Have you ever landed in a new city, only to find yourself totally lost in the local lingo? Seattle’s no different. Whether it’s references to neighborhoods, the weather, or a particular brand of beer, Seattleites have a language all their own. Having spent plenty of time in the Emerald City, I’ve picked up the phrases, …
If any state were destined to be home to the biggest, greenest, most jaw-dropping trees on earth, it would be Washington. It’s called the Evergreen State for a reason, after all. But when it comes to redwoods—the tallest trees on the planet—Washington comes up a bit short. At least, mostly. On a recent road trip …
If you’re thinking about moving to the Pacific Northwest, you’re probably deciding between Oregon and Washington. And while both states have plenty to offer, I’ll be upfront: we’re full. Well, not really. But it sure feels like it sometimes. Both Oregon and Washington have seen huge population increases in the past decade, and it’s easy …
Portland might seem picture-perfect in a few ways. It has progressive laws, excellent public transit, and a lively arts and food scene. There are great schools, endless things to do, and yes, even the famous Voodoo Doughnut. But before you make plans to move to Portland (or even visit), there are a few things worth …
Earlier this week, I got a Facebook message from an old friend from high school who now lives in Alaska. He told me he and his wife were thinking about moving to Oregon later this year. There was just one issue: he’s a Republican, and she’s a Democrat. Kind of a James Carville–Mary Matalin situation. …
When most people think of celebrities or famous people from Seattle, they usually think of former or deceased residents—people like Bruce Lee, Jimi Hendrix, or Kurt Cobain. But plenty of well-known names still call the Seattle area home. For this list, we’re referring to the Seattle metro area, not just city limits. And as of …
I was in Phoenix on vacation recently and went to Target to pick up some cough medicine for a sick friend. As I handed the cashier my driver’s license, he said, “What’s the weather like up there? Do you get a lot of humidity?” I paused for a second and thought, “Humidity? Seattle?” It’s not …
When my wife and I were debating about whether we wanted to move to the PNW and deal with the high cost of living or move to North Carolina and not have majestic mountains it was really a no-brainer. We couldn’t leave the mountains. No matter where you are in Oregon (or the PNW) you …
The other day I got a text message from my recent married cousin, “Hey, looking at affordable places in the PNW and Ocean Shores came up…. what’s wrong with it?” It’s a good question, as I often wonder that myself when I look at houses in a certain area and notice that prices are a …
I’ve lived in the Seattle area for a few years now and, even before I moved, I visited the city quite frequently. I went back home for my high school reunion recently in the small town where I grew up and almost every single time I spoke to someone, as soon as I mentioned that …