Confused in Seattle (Vancouver, Lind: condo, homes, neighborhood)

[TheseGoTo11]

Originally Posted by movingwiththewind

houses... houses... houses.

What Seattle lacks is rowhouses. I've spent much of my life in two rowhouse cities - Boston and DC, and notice the lack of them when I go to Seattle, but I'd still move there, in spite of the locals trying to persuade more east coast people to stay put.

Another poster mentioned this, but Seattle is newer than many other cities. It's unique because it's got nearly 7,000 people per sq mile, which is more than any other southern or western city with a pro sports team outside California. And it feels like a real city to someone from the east coast, at least more so than Phoenix or LA. But most of the rowhouses in eastern cities were built in the late 19th century, when Seattle was just starting to get hit with the gold rush and was still a town. Same thing in Portland, it's mostly apartments or houses.

The thing about all the single family homes is they help keep educated middle class people in the city. Really don't have places like Green Lake or West Seattle in most eastern cities.

Seattle is new, it looks like what San Francisco would be like if it took a bath. But you need to change your mindset if you want to live there.

[godhead]

My "first person observations" are telling me Toughguy may be right about Azoria.

[iskray917]

If you don't like it here, then why do you still want to move here? I completely understand loving a place you've visited and wanting to move there, but when you actually explore for purposes of moving and you just don't feel it, maybe you should look elsewhere. you should move somewhere that you love, not somewhere that you have to force yourself to love.

[SonicsFan93]

Originally Posted by godhead

My "first person observations" are telling me Toughguy may be right about Azoria.

I agree with this.

[JustCallMeTC]

Originally Posted by azoria

You're confused because the hype about Seattle doesn't seem to be meeting up with what your first person observations are telling you?

I hope it has occurred to you that your perceptions are accurate and valid, and that the ballyhoo splash you've seen about Seattle is misrepresented and exaggerated.

In other words, you are right that this place is a dead zone and the Seattle myth is a lie.

Believe yourself first. What you see is what you get.

The Mayor of Lesser Seattle has spoken.

Yawn. You'll be moving when?


There are several great parts of neighborhoods I'm guessing you haven't seen. Places like North Beach, Blue Ridge, Wedgewood, Leschi, Magnolia, Queen Anne.

Keep looking, they're there. Get a real Estate Agent or someone who knows their way around town to show you some of the hidden places.

[rmkiefer07]

Originally Posted by thesegoto11

what seattle lacks is rowhouses. I've spent much of my life in two rowhouse cities - boston and dc, and notice the lack of them when i go to seattle, but i'd still move there, in spite of the locals trying to persuade more east coast people to stay put.

Another poster mentioned this, but seattle is newer than many other cities. It's unique because it's got nearly 7,000 people per sq mile, which is more than any other southern or western city with a pro sports team outside california. And it feels like a real city to someone from the east coast, at least more so than phoenix or la. But most of the rowhouses in eastern cities were built in the late 19th century, when seattle was just starting to get hit with the gold rush and was still a town. Same thing in portland, it's mostly apartments or houses.

The thing about all the single family homes is they help keep educated middle class people in the city. Really don't have places like green lake or west seattle in most eastern cities.

seattle is new, it looks like what san francisco would be like if it took a bath. but you need to change your mindset if you want to live there.

lmao!!!

[rmkiefer07]

Have you made it to West Seattle? I think of the Delridge Community Center which has all kinds of childrens activities and a park, including soccer fields, a wading pool, and swingsets. It's right next to the golf course and I always see parents with kids out there. It is mostly single homes in the area, but up Genessee to Avalon Way it becomes very dense with condos and apartments. The California/Alaska Junction is just up from there with the restaurants and shopping. It's not NYC, but I think it's nice. Just a thought

[grastus]

Hm, I've already banged and done coke with everyone in Capitol Hill. Might as well move to Ballard, I mean, it'd be like this crazy adventure, out in that wild fisherman's land, haha. Man, look at my beard. I saw a show at The Tractor. So ironic. *hair flip*

[jr75]

My advice to you is simply NOT to move here. I don't think Seattle is what you are looking for. If your first impression is that it's not urban enough for you then that's that. If Capitol Hill density is not enough, then you won't find anything denser in Seattle. For me, when I moved here I wanted some urbanity but just enough that I didn't feel stifled by the city. Downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square, Lower Queen Anne, Capitol Hill/First Hill-honestly that is the perfect amount of urban for me. Throw in some beautiful and leafy neighborhoods close by and I'm in heaven. The vibe and cultural options of Seattle are again just what I wanted. Coffehouses, live music, good local restaurants, small movie houses, festivals etc. The natural setting is the biggest bonus of all. If you don't like what you see on Ballard Ave, Fremont and 36th ave., Pike/Pine in Cap Hill, 45th in Wallingford or California Ave in West Seattle then you won't like Seattle.
You will also not enjoy Portland if you don't like Seattle's amount of density. Vancouver will perhaps satisfy your urban craving but only if you stay in the downtown peninsula and only if cultural options are also unimportant for Vancouver's music/arts/cultural scene is less vibrant than Seattle or Portland. I'd suggest San Francisco for the density, urbanity and culture but alas, not too many kids there either.

[movingwiththewind]

Originally Posted by W & C

I live in First Hill and there are zero single-family homes anywhere within a two-mile radius.

How far is Capitol Hill from First Hill, damn it? Capitol Hill is all about houses. How is it artistic? How is it bohemian? What all this hype is about?