It’s been almost exactly two months since I moved to Seattle and I thought it would be fun to share some of the idiosyncracies that I’ve noticed. (Plus, this was a fun break to take while I’m writing away for my metabolism midterm 😉 )
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East coast casual = west coast formal
You can wear anything, and I really do mean anything out of the house here. In fact, you’re more likely to get a strange look if you wear a dress than the socks/Birkenstocks combination. Make-up is minimal and outfit colors are typically black, grey, or blue. There’s also a lot of neon-colored gortex.
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Local = better
I LOVE this about Seattle. Everyone is very conscious about where their food and stuff comes from. There are tons of local shops in various neighborhoods (despite the Amazon headquarters downtown) and amazing farmers markets. People actually read food labels in the grocery store and if you don’t recycle/compost, you’re evil.
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People are parked in any direction, on either side of the road
Confused what I mean? See photo here. There is no organization when it comes to street parking!
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No one uses an umbrella
“Real” Seattleites don’t use umbrellas. I tried to be tough, but I got drenched.
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The Seahawks are the best things since sliced bread
I was not expecting Seattle to be such a sports-loving town, but I was oh-so-wrong!
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People actually drink Starbucks Coffee
No native has ever told me that they love Starbucks, but they will definitely drink Starbucks coffee. I was expecting a total boycott, but it’s not true!
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Everyone is an REI member
Lots of love for REI and anything/everything outdoors in this great, green city 🙂
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It’s misting, not raining
The rain has picked up, but November is apparently the rainiest month of the year. Up until last week, we only had a few scattered misty days! Plus, today was gorgeous 🙂 (not that I went outside :-/)
Let’s chat:
- Anything to add to the list?
- Answer the following: “You know you’re in ______, when people do ______”
- Anyone have a Christmas tree up?!
I think that is one of the many reasons why I would like to live in Seattle, because everyone really cares where their food comes from and that means that there is a lot more choice.
Yes, it’s amazing! One of my favorite aspects of living in this area for sure.
I love this list! Sounds like mostly good things to me! I saw on the news that a big storm is headed to the PNW = good paper writing weather! Christmas tree will be going up on Nov 29.
Haha the rain is a good incentive to stay inside and work 😉
This surprises me because Seattle sounds a lot like Pittsburgh! We’re a super casual city even though we’re east coast..we’re an old steel town so we still have a lot of that attitude. You’re much more likely to see everyone in Steelers/Pirates/Pens gear than trendy clothes downtown! And the Steelers are the big thing here as well..I can’t tell you how many times my pastor talked about the game during his sermon! I’m also anti-umbrella. They just seem to get in the way and get everything wet indoors!
Fun post 🙂
Haha that’s too funny! I only visited Pittsburgh once but I loved it!
I love that you can wear whatever you want!! Sounds pretty awesome to me 🙂 Although I do love makeup so I would probably not be able to minimize that out there.
I will admit that it’s really nice to stroll into class in sweats 🙂
Love this list – it’s so true! Ryan and I are REI members and go there far too often. I haven’t used an umbrella since I moved here. You also know you’re in Seattle when it takes you an hour to drive 15 miles on 405 but it’s okay because you’re surrounded by evergreen trees and wineries 🙂
Hahah the trees and the wineries do help! 🙂
Haha I grew up just outside of Seattle (I live in Snohomish now) but this is all pretty accurate! I balk at people that use umbrellas and the Seahawks are the best thing since sliced bread! The only thing is I don’t have an REI membership…but I do like all their stuff 🙂
Your space here is lovely!
Thank you, Aleah! I don’t have an REI membership either, but everyone seems to have awesome clothing from there and now I’m tempted 🙂
Such a fun list! I love learning about the cultural differences when moving to a new place! I’ve never been to Seattle but a good friend just moved there so I’m planning a trip out there next summer!
I think you will love it here!
Lolol remember that story when you were wearing a maxi dress and you said people were looking at you like it was the met gala?! I would say that you know you’re in seattle when people COMPLAIN when the sun is out and HAPPY when it is raining. Seriously – some of my clients were like “bah, it was too sunny this summer!”
Hahahaha yes, I will NEVER forgot that day 😉
No Xmas tree yet, too soon!! Waiting until day after Thanksgiving 🙂
The part about the umbrellas is so true! I was in Seattle last year for a work trip, and it was POURING yet no one had an umbrella. I was like, “What’s going on here?? Everyone is getting wet!” Ha. And the parking on all sides of the road would totally freak me out. People don’t do that where I’m from in the northeast, nor where I live in the southwest!
Haha, yes! I can’t believe people skip the umbrellas, even in the pouring rain!
Haaahaha this is SO spot on. I can’t be bothered with colors on my clothes, my 10+year old Birkenstocks are my favorite shoes, I can’t remember the last time I used an umbrella, and I actually love Starbucks coffee. Only the actual coffee though…none of the foo foo junk. 😉