what i love about the pacific northwest is that we get all four seasons weather-wise. and each bringing its own unique atmosphere which really sets the tone and gets you into the spirit for respective holidays in the fall and winter months. so there’s always the next season to look forward to! 😊

Hi Rachel! I love your video! I moved here from Virginia and have been here a little over a year. Your information on the pros and cons is on point! Thank you for sharing.

The "Freeze" can be said for any large city. How to break it? Join groups that do activities, join volunteer groups. Like any place, if you don't engage you won't meet people. And as we get older our friend groups naturally shrink. The Sound Transit is expanding to the east and will be open soon. Large cities have had increased homelessness recently including San Diego, LA, SF, Austin, and NY, but I believe Seattle is spending resources to slowly help the legitimate homeless. Its nice to see a new video Rachel - followed you since your car trip to Seattle with Gus.

Great insight, currently debating a move to the area. Would love to see a video of you talking about the pros & cons of living in the different neighborhoods.

Another great and insightful video about Seattle. Thanks Rachel.

I moved here in November 2020 and up until then, I RELIGIOUSLY watched you and Rachel Whitehurt’s videos on Seattle on repeat because I found it so interesting. I cannot tell you enough how much I thank BOTH of you for all the information you both spoke on about the city. That being said, when my lease is up I’m moving out of the city. 😂 I live in Queen Anne and it’s just not “it” anymore for me. Moving out of the city to Kent and then next here I’ll be moving in with my boyfriend who owns his house in Puyallup. I’ll still be working in the city and making a commute for a while but all your other reasons like food and overall city vibes are really good. Thank you for all your content! We all missed you!

Looking great Rachel!! You look like your new car has given you the taste of freedom! 🚘 Have a great one!

Good video! I’ve got a couple job opportunities and one would potentially have me moving to Seattle. I’m also from the MN/WI area so really cool to hear your perspective. Definitely interesting to know that it’s more of a sleepy city. With a lot of my friends being sconnies, I can’t imagine places closing at midnight or 1am

I've been watching since you first moved to Seattle and I'm still dying to visit 😭 NYC keeps pulling me back, but one day I'll make the move! It sounds beautiful

I was born and raised in WA and lived in Seattle for about 6 years before moving out of state. I'd say from my own experience living there, this list is pretty spot on. Seattle is a beautiful city and is still one of my many favorite places to visit. The food scene is great, with a lot of hidden gem restaurants and coffee shops. Great authentic Thai and Indian food and more. Capital Hill is a fun place to bar-hop, go dancing, or have a night out with friends. You can find walking trails everywhere, especially in Bellevue and Issaquah. Fresh air because of all the trees and rain (except during the fire season). Artsy/hip/alternative fashion and culture. Big tech scene. Seattle makes a lot of effort to be environmentally friendly. Many options for thrifting and antiquing. A variety of ferry routes or you can take the train up to Victoria B.C for the weekend. There is a lot to love about Seattle. I moved away because Seattle's cons outweighed the pros for me. The Seattle freeze is very real. WA state as a whole has the freeze but it is most concentrated in the Seattle area. People are friendly to outsiders but very closed off to letting them into their circle of friends which makes the dating scene non-existent. Traffic is bad when commuting on the I-405 or I-5 north in the morning and south after 3 pm. Best to live north and commute south for work to go against traffic. I lived south and commuted north for work. It took me 1-2 hours to get to work and then another 1-2 hours to get home each day even when using the carpool lane. I only lived a little over 15 miles away from work. A lot of people lived south in Renton, Kent, etc because the rent is cheaper. The weather for the majority of the year is overcast and rainy so it does not feel like there is four seasons. It’s gloomy Fall, Winter, and some of Spring. Beautiful summers but they don't last very long before fading quickly into Fall which is cold and damp to the bone. I found that living in Seattle sucked a lot of my money, time, and energy away. It was a never-ending cycle of existing to work and survive. Despite having a degree there is a lot of competition to find housing and work. Thermals, a waterproof jacket, thick socks, and rain boots or some sort of water resistant shoes is a must. Overall, Seattle is a great place to visit but not to live in my experience but each person has to decide that for themselves. If you are thinking of moving to Seattle I'd suggest visiting first and doing a lot of research before moving there so you're not surprised if it's not what you expected.

Hey hey girl! I just want to introduce myself even though I’ve commented on so many of your videos! 😂 I’m from the New England region- Maine to be exact; I’ve always loved the SEA/WA area since I was little. And I love hearing the point of view from a woman my age living there (I’m jelly); so I love love your videos! And I feel like we’re friends 🥺❤️ You have such an awesome personality for blogging and KZfaq! Don’t be down on yourself! Btw, everyone knows that Maine has the best sea food. 😏 If you like the sea food in Seattle, you would love coming here!

Thanks for this... I've been in the Midwest for nearly 6 months after losing family and friends (and I don't understand the concept of friendship anymore, or maybe I always did, but I am used to going it alone and am fine with that) and have been looking at Seattle for a while now. Among the lights on KZfaq which I would find, you were among them, and I always wanted to chime in but was never able to. Anyway, this was the first one I watched, and I have to thank you, as I hope to be living in Seattle long-term before the next winter hits here. I'm outside Omaha, across the border, knew only one person out there, and then found out I didn't really. Thanks for all of this, and maybe I will chime in on some of the others here when I am able.

Great vid and love your look!!! Very Kate Winslet in The Holiday 😃🌟

The four seasons is what I love in Seattle. It's truly amazing

Hey Rachel, thanks for the updated info. I’m still considering a move to the area. I have a friend in Shoreline just north of the city. He loves it out there 🙂 I’m on the east coast but I need a change 😜 Love your hair 💜

This is soooooo helpful! Tryna figure out where to go for my phd (#adulting) and this helped clarify how one would expect to adjust to life since I'm also comming from the midwest! APPRECIATE!!!

I would definitely like an updated video for where to move recommendations and best areas for cost!! also great video 🙂

I also grew up in the Midwest and moved to Seattle. Totally agree with this list!

ive missed these videos!!!! ahh yay I love it

The light rail is expanding across I90 through Bellevue and out to Redmond! So much more diversity here than anywhere in the Midwest and also more accepting of diverse cultures. Everything is relative. I grew up in KS and have been here 33 years now. Love the PNW so much.

You carry on gracefully Rachel.

Rachel Waldorf did you ever do video on finding place to live in seattle. I'm looking for insight. From out of state considering the move

Hello Rachel from kara in FLAT boring Saint Paul Minnesota. Im moving out there in September! and Im enthralled listening to you! im getting pump psyched to be out therre! Kara

I moved to Seattle in 2021. I definitely think your original video helped me.

We visited Seattle twice in the last two years, the first time was magical, the second time was depressing. The first time was post lock down, the sun was shining the city was lush, people were great, streets were clean, we walked a lot, visited the islands, and had a great time. The second time was after visiting Vancouver BC. Coming back across the border after 4 days in BC was a shock. The city seemed so dirty, run-down, and…poor. Maybe it’s just the USA in general, but the wealth gap was so in-your-face compared to Vancouver it was shocking. There are great neighborhoods in Seattle, and just as many lousy ones.

I remember watching a researcher talk about the evolution of English as a language as how a new evolution to the language is the addition of the ‘a’ sound to the ends of words, especially for emphasis. This video is such as tricking example.

the everything closing so early thing is too real!

Hi Rachel! I’m from St. Louis, MO. I agree about the color! It’s so brown in the Midwest and luscious green in Seattle and the pnw. I was wondering if you could do a video about the best ways to find a roomate in Seattle? If you’ve already done one, or you have watched a good one, could you point it out to me? Thanks so much!

The thing about the "Seattle Freeze" .. I'm from So Cal so what she's describing is something I'm used to. But where I'm from in SoCal is actually known to be a very open and friendly place (if you travel there you'll likely experience very outgoing and welcoming people) in comparison to where I later moved to: Phoenix AZ. When my husband and I had to relocate there for his work, we were told about the "Phoenix Freeze" - yet we made life-long friendships there that we will always cherish. And these friends became like family to us. So don't let the "Seattle Freeze" scare you off if you're considering moving to Seattle. You'll find your people eventually, no matter where you end up.

Thanks for this! We're considering moving from San Francisco, CA. and just wanted to share some thoughts from my SF lens. 1. The drug abuse and homelessness SEEMS more controlled when comparing to the bay area. So, this would be a Pro in my view. 2. For housing, the bay area, for some time, was more expensive than NYC and still is very expensive for a small space. I think there are a lot of factors to that play into this, but I think relative to the San Francisco, Seattle has a lot more options and gives more bang for you buck :) this would also be a pro for me. 3. The food, this one would be a con for me. The Bay Area is has, arguably, some of the best food in the country and being a foodie, I was really disappointed with Seattle's food culture and options :( This would move to the Cons in my perspective. Great video, thank you!!!

Greeting from indonesia, guys Im going to move to seattle soon but im still confused what city in seattle is affordable and safe please help me

This was a good video Rachel

You are amazzzzing! I will look at more of your videos. How do you feel about Arlington?

I live in Kansas City, and I'm looking to move to Seattle next year, so its super nice to hear the opinion of another midwesterner. A lot of the cons you listed are also cons we have here, but maybe worse there? I'm hoping the dating/making friends scene is at least a bit better though. Around here, you can make a lot of friends if you drink every night, but its incredibly hard if you dont.

Can you do the housing video? I'm moving from Florida soon and it would really help!

could you pls make an updated neighborhood video

Only been living here 7 months but I 100% agree with all of this. I definitely love the city and do plan on staying but I will say I'm a very social person and the people here definitely get me down. It's the biggest con IMO.

Love your jacket! Where is it from?

You forgot to say which months are the ones with gloom and rain weather, anybody?

I spit out my water when you said “that’s not always what we want! “ 😂😂 welcome to Washington. Haha

yeah no friends part. 15 yrs living here, and pretty tough to hang out with people...

Public transportation is good until you get on the 7 at night.

so how do I move to seattle?

I am absolutely, considering moving from Southern California to Washington. (: as a massage therapist I think I can get more bang for my buck.

Come to West Seattle, bridge is open, let's have a coffee! 🇨🇺🇺🇸🙂

It’s interesting to see how the opinions really depend on perspective. Seattle is far more diverse than most places in the US. To me alcohol playing a much smaller role in the western US than in the midwest) and not being open super late) is a healthy thing and I for one am glad. Authentic ethnic food? Are you kidding me? You must not be looking. People in Tukwila, kent & all that are super friendly. Not so much in Issaquah but some folks will chat if you get them going.

Nice music

Call it for what it is, "Seattle Freeze" is a marketable remark, instead of saying there is bigotry ingrained in the local 'culture, and as long as you are passive-aggressive then bigotry is acceptable.

Hello fellow Midwesterner 👋🏻nice to see you've made it here this long too! I've been here 7 years and totally agree with your pros about accessibility and location to other states and Canada...Alaska, Cali, OR, BC, Alberta, etc. I STILL have not been to Vancouver lol. What I love about Seattle, but more specifically WA is that you can spend a whole lifetime here and barely scratch the surface when it comes to outdoor adventures, travel, things to do, etc. I mean we have our own wine country for crying out loud lol. There's SOOO much to do here.

The gloom is the best part; learn to ski / snowboard 🤷‍♂️ Also not expensive compared to NY. Arrived here Q3 2018 from Miami and I don’t miss it one bit. Hit me up, we’ll do coffee. I’m not white btw 🤣😂

I’m from Seattle I moved out for a While But I might move back to Washington…. In general Washington is beautiful….i love my homestate but people there are antisocial I’m an engineer so I can afford any city now I haven’t lived in Washington all my life though

You always start with the cons, so you can end on a positive note.

Seattle food scene is definitely > Midwest, but we moved from Seattle to Las Vegas a few years ago and holy cow I'm blown away at how much better the food is here in Vegas. Seafood / meat is not my jam (vegetarian mostly), so maybe that explains it, but the 100% vegan joints here are both plentiful and to die for. It's a culinary experience / art form here. 🥰 Seattle (and Kirkland/Bothell) def has Vegas beat on poke spots though. We also really miss Lupo (formerly in boca al Lupo) in Fremont. Used to grab a pie and hit up gas works for picnics in the summer. 😌 Still loving your content even though we aren't there anymore! Happy to see you're still enjoying the area!

Worth moving to in 2023?

Do you have a parent who’s French? I notice you add a vowel sound at the end of any word that ends in a consonant. So I was curious

Excellent video, accurate observations and perfect assessment of the people. The ghosting is off the charts. I lived there for 11 years and only made one close friend, ever. Dating also sucks. The people are not passive, they are passive-aggressive. They will get mad at you and give you the silent treatment and 8 years later blow up at you and tell you why they are mad at you, finally. Yes, that is a real example. I finally got out of there, it's a terrible place for newcomers.

But you didn't say whether the pros outweigh the cons for you personally or not. If I had to guess I'd say they do not for someone like you. I know you already mentioned you won't be there forever. What are some other places you've considered living you think you would like better?

As a person not from there the rail and buses seem awesome 👏 but I vaca there not live there yet

How is the people? Are the people nice or mean?

What neighborhoods do you recommend that are more affordable?

Yo like Target in Seattle closes at 7.... Like wtf am I gon do with that?!

Californian here, moved to Washington State since 2013 and I haven’t looked back.

Being in Bothell after moving from AZ, I agree with most of the pros and cons (I love the weather 😏). My biggest con is just how much crime has increased. Other than that I love it here. Also Rachel you’re looking 🔥🔥🔥

Good overall video. I'd just say that I think the public transportation is good (a "pro"). I've lived in several major and minor cities in the U.S., and Seattle's is amongst the best, at least in my opinion.

Or become a business manager or a senior software engineer.

Rachel we misss yooooou❤

Im so blessed. Not moving to seattle. Thanks! No where?! 😂lol where are you going?

As a Bay Area Native, I'm here just kind of laughing at you listing traffic as a con. Seattle traffic is 100x better than Bay Area. Also public transportation is so much cheaper in Seattle vs. Bay Area. I mean Bay Area BART is a complete joke. Here's to new perspectives though! Interesting how you think that way from your experiences in Midwest > Seattle.

❤❤❤

Chicago has the best downtown in the usa handsdown

Ok I’m going to be really 😂 I’m from California to Bellevue in 2018 moved in 2020 back to Long Beach. And honestly something about seattle that I’m thinking about moving back 😂 to seattle. Just something about that place.

Thanks 🙏🏽 for this video Rachel! Just wanna say you’re smoking hot ❤lol. No seriously. I am considering moving here from from Chicago. Things closing early could be a problem 🙄. The weather doesn’t bother me so much. Used to crappy weather in Chicago. However, the cost of living is a tad bit higher in Seattle than Chicago. I find that weird. I’m actually here in Seattle now visiting and it’s an amazing city no doubt. Your pros and cons seem to be on point after being here almost a week. My lease in South Loop Chicago is up in May 2023. Who knows what can happen then 😎? Keep up the great work. You earned a subscriber.

Thank you for being so honest! Especially when it comes to diversity or the lack thereof. A lot people still feel uneasy talking about stuff like that. ❤

Making friends seems to be a problem in states. Due to robotic 🤖 heartless human beings. Let's learn to love one another 😅😊

Beautiful physical scenery. Most unfriendly people I have ever met. Great place to visit in August; do not move there.

I think, as a whole, you did a great job with this video and I agreed with most of your points. I have to say, though, that I passionately disagree with your statement that Seattle is not diverse. The Seattle metro area is one of the most, if not the most diverse area in the PNW (not including Canada). To say it isn't diverse at all feels like overlooking the amount of culture we have here (including the clear Native/indigenous culture and influence here), which I don't think was your intention.

To me=The Weather= is a PRO and not a con. Yes it can rain and be gloomy but that is so nice- its cozy, its soup time, its rest time. And most importantly it is natures gift to our earth! Because of the rain it can prevent the Wildfires that you list as a con. The rain totals have decreased in recent years likely from climate change which fuels dry soil and it is not raining as much at all as it used to. Every time it rains I am so happy that we get that gift (the opposite can be devastating). Another point is, this summer was BRUTAAAL for a lot of the Country expect Seattle! We stayed in the 70's while the rest of the Country was hitting over 100 degrees for weeks on end in places and hitting new records. Anyways the rain is nice, its calming, and its a gift.

make more videos

The wildfires are deliberate

Lol, wildfire is pushed from Oregon and California now that’s funny. I live in California.

Homelessness and crime are major cons

Dating in Seattle. Chicks only want to date rich tech bros. A few games of Settlers of Catan and IPAs later they conclude that "all guys are the same." Then they get a cat and never go outside again.

Low standard of living in seattle is real. 1M for a house looks like a slum bag

Omg your cats tail 😂

Move to the Midwest or south,you won’t believe how many large companies are moving there😊

What’s wrong with tech guys ?! 😅 aren’t the girls tech girls ?!?!

On diversity I hear the gay population is high compared to the national average 👍

Bellevue is better 😅

Luv this vid! The homelessness is crazy I carry a pocket full of fives everytime I go downtown Seattle for em.

I am sorry but this video was awful. Nothing about buying a home, schools systems, healthcare, suburbs and general living in the area.

Number one red flag for a man is a girl that sits around and makes tic tok videos !! Soon as i hear that i just turn off. If you're complaining about men, dating or anything on line to strangers. I wouldn't want to have anything to do with you. Hard pass !

i dont have any friends here and it sucks