Don't get me wrong--I had a good time on my vacation to Washington and Portland. And I only visited downtown Seattle. I did get to see several areas around Seattle though. I have to say I just don't quite get it why people think it is the place to live. Housing prices are insane anywhere in Western Washington. Even what would be considered a small house is outrageous. So it has a view of the mountains or water--that does not justify overcharging. At least not for me. And I have never seen an area of such extremes. Drive around and you will see a really beautiful house and right next store is a house that should be condemned. Everywhere we went we saw situations like that. The cost of living is just a lot higher than I can afford and seeing all the homeless people I would venture a lot of people there cannot afford it either.
There were some good things though. If you are a beer lover than you cannot ask for a better selection of microbrews. Same if you are a seafood lover. There is nothing like eating something that just came out of the ocean that morning. Seattle Public Library downtown was worth seeing. I was disappointed in the Experience Music Project though. Having the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame here in Cleveland I was expecting something special from the EMP. I did not get it and really cannot recommend it to anyone visiting the area. The Science Fiction Museum which is in the same building and included with your admission is well worth the stop. I had a great time there. Pike Place Market was ok. If you have been to a good market anywhere then you don't have to stop at Pike's. I guess I was just expecting more since I have heard so much about the area. I know I did not even scratch the surface in our travels around the city, but what I saw really did not impress me. Olympic National Park was very cool and there are a lot of other things to see in Washington. So my advice is don't limit yourself to just Seattle if you go for a visit. Get out and see other parts of Washington...
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Just wanted to say hi and thank you for linking to my blog story on Two Buck Chuck. Had to comment here - this post is absolutely on target in terms of the difference between to northwest and the mid-west. Zoning and all the pretty houses in a row is a mid-western thing.
A friend of mine in Seattle lives in a lovely house and next door - a dump. I guess it something you get used to.
The differences in houses was the biggest surprise in Seattle and the rest of Washington we saw. For the prices homes sell for there I was really shocked. And that was a great link. I am glad I found your blog. I had no idea about the labor issues for Two Buck Chuck.
I couldn't believe all of the dumpy houses in Washington state in general, I have a feeling it was a fairly poor state before the big bucks moved in.
Portland on the other hand was stunning, the homes were really lovely and unique for the most part and the neighborhoods were very cool. Aside from the parking being kind of a bitch I would want to move there in a heartbeat.
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