I'll post a few of my favorites tomorrow, but damn, Seattle is freakin awesome!!!!!! This guy really got around and took some amazing shots. I will have to visit Seattle soon!

Seattle is sweet - SkyscraperPage Forum (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=208036)

One of my favorite cities three months out of the year. It's not the rain that bothers transplants, it's the overcast skies. I think they get less actual rainfall than here in OKC, but it's just not very sunny. When it is though, it is extra beautiful.

I think they get less actual rainfall than here in OKC, but it's just not very sunny.

My brother lived in Seattle for quite a while. When he first moved up there, he was talking to a long-time resident and he said, "You know...everyone back in Oklahoma is under the impression that it rains here constantly. But it really doesn't rain that much, does it?" The person he was talking to smiled, held their finger to their lips, and said, "Shhh..." LOL

My brother lived in Seattle for quite a while. When he first moved up there, he was talking to a long-time resident and he said, "You know...everyone back in Oklahoma is under the impression that it rains here constantly. But it really doesn't rain that much, does it?" The person he was talking to smiled, held their finger to their lips, and said, "Shhh..." LOL

At 149 days of rain per year, Seattle is the sixth rainiest city in the U.S. that is a fact, not anecdote or propaganda.

At 149 days of rain per year, Seattle is the sixth rainiest city in the U.S. that is a fact, not anecdote or propaganda.

If you've never been there/lived there though, you don't understand. "Rain" is not necessarily "rain." Most of those days, it is a light rain, in which whatever you had planned for outdoor activities that day, you do. When I travel there, I see more folks wearing good waterproof gear, rather than carrying umbrellas.

Average annual precipitation:

OKC - 32.39 inches (45 inches so far this year)
Seattle - 36.15 inches (29 inches so far this year)

Average precip days/sunny days:

OKC - 63/231
Seattle - 155/152

So, on average, OKC gets almost as much rain in 63 days as Seattle gets in 155.

Seattle is amazing and I try to get up there once a year. We have family on the other half's side which makes it nice. Seattle is one of my top 3 cities to relocate to whenever I decide to pull the trigger. Traffic isn't the best, but what can you do. LOL

The weather really isn't that bad. To tag on to what Thom points out - yes it may rain a lot, but rain in Seattle is equal to a light shower or sprinkle here. Sure they get storms and heavy rain from time to time, but it isn't like down here where having a nice constant light shower is rare.

Seattle is amazing and I try to get up there once a year. We have family on the other half's side which makes it nice. Seattle is one of my top 3 cities to relocate to whenever I decide to pull the trigger. Traffic isn't the best, but what can you do. LOL

The weather really isn't that bad. To tag on to what Thom points out - yes it may rain a lot, but rain in Seattle is equal to a light shower or sprinkle here. Sure they get storms and heavy rain from time to time, but it isn't like down here where having a nice constant light shower is rare.

My wife has only visited in July, August and September, and every time it has been a Chamber of Commerce day - 70s and 80s, clear skies, light breeze. She's always said she would love to live there. I have been in every month, and while I know I can stand it, I don't think she could handle the grey skies over the long term. Of course, drive an hour and a half west, and you're pretty much on the moon, so you can escape if you have a car!

My wife has only visited in July, August and September, and every time it has been a Chamber of Commerce day - 70s and 80s, clear skies, light breeze. She's always said she would love to live there. I have been in every month, and while I know I can stand it, I don't think she could handle the grey skies over the long term. Of course, drive an hour and a half west, and you're pretty much on the moon, so you can escape if you have a car!

Yeah, for me...growing up back north...grey skies are the norm from October through like April, with sporadic breaks in between. It isn't for everyone, but those clear days where you can see Rainier and St. Helens...and I'm pretty sure Hood at times, makes it all worth it.

My late wife and I really enjoyed Seattle, but I think if I was going to live there, it would be somewhere on the peninsula. I do think I would get tired of their weather though.
C. T.

37 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Seattle | Estately Blog (http://blog.estately.com/2013/04/37-things-you-should-know-before-moving-to-seattle/)

I'd move there just for the food, but I'm a seafood junkie.

Well, everything is relative. I'll throw in my 2 cents.

Portland and Seattle and said to be very "livable" areas and I wouldn't disagree, but it's hard to get a handle on just what livability is.

Having lived in Portland( about 150 miles south of Seattle ) for almost 40 years, I've visited Seattle many times and can tell you there is a world of difference between Seattle/Portland and OKC however, differences can be deceiving.

1. It rains a lot here! Light rain drizzle for a good 9 months out of year. You will live in your L.L. Bean/Columbia/Lands End rain jacket. There are many times you will despair of ever seeing the sun. There are areas of the San Juans where you get a bit of a rain shadow, but it still rains quite a lot up here.

2. Downtown Seattle is nice, especially around the water and especially around Lake Union but that's only a small ( and very expensive ) part of the area. The rest of what's known as the Seattle area is strip mall and commuter hell!

3. Traffic is bad. If you ever drive I-5 from Olympia north up to, say, Everett, you'll wonder why the heck anyone would want to live there. I call it the concrete canyon.

4. If you like outdoor recreation and especially if you like boating the Pacific Northwest can't be beat.

5. The Washing State Ferry system is great, but if live on the islands or commute from the west side of Puget Sound you will live your life around the ferry schedule and it ain't cheap.

6. It will be interesting to see how the marijuana situation will pan out with the recent legalization of pot in Washington State. Will Seattle become the next Amsterdam? stay tuned!

7. The Amtrak route from Seattle to Portland is fantastic and the route north from Seattle along Puget Sound is even better.

For what it's worth. Having an unusually dry, sunny and warm stretch here in the NW.

To tag on to what Thom points out - yes it may rain a lot, but rain in Seattle is equal to a light shower or sprinkle here.

Right...that's what my brother said. More like what we'd consider a drizzle or sprinkle. And while this was among his earliest encounters, he lived up there for 15-20 years so he's pretty familiar with the city.

I could see my luck. The day we decide to move up there, Rainier will decide to erupt. :-P

I could see my luck. The day we decide to move up there, Rainier will decide to erupt. :-P

That happened to us. Lived 30 miles away from St Helens. Moved there about a year before she became "active." Interesting times!

37 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Seattle | Estately Blog (http://blog.estately.com/2013/04/37-things-you-should-know-before-moving-to-seattle/)

It's not just the cloudy skies. I see a lot of Oklahomans couldn't possibly stand to live in Seattle due to the political beliefs. However, probably a number of Oklahoma Democrats, who would want to try it, anyway, would feel a need to register as Republicans after moving there:

A bastion of progressive leftyism, Seattle is a politically active city that frequently takes to the street in protest. While it prides itself on its tolerance, that tolerance doesn’t extend to social conservatives who disagree. Libertarians, however, get a pass. Seattle is enthusiastic about same-sex marriage and legalized marijuana, was the first major U.S. city to elect a woman as mayor, and went heavily for Obama in 2008 with 84% of the vote.

Portland and Seattle are probably among the two best cities in the US to be single under 30. They are on the cutting edge of modern culture, are diverse, and in stunningly beautiful settings. I have several friends who moved out there after college and I get pretty envious at times. The only downside I can see to living out there is the near constant state of overcast weather and the high cost of living. Also, it's tough to find a good job there because SO MANY twentysomethings nationwide are flooding into those two cities.

Austin, as great as it is, is more of a knock-off. Portland and Seattle are the real deal.

Don't forget, Seattle doesn't have the NBA anymore:sofa:

But they do have the NFL & MLB

Portland and Seattle are probably among the two best cities in the US to be single under 30. They are on the cutting edge of modern culture, are diverse, and in stunningly beautiful settings. I have several friends who moved out there after college and I get pretty envious at times. The only downside I can see to living out there is the near constant state of overcast weather and the high cost of living. Also, it's tough to find a good job there because SO MANY twentysomethings nationwide are flooding into those two cities.

Austin, as great as it is, is more of a knock-off. Portland and Seattle are the real deal.

To me, it's a congregating place for introverted hipsters. If you're cool with that great. I watch Sounders and Timbers games, and I see unattractive women and dudes with unkept beards.

I love visiting, but it's just not my style. I think Denver is more attractive or just as attractive. Of course, maybe not to be a single male under 30, they don't call it Menver for nothing.

Edit - I'm unfairly hard on the hipster word here. No offense intended, I just have a few acquaintances who fit the negative hipster stereotype to a T and it, as Peter Griffin would say, "really grinds my gears."

It's not just the cloudy skies. I see a lot of Oklahomans couldn't possibly stand to live in Seattle due to the political beliefs. However, probably a number of Oklahoma Democrats, who would want to try it, anyway, would feel a need to register as Republicans after moving there:

A bastion of progressive leftyism, Seattle is a politically active city that frequently takes to the street in protest. While it prides itself on its tolerance, that tolerance doesn’t extend to social conservatives who disagree. Libertarians, however, get a pass. Seattle is enthusiastic about same-sex marriage and legalized marijuana, was the first major U.S. city to elect a woman as mayor, and went heavily for Obama in 2008 with 84% of the vote.

Ha! There is a bit of a culture shock to be experienced when you come out to Portland or Seattle! Maybe not as much as there used to be, but imagine coming to Portland from OKC during the Curtis Harris DA era, it was like coming to another planet. I still haven't recovered!

I've been intrigued with The Seattle Concept since The Space Needle
and my virtual introduction to the place back when I started out as a child . . .

m7qDNEhSlcM

But what really nailed it for me, was the recent TV program, "The Killing" (set in Seattle).

The sweeping generalizations really crack me up. I'm sure there is a city out there full of people just like you for each and every one of you. :)

That would be pretty boring for each of us!

I've spent a lot of time in both Portland and Seattle and want to like them more than I do.

They are beautiful, green places with plenty going on and lots of young people... But sorry, the majority of the time I've been to either place it's been dreary and/or raining and I'm always ready to leave.

Both are much more urban than all but a handful of American cities and unless you are used to that or crave it, the density can really wear you down.

I almost took a job in Portland about 10 years ago and have never regretted not making that move.

The sweeping generalizations really crack me up. I'm sure there is a city out there full of people just like you for each and every one of you. :)

Hey, that's why I went back and edited, I at least explained my reason, even if it's shaky.

The sweeping generalizations really crack me up. I'm sure there is a city out there full of people just like you for each and every one of you. :)

For goodness sake lets hope not.

One of my buddies up there is polar opposite politically to me, but I'll be damned if my wife and I didn't have a blast at Unicron/Narwhal slamming PBR's and Fireball shots with him and another friend, and then wandering to a street vendor to grab one of those awesome sauerkraut and cream cheese Seattle dogs.

My post was in jest, I wouldn't let anything so petty keep me from living there.

Yeah, no one wants to live in a city like that. The point I'd like to make is that it is always funny how people like to just label most people within a city to fit a stereotype. Like the introverted hipster. I can't think of a single person who fits that description that I'm friends with in Seattle. There are over 3 million people in the Seattle metro. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a statistically significant amount of "introverted hipsters".


I guess its our media-driven world makes it very easy to stereotype far away cities that many haven't been to. Its the same thing as people on both coasts who stereotype all 1.3 million OKC metro residents as radical right-wing racist rednecks. Hollywood has painted the hipster image of Portland and Seattle but there are probably many there who aren't hipsters. The Portland suburbs are apparently a great place to raise a family, but if I went by the stereotype I would have to say you are probably "too old" for Portland when you turn 30 haha. Most people I know who moved up there have become hipsters though.

Those are the best dogs in the world. You've got me hungry just thinking about them again!

Its not really a flavor combo I'd typically go after, but my wife was talking trash that I wouldn't eat it so I did what any guy would do in that situation, accept the dare lol

btw, here are a few of my favs:

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835249/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835250/original.jpg
Notice the GTR and the Golf GTI ;P
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835270/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835273/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835275/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835277/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835281/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835331/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835340/original.jpg
Future Midtown, perhaps?
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835344/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835346/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835349/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835371/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835409/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835410/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835413/original.jpg
This is especially cool, just very neat!
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835421/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835536/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835538/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/152835547/original.jpg
Perhaps the best for last, what a grand picture!

All photos taken by: SkyscraperPage Forum (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/member.php?u=1138)

I don't care what city, state or country you are fond of you will always have people who will find a reason to complain or criticize it. 90% of them have never been there and there opinion is based on what their television has told them 5% were just passing through when they were there and only 3% stayed for more than just a few days, 2% actually lived there and have a credible reason for their opinion.

Me personally I try not develop too heavy of an opinion on cities I have never set food in. About the closest I got to Seattle was a stop over in Portland coming home from my last Navy tour in Japan in 2000. I prefer OKC because it has balance of urban and rural. When you get tired of the city lights and the city hustle and bustle all you have to do is drive any direction and your out of it in 15-30 minutes. I admire the urban life other cities have built but, I hope OKC maintains it's balance. I love city life but, I also love to get away where the wildlife is the ambient noise instead of freeways, sirens and loud car stereos.

Here are some more pics from another guy:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/8843351701_bca0b5f2f8_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/8831802284_8f05e85c90_b.jpg
tower theatre cough cough
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/8886427106_0cb93fdfba_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/8850902960_3d0a75ac5c_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/9703576558_d188997e94_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/9552874076_defbac384d_b.jpg
Whoever made the comment about a gritty feel not being good in the Automobile Alley thread, this has that feel to it and it seems pretty cool to me!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/9550091267_cc19a9c8d9_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/9518679235_666f1eae77_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/9505220635_89f0280c80_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/9497936517_2a55407d6c_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/8993509638_feefa111f9_b.jpg

The lovely and talented Seattle - SkyscraperPage Forum (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=207692)

A couple of pics I took the last time I was there 7 years ago.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/ljbab728/10302987776/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ljbab728/10302986226/lightbox/

A couple of pics I took the last time I was there 7 years ago.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3793/10302986226_4b5cb0b88e_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/10302987776_d8319780a1_b.jpg

btw, here are a few of my favs:

Just out of curiosity...what is it that you like about these photos? Is it the urban density, as someone said earlier? Strictly as photographs (with a few exceptions), I don't find them all that appealing. They show the city, but they don't "show it off", ya know?

Just out of curiosity...what is it that you like about these photos? Is it the urban density, as someone said earlier? Strictly as photographs (with a few exceptions), I don't find them all that appealing. They show the city, but they don't "show it off", ya know?That's really a good question lol

I just like them. I suppose it is the overall atmosphere. The urban density is really cool too. I am a suburban guy, but make no mistake, I would love places like this in OKC. I just never realized how big Seattle was.

That's really a good question lol

I just like them. I suppose it is the overall atmosphere. The urban density is really cool too. I am a suburban guy, but make no mistake, I would love places like this in OKC. I just never realized how big Seattle was.

Okay...cool. Thanks! You're right, there's elements of a really large city that you just can't duplicate in OKC. After I first visited NYC back in high school, I tried to describe it to my friends, but there was nothing here to really compare it to. The best I could do was to tell them to go stand in the dead center of downtown, then pretend that feeling of being in an urban canyon extended in all directions for as far as you could see down each street, rather than just a block or so. lol

Okay...cool. Thanks! You're right, there's elements of a really large city that you just can't duplicate in OKC. After I first visited NYC back in high school, I tried to describe it to my friends, but there was nothing here to really compare it to. The best I could do was to tell them to go stand in the dead center of downtown, then pretend that feeling of being in an urban canyon extended in all directions for as far as you could see down each street, rather than just a block or so. lol

That reminds me of when I went to NYC for my honeymoon. My wife was concerned that our hotel room was up so high she couldn't see the ground. LOL

Okay...cool. Thanks! You're right, there's elements of a really large city that you just can't duplicate in OKC. After I first visited NYC back in high school, I tried to describe it to my friends, but there was nothing here to really compare it to. The best I could do was to tell them to go stand in the dead center of downtown, then pretend that feeling of being in an urban canyon extended in all directions for as far as you could see down each street, rather than just a block or so. lolYeah, I've never been to NYC, but I've heard about it from people and the most I've heard is there is some highway that goes straight into Manhattan and it offers and amazing view of the skyline and everyone says it is breathtaking. I can't wait to start traveling to different cities!!!!!

Also, Seattle has hills which add to the density effect.

just had to add that since I live here, lol.

There is a very, very real reason why Seattle can keep taxes so low - density. So what is amazing is that they are able to keep taxes so low but also have an amazing transit system, parks network, and so on.

That density is what allows them to have the transit system...our lack of density is why I worry about whether we'll ever have one. OKC is too spread out. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that we probably have to cover too much ground to pick up enough passengers to make it profitable.

That density is what allows them to have the transit system...our lack of density is why I worry about whether we'll ever have one. OKC is too spread out. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that we probably have to cover too much ground to pick up enough passengers to make it profitable.

Did anyone ever say it would be profitable or even needs to be?

Did anyone ever say it would be profitable or even needs to be?

Only in the context of Seattle's taxes also being extremely low. You've got to pay for the transit system somehow. The more of it you can pay for through taking in income in passenger fees, the less you have to underwrite it.

Only in the context of Seattle's taxes also being extremely low. You've got to pay for the transit system somehow. The more of it you can pay for through taking in income in passenger fees, the less you have to underwrite it.

That's very different than saying it wouldn't be profitable as you did,

That's very different than saying it wouldn't be profitable as you did,

You're reading too much into the word "profitable". It doesn't always refer to actually making a profit. I was using it in the sense of whether it's worth it or not for OKC because our population is so spread out.

It's not just the cloudy skies. I see a lot of Oklahomans couldn't possibly stand to live in Seattle due to the political beliefs. However, probably a number of Oklahoma Democrats, who would want to try it, anyway, would feel a need to register as Republicans after moving there:

A bastion of progressive leftyism, Seattle is a politically active city that frequently takes to the street in protest. While it prides itself on its tolerance, that tolerance doesn’t extend to social conservatives who disagree. Libertarians, however, get a pass. Seattle is enthusiastic about same-sex marriage and legalized marijuana, was the first major U.S. city to elect a woman as mayor, and went heavily for Obama in 2008 with 84% of the vote.

Sounds great to me! The political climate in Oklahoma is stifling to me, and that's putting it lightly. lol.

(I'm mostly jesting, though this place does seem to be the "opposite" of Seattle's political presentation, anyway).

Yeah, I've never been to NYC, but I've heard about it from people and the most I've heard is there is some highway that goes straight into Manhattan and it offers and amazing view of the skyline and everyone says it is breathtaking. I can't wait to start traveling to different cities!!!!!

You're making me miss home. :P Shucks.

They were probably talking about the big loop you do before you go down into the Lincoln Tunnel, which goes under the Hudson River into Midtown. Doesn't really do it justice, especially considering this is only the northern portion of the skyline:

http://www.anthonysworld.com/buccinoBusHelix-12.jpg

http://media.northjersey.com/images/0319A_HNhelix70p.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8NjcDTsFMeA/S_Kq5956-RI/AAAAAAABbE0/1RHmRQAJTRc/SK94038.jpg

Anyway... back on topic! lol.

It's not just the cloudy skies. I see a lot of Oklahomans couldn't possibly stand to live in Seattle due to the political beliefs. However, probably a number of Oklahoma Democrats, who would want to try it, anyway, would feel a need to register as Republicans after moving there:

A bastion of progressive leftyism, Seattle is a politically active city that frequently takes to the street in protest. While it prides itself on its tolerance, that tolerance doesn’t extend to social conservatives who disagree. Libertarians, however, get a pass. Seattle is enthusiastic about same-sex marriage and legalized marijuana, was the first major U.S. city to elect a woman as mayor, and went heavily for Obama in 2008 with 84% of the vote.

Sounds like my kind of place. I lived in NYC and the politics are similar and it was just fine by me.

That being said, it would be nice of Oklahoma had a bit more political balance. Right now, other than in OKC, we have right wing and further right wing. Morons like Markwayne Mullin actually get elected here -- there's no good argument for that.

You're reading too much into the word "profitable". It doesn't always refer to actually making a profit. I was using it in the sense of whether it's worth it or not for OKC because our population is so spread out.

Thank you for clarifying. That wasn't obvious from your original statement.