Seattle, WA...

[69Charger_440]

Is anyone from there?  What could you tell me about this city?  From what I have heard, it rains a lot, low humidity, summers aren't too bad, not too much snow during the winter, and is a beautiful part of the country.  Anyone have anything good or bad to say about this city?  Thanks!

Fernando

[A383Wing]

Lived here all my life...the rain part of your comment is blown out of proportion....otherwise, your comment about Seattle is pretty much correct. There have been a few winters where we do get our fair share of snow.....I remember 1 year we got over 13" ...shut the city down.

Bryan

[TK73]

There have been a few winters where we do get our fair share of snow.....I remember 1 year we got over 13" ...shut the city down.

Bryan

4" last year shut us down...  hope we get absolutely hammered this year, want some time off...

[DukesofHoward]

I've lived here for the last ten years and have no real complaints. Dallas, Texas actually has greater average annual rainfall than Seattle.

[dads_69]

Lived there for 8 years myself.Outer parts of Seattle. The wife and I and kids are moving back there in two years hopefully, if not sooner. Rain is over rated, Oregon is a rainy place I do know compared to Washington. I drove my cars year round also. Can't wait to get back.
Mark

[RTPTRON]

It's pretty much as you and others describe here.  I moved here in 1996.  I have lived in 7 states and Western Washington is my favorite.  I did like Flagstaff, AZ a lot but that was in the 1970s.  I'm sure it has changed a lot since then.

[TK73]

It's pretty much as you and others describe here.  I moved here in 1996.  I have lived in 7 states and Western Washington is my favorite.  I did like Flagstaff, AZ a lot but that was in the 1970s.  I'm sure it has changed a lot since then.

Gotcha beat Ron; 8 states      This be the last one 

[bull]

Lived there for 8 years myself.Outer parts of Seattle. The wife and I and kids are moving back there in two years hopefully, if not sooner. Rain is over rated, Oregon is a rainy place I do know compared to Washington. I drove my cars year round also. Can't wait to get back.
Mark

Portland gets less average annual rainfall than Seattle but they're close. It's not so much the rain as it being overcast most of the time during the winter. Overall the weather is pretty mild in the NW.

[triple_green]

There are a few Charger guys here. We also have the D-C.com meet in Kent every August   

[69Charger_440]

Thanks for your input, fellas.  I am thinking about applying for a job up there, and I was talking to a guy that is from that area.  The way he described it, it sounds really beautiful.  I like it when it rains, and I love hearing the thunder/lightning (don't ask me why, I just do  ).  Although I don't like it when it is super cold.  From the way you guys describe it, winters aren't too bad.  Lets just say I'm getting tired of the hot, humid Texas summers which start in late April/early May and last until early December.  Just one last question.  What is the cost of living like?  How much could one expect to pay for a 1,800+ sq ft home in a nice neighborhood?  Taxes?  Thanks again for the input.  Now I have to convince the wife that we need to move! 

P.S.  Is there a state income tax?

Thanks!!

Fernando

[triple_green]

House $350-$450 depending on the age in the southend of seattle. More on the East side and some north end properties.

No income tax. Sales tax of 9% on non-food items. My house with a RE tax value of $380 has $3200/year of RE taxes.

3X

[69Charger_440]

House $350-$450 depending on the age in the southend of seattle. More on the East side and some north end properties.

No income tax. Sales tax of 9% on non-food items. My house with a RE tax value of $380 has $3200/year of RE taxes.

3X

Yikes!!! $350-$450??     Thanks though!!

[472 R/T SE]

Yeah it's pretty spendy up there in the emerald city.  We're down here in the fourth largest WA city, Vancouver.

The rain is nothing like what you're used to.  Back there you get in one storm what it takes us a couple months to get.  Just think of a slow mist, just continuously.  I worked outside and after an occasional hot summer I would look forward to the rain. 
Not much for thunder & lightning either, maybe 3 or 4 times a year here.  I'm like you, there's nothing quite like a good thunder & lightning show.  But no tornadoes  .

[bull]

House $350-$450 depending on the age in the southend of seattle. More on the East side and some north end properties.

No income tax. Sales tax of 9% on non-food items. My house with a RE tax value of $380 has $3200/year of RE taxes.

3X

Yikes!!! $350-$450??     Thanks though!!

I live in a fairly nice neighborhood (not run down, not high brow) near Portland and the homes are priced at between $220k-$290k. In the nice hood where my wife and I take walks about one mile from us I've seen them for sale up to $700k for a three-car garage deal that backs up to the lake. Right now it's a buyers market to some degree. Lots of houses that aren't moving but the prices are still pretty high so something has to give eventually.

We do have income tax in Oregon but no sales tax.

[Red Ram]

Yep and don't forget we have the Seahawks, Mariners and for the time being the Sonics...so don't come here if you're looking for a winning team. 

[70charginglizard]

Im a pure bred Washingtonian.
It's a great place to live as long as you can deal with the grey.
The rain that everyone say's we have so much of is usually blown way beyond what we actually get but the grey skies are usually a predominant feature to the region. If you can get beyond that it's a great place to live. Plenty of fun stuff to do. Seattle area is real expensive to live around. I'd look either north or south east or west of Seattle to keep your cost of living down.

[A383Wing]

4" last year shut us down...  hope we get absolutely hammered this year, want some time off...

OK...yer fired!!!

Bryan  (there's yer time off)      

[TK73]

OK...yer fired!!!

Bryan  (there's yer time off)      

Can't fire me, I work for Unemployment 

[TK73]

House $350-$450 depending on the age in the southend of seattle. More on the East side and some north end properties.

No income tax. Sales tax of 9% on non-food items. My house with a RE tax value of $380 has $3200/year of RE taxes.

3X

Median price in King County hit $400k about 2 months ago... 1800 sq ft would be above 400...

Hey Mark 

[Silver R/T]

been pretty good weather every time I've been there. Western WA does get more rain than East WA definitely and it costs more to live in western WA also.

[skip68]

I've lived up there in McCleary, Shelton, Kent, ect....  I like a dryer (warmer) climate but have to say that Washington is the most beautiful state I've been to for woods.    Very very beautiful areas. 

[bull]

I've lived up there in McCleary, Shelton, Kent, ect....  I like a dryer (warmer) climate but have to say that Washington is the most beautiful state I've been to for woods.    Very very beautiful areas. 

Same here. I grew up in Eastern Oregon which IMO has a nearly perfect climate (at least the area where I lived) but there isn't much to choose from in the job market out there. And now that all the baby boomers have retired and are looking for their own little slice of paradise I couldn't afford to live there unless I made about $90k/yr.

[1970 Charger 500]

VERY high suicide rate!!!  I'm thinking about it as I write this!
Don't move here, and tell everyone you know not to move here.
It's a HORRIBLE place!!!

[Charger_Fan]

VERY high suicide rate!!!  I'm thinking about it as I write this!
Don't move here, and tell everyone you know not to move here.
It's a HORRIBLE place!!!

[8WHEELER]

1970 Charger 500 link=topic=34968.msg382379#msg382379 date=1192644985]
VERY high suicide rate!!!  I'm thinking about it as I write this!
Don't move here, and tell everyone you know not to move here.
It's a HORRIBLE place!!!






  If you were here right now, you would see what happens for the next 6mo
  RAIN RAIN RAIN RAIN  10MIN SUN BREAK  RAIN RAIN  THEN WIND.........

I have lived here all my life, so we get used to it..........  but moving here, its hard to get used to.

But it is one beautiful place to live  ''DARN IT''.........   

Dan

[OldGuy]

We moved out of the area about 4 years ago.  Unless there has been a drastic increase in freeway lanes - either take the bus, carpool or plan on sitting in traffic for hours - because there are only two freeways through the area - I-5 and I-405 - that go north/south.  Same options east/west two (2) primary highways, I-90 and SR 520 - unless you want to drive an extra hour or so around Lake Washington.  What finally got to us after 25 years was the gray overcast that lasts from September to April.  Other than that - it is a beautiful place.  There is a reason why it is green up there!!

[bull]

We moved out of the area about 4 years ago.  Unless there has been a drastic increase in freeway lanes - either take the bus, carpool or plan on sitting in traffic for hours - because there are only two freeways through the area - I-5 and I-405 - that go north/south.  Same options east/west two (2) primary highways, I-90 and SR 520 - unless you want to drive an extra hour or so around Lake Washington.  What finally got to us after 25 years was the gray overcast that lasts from September to April.  Other than that - it is a beautiful place.  There is a reason why it is green up there!!

Yea, the traffiic in the Seattle area is horrific. Me and the family went to Canada a few months ago and it took us about two hours in stop and go traffic to get from Tacoma to Everett. I think the leg from Portland to Tacoma was quicker than Tacoma to Everett.

[8WHEELER]

We moved out of the area about 4 years ago.  Unless there has been a drastic increase in freeway lanes - either take the bus, carpool or plan on sitting in traffic for hours - because there are only two freeways through the area - I-5 and I-405 - that go north/south.  Same options east/west two (2) primary highways, I-90 and SR 520 - unless you want to drive an extra hour or so around Lake Washington.  What finally got to us after 25 years was the gray overcast that lasts from September to April.  Other than that - it is a beautiful place.  There is a reason why it is green up there!!

Common Carl, the traffic is not bad at all     never mind, its much worse than when you were here 

They are spending 10yrs trying to fix the 520 problem, and if and when its every improved, it will be out dated before
its finished, same thing happens with every road way project around here.........  and I worked for a company that
built bridges in the north west, but I just drove the Semi   

Dan

[A383Wing]

To all you guys bitchin' about the rain....ya'all ain't that sweet...YA WON'T MELT! 

Bryan  (get told that all the time)

[8WHEELER]

Hey, I can swim ''kind of'' and my wipers all work, perfect for this area      

Dan

[Rack]

C'mon, Fernando, it was only like 102 degrees the other day. It's not THAT bad.




I was gonna take the charger out and start sanding the engine bay but it was way too freakin' hot. The nights are getting nicer though.


Hey Fernando, are you stationed at Laredo North, West, or South?

[472 R/T SE]

Hey, I can swim ''kind of'' and my wipers all work, perfect for this area      

Dan

All you guys need is a sail and you wouldn't even have to fire up a rig.  We had wind warnings for yesterday, forecasted sustained 45 mph winds but nothing.  It's that time of year when Mother Nature kicks up the winds to clean the leaves off the trees.

[A383Wing]

Hey, I can swim ''kind of'' .......      

Dan

Thought ya "floated"   

Bryan

[sixpack70]

I miss the northwest, to me the weather is unbeatable because it is so mild. Living in El Paso we have these seasons: Freezing cold for two weeks, then Hot, hotter, hot like hell, and hotter than hell. Worse in AZ which I don't like that much. El Paso is sun all the time and I get sick of it. I like overcast days so I can see without sunglasses.

I drove my 69 mustang in the rain or whatever because they don't salt the roads. So my car didn't rust. Housing is expensive as hell as was said earlier. My house I currently live in was 1700 square feet and 118k. (Now more like 175k to sell) I looked at lots on a hill near my parents house in Springfield, OR and they were 80k for just a lot. With a house was 300k-500k. The trees and outdoor opportunities are incredible!

If I retire from the Army in 15 more years then I'm heading back. If I get out in 4 more then I'm definitely heading back to Oregon or Washington!

[70charger_boy]

Jimi Hendrix is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park, Renton, Washington.  I would love to visit

[Headrope]

Bruce Lee is burried in Seattle too.

I live south of King County, in Pierce County. I purchased an 1800 square foot home on a 1/4 acre for $160,000 six years ago. It's assessed value, according to the county, is now more than $250,000. It's crazy.

[PocketThunder]

I'm stuck in Minnesota and i dont know why.  Last night i was talking to a lady at the park who just moved back from Seattle. i asked her why?  she said, oh family and friends..  Aren't you guys friendly out there? 

[TK73]

I'm stuck in Minnesota and i dont know why.  Last night i was talking to a lady at the park who just moved back from Seattle. i asked her why?  she said, oh family and friends..  Aren't you guys friendly out there? 

F@$# NO... Maxim rated Seattle 6th toughest city in the US...

[SeattleCharger]

Heh, this thread is funny.     The gorgeous short summer, awesome fall time, spring is off and on rainy and sunny, winter is long and grey and moderate.   It rarely ever pours, just drizzle and showers a lot,  no humidity in summer, even on a eighties day, is cool at night, but not cold like dessert climate.  No mosquitos is nice.  No salt on roads to rust up cars is nice.  If you like snow there is plenty of snow in cascades, drive thirty minutes from Seattle to mountain pass, maybe a little farther,  the house market has gone way up in last ten years, everyone seems to be moving here,  that sucks as I have not managed to buy a house.  People that owned them ten years ago or longer are sitting sweet right now.
    Seems like most people I know always say they wouldn't want to live anywhere else.   I think people are friendlier other places though, I have lived around midwest, friendlier.   There is less crime here, nothing like detroit or whatever,  lots of different ethnicities, people get along pretty well here,  at least visit for a while if you can,

[A383Wing]