Never been so sad to go home after vacation

Submitted by livingishardbro t3_11rofgv in Washington

For our spring break trip this year, me and my family came to Washington state and our flight back home leaves for tomorrow.

This state is absolutely beautiful. We mainly stayed in downtown Seattle, which was awesome in itself but the view of the mountains in the background were incredible. We got to visit Mount Rainier and I can’t stop thinking about it. We were up at Paradise and it started snowing, it felt so magical. Easily the most gorgeous thing I have seen so far in my short life lol. Makes me want to move to Washington in a quiet suburb and wake up to the sight of Mount Rainier everyday.

I love you Washington.

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verablue t1_jcaay43 wrote

Came out to the PNW on vacation 23 years ago. Went home, quit my job and packed up and moved across the country. Been here ever since.

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squirrel_rider t1_jcawnpc wrote

Same here. Came to visit the PNW in 2013, moved out here in 2015. I can't imagine going back. Everything is better out here.

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thraggon t1_jcc5qq2 wrote

Was born here, traveled a little in my early 20s saw the rest of the US and was like..... Welp Washington is the jackpot.

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Karuna56 t1_jcdqlsn wrote

My family was stationed out here, lived in Bremerton, Bangor and Silverdale. We left when I was 11 and I pilgrimaged my way back at 22 in 1980, arriving two days before St. Helens popped.

Been hunkered-down like a geoduck ever since!

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-Velvet-Bat- t1_jcbp5bi wrote

I did the same thing. I vacationed here in October, moved here end of January.

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tomatocatbutt t1_jcba7rv wrote

2016 for me

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AliveAndThenSome t1_jcbepyo wrote

2008 for me. I've been to every state but Maine, and Washington is ideal for me. As an avid backpacker, I can't ask for more from a single state. If it's raining west of the crest -- drive an extra hour east and find sun for my adventures. Ocean? Just a few hours west. Desert? Two hours east.

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ok-moni t1_jcbfvez wrote

visited may 2021, moved here may 2022. kissed the midwest gbye forever

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appendixgallop t1_jcco43k wrote

  1. Tourist me rode the Bainbridge ferry in July in shorts with no jacket. Went home and packed.
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_redacteduser t1_jc9ug02 wrote

Hey listen, we welcome you back, but moves closer don’t tell a goddamn soul how nice it is here ever again, ok?

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Zoomalude t1_jcb6o6n wrote

Yeah right? And don't tell people back home "it doesn't rain nearly as much as people think it does!" Cause it TOTALLY DOES. grabs shirt collar YA GET ME?!

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ChickenFriedRiceee t1_jceeocc wrote

West side rains a fuck load. Central not much rain. East side rains a little. I think that’s why people love here. It has so many different climates and biomes.

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monkey_trumpets t1_jca9l6o wrote

I think the word is already out. Sorry.

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Gwtheyrn t1_jc9ufxx wrote

Spend some time on the Olympic Peninsula next time you come out. There are places here that look like they're straight out of Lord of the Rings.

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emotivapt100 t1_jcaa69o wrote

Look, it’s not that I don’t see where you’re coming from, but it makes me uncomfortable whenever anyone compares Sequim to Mordor.

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Cascadian222 t1_jcaoeb5 wrote

One does not simply walk into Sequim

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stapeliagigantea t1_jcb1o3o wrote

One gets driven from Sequim in a horribly awkward car ride with the neighbor all the way to Seattle in the evening only to find out that the card holder is required to be present to actually get the reserved motel room.

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Zoomalude t1_jcb6j5s wrote

Arguably a viler, older evil in Sequim... 😜

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lostprevention t1_jcajvgo wrote

We wake up every morning and see Canada across the water on one side, and snowy mountain peaks on the other.

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johnmuirhotel t1_jcao5wf wrote

Same! I'm thrilled every single morning to look towards Hurricane Ridge on one side, and the straight on the other. I grew up in SW Washington, but this is definitely my home.

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lostprevention t1_jcaqifj wrote

Looking at Victoria as I type.

We are blessed here where “the mountains greet the sea.”

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Huge_Requirement9200 t1_jcb1ysj wrote

I can ski in the morning, rock climb on the elwha in the afternoon and surf the evening sess in one day. Replace with sailing, fishing, hiking as you see fit!

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Agreeable_Situation4 t1_jca6fea wrote

The whole Northwest is special like that so you have options. I mean Washington is slightly more special than all but you still have options. I have drove about every road in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. All wildly beautiful but there is just something special about Washington. Oregon is wonderful too. Driving from Bend up to Hood River is the most magical views of several volcanoes.

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KicksYouInTheCrack t1_jcca70o wrote

Idaho is brown and smells like cows.

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Agreeable_Situation4 t1_jccl13b wrote

Have you been to the Sawtooth Mountain range, or sun valley, or Sandpoint. Plenty of beauty in that state

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SkynetBets t1_jce6aqs wrote

The northern part is beautiful, greener, and hilly.

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gillyyak t1_jcb3hpd wrote

I still consider a good view of Mt. Rainier on a nice day to be a reward, even after 35 years.

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jmstrats t1_jcbsgq6 wrote

The Mountains Out! Love those days. I was a kid when we moved out here from Florida. Thank you Dad. Now I have a son in Port Townsend with his family and one in Spokane Valley with his family. Hubs and I will stay here in Kent for as long as we can.

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TPixiewings t1_jcf93yu wrote

I'll tell him you said hello. I live in PT. I'll just shout it outside. He will hear me.

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StevTurn t1_jc9iv9f wrote

Central Washington (east edge of the cascades) is also super beautiful. I would reccomend checking out Leavenworth (not so much the town, still cool but touristy), but all of the hiking in the Enchantments. There are a ton of amazing trailheads about 20 minutes from town.

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livingishardbro OP t1_jc9jn5f wrote

I 100% am definitely going to visit the state again sometime in the future so I will make sure to check out those places.

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lesliebenedict t1_jca14vw wrote

You should come back and visit Deception Pass onto Whidbey Island and then head north and see Bellingham. Glad you enjoyed your stay, come back again!

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Swimming_Sink_2360 t1_jcat0e0 wrote

Agreed! Just be sure to take Chuckanut Drive north to Bellingham rather than I-5.

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showmethegreen t1_jcc5szp wrote

I grew up by Bellingham and Mt. Baker is magical. I live on the east side now, we don't have the mountains or ocean, but we do have all 4 season which is nice.

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Karuna56 t1_jcdrrez wrote

See Ruby Beach, Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, Visit Orcas Island, Cross the North Cascades Highway over to Mazama and Winthrop then down the Columbia. Go to Spokane and drive up to Colville, then back down all the way to Pullman (stop at Steptoe Butte) and explore the Palouse. Explore the Columbia Gorge. See Mt Adams and go back to Rainier. Wander around Hood Canal.

And so much more!

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ChickenFriedRiceee t1_jceey0n wrote

Grew up in Spokane but travel a lot to Seattle over the years. We always tried to take highway 2 just for Leavenworth. Took more time but is a beautiful city with amazing cascade views. Also so many places there with bomb ass food.

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Moonbathing13 t1_jc9kuyw wrote

As a Floridian who had a similarly magical WA vacation and vowed to move to Seattle, I can tell you it has been the best decision I’ve ever made. Glad you enjoyed!

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lurkerfromstoneage t1_jc9u4ai wrote

You’re young. You have SO MUCH of this incredible world to see!!! WA is one of endless gorgeous places in this country alone. Glad you enjoyed your trip. The beauty of travel is opening your eyes to awe worthy sites and then appreciating the more minor ones and what’s around you too. Gratitude is important and I need to remember that too in the midst of our own localized issues and disputes. I’m sure you have beauty around you as well, even if it doesn’t look the same :) (edit: ohh yah… those spectacular Florida beaches!) Get out there and see and soak in as much as you can!

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williarya1323 t1_jc9ofaj wrote

Glad you had a great time. You’re always welcome back, stay as long as you like.

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fishy_commishy t1_jca30vu wrote

Just don't expect to make any friends. You have to bring your own.

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ok-moni t1_jcbgbh1 wrote

i came here from the midwest and have made more close friends here than i had there. i’ve met so many friendly people. maybe just depends on where you’re at here, i am a bit out of seattle

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Zoomalude t1_jcb7g34 wrote

Curious where you hail from.

I lived in Arkansas my whole life but always wanted to visit the PNW. Had a friend living out here so finally visited in summer of 2017. Rainier, Baker, ferry rides, whale-watching, Olympics, Hoh Rainforest, roasting marshmallows on the coast... an alien world for this land-locked southern boy.

I moved within a year and never looked back.

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livingishardbro OP t1_jcb904e wrote

I’m from Florida so I’m also a southern gal. Seriously considering moving to WA after college so this is encouraging!

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stepdad234 t1_jd41rke wrote

How did you afford it?

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Zoomalude t1_jd43pvf wrote

Getting to rent from the friend was certainly a big help. Unless you got tech skillz I think you'd be hard-pressed to make the jump on a single income.

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[deleted] t1_jca5664 wrote

One thing I’ve been missing is the COSMIC CRISP apples. They’re imported at my grocery store but it don’t taste the same here

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missmobtown t1_jcbfgxx wrote

This is so funny to me. My mom on the east coast is always asking about them and apparently they're kind of spendy. Here, they often show up at Grocery Outlet 😆

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whitepawn23 t1_jcatq1a wrote

Rainier is a gut punch. The Olympics have that Elrond’s last house quality. And the mist!

Ya it’s gorgeous. This is why housing costs so much. Everyone wants to bask in it.

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orange_confetti t1_jcau9x9 wrote

I feel the same. I literally cried when I had to leave that place! I wanted to quit my job and move to Bainbridge Island SO bad. I think about it every day. I have travelled to many states and countries, but was never sad when I left any of them except for Washington.

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deepkick120 t1_jcdjkmg wrote

Did you end up moving, or are you just subbed for the photos?

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giraffemoo t1_jcavhcg wrote

I moved here almost 20 years ago from one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world (South Florida). I love it here and I am still in awe of the beautiful scenery I get to take in every single day. I deliver for UberEats and I get to go all over the place delivering stuff, it's so cool that I can be in the city one minute and then trailing along windy mountain roads covered with mossy limbs looking like Forest Gods. I don't ever want to leave here.

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MyUnassignedUsername t1_jcd0yy1 wrote

As someone who lives in a quiet Seattle suburb with a daily view of mount Rainer….it truly is the best. No place else I’d rather be!

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Rocketgirl8097 t1_jcaeynj wrote

My granddaughter moved up here from Florida five years ago and loves it. She doesn't miss those hurricanes at all either lol.

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TravelingGen t1_jcb1wqo wrote

Firmly planted in "Podunk" Central Washington. I can be in any sort of topography in just a few hours' drive. Love it, love it, love it!

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Huge_Requirement9200 t1_jcb61zd wrote

Central WA is fucking gorgeous. We were just at tieton/highway 12 this weekend. Such a fantastic contrast to our mountains by the sea on the oly peninsula

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TravelingGen t1_jcb8hdh wrote

Yay! I have a new word to confuse the crap out of my extended family. Oly-Pen should do it. Thanks!

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Rocketgirl8097 t1_jcbiarf wrote

The stretch of Hwy 12 between Yakima and White Pass is the best!

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HappyInPNW t1_jce8aod wrote

I tried to move here for more than 30 years… if the state has grabbed your heart the way it did mine, do not wait til “someday” or “maybe” or “later” to give it a try… I have been here only ~a year already and have huge regrets that I didn’t fight for it when I fell in love with it in my 20’s. There is never a bad time to recreate yourself; there is never a bad time to follow your dreams; you are ALWAYS worth positive investments in your physical environment, and you only have TODAY this one and only day of your life. Where would you like to be for each today? … blessings in your decisions… 😉😊

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Old-AF t1_jc9rtgw wrote

Puyallup is where you want to move to. I get to see the mountain when she’s out just driving around.

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Arievan t1_jcb05ho wrote

Yeah... I'm from puyallup and I would never move back there lol. There are lots of towns with mountain views that are far better than puyallup

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Swimming_Sink_2360 t1_jcatwx7 wrote

When I was a kid (70's & 80's) my sister and I used to call it P-U yallup because the whole town smelled like cow shit. Very different these days though. 🙂

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appsecSme t1_jcbavlz wrote

Yep. These days Puyallup just smells like cooking meth.

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1fokai t1_jcb2vig wrote

Commuting via 167 may induce suicidal thoughts

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Old-AF t1_jcb3nse wrote

Hahaha, true, I did that for 15 years before I became self employed so I didn’t have to any longer. My hubby has done it for 28 yrs and is retiring at the end of April. He’s thrilled he won’t have to do it anymore.

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1fokai t1_jcb5sax wrote

Congratulations to you and your hubby for your accomplishments. I told my fiancé the only way I would move over that way is if I get a 🚁 🤑. In my dreams…

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Old-AF t1_jcb65ph wrote

My hubby was born and raised here so I didn’t have a choice. Traffic has gotten a LOT worse here in the past 10 years due to all of the new homes built. But since I sell real estate, that has been to my benefit. I’d move if he’d let me to the Ruston area where I sold my kid a home.

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chromecod t1_jcb3fvr wrote

I don't forget to take a drive to the ocean. A beautiful drive is what my family called the loop. Around the Olympic peninsula on hw.101along the Straights and then south by the ocean beaches.

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OceanPoet87 t1_jcbfuon wrote

It is pretty. I personally prefer Oregon's beaches but WA has some nice coast too.

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chromecod t1_jcc6g8z wrote

It's way more than the ocean beaches. Basically the whole time you are circling the Olympic mountains and Olympic national park. By the way, the northern WA. beaches are very beautiful, especially from the ocean side.

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StSparx t1_jcbszen wrote

My mom took me to Seattle as a gift when I graduated HS.

That was 100% what made me apply to UW for grad school.

Lived here ever since, married a Washingtonian, love the rain… I’ve fully converted 😂

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Salemandero t1_jcc8fdq wrote

Mount Rainier = so much beauty. Rainier the town ( oregon side of the columbia river) not so much. If you move over watch out for southern Wa. The property is cheaper because the area is full of problems, and I'm not sure why. You have the right idea with Seattle, awesome area.

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tasdron t1_jccmbq2 wrote

Every day I cry about moving away from Seattle, almost 2 years ago now

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twilightswimmer t1_jcdhw7l wrote

My husband's company moved us out here in 2015. After a couple of years we sat down to decide if we wanted to stay. He was thinking of changing jobs and that would give us the ability to move. Every time we thought of a place we might like we compared it to here. And so, we stayed, bought a house in a dip in the market, and feel gratitude every day that we wake up here. Washington really is something special.

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bobtheturd t1_jcdlcwd wrote

You can try to go to school there. Or get a job there when you are older.

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TheFairAmerican t1_jcdvk3q wrote

So you need to come back and visit the Peninsula, Coast. Central lakes and eastern plains ;) oh. And the islands. Almost forgot about those.

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idontlikeseaweed t1_jcdzi7w wrote

The first time I visited from the flat Midwest I wanted to cry.. in a good way. Such beauty.

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ChickenFriedRiceee t1_jceeja7 wrote

I’m graduating college in may, grew up in Washington state and have been all around it. What you described is the main reason I never plan on leaving this state. It is beautiful. I want to visit the world but I want Washington to be my home.

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dbaker1989 t1_jcegub3 wrote

I feel the same way. I moved here 18 months ago after 30 yrs growing up in the Nevada desert. Quite the welcomed contrast.

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katarinamightytravel t1_jcez7ee wrote

Ahh, Washington State is a very special place - I'm sure you'll be sad to leave it. I'm a long-time resident of Washington and have so many fond memories of family trips to Seattle and other parts of the state. I remember one trip in particular when we visited the Space Needle and had lunch at a nearby park - it was glorious!

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Independent-Act2810 t1_jcfyo50 wrote

I hear you...i was born and raised in Washington State and I went down to California for 1 day to buy a car and it didn't feel like home....soon as i came back by the tri cities area i felt happy to be home. #WashingtonStateismyhome #handicapped #caseih #disabledparking #disabled

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kapn_morgan t1_jcbavd6 wrote

and we love you! it is beautiful and thanks for your kind words. I'll add it to the testimonials for my reasoning to move here like many others 🥹

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FinnishArmy t1_jcbs5pf wrote

Honestly, come back in the summer, I hate this current weather and Id be happy to leave. I hate Washingtons' winter.

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megalinity t1_jcc5xs1 wrote

And that is how I went from living in the Midwest to living in Washington state. When I visited my grad school visit, I fell in love immediately, especially the mountains- I studied them in grad school (at CWU in Ellensburg) from 2011-2013. After grad school I moved back to Iowa and cried when I crossed the border into Idaho. Spent 2.5 years plotting to get back here and finally got the chance thanks to a job offer in 2015. I’ll never live anywhere else.

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jesitupi t1_jccgnbd wrote

Northwest is great till you get over the weather. I love it here it’s sorta peaceful still in the sticks where I live.

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WCB1985 t1_jcd9j7p wrote

Sorry, we have too many people here already. We’re full.

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Nabal2000 t1_jcalf8k wrote

Ugh, it’s not that great here, do you have a couple million dollars to get a place in the suburbs here with a view of Rainier?

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StSparx t1_jcbtn0n wrote

Idk, my house is lovely and was $325k a couple years ago 🤷‍♀️

The peninsula is nice, I can still see Rainier on a clear day, and downtown Seattle is like an hour away.

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[deleted] t1_jcamx4f wrote

Yup, WA is very unfriendly to non-tech workers and people who can't afford a million dollar+ homes.

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terretreader t1_jcbcmyf wrote

That's if you want to be close to Seattle, hop over the cascades and the prices drop drastically.

West side is great and all, and so is eastern WA.

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[deleted] t1_jcc3kuu wrote

Not really.

Edit: not really in the prices don't drop that dramatically unless you're in bumfuck nowhere with no jobs.

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VapingCosmonaut t1_jccqns4 wrote

Let’s not forget making law-abiding citizens criminals and decriminalizing actual crime!

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dobsofglabs t1_jcb50ca wrote

Never heard anyone say that they actually enjoyed downtown Seattle. Glad you had a good experience tho, that is definitely a refreshing take

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Lsclancy9 t1_jcb605t wrote

First of all I lived there three months before the sun came out so I could see the mountain..LOL second while you were enjoying downtown Seattle..Did you notice what a shithole it has turned into? Or did you just pretend everybody was camping...OMG

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livingishardbro OP t1_jcb8snr wrote

I did witness the severe homelessness problems in downtown and how many parts of the city were rundown. However I still very much enjoyed the culture and people of Seattle, while still being aware that it’s not perfect.

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Lsclancy9 t1_jcbcjh1 wrote

In the early 80's it was as close to perfect as a city could get but now it is a communist wasteland.It is very sad really. I dont know where you are from but the cost of living there is through the roof. We used to like to visit but wont even do that any longer. We went up to pickup a new car in Bellingham and we were going to spend a few days and go out to the islands and visit the city..but after one day we packed it in and left. I know I am being negative but it is such a shame to see that beautiful place absolutly ruined along with Portland. Oh, and Lord forbid you get attacked or robbed the police presence is gone, they cant help you. Im sorry Im not trying to be a bummer but I know what it used to be...I am glad you enjoyed your vacation though.....

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saggyvirgo t1_jcdf2q8 wrote

That’s funny- I live in Washington and I get depressed when I come back here after vacation! S.A.D. fam wya?

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SkyHighOregon t1_jcb0jdc wrote

California is much better. PNW is boring

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StSparx t1_jcbtv4l wrote

Native Californian here 👋

Cannot confirm that lol. I wouldn’t move back.

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noob_dragon t1_jcbaths wrote

Yeah but good luck trying to afford living here. Unless if you don't mind the central valley. But personally I would rather take even the Midwest over central valley.

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Evening_Midnight7 t1_jc9j5su wrote

Where are you from? I agree, Washington IS so beautiful and there’s so much more to see than just in Seattle! It makes me sad how it’s become so crime ridden in so many areas and homelessness all over, especially Seattle. Even with all that though, there are still really beautiful places to go that remind me of better times and make me nostalgic! I’m glad you got to visit!

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livingishardbro OP t1_jc9jkb4 wrote

I’m from Florida! So you can imagine my shock at how the different landscapes are.

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Visual_Collar_8893 t1_jc9o01r wrote

Fun fact: one of the hills here, Queen Anne hill, where Kerry Park is, is taller than the tallest natural point in the whole state of Florida.

Look it up. ;)

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deepkick120 t1_jcdk43k wrote

You know, I kind-of-but-not-really-wish I’d grown up somewhere flat like Florida or Illinois or something instead of Washington just so I could experience seeing a mountain (much less a mountain like Rainier!!) for the first time and have my brain melt. So glad it was that magical for you.

Cool fact, Rainier’s the tallest mountain in the lower 48 United States measured from base to summit. You won’t find that kind of hill anywhere else in the contiguous states!!

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[deleted] t1_jc9jpd3 wrote

[removed]

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livingishardbro OP t1_jc9k1xy wrote

I live in a very boring suburban area so experiencing any sort of downtown city is exciting for me. Downtown Seattle was for sure dirty and shady at times, but it still felt lively and chaotic in a good way to me nonetheless.

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ChickenFriedRiceee t1_jcefabs wrote

Downtown Seattle has its issue but so does every other massive US city. I’m glad you found the beauty of it! It is really amazing if you are optimistic.

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velowa t1_jc9l87f wrote

Was just there this week walking around the Pike Place area at dusk. Looking out over the sound at a beautiful sunset. Spiced cider from one lone apple vendor that stayed behind. Lots of other people walking around and enjoying themselves. It was magical.

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