Question for Seattle peeps....

Thanks, Avocado, for confirming my fears. I'm currently paying $900/month for a 3 bedroom apt with a nice patio and garden in the coolest part of Houston (it was a lucky find). And as far as the weather, I figured winter was rainy and summer was not, but what about fall and spring? We don't usually have those two seasons in Houston, what about up there? Seriously tho, I have visited the Northwest and generally like the people and attitude, so I know I could make new friends with no problem. I don't know where I would want to live, but I would like to be in a house rather than in a apartment, or at the very least a townhouse.

As for the weed being top notch, I'm sure she will really appreciate that. I think that deep down she's just afraid of moving there and having to go without due to a lack of a connection. I do have one friend from college that lives there, and I'm sure she could help her out in that department.

I also told her not to worry about finding clients. Her clients here in Houston are very loyal to her because she is so good. I figure with all the microsoft people with money in Seattle, she'll have no problem finding a similar clientele as River Oaks in Houston.

Lisa, you are all too true. I know that her feelings are our feelings. Hell, I even have a reminder on my phone that beeps each month to remind me that it's that time again and the apartment better be clean, no hairs on the sink or toilet, kitty litter better be clean, and the kitchen better be spotless. I found out that it's way easier to do all that cleaning than to have to deal with the consequences if it's not done. However, if we don't go and I regret it, I better just keep that to myself, or I'll regret that I regretted it. Why are women so crazy in the brain? :

Anyway, the job is with Imperium Renewables, helping to design their new plant in Grays Harbor. To me it's an exciting job, cause that's what I've always wanted to do. From watching my dad do the same thing, taking us as a family from Ecuador, to Peru, to Saudi Arabia and Sudan, then to Houston, I've always dreamed of doing the same. I've been working as a Process Engineer learning how plants run so that some day I can have a hand in designing one using all that I've learned. This opportunity is the culmination of everything I grew up around and studied my entire life. AND it's a biodiesel plant, so I would be contributing to helping the US become less dependent on foreign oil or something like that.

hunt2 said:

Just one comment "if the woman is not happy no one is happy". Women are very solidified in their relationships....don't convince her and have her regret it.........Seattle is cloudy/ rainy and in some people can cause depression........Put the little woman first -- or make sure she is convinced and happy about going or there will be trouble in the long run...........

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+1 first of all.

My wife and I moved to Seattle almost 4 years ago from the san Francisco area (we lived in Oakland...I worked in SF, her in San Jose). I previously lived in Reno and Vegas (grew up there), her mostly in Boise.

We both feel Seattle is the nicest place we have ever lived and have no desire to move. On a nice day it has to be in the top 5 most beautiful cities in the US. Everyone is laid back, great food everywhere, good nightlife and music, and endless outdoor activities. Summertime weather is amazing...sunny and it rarely gets above 85.

But, there are downsides as well. Seattle is expensive...not SF expensive, but not too far off. We bought a new 3-bedroom townhome in a so-so neighborhood 3 years ago for just under $300K. Our current house is in a great neighborhood, but is a little small, was built in 1947 (so we have endless projects if we want to), and it was between $450K and $500K. The upside to these prices is the market is still doing well. For renting you could get a nice house in a good neighborhood for <$1500/month probably.

The weather takes getting used to. It's not that cold, but it does rain a lot, and it's cloudy a lot from late October through April/May or so. winter temps are usually in the 40's, but its wet so it feels cold. A couple very minor snows a winter, but it melts quickly. Getting used to everything being wet for 6-7 months straight was the biggest thing for us. Also, being so far north, the amount of daylight varies widly with seasons. In the summer it starts getting light at 5am and gets dark at 10pm...awesome! [thumbsup] In the dead of winter it starts getting light at 8, and gets dark at 4:30...and sometimes on bad days never seems to get fully light due to the cloud cover. Not so awesome. :'(

Oh yeah...Seattle/Portland is to beer what Napa is to wine. ;D ;D There are 3 micro-breweries within a couple iles of my house.

Hope that helps. Overall, we love it here, but wish there was a little more sun and it was cheaper.

We generally hunt down the right wing extremists and burn bras on the trees in their front yard. [cheeky]

I agree though, Houston and Seattle are very different. The cost of living isn't as high as I thought before looking it up for this post. Washington State is 35th of 50 so actually pretty good: http://www.ded.mo.gov/researchandplanning/indicators/cost_of_living/index.stm. However, living in the Greater Seattle area isn't like living in Pullman so it sort of depends on what kind of housing you end up wanting/needing. I think the median price of first time houses in King County is in the $400k+ range (vague recollection).

30 years ago when my family moved here from California my mom hated this place because of the rain. Bringing your woman here in the beginning of the rainy season you'd have a more difficult time getting her to like the weather we have, and want to stay for any length of time. Eventually you get used to it and if you enjoy snow sports you actually look forward to it as when it rains in the lowlands there is a good chance that it snows in the mountains only an hour away (during winter of course). If you take the job I say you get a delayed start until May/June when the flowers start blooming and the sky turns a bit more blue than grey. Otherwise be prepared to increase her clothing budget.

Best of luck to ya!