I have a delivery service here in NY that brings me my bud so Im hoping I can find something like that out there

haha im pretty sure stone isnt a massage therapist

but yes.. HOW IS THE "smoke" SITUATION OUT THERE!? Gotta be good right? Canada right over the border and such;)

Seattlebound-Tips, suggestions, advice

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