OT: Moving to Seattle

I think you should visit the area. Sept is usually a great month weather wise.

$600K may give you a lot of choices, depending on what you really want. If could be about right or only buy you half.

 

PM Sent.

 

Seattle is a fantastic city. Be aware that the rain and grey is NOT a myth.... $600k can get a great house in "almost" any neighborhood.....

 

Don't visit in sept. it will fool you into thinking this is not the land of eternal rain. Rednecks are preferable to left wing nut jobs

 

And not to go P&R too much ... WA is one of the most "blue states" there is, with
nearly the highest tax structure despite no income tax (yet!) - although if you have
no vices (booze or smokes) it's a bit better... but 10% sales tax and crazy gas
tax and zillions of other taxes make that aspect not so appealing.

Do your homework based on YOUR NEEDS and such. Don't rely on opinions. It's
all in the facts and numbers. Beautiful here? YOU BET! Climate? MEDITERRANEAN!!
One side of the state: desert! Other side: Green year round.

If you are politically CONSERVATIVE, forget about living here!!! Think: San Francisco
as far as politics. If you are politically LIBERAL, move to Capitol Hill in Seattle or Fremont
in the shadow of the Lenin statue imported from the former CCCP, and revered in that
district. It's a VERY divided state - King County runs it. Don't agree with their ethos?
Then your voice will never amount to much in elections.

Just do your own research and don't rely on internet forums to make your decisions.

WA state is complex in all these sorts of issues, due to very different populations
on the East and West, biased by sheer numbers in the West.

I was born here and will die here. Much of the time I love it here and much of the
time I hate it here.

Jedi

 

He is obviously not fond of rednecks to the point of listing them as one of the main reasons for wanting to leave. Do you live in the PNW or just grenade-rolling from Tejas?

 

At Red GTS: Point that red car towards ol' Dixie, put your foot down and don't stop til you're back in the land o' cotton! We NWers love our L wing nut jobs.

 

Oh, and it rains like hell in November and June

Jedi

 

At Rennspeed: consider Portland (my hometown). Coolest and best town around!

 

Oregon however does have an income tax.... and if Rennspeed is politically conservative,
it's NOT a friendly state in the slightest - no more than Western Washington. EASTERN
parts of both states are different politically - but there would still be the income tax issue.

Just more info is all - no editorial intended otherwise.

Jedi

 

It doesn't "rain like hell" in June.... (jaded natives ;-)

I would kinda assume if the OP is wanting to get out of Texas 'cos of the rednecks and is considering WA, he is well aware that it is a very liberal state.

It's a great area with ton's of cultural experiences, outdoor sport, and beauty like no where in the country. The traffic can be pretty bad though.....

 

You clearly don't garden near Tacoma

Jedi

 

All political leanings aside PNW is great sans the really wet and depressing weather for 6-8 months out of the year. Economy, culture, entertainment, are all good. Politically it is very far left overall. Very progressive socially and ground zero on many issues in the US related to "income equality" and like movements.

Lots of rain, coffee, hipsters, tech, outdoor activities, "activists", and high paying jobs.

Like Jedi I love it and hate it at the same time.

$600k will buy you a whole lot of house in all but the most desirable areas.

 

In all fairness, the EAST side of the state is 98% "red state". The vast majority of
the East side of WA state (excluding all the illegals of course) is somewhat to VERY conservative.

Jedi

 

Kemper, the big developer here, just announced a 1.2billion expansion of Bellevue Mall with new condos and 2 hotels. So if you like "city" living you should consider Bellevue. Plus you don't have to cross the bridge everyday which sucks.

 

Very true. My comments are more applicable at the greater Seattle area. Also worth noting thwt Seattle is one of the healthiest cities in the country. You will find far less plastic surgury beauty queens but far more natual beauties, the cross fit type, than other places. I love that about the city.

 

We love the PNW. Yes, Oregon has income taxes, but no sales taxes and I believe that real estate taxes are lower in Oregon than in Washington. Oregon also does not have urban sprawl. Leave the cities and you are immediately in beautiful forests and farmland. Great hiking, biking, rafting, surfing, skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, fishing and hunting.

Yes, it rains a lot on the western third of both states. However, if you want sunshine and great skiing, it's just a two hour drive eastward.

Don't know why all the libs would bother a conservative except that they may seem irritating to hear about on the news and have slogan bumperstickers on their cars. They aren't mean and violent or have a tendancy to get nasty when drunk. And recreational marijuana is legal in Washington (another fallout of being in a left-leaning state).