Leaving Iowa

[aforstate]

I moved to Tacoma (very close to Seattle) in '06. The area is extremely beautiful and there are plenty of available activities along the lines of what you stated you enjoy. On the other hand, the rainy season drags but it is more depressing than brutal like Iowa weather is. But, as far as I'm concerned, nothing compares to a summer in the Northwest. The traffic isn't horrible but the drivers are generally stupid in my opinion. I know that sounds like a typical Midwestern cliche thing to say but it was true to me. Out of all my relatives that live out there, one is a good driver. Your concerns should be based on schools (if you plan on having children) and crime, because it is unfortunately MUCH more prevalent in that area. The cost of living is definitely much higher in Seattle, also. It is much cheaper if you are interested in a suburb type area or a close city. Like I said, I used to live in Tacoma, and it is much cheaper than Seattle. Tacoma used to be one of the worst places in the country but it has experienced a HUGE turnaround over the past 10-15 years and has evolved into a very nice city. There is also a commuter train called the Sounder that makes trips to Seattle if you aren't into the ridiculous I-5 rush hour.

That being said, I eventually moved back to Iowa, but I love the Pacific Northwest and plan on moving back when I am better established. Best of luck!

 

[Arkansas Cyclone]

I'll second Atlanta as the worst city ive driven in. Ive driven in almost all of them on that list except for Boston and Philly, most of them during summer 07 at some point.

Coming into atlanta from South Carolina, i think i hit atlanta traffic almost immediately after entering Georgia. Traffic was that bad.

Atlanta gets my vote as well based on personal experience. I flew down to Florida twice and drove back each time and I hated going through Atlanta...definitely a 'white-knuckle' experience.

 

[Irresponsible]

This. Make sure you have a good umbrella/raincoat. :smile: Best of luck to you.

Oddly, only tourists use umbrellas here. Haven't quite figured out why. Umbrellas are used more often on the rare sunny days to keep pasty white skin from burning.

I can't speak for LA, but I travel to both Chicago and Seattle several times a year on business. Seattle's traffic is very comparable to Chicago's.

I've found Chicago traffic to be dangerous. Goes from fast moving to stopped in short distances. You must always pay attention. Seattle traffic moves slow.

I'm not assuming anything. Seattle traffic is really a non issue. Care to post another link.

Seattle's multi-million dollar initiatives for more bridges, buses and light rail to the contrary, I suppose. But, then maybe the Seattle politicians are only in it to spend money.

Sorry I can't agree with this. Why put any aspect of your life on hold just for the sake of thinking it will make things "harder" in the future. For sure all of what you have stated adds complexity to every situation but at the same time it adds value to living life. Holding back just for the sake of a perceived future event is crazy. Talk about creating a self fulfilling atmosphere of emptiness just for the sake of a perceived (in)convenience. God forbid you actually end up liking the area.

You owe it to your kids to give them continuity. If you are planning on moving every few years, hold off on having kids. They need a consistent friend base and consistent schooling. Don't be one of those guys who mutter vague platitudes like, "I'd do anything for my kids. I love them," and then proceed to follow your career (money) to their detriment.

Back to the original poster...Cities are what you make of them. If you are coming because it seems like a fun adventure, it will be. If you are coming because your company is sending you on an assignment, it might not be as much fun.

I've found fun things to do in Seattle. But, I've also found fun things to do in Des Moines, Chicago, Indianapolis, etc. Cities are just inanimate places to live. It's the people you are with who make them vibrant.

 

[BryceC]

Back to the original poster...Cities are what you make of them. If you are coming because it seems like a fun adventure, it will be. If you are coming because your company is sending you on an assignment, it might not be as much fun.

I've found fun things to do in Seattle. But, I've also found fun things to do in Des Moines, Chicago, Indianapolis, etc. Cities are just inanimate places to live. It's the people you are with who make them vibrant.

This is my experience as well. Frankly I did the same stuff I do now when I lived in a big city. That said the people I'm with are infinitely more important to me than where I am or what I'm doing.

 

[CyberJJJ]

Get satellite radio so you can still get the ISU games

 

[alaskaguy]

That said the people I'm with are infinitely more important to me than where I am or what I'm doing.

People are very important. The other factor that is huge for me is location.

I am an outdoor sports enthusiast. There are quite a number of activities that I enjoy that just can't happen living in a city. In addition, climate and the geography of the area limit or expand the outdoor sports opportunities.

 

[CyGal]

My brother and sister-in-law moved to the 'burbs outside of Seattle 6 years ago, and they never plan on moving back here. In fact, they even refuse to come back in the summer or winter anymore, because the weather is so bad. That being said, it is overcast there a lot (and I found it hillarious when my SIL said they had a drought - it hadn't rained in 2 weeks, so they were having grass fires along the highway.)

They were never huge sports fans here in Iowa, but have become big Seahawks and Mariners fans since moving. They are also always busy with something - mini-vacations for kayaking, hiking, etc. All things that are difficult or impossible to do here in Iowa. Yes, they're half way across the country, but they try to come home a couple times a year to see friends and family, and they love living out there (and I've never heard them say anything bad about the traffic in the 'brubs.)

 

[dmclone]

If you are going to move, do it while you're young, don't have any kids, or own a home. Once you settle down, have kids, develop a network of friends, and own a home, it makes moving a lot harder.

This

 

[drmwevr08]

I wish I would have had the chance to move when I was younger - with a wife or GF. I wasnt the type to just venture out on my own. Tried it once and failed miserably. But if you are married I think it is exectly what you should do. Theres the off chance that you'll never come back but its your choice at that point and likely a result of finding you really like other places too. I ended up marrying someone with a child and that severely limited our options. Plus by the time we did move (only as far as Omaha) we were starting a family and they really cuts down on how much you can experience the new city you are in. My advice to anyone would be to strike out if you can, well before you start a family. When you chose to do that you can either stay if you like it or head back to Iowa. I'd also advise you to not buy a house If you are young with no kids you are completely mobile. Until you get that mortgage!

Good luck to the OP and anyone else looking at a move!

 

[Farnsworth]

So I'm looking at relocating to Seattle. My wife is from a larger city, and she loves Seattle. I've been here my whole life, ISU grad, west des moines resident. Tough for me to do, but I think I'll enjoy it in Seattle too. I like to fly fish on vacations, enjoy the mountains, and other outdoor activities. There's a lot I'll miss, some I won't, and lord knows the traffic will be on a different scale. So I'm taking my IT skills and my wife's paralegal out of state, not enough that I like here to keep me here.

Who else moved away, what'd you find out?

not taking your talents to south beach?

 

[CloneIce]

So I'm looking at relocating to Seattle. My wife is from a larger city, and she loves Seattle. I've been here my whole life, ISU grad, west des moines resident. Tough for me to do, but I think I'll enjoy it in Seattle too. I like to fly fish on vacations, enjoy the mountains, and other outdoor activities. There's a lot I'll miss, some I won't, and lord knows the traffic will be on a different scale. So I'm taking my IT skills and my wife's paralegal out of state, not enough that I like here to keep me here.

Who else moved away, what'd you find out?

Then you will absolutely love the Seattle area. The Pacific Northwest is great. Having the ocean and the mountains nearby make the Seattle area awesome, and the city is cool too.

 

[CloneIce]

Also, back to the point of the thread, I did live in Seattle one summer for an internship and found the traffic to be much better than expected. The only other big city driving experience i really have is Chicago and it was WAY better than that.

The weather was GORGEOUS over the summer (June through August anyway), but the rainy season is pretty much the rest of the year from what i hear, so I can't speak to that.

Yeah, summers are great there... its rains most of the rest of the year, but 50-60 with rainstorms beats -10 with 3 feet of snow.

 

[ColoradoClone]

I moved away, and while it was good for the first few years, there are just some things you can never replace. We miss our family terribly, and miss out on a lot of things. My kids miss out on a lot of time with their grandparents, and it just hurts.

We had the same plan as the person above that said he knew they'd be back in the midwest someday, but unfortunately it hasn't been that easy.

 

[Wesley]

-If the value of what is inside your car is less than your windows, do not lock your doors. Just had my window broken out for the 4th time in 4 different cities. Most expensive item stolen was a bag full of dirty wool socks.

-Driving but not going anywhere stinks.

-Hate missing ISU games.

-Higher cost of living is annoying.

Most everything else is great.

Had my vehicles vandalized three times in big cities. Keep your car indoors.

Air quality is always something to consider.

City income tax.

Stop and start driving.

Wet, damp weather.

Boeing lovers.

Will anyone visit you after first time?

You will be in the land of tree huggers.

State taxes are a plus.

Seattle sports will get better.

Timezone trauma for sporting events.

You can visit Southern Cal cheaply.

Cheap woodwork in a lot of houses.

 

[isuno1fan]

Sounds like you are letting your wife make the decision. To each their own I guess.

Hard to beat Iowa. I've lived in many places and Iowa, all things considered, is the best (especially if you have a family).

 

[sweetwater]

I've lived in Seattle for about 14 years now. It's got its issues, like anywhere. Overall, though, it is a fantastic city, and I really like it a lot.

It rains some, but it is really no big deal. I own an umbrella, but I don't even know where it is. Usually, its just misty - not pounding down rain. And the rain is primarily just in the winter - summers are dry. Winters don't get very cold by Midwestern standards either.

When I first moved to Seattle, the music scene blew me away. There were 4-5 shows every week that I wanted to see. I'm an old dude now with kids, so I can't get to as many shows anymore. Though I did just see Guided By Voices, which was great.

If you end up moving to Seattle, I think you will like it. On CR, there are 4-5 guys who post who live in the Seattle area.

 

[simply1]

I moved away, and while it was good for the first few years, there are just some things you can never replace. We miss our family terribly, and miss out on a lot of things. My kids miss out on a lot of time with their grandparents, and it just hurts.

We had the same plan as the person above that said he knew they'd be back in the midwest someday, but unfortunately it hasn't been that easy.

I think it's a 50/50 shot. My uncle moved to Colorado 30 years or so ago and never came back. Ended up in Loveland and absolutely has loved it the whole time. My cousins grew up white water rafting, camping, hiking the mountains, riding horses, fly fishing and hunting. I had another uncle who moved to Texas and ended up coming back when he had kids, was in some bad parts of Dallas I believe.

I go to CO every other year and it's like a soul searching experience for me to take some long hikes in the rockies, peaceful fly fishing, and having a relative to tell you where to go to avoid the tourists, hah.

 

[weR138]

Go forth and multiply. Any Cyclones considering moving to the far ends of the US or the world for that matter should do it...and spread the Gospel according to Cy.

But anybody who wants to move to the Siouxer is welcome too...sooooo many husker/hawk ******bags here.

 

[simply1]

Go forth and multiply. Any Cyclones considering moving to the far ends of the US or the world for that matter should do it...and spread the Gospel according to Cy.

But anybody who wants to move to the Siouxer is welcome too...sooooo many husker/hawk ******bags here.

I will definitely be spreading the word.

 

[Arkansas Cyclone]

I moved to NW Arkansas quite awhile back and never regretted it. Most everything you need (restaurants, shopping, theaters and so on) are pretty much within a 15 minute drive. Definitely doesn't lack for things to do (some gorgeous lakes and numerous golf courses among other things). You still have all four seasons but the winters are somewhat milder and definitely shorter. The only things I can say I miss are the Cyclones and the pheasant hunting.