In Seattle and lovin’ it!
Karen on 06 21, 2007
This past week has felt like enduring nothing less than a tornado, but it is just about to spit me out. Yes, I am finally in sweet home Seattle after the rigorous 2,100-mile drive from Chicagoland, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic to be here. However, I’ll be much less anxious once my movers actually arrive and I don’t have to inconvenience my roommate by snatching one of her laptops for my own use every few hours. Unfortunately, I did miss out on the highly anticipated Fremont Solstice Parade, but could tell many were enjoying it based on the traffic that greeted my older brother and I when we arrived via I-90 this past Saturday morning.
We consumed three and a half days last week driving to Seattle, lounging in picturesque South Dakota, Montana and Moses Lake, WA. for one night each en route. Our arduous, but breathtaking roadtrip was taken in stride; we packed only 650 miles on my car three of the days and had my iPod Roadtrip working overtime. Although driving the constantly winding, dipping roads through the Rockies and other mountains made for a much more entertaining trip than I expected, especially since I had never made the cross-country escapade before.
My roommate (and her supercute doberman!) and I amazingly gelled immediately, attending a neighbor’s party my first night in Seattle. Understandably, I was bentset on testing the whole icy social scene theory and so far, between the conversations I had at the party and with others on my first day of graduate school, I have not been stung by the cold. But I have lived here mere days, so I’m sure I will have varied experiences, though I am persistent in my pursuit of new friends.
Thus far I have spent ample time deliberately getting lost downtown and adjusting to Seattle’s grid of roads (I love the street number system), but still find myself unknowingly clutching my multi-colored city tourist map as I drive. Being from flat-as-a-pancake Chicago, I cannot help but constantly be in significant awe of all the beauty that surrounds Seattle – the Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier etc., especially when I found myself on the 50th floor of a skyscraper on a brilliant sunny day yesterday. It’s all still surreal right now.
Any suggestions or input you have on navigating Seattle or tips in general would be welcome and most appreciated!
About the Author: Karen Kirr
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58 Responses to “In Seattle and lovin’ it!”
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suggestion for navigation – buy a GPS, though it gets flaky sometimes around the highrises
Your cross country trip sounds great, glad to hear you enjoyed it and our totally “unflat” terrain here in the Emerald City! We do have breathtaking views almost everywhere you turn.
Agreed. If you can afford it, a GPS that can be used in-car or by hand is invaluable, even for someone like myself that has lived here for years. I have a Garmin iQue 3600 and absolutely love it. They’ve discontinued it, but you can get it for an absolute steal on eBay. (I have no affiliation or experience with that particular seller, it’s just an example I found of how cheap you can get them for nowdays.
LOL Karen! I remember an agent who came here from Chicago calling me from her cell phone and screaming “How can I be at the corner of 4th and 4th!!!”
Be careful that you are noting whether you are on 124th STREET or 124th AVE. The oddest thing about Seattle vs. other areas is that we have numbered roads in both directions. That can get confusing when you reach the intersection of 4th Street and 4th Avenue
Or when you think you are “there”, and you are on 124th AVENUE and you wanted to be at the same address on 124th STREET or 124th PLACE. One address can appear three times in Seattle in three different places.
It works like this:
AVENUES run North-South and the odd numbered homes are on the West side of the road with the directional NW at the END as in “39th AVE NE”.
STREETS run East-West and the odd numbered houses are on the South side of the road with the directional in the front like “NE 75th St.” So if you don’t know if you want 15th Street or 15th Ave. If it is NE 15th it is a street and if it is 15th NE it is an Ave.
PLACES follow the nearest road. If the Place is off an AVE, it will work like an AVE and if the place is off a STREET it will work like a street. At least I think that’s how “Places” operate, maybe “Rds. too”
Now look out for WAY. Kirkland Way, any Way, will switch without warning from N-S to E-W, hence it is called a Way, like a winding, turning Way. As it winds from N/S to E/W the numbered streets will go whacky on you, like how can I be at 92nd when I was just at 134th? It’s because you wound from 92nd ST to 134th AVE.
Got all that?
Welcome to Seattle!!!
Here’s another Cool Tool. The 520 Bridge is “the Weatherman”. If you drive across the 520 Bridge and both sides of the water are still, then it’s probably not going to rain.
If the South side of the water is choppy and the North side is still, the weather will be warmer, but it’s probably going to rain.
If the North side of the water is choppy and the South side is still, then colder weather is coming, but maybe not bringing rain with it.
The 520 Bridge is the best “Weatherman” in town.
Welcome to town! Since you’re probably in the ‘hood, or at least you attend classes close to the ‘hood, you are going to see more pride this weekend than you can imagine.
Did you buy your belltown condo yet?
Synthetik,
Are you taking to Karen or Galen?
Regarding Ardell #4 – Although it’s a little confusing at first, the nice thing about it is that one you get how the Street – Avenue numbering works out, you almost find your way anywhere without directions or a map. However, shortly after I first moved here, I once spent an hour in Kirkland getting lost because I got my 124ths mixed up.
However, in downtown Seattle, I still need a GPS because I can never remember the difference between Pike and Pine, Marion and Madison, Union & University, etc. I think the original urban planners got confused by putting similar sound street names next to each other, so they went to the dual street numbering scheme instead.
BTW, see if you can catch a re-run of Almost Live sometime. Probably the best way of getting a feel for the popular mythology / stereotypes / culture of the Seattle area (too bad they canceled show a few years ago).
“Karen”. I figured since she’s new to town and single, she’ll probably want to snap up one of those new belltown condos.
Galen isn’t buying, is he?
Galen isn’t buying and he’s more of a house kind of guy than a condo sort of guy.
In Seattle you can jpick up the best lipstick at Barneys
It’s at the Seattle City Center
The product is Lipstick Queen
It made me forget how lost i got on the road:)
Thanks all for the tips! I wish I were buying a Belltown condo, in my dreams! The roommate and I are working out fabulously though! I’m actually glad I am not living alone, then it would be even more difficult to make friends. I’m definitely looking into getting a GPS and maybe the CLUB. I was sort of taken aback when I noticed how many cars parked on the street in Capitol Hill had the security device. Is the crime rate worsening there? I figured it’s prob.just a good precaution, you never do know! I feel spoiled in that I have a garage parkig pass at Seattle Univ., which super convenient! So excited to explore the neighborhoods around here, more roads! We’ll have to meet up sometime fellow RCG bloggers, I was thinking of Ardell and Rhonda at the Fremont when we were grappling with traffic last Saturday! Great pics, posts!
Synthetik,
We’re seriously trying to decide whether or not to stick you in moderation with Bill Waters. You are not even READING the articles. did you see “roommate” up there as in renting?
YOU are the only one acting like WE say everyone should run out and buy something, and it is NOT a fair punch in the eye to Rain City Guide. You know it. Our readers know it. And if you can’t stop being an a-hole, we are going to ban you from the entire site.
The agents and loan officers here do not deserve the way you treat us. We know it…and worse yet YOU know it. If you can’t control yourself, all of your comments will be put into moderation mode.
Karen, it’s been fun to read your post and journey to Seattle.
If I were relocating to a city, I would probably not buy right away either. I would want to get to know the various neighborhoods before I planted roots into a mortgage.
Do check out West Seattle and Alki Beach…let me know if you want to meet for coffee or lunch!
I think we need a girls night out! I know I do!
Count me in!
Alright, I’ll go too.
Someone get Galen a long haired wig. We can handle the rest of the outfit.
Hi Karen,
Welcome to “Rain City”!!
Obviously, you’re already discovering some of the differences between “Rain City” and the “Windy City”. Here’s a few more: (1) We don’t have lake-effect snow, thankfully (but, on the rare occasion we do get snow, stay home…everyone else does. Don’t risk your life & limb driving these hills); (2) We have a rather pathetic St. Patrick’s Day celebration by comparison (certainly no Chicago River to turn green); (3) We only have 1, count ‘em 1, pro-baseball team, so no cross-town rivalries, and no Wrigley Field; and finally, (4) We don’t have any “cool” gangsters/crime bosses/mayors in our history to give us that certain “character” you may be familiar with. Of course, there are plenty of other differences, and I hope you enjoy discovering them. I’ll go on to say, we’re a fun & happy lot, and we’re glad to have you with us!
Watch out Galen! These girls may have you looking like Mrs. Doubtfire on a bad hair day in no time!
Re Comment #13 from Karen
Karen — it’s not that the crime rate per se is high, but car prowls are pretty common here, especially in neighborhoods with limited off-street parking, like Capitol Hill, or neighborhoods where people have nice cars. I live in Montlake (between Capitol Hill and the U-District), and car prowls are unfortunately pretty common, but I have no fear of walking around my neighborhood at odd hours of the morning.
I don’t have a club on either of my cars; what I do instead is I don’t leave anything valuable in my car. If there’s nothing worth stealing . . .I’ve lived here 11 years and only had 1 car break in wherein I stupidly left some CDs sitting out on the front seat.
And yes, the garage parking at SU is great. I work full time and am an evening law student at SU. I bought a day commuter parking pass, so I can park in the Broadway Garage, walk to work downtown, walk back up to class, then drive home. Super convenient and it’s not that expensive.
So you’ve been out with them before too Joe?
Hi Galen,
Actually, no I haven’t been with them (I take it you have though?). However, I can’t help but think that being the only man on “ladies night out” is asking for more trouble than any man should have to endure (particularly, since Ardell is already suggesting you wear a wig, while they get you an “outfit”…jeesh, what’s that going to look like! Also, they’re active bloggers so you may have a long time living down whatever indignities they force upon you!).
However, maybe there’s an angle you can work here. Hmmm…have to think about that one. Any ideas, Galen?
P.S. I gotta’ run…I’ll be back on Monday. This sounds like something we men should stick together on…let me know what you come up with. Talk to you soon!!
Galen, don’t let Joe frighten you!
I totally need a girls night out but I am ALSO very cool with having the guys there, cross-dressed or not.
I just finished up with my daughter’s 8th grade graduation and now I know how Rhonda felt last week.
Karen,
Welcome to Seattle! I think I asked you this once before, but what will you be studying in grad school?
Jillayne, try adding a 1 week closing to the mix!
I am really walking away from the blog now, really!
Wish you were at the fair with us!
Where and when should we all meet?
That weekend I was finishing the 4th draft of a 27 page paper due on Monday, right before one of my professors left town. There was no way I could have made it, PLUS my family was celebrating Father’s day on Saturday so the nuclear families could have their own mini-Father’s day celebrations on Sunday. I have never been to the Freemont parade. Maybe next year!
Any of the next two weekends work:
Friday or Saturday the 29th or 30th
Friday or Saturday, the 6th and 7th.
Karen will have to pick it or it will look like we’re just looking for an excuse to party. What say you Karen? We’ll pick a place that’s hard to find and test your find it skills
Don’t pick this Sunday. I’m going to see Norah Jones.
I’m totally down for a girls/guys night out!! Next weekend or the following would work great whenever. Ardell, Jillayne, Rhonda or Galen you should pick the place, I’m still familiarizing myself with the hotspots
I’m in Greenwood so I’m game for any place anywhere in Seattle. I also park in the Broadway Garage, Holly, that’s too funny! I’ve probably run into you and didn’t even know it! I love Sea U. so far, it’s great! I’m studying Adult Education and Training and am hoping to teach community college eventually or go into corporate training. I can’t wait to meet you guys, it will be loads of fun. Ardell, have fun at Norah Jones, that will be a great concert, I heard she is amazing live!
Holly, thanks for elaborating on my car worries. I’ve heard car thefts etc. are frequent here so I just want to take precautions. Whenever I’m in Capitol Hill (at least Mon.-Sat.) I’m parking in the Broadway Parking Garage, so the partial enclosure there makes me feel safer. I’m glad to hear you have not had many bad experiences with your car, though I know there is obviously a significantly higher risk you are putting your car at in a bigger city. It’s simply inevitable. I just want to make sure I follow the advice I get, thank you so much for that!
Karen,
You picked the perfect time to come to Seattle. The weather should be great the next couple of months. I’ve always said that Seattle is the best place in the U.S. from July-September.
Matthew,
I love the weather here year round actually. Coming from Florida where it’s almost always hot and sunny, all types of weather here are a welcome retreat.
I especially love the cool, cloudy slightly overcast days!
Hello Karen (and everyone else),
Greetings from a fellow Chicagoan! I’m about to move out to Seattle after living in Chicagoland for the past ten years (I came for undergrad and stayed for grad school). I’m glad to see that you’re enjoying yourself in Seattle since Chicago is a hard act to follow!
I’m researching movers now, and I was wondering what company did you go with?
Oops!! Norah Jones is Friday the 29th as is my Inman TV thing over at Zillow, so Friday the 29th is out for me.
Any of those dates work for me…except for the 29th. Where is Norah Jones playing at, Ardell?
The Seattle Opera House
I had to ask Kim. It’s his birthday present to me.
Hi, Julie,
That’s awesome you’re moving here, Julie! I really like it here, I know the rain will probably get to me a bit during the winter months, but I won’t miss the negative temperatures in Chicago. As far as my move went, I used http://www.minimoves.com
They cater to smaller moves, so being single they were the perfect fit for me. If you are moving with your family or the like, you might want to check into some other companies that are better suited for larger moves. Be sure to check out any place you are interested in going with on the Better Business Bureau Web site though. Good luck with everything! Let me know how things go!
This from my daughter. We’re all over what a great day it’s been today and how much we appreciate them more in Seattle.
She says, “When I want sun, I go to L.A. In Seattle, I want my rain back”. LOL
Norah Jones will be great concert! I’m looking forward to Diana Krall at Chateau Ste Michelle in August…we sold our tickets the last time she was here…thinking we had a nice cabin in the San Juans instead. The nice cabin in the San Juans tried to separate our group and “down grade” us last minute…we balked. We wanted our group together. So we didn’t see Diana and we did not go to the San Juans… come to find out, during the concert, Diana Krall announced that she and her husband, Elvis Costello, announced they were going to the San Juans to a cabin. I like to think we were bumped for them…ah, I’m probably dreaming!
Chicago has a great music scene. I love our music here, too!
Are we all up for this Saturday the 30th for a night out?
Saturday sounds good. Can Kim come or is it girls only?
Robbie–regarding your number 9, one way you can keep all the streets in downtown Seattle straight is to remember the following little saying, “Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Pressure.”
From south to north:
Jackson and James
Cherry and Columbia
Marion and Madison
Spring and Seneca
University and Union
Pike and Pine
I learned this in Driver’s Ed in high school and have always remembered it. It has saved me lots of wrong turns!
The other thing to remember is that from Stewart to Jackson, it’s very hard to impossible to turn left while heading south on 1st.
What time and where?
The Roanoke Bar in Capitol Hill or a place of someone else’s choosing. When? I’d say 8ish.
Sandy,
Not quite as memorable as “rightie tightie, leftie loosie”, but useful just the same. Thanks!
Sandy, I learned it as “Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest,” but it’s basically the same thing. I like it the double streets: you just get to the first letter and you know you’re within a block, then you figure out which is which.
Ladies, I’ll be out of town this weekend. It’s a shame: the Roanoke is a great neighborhood bar. I’ll have to wait for another opportunity for getting dressed up.
Glad I could help!
Is it just me or do the eyebrows on the smiley face make him look slightly evil?
Who, me?
Is anyone else wondering what happened to separation of Church and State in all that. I am amazed that Jesus Christ made it to driver’s ed. Did you go to public school?
Ardell–Yes I did go to public school. But it was Whidbey Island in the 1980s, and hardly the only inappropriate thing a teacher of mine ever did. I could tell some great stories about THAT school experience, let me tell you!
It was just a mnemonic so it probably never crossed his mind that it could be a problem. I’m sure in today’s climate he wouldn’t go there. He probably also wouldn’t have been alone in the car with three teenage girls teaching us how to drive in in-city traffic (which is how it came up). That was our big drivers ed excursion onto the ferry so that we could get used to getting on and off the ferry, driving on the freeway and in the city. They probably don’t do that anymore either! Too much liability for the school district, but that’s what they did back then.
Never crossed my mind about the Church and State thing until today!! I should have sued the school district!
Galen–
No, not you. THIS GUY:
Hi, Julie,
That’s awesome you’re moving here, Julie! I really like it here, I know the rain will probably get to me a bit during the winter months, but I won’t miss the negative temperatures in Chicago. As far as my move went, I used http://www.minimoves.com
They cater to smaller moves, so being single they were the perfect fit for me. If you are moving with your family or the like, you might want to check into some other companies that are better suited for larger moves. Be sure to check out any place you are interested in going with on Better Business Bureau Web site though. Good luck with everything! Let me know how things go! Sorry for the delayed response, I’m still getting my bearings together
I wouldn’t mind meeting a little earlier (if anyone else does) like 7ish…
I think Karen said she couldn’t make it early, but she can come last and we cans scream “KAREN!!” like they do Norm on Cheers.
I am new comer to this site…….I know everything abt u…. I am AGREED…
glad… I Will try too help….
BE cheerup with life…..
where and when we all meet????
============= jack