Confused and could use some advice/thoughts

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Hi all! So I love the idea of moving to Seattle or anywhere in Washington really. I don't mind the rain/ weather stuff. I have a friend moving to Portland next year and that's not really my bag but Washington is lovely and a place I've always been interested in. Question. I have read that it is REALLY hard to make friends in Washington.... Is this true? Anyone move from another state and have a problem " fitting in". Also I know everyone complains about the low pay and high cost of living and I completely agree that needs to be fixed, but does that make it impossible to live on? I'm single and would need to be able afford rent/ bills ( as an RN). Let me know your thoughts if you can. Thanks a lot!

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Nobody?

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People don't usually move away from Seattle. So many folks have had their same group of friends since high school. If you are really assertive and put yourself out there, you will find some other nonnatives to hang around with. Also, if you're a gal and hetero, know that Seattle men have had PC values beaten into them by hippy moms or something. (Not that there's anything wrong with hippies ;).) That's simply the only explanation my friends and I have come up with for their total lack of initiative in terms of dating. Again seek out nonnatives. If you are a hetero man with a spine or a lesbian--you'll be in heaven.

You should be fine living in Seattle on an RN salary.

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People don't usually move away from Seattle. So many folks have had their same group of friends since high school. If you are really assertive and put yourself out there, you will find some other nonnatives to hang around with. Also, if you're a gal and hetero, know that Seattle men have had PC values beaten into them by hippy moms or something. (Not that there's anything wrong with hippies ;).) That's simply the only explanation my friends and I have come up with for their total lack of initiative in terms of dating. Again seek out nonnatives. If you are a hetero man with a spine or a lesbian--you'll be in heaven.

You should be fine living in Seattle on an RN salary.

lol - That is an interesting perspective.... sounds like you have had an interesting experience in Seattle.

I've lived in the south a bit.. as well as the east coast... I was born in the NW and am now back - it's the best! The people are generally more friendly... and I love the weather.

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Yeah I am hetero lady lol. So I guess I should grow my own spine if I'm going to date then? Lol. Well I live in Orlando now but I'm ready to get out and am def. Looking forward to a change!

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I've lived in the greater Seattle area my entire life and now I have children of my own. I think there are a great many relocated people in certain areas who I have met that sort of 'band together'. I live in an area w/ a ton of Stay at Home Moms and all the non-natives seem to spend a lot of time together....I guess that's because it's the only "family" they have ? ..that being said, I guess one could gather that the reason that happens is that they all need to bond together because those of us who have lived here all of our lives have a big circle of friends who have known eachother forever. I would say that no matter which 'group' you fall into, that generally people are very friendly so you won't have a hard time making friends. I think it's funny that people have said it's hard to get to know people out here. I think anytime you can find something in common w/ another person it is enough reason to get to know them. It made me laugh out loud that no one responded to your post in the first few days. In general this is a lame forum for some reason which stinks. I have been looking to find others on here that attend my same CC which is a huge one. No one ever responds. I can't figure it out. I do notice though, that at school, the pre med students are pretty competitive and don't seem interested in helping eachother out too much. I'm an "older" student so I'm past all that crap but the younger students tend to be more self-serving. I guess I have the bigger picture in mind and realize that in life you reap what you sow. Good luck to you and your adventures!

Oh, and I'm only taking pre reqs to apply to the nursing programs so I have no clue about the cost of living / salary except that I have read it's bad here. :(

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

Hello All:

Well I am presently living in El Paso, Texas but I spent 3.5 months in Tacoma, Washington. Although my entire family will swear up and down that I will talk to anyone and anything I am kind of shy. But I found that living in Tacoma and going into Seattle a few times.... I did not have a hard time at all meeting new people and developing friendships.

Of course, being in the Military may play a part in my having to talk to people (smile) but my point is: I found, for the most part, the civilians of Tacoma, Seattle, Pullyup and some of the soundings areas/towns extremely friendly. And not "weird" friendly but genuinely nice.

And yes, the cost of living is a wee bit more expensive than in El Paso but if you have access to a car then perhaps you can shop around for better deals? The weather reminded me of NYC (born and bred) but the leaves on the trees are changing color and the rain is more like a wee soft rain, if you know what I mean.

I am not sure about the price of homes in Seattle. A friend of mine bought a home on 3 acres and she has horses and alpacas and goats and the house/land cost ~ $300,000 (outside of Tacoma). [That sounds like a heck of a lot to me!]

Good luck to you!

athena

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I moved here from the East coast (but am originally a westcoast/southern) I don't live in Seattle.. but a few hours away.. I haven't had any trouble making friends at work and think it is a nice state.. not sure if you are a city girl or you want something a little smaller.. the smaller areas are nice too..

good luck.

As for COL not really sure how Seattle is.. as I said I live in a smaller area (3 hours or so from there) and I do just fine..

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm somewhat of a native (spent high school and college there), but I'll agree that it's not always the best place to meet people. I met great people in hs and college, but I've had several people from other cities who've moved to Seattle remark upon how it's hard for people to meet other people.

I'm in D.C. now and wow it's different. People are either much more friendlier or are in-your-face kind of attitude. Different than Seattle when walking downtown the only random conversation you might have is the homeless guy that you see every now and again and everyone else ignores everyone else.

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Specializes in Float Pool, acute care, management/leadership.

I'm borned and raised, a true Seattleite. Most people are chill here and it really just depends where you go in Seattle because each neighborhood has its own character. I love the bohemian vibe of Capitol Hill. Overall, the city is liberal and I think fairly progressive. It really is contingent upon the individual and how much you really want to build a social network for yourself. I just recently spoke to a girl that moved from San Francisco and the first thing she noticed was how nice people are. Moreover, a lot of traveling nurses that I work with seem to love traveling to Seattle.

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Specializes in medical oncology, emergency.

I've moved from Montana to Seattle, back to Montana, and am now preparing to move (yet again) back to Seattle. Lost yet? :) When I moved to Seattle 10 years ago I found it to be a friendly city and easy to make friends. It seemed that many people were transplants as such, so all were welcome and looking for friends. Moving back to Montana was another story - cold and clickish. So I am looking forward to moving back to Seattle, and hope things haven't changed a whole lot in this regard. But as others have said, a lot depends on your nature, and where in the Seattle area you are.

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Specializes in LTC, SCI/TBI Rehab,RX Research, Psych.

My family & I moved to WA from Kyle,TX 2 years ago...and I love it here.

There are more than enough coffee shops to help you deal with the weather (if it bothers you) :smilecoffeecup:

We have lived in Monroe,WA for the past 18 months--the real estate prices nearer Seattle/Bellevue were staggering. I have a 10-minute commute to work...husband commutes into Bellevue every day.

We have an amazing view from our backyard: Mount Rainier directly out the back door...Cascades to the left...Olympics to the right.

I wouldn't leave for anything! :tbsk:

In regards to salary, I've been an LVN/LPN for 16 years..and find the wages to be pretty competitive. (I could pay our mortgage on my pay alone if I ever had to..and I could not have in Texas)

In regards to meeting people/making friends, I find people here to be pretty friendly...just be yourself! Fortunately, we moved here 'as a couple', so the dramas of being single & dating in a large, metropolitan area weren't a problem. In that regard, just be cautious & trust your instincts. We've got teenage children, and have made it clear to both of them that 'we aren't in Kansas anymore'....and to just use common sense. You'll be fine :)

:icon_hug:

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