The 7 Phases of Living in Seattle

For many people , Seattle is a everlasting refuge ; a vibrant city full of transplants from across the humans . There ’s simply something about this part of the country that beckons to citizenry . Whatever combining of things that make a weary traveler plant life ascendant here , there ’s still a complex physical process for becoming a reliable Seattleite . We do n’t just have anyone claim the Emerald City as their home without garner it . Want to sincerely connect us ? Here ’s what it takes …

Phase 1: TheFrasierphase

Where you ’re living : On your friend ’s sofa in a trendy neighborhood like Fremont or Ballard . Where you ’re move out : Capitol Hill … duh . That ’s where everyone articulate to go , and by “ everyone ” we stand for that one hombre from college you cognize who works at Amazon now . Your mantra:“Pass me my flannel . ”Go - to activity : Visiting every Starbucks you see .

Just like Dr. Frasier Crane propel to Seattle to start a newfangled sprightliness , you too have move here dream of coffee waterfalls and mountains of , well , literal wad . The Pacific Northwest just seems so intimate , you imagine to yourself as you board a plane from whatever fly - over part of the country you hail from . Your Instagram visibility is poised to tag anything and everything with # PNW , just to ensure your friends know that you now survive in the most beautiful state . Will you hike to the top of Mount Rainier ? Will you swim with lofty whales ? Will you grow out your beard ? At least one of these things will assuredly happen .

Phase 2: The exploration phase

Where you ’re living : In a100sqft micro - studiobecause that ’s all you may afford . Where you ’re going out : Everywhere . You ’ll go anywhere you ’ve read about on Thrillist , or had recommended from a co - worker , or got holler at through a megaphone by a random soul on the street . Your mantra:“Have you been to [ enclose neighborhood ] ? I have ! It ’s cool . ”Go - to activity : Instagramming your bonfire at Golden Gardens .

Seattle is your oyster , and you ’re slurping up all of the salty goodness from every corner of the city you could discover . Although your living situation is less than idealistic ( I mean , come on … you’re basically make it inwardly of a shoe loge ) , it in reality yield you an excuse to go outdoors and search . Have you been on that hiking lead or try that delicious new eating place opening up in Madrona ? The resolution is yes . Always yes . If there was a crown for Mister or Miss PNW , there ’s no question you ’d win it . It ’s only been a calendar month or so , but you ’re feel like a local . Maybe this Seattle thing is n’t so hard after all ?

Phase 3: TheSeattle Freezephase

Where you ’re living : The same micro - studio apartment , but now you have a hot plate!Where you ’re going out : Nowhere . People are kind of being dicks . Your mantra:“I really should get on Tinder . ”Go - to activity : smoke weed .

Well … you ’re definitely not a local yet . How do you acknowledge ? Because all of the locals seem to contemn your very comportment . Your co - workers talk about felicitous hours and do n’t invite you . Your neighbour scarce say a word in the hallway when you pass them , and your yoga instructor still does n’t have it away your name . Apparently you ’re experiencing a thing call the “ Seattle Freeze , ” which , translate for normal family , basically means “ do n’t talk to me , I do n’t know you . ” Hopefully , people will start warming up to you before long . Damn , this city sure can feel lone .

Phase 4: The “WTF is up with all this rain?” phase

Where you ’re living : With your new roommate in some still semi - reasonably priced neighborhood like Beacon Hill or Columbia City . The construction is definitely not up to earthquake computer code . Where you ’re going out : Thisperfect dive barthat no one knows about except for the locals . Can you call yourself that now?Your mantra:“I think I need some vitamin D.”Go - to activity : fume even more sens .

OK , the Seattle Freeze finally wore off . You ’re set up enough to have a pinhead group of champion that enjoy your party . Whew!But now you have another foeman : the weather . Sure , you love Seattle was going to be moth-eaten and rainy for most of the year , but this is part to get ridiculous . You ca n’t even commemorate the last meter you see the sun , and your rain jacket is becoming a permanent reparation on your body . It catch dark here at 5 phase modulation now , so now you ’re sleepy all the metre . Wait , what twelvemonth is it even ?

Phase 5: The “WTF is up with all this sun and heat?” phase

Where you ’re live : Back on your original friend ’s sofa . Your crummy roomy has kicked you out because they ’re starting a tank farming grow operation . Where you ’re going out : Nowhere at the moment . Gentrification claimed your perfect dive bar . Your mantra:“Is this what being grunge feels like?”Go - to activity : Sweating . Profusely .

No one will recount you this , butSeattle summertime are actually awesome . A few months of brilliant sun and clear skies , pair with the fact that it stay light out of doors much subsequently , make for a lot of patio - sittin ’ . What they also wo n’t tell you is that most buildings do n’t have A / one C , so you ’ll be kind of miserable . It ’s give and take , you assure yourself . By the closing of it , you ’ll be praying for rain and clouds . However , quetch about the atmospheric condition is a total “ Seattle thing , ” and you ’re definitely getting the bent of it .

Phase 6: The considering-moving-to-Portland phase

Where you ’re living : That couch still . You have a really great admirer . Where you ’re going out : Lady Luck ’s Cowgirl Up in Tacoma . You ’re making a lot ofbad decisionsright now . Your mantra:“Portland is just like a flyspeck Seattle , only honest … I think . ”Go - to body process : Driving to Portland on the weekends to drink in Pearl District or Concordia or whatever new hipster neighborhood you could detect .

You ’ve had it up to here ( * the height of Smith Tower * ) with Seattle . The moody mass , sullen weather , and changeless neighborhood change have worn you down . But there ’s a shining city on a Alfred Hawthorne just a few hour south of here . It ’s called Portland , and it ’s calling your name . Inferno , the move would be worth it for thedoughnutsevery sidereal day . You require a change of pace and scene , so why not randomly move to a large city you ’ve visit only a few times . That certainly work out last time .

Phase 7: Reconciling

Where you ’re living : In an adorable piddling home with a garden and yard . It ’s tawdry and airless to work and even has plenty of parking . You live in the unicorn of Seattle houses . Where you ’re conk out out : Your favorite barwhere you always feel at home . Your mantra:“Did I just own Seattle like Richard Sherman owns the offense ? Yes , yes I did . ”Go - to activeness : Stripping down for the one-year au naturel bike ride .

Congratulations , better half ! You ’ve gotten over your Portland fascination , and are formally a Seattle local . If this were a choose - your - own - adventure Bible , you would have made it to the happy closing after go through a destiny of unfortunate shit . But you made it , and that ’s the crucial thing . You now realize that the “ Seattle Freeze , ” irregular weather condition , and other challenge ( like climbing existent stack ) have made you into a strong person . you’re able to navigate the metropolis with ease , no Google Maps necessary . You know all of thegood restaurants and cake . You ’re connected with your community of interests , and even help contrive events that make Seattle the unequaled place it is .

This is your official welcome to Seattle . Now do n’t tell anyone else about this place . split terms are ridiculously eminent as it is .

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