Ask ten people and you get ten different answers. So I thought I’d give my take on Dustin’s topic from last year. Maybe every Frequent Contributor can do one on the ten things about living in Seattle that they think are worth knowing.
1) The flip side of rain – not only is the weather close to perfect here from April/May through October, the days are a lot longer than anyplace I have ever lived before…and I’ve lived a lot of places. The painted naked cyclists on the Summer Solstice are a clue as to how much Seattle celebrates the longest day of the year here. Sitting on Alki Beach on the evening of the longest day of the year is something everyone should do. Watch the sun set around 10 p.m. But get there early if you plan to eat…the restaurants tend to run out of food before sunset.
2) Everyone “belongs” here – No matter who you are, or are not…oops…What’s that Kim?
my partner Kim Harris is jumping in with HIS perspective…which is much longer and in a different direction than mine. Going to Kim’s Perspective on what drew him TO the Pacific Northwest in 1964 and KEPT HIM in Seattle since he got off the plane from Vietnam in 1969…The History – The Tremendous Impact and Signficance of this area on the Music Industry (Kim’s previous life and passion, as founder of Easy Street Records and teacher of “The History of Rock and Roll” at the U and BCC and original manager of Queensryche, when they were high school kids hanging out at his Easy Street Records, of then, on Bel-Red Road…long past history all over the world managing bands and music venue and private label and much more…on to his LOVE of Seattle from a music perspective:
[photopress:blue_moon_1.jpg,thumb,alignright] The (fabulous) Wailers – Tall Cool One, being able to find things in Seattle he spent two months trying to find in record stores in San Francisco as a teenager, The Kingsmen, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Quincy Jones, The Sonics, Viceroys, Jimi Hendrix, Bluebird, The Daily Flash, Brothers Johnson, Sir Mix-a-Lot, QueensRyche, Heart, Sound Garden, Nirvana, The Melvins, Pearl Jam, Screaming Trees, Mudhoney, Presidents of the USA, Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains…
The Castle, Lake Hills Roller Rink (believe it or not), Eagles Auditorium, The Blue Moon, The Show Box, The Vogue, The (original) Off Ramp, RKCNDY, The Tractor, the Crocodile…
Other influences that made a difference: Sub Pop and CZ Records, Thom Bell, Bruce Pavin, Boyd Grafmyer (presents), Pat McDonald who was a major influence on music from his time at KOL-fm to this day, as a not often enough writer of the Seattle Times. His infrequent musings on today’s music are not to be missed. Jack Endino and the Great Pad O’Day. Campus Music, Discount Records, Music Millennium, East Street Records and Celophane Square.
Paul Allen and his Experience Music Project (EMP) for having kept Seattle’s Music History alive, for the benefit of both visitors to Seattle and local residents of Seattle, due to his love of music generally.
The Seattle Weekly and The Stranger still give a left of center approach to what is happening currently in the Seattle Area. Great Articles on Food, Music, Shopping, what to do…etc.
Well…so much for “Ten”…went off on a tangent in “stream of consciousness blogging” fashion…there will have to be a part two on this one…I have work to do 🙂
Enjoy Seattle Music Lovers!!! A trip down Memory Lane!
You know what’s so great about those Seattle bands you mention? The guys in them are so cool, as in normal, down to earth people. Of course, I generalize, but we know a few (they frequent the Roanoke from time to time where they can drink in peace) and those guys are just like the rest of us, but famous. And talk about 6 degrees – Mr. Adrianna took the cover photo for the Screaming Trees first album (we went to CWU, where they’re from). Mark Pickerel (the original drummer) lives here now and has his own great band – Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands. More of a rockabilly feel than the Trees but great stuff.
Kim says he’ll do a whole History of Rockabilly at a later date…clearly one of his favorite topics.
Tell us about the Stitch and Bitch at the Roanoake. What do they Stitch?
You are one crazy broad.
Seriously. I think you may need some medication. I’m not saying you should take any medication. I don’t want you to stop or change. I just think it might be helpful to understand where this all comes from and give it a label. I know it would help me if I could read some of your stuff and just say, “Oh yeah, she’s ADD,” or “Well, that figures, she has an impulse control disorder.” It would give everything a context. I know it’s helped me with my wife.
: )
Turner,
Well THAT all came from my partner Kim…I’m a Doo Wop, Sinatra, Folk Song…Soul Music fan myself.
OH…just realized what ADD was 🙂 It’s just like real estate, you plan to do ten things and NEW LISTING comes on market and you are OUT the door!!
I liked that article because it IS like how I do business. Priorities CHANGE on a dime!
That is the only way to properly respond to my comment!
Some people are just high energy people, and they don’t have any kind of disorder.
However, I do believe most all people in real estate and mortgage lending are classified as insane, which trumps any disorder.
Bi Polar Disorder possibly?
Ardell? Naaa. I’ve met Ardell, and I know someone who is bi-polar.
Naaaaaaaaa. She’s just a strong, assertive woman with an opinion and WITHOUT the corporate political structure that holds some people back from saying what’s on their mind.
Jillayne,
I do have to give the utmost credit to “the corporate political structure” for “Who I Am” Twenty years as a bank officer, Many years with Coldwell Banker. I now have the freedom to apply the benefits of all I was taught within the Corporate Structure.
I just can not tolerate those who refuse to understand that they represent the seller or they represent the buyer. I feel by refusing to let things like “placating people” and “doing the deal” remain in the vocabulary of real estate professionals, I am helping the industry as a whole. I don’t interfere in other people’s articles, but saying “deal” or “lead” and treating this industry in such unprofessional sell, sell, sell terms…not an option on my articles. I’ll pop out the comment if it is too offensive.
People think I’m offensive…offensive is treating consumers like they are lambs to be let do the slaugter for the benefit of the commission makers. I’m 52…with 35 years of professional experience, 16 of them in real estate. I can take the stand that newbies and agents with big companies can’t.
Also, I may return to “corporate political structure some day”, so I’m taking my stand while I can 🙂
We’ll have to meet again Jillayne, when it’s not at the end of a party when I’m fist banging on a glass table LOL…especially if you are going to be asked to make a pschological evaluation by commenters.
Turner’s my onlinefriend BTW from AR…his ADD was simply regarding leaving the subject as 10 things and stopping at 2. He meant no offense.
It’s not ADD…it’s the rule of Mother Theresa…”First things first…second things never”. If something comes along more important than number 4…priorities rule!
LOL! I knew he was more than likely kidding, as was I. 🙂 Happy Friday!
Hello,
I’m from NY and is looking to move to Seattle at the end of ’08. I haven’t been to the city before and am wondering if this is a good place to settle (not into sports and all that). I don’t mind about the Seattle Freeze and the weather since I don’t believe it gets as hot as NY in summer. My questions…where outside the city is a good place to live (reasonable apt. rental costs, travel, etc.). How are salaries there…I’m not a techie person but I have a couple of degrees and corporate experience and would look for something that’s not entry level. What other food experience is there aside from Asian? How is the shopping? Simply…where do I start to prep in anticipating moving.
Would appreciate any advise/suggestions/comments.
Thanks.
Janice,
Rental costs don’t seem to change much from place to place, so slightly stretching to where you want to be is well worth it.
I’m from Philly and find much of Seattle very similar to Philly/Bucks County as a comparison of Seattle/Eastside.
Best to take a short term rental, get a job, and then live close to where you work. The weather is much better than NY, so you shouldn’t have a problem there. I’m on the Eastside, but I’m much older than you. Stick closer to and explore Downtown Seattle first. You can always switch if you can find a month to month rental, after you decide where to work.
Hi,
I’ll be working and living at the residence located at the English Botanical Gardens and the Ballard Locks. I’m excited since I’ve never be to Seattle. Can you tell me the garden and even the residence?
Hi,
I just spent the last six weeks exploring Seattle with the idea of relocating. I took a short term rental in Beacon Hill. Nice area until the snow storm of 08 shut down the city. I am now thinking of living in Redmond area. I like visiting the city but since I am into a lot of outdoor sports activities I think the East side area would be better for me. It took about 20 mins to get downtown from Redmond and about 7 mins from Beacon Hill. I loved the museums, shops, music and food there but on a daily basis don’t think I would use them as much. My young adult sons love the city. I think the short term rental, find a job and then decide option is probably the best.
Hi helene,
“I think the short term rental, find a job and then decide option is probably the best.”
Totally agree. Everyone I know who lives in Redmond really loves it there, especially close to Bella Bottega and Redmond Towne Center. I live in Kirkland and this close to Downtown is great. Plus for some reason, our roads and snow cleared up a lot faster than anyone else’s. Something to do with the elevation, they say.
What i remember the most from Seattle, was when i when to the last Sonics games, but i loved to attend to Qwest n Safeco, i mean, Seattle sports are great, the fans are the best when their team is succeding.