Seattle and King County are broke. The County government is lost in space as well as the city of seattle government. The only great thing Washington has goin for it is the Gov Chris.

Yeah were pretty hip in Portland. Too bad we have one of the worst employment rates in the country. Do yourselves a favor, move to Bangladesh or Sri Lanka and find a call center for an American company to work for, thats where all the jobs have gone!

Oh what the hell do you know steve

Ya it's hip over here in portland! We're all trying to find a job since and no one is really hiring here. But at least we're hip w/ our cool transportation system and farmer's markets!

Those wacky people in Seattle and Portland will do and say anything to keep the rest of the nation from moving into their fair cities.

I have realatives in both cities and I live in the geater Los Angeles area. The conditions are the same... almost everywhere.

You people in Seattle, watch out for the great eruption. Reineer is your best kept secret there. If you let the word out that the big explosion is emminant, that will keep most away.

Portland, There is always a looming sunami waiting to swallow you up. I lived in Oregon myself.. along time ago. It was quite boring and there was no work then either, so your safe from me!

We're moving from Seattle to Austin and can't wait. Austin is not as flashy as some places but the people are awesome, it is a great place to raise a family, and the city has an awesome energy around it that is welcoming of new ideas and new people. Don't forget all the young energy pouring into UT. It hasn't gotten through the roof expensive either like the other cities on the list.

That is so crap

Right on! However, please let Portland, Oregon remain with we who live there and love it. All you seekers head north, south or east! :)

i thakdjfo'jfajgjd''d

The people in Seattle/eastside are uptight. The rain and nine months of clouds sucks. The traffic and highway system sucks. The cost of living is too high. The housing market is crap. A rat race mentality invades your everyday life. Been there, done that and so glad I dont live there anymore! You all can move up there and keep it. To those of you still living up there droning through your everyday life busting your butts to keep your head above the rain water- leave. You'll be so much more happy if you do.

Everyone please stay where you are. Don't move into our towns and cities and muck them up. Clean up your city and stay there!

And EVERYONE thought Atlanta ("Hotlanta") was THE place to be. Well, thousands of you came, and crapped the place all to hell and back, and now EVERYONE -- even the rating experts -- realizes that Atlanta-living totally sucks! (I know -- I'm a life long resident.)

They never take into account the weather in these "hot" cities. The Rain and clouds blow chunks in SEA/Port, making for a lot of grumpy people. Portland is like one big ghetto too, dont know what all the rage is about...

No matter when you move, someone is always going to find fault with where they live or work, or both. I have been to Oregon, Eugene and Florance, been up and down the coast of California and lived in Las Vegas NV. for about a year, to me there is no place like home, where ever that is for everyone. I am back on the Central Coast of California, and I love it, but instead of living in Monterey County where I was born and raised, I now live in Santa Cruz County and I am happy, there may not be a lot to do here where I live since there is a lot of farm land, but it is a great place to live, and just like every where else we do have our share of problems.

You can say any negative things about Seattle, I don't have any problem with that. I love Seattle and I'm comfortable with the city has to offer. I'll be happy to see more people move out to other places, as for me, after traveling around the world, Seattle is the best place.

this article is so bias and full of shit there all american cities like what the hell?

Seattle is great, it doesnt rain 9 months of the year. All it needs is some road renovations, and some good Republicans too straighten out some issues. Too the person who enjoys Gregoire, you are plain STUPID. This is our states worse problem. Go seahawks.

The State of Washington should post warning signs at its borders alerting people to the real truth about living in Washington. The government is entirely dysfunctional, they hate any kind of progress or growth, they are 50 years behind in the development of infrastructure like roads and airports, their public lands are basically used as dumps, they detest outsiders which you will be until the day you die, their school system is one of the worst in the nation, the cost of living is very high and for no good reason, the weather is intolerable, and they have the highest rate of suicide in the nation, if you think that is hip move there and good luck finding any happiness!

About choked on my cornflakes after reading someone actually thinks Gov. Chris is the best thing the state has going for it. Must be her son.

Portland's a 'Ghetto'? Have you ever been here? And if so, where the hell did you go? It's like any big city, good parts and bad parts. Such is life. Get over it ... or fix it. The people are grumpy because of the rain? I've never met any nicer people in my life than the people here in Portland. And to the person who's moving to Texas, good luck with that. I wouldn't move to that state if they gave me a house and paid for the move. The other person who loves it on the California coast, well ya, who wouldn't. And if you have a million or so, perhaps one could relocate there. Oh, and yes, the unemployemet rate is high in Portland, yet I have a friend who moved up here and found a job in a matter of days. It just depends on what kind of a job you're looking for. As always, it all depends on a lot of things ... a lot more than a 'List'. But, to all who find the Portland area horrid, that's just fine for all of us who love it here. You shant be missed.

yeah, you can have seattle and portland and all that damm rain. I'll take Spokane...

Yeh, move to Seattle or especially Renton, if you want to feel like you live in MEXICO!

Yeh, move to Seattle or especially Renton, if you want to feel like you live in MEXICO!

Just relocated from Seattle to Portland this past March. Best move we ever made. Seattle is a great place to visit, but live there? No thanks been there done that the last 20 years. We will not miss the traffic/congestion and high cost of living.

rain,rain rain......that's all u ever hear about seattle. we've just had the best summer i can ever remember. what's wrong with fifteen days of rain in a span of four months. people forget that after the sun, water is the most important thing on the planet. peace

then again,i was laid off from my construction job(journeyman plasterer)for all of those four months.just started back to work last week.

Eh, don't move to any of those places, by the time people move there anything that was hot or up and coming has already been changed.

I live in Seattle, and while the weather isn't as bad as people say, the traffic is terrible, there's too much focus on work and it can be hard to find a living wage job.

Hot, Hip, Happening, Affordable, Safe, Friendly, Sports, The Arts, Colleges, Universities, World Reknown Health Care, Green, and Beautiful.......... All of this discribes one and only one city!!!!!!!!! I have lived in many cities from Manhattan to San Francisco, Miami to San Diego, and Pittsburgh is my City of Choice. Visit Pittsburgh you may find yourself calling it your next home.

I dont get this. It used to be that people would move to the big citys in order to take advantage of all the work that came with big city life. Now the work is gone and you have hundreds of people fighting for the same job opening.
So why move to a smog dome with a huge cost of living if there are no jobs? Because it's the trendy thing to do? It's not like the landlords are charging less for anything or the cost of buying a home has dropped.
Now if your rich and dont need a job. Well more power to you my friend. But most people need work in order to live.

Wow, I have to agree, Pittsburgh has so much to offer, I moved here from Charlotte and I have no reason to ever leave. Pittsburgh is my choice as well. I think the latest G20 Summit showed the world what a great place Pittsburgh truly is. I Love Pittsburgh.

Washington is the worst place ever to have a small business because of our Governor and her let's just tax em' attitude. Boeing is possibly moving out because of Labor and Industry rates, which a huge employer in this area. Who knows about Microsoft and Starbucks, I'm sure they have thought about it. Labor and Industry rates are controlled by our state not private insurance and they have increased by HUGE amounts in the last 5 years and is going up another 10-20% even in this horrible economy for small business. If you want to get hurt on the job though this is the place to do it since the state will pay you for six months if you break a nail on the job and then retrain you to do something different and then of course charge the employer even if they have followed all rules to keep the employees safe. Cigarettes, alcohol and gas have the highest tax rate in the 50 states. You can't hardly breathe in this state without being taxed, I'm sure they will do that soon. Yes it is beautiful, and I have lived here my entire life and chose to raise a family and start a small business here, I now question that decision and wish I had moved to Montana where life seems to move at a much slower pace and isn't so controlled by the state.

if you are going to write a comment make sure you know how to spell the words first. (talking to you kimberly)

There is a lot of talk about taxes. States all require money to operate. If I'm correct, Washington and Texas do not have a state income tax, and Oregon does not have sales tax. The states will make up for it in other ways and tax something else at a much higher rate...

Think twice before moving to Seattle and it's surrounding cities. If you want to keep watching your back that fine, and living amoung criminals that's fine too. I stay away from Seattle.

GOOD LUCK AND WATCH YOUR BACK. ANOTHER DETROIT IN THE MAKING.

Thank goodness Austin was on the list rather than Houston. The last thing we want here is an influx of bratty, self-centered, whiney 20-somethings.

Portland is awesome. I will never leave.

Washington is talking about an income tax as well. I understand that taxes make the world go round' however if those funds were managed more efficiently we would all pay less tax and I'm sure everyone can agree that would be a little sigh of relief right now.

Luckily it appears that the undesirables have all eliminated themselves voluntarily!!!

All cities suck. They're all ghettoes for the pathologically anal-retentive.

Luckily it appears that the undesirables have eliminated themselves voluntarily!!!

Unless you live in a bubble. All places have bad things, bad weather, and bad people. It is the positive things that we should focus on. In seattle there are great hospitals, great parks, skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, and camping all within 30 minutes. Portland has a great feel and the many bridges and pubs make it a great place to hang and make friends. Start focusing on the good things baby.

Washington is talking about an income tax as well. I understand that taxes make the world go round' however if those funds were managed more efficiently we would all pay less and I'm sure everyone can agree that would be a little sigh of relief right now. It's not just the taxes either it's all the fees you pay to do ANYTHING from using plastic instead of paper to paying $3000 or more in impact fees just for the county to allow you build on a piece of property you purchased.

I've been to both Seattle and Portland and the people have an antipathy to outsiders because they don't want their cities crapped by growth. I am old enogh to recall when LA (yes,LA!) was considered a destination city. Then the horde came over the hill and paradise vanished over night. I am so glad my city isn't on the list and may it ever stay that way.

I've lived in Seattle for a long time, or should I say I've wasted a lot of my life in Seattle?

Every bad thing people complain about Seattle I believe to be true. The government, traffic and everything else.

If you consider all the vagrants and street hustlers that hang out in downtown, greasy hipters riding their fixie bicycles and the unfashionable people wearing the offensive Ed Hardy t-shirts and true religion jeans with the year round lack of sun hot and hip, then this is the city for you.

To metalhed, if this summer was one of the best you've ever had to your memory, it must not of been about the weather. I was there from end of May til end of August, there were 2 weeks of 75+ days, all the rest were sunless high 60's and low 70's. That's spring temperature to me.

I forgot to mention that Seattle has an undeserved reputation for rainy weather. The climate of Washington west of the Cascades is like England. It can be sunny and fine at times and there can even be the occasional hot spell in summer. I noticed many similar plants to what is found in Britian: English rose trees, broad leaf evergreen hedges, pinwheel palms and punch trees. Some astute gardeners there have taken a few cues from their counterparts in Britain. Portland seems to be a shade sunnier than Seattle. In any event, once a place gets "discovered", the inevitable growth occurs. It happened where I livew in the 70s and again in the 90s; this time we may get spared. I wish those that live in Northwest the best of luck in dealing with it.

I have thought about moving to Washington. I have also thought about moving anywhere other than Ocklawaha, Florida. While I have a great 4 bedroom sitting on about 1.5 acres, the job opportunities are crap. I have come to realize a 2 bedroom apartment in the city is better than a 4 bedroom house in the forest.

Ok,Austin is a good place.My exhusband just moved back from Portland after a 2 year job hunt which obviously was unsuccessful.My motherinlaw moved there 4 years before.She got a job,but was killed by a meth user within 6 months.Her best friend who worked and lived there for 15 years was laid off 3 years ago.Might want to check out the fact that you can't change ur oil,pump your own gas,or otherwise you might dirty up Oregon.Yea,right.

Blah blah blah blah, for those bitching about Seattle that live here, go away. For those that are bitching that don't... stay away. I love Seattle, always things to do and a great place to live.

I DIDNT KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING 15 YRS LATER ...moving to Seattle here on and off...now everyone's po'ed at moi and Im the ass. Resources are exhausted, even though educated will move on. I do not like control of the state here. It's ridiculous...not I have to allow them too..

I usually do not comment...cause might attempt lock moi up in an asylum here. I walked into a trap at some point. I will move anywhere WHERE MOI every move isn't analyzed to be documented as a damn application for local asylum. No Gracias

To all those people who wrote negative things about Seattle, you are DUMB and ignorant. Yes, it rains a lot in Seattle but guess what? New York actually receives more rainfall. Complaining about traffic? Try living in Chicago! You people who can't get a job are probably lazy as hell and have no education. Seattle is one of the best cities to live in with beautiful water and mountain views and clean air. You have everything you need and people with bad attitudes don't belong in Washington.

I agree with Sean. I cant think of anything bad to say about Seattle. If we didn't have the rain, we wouldn't be the Emerald City. If you can't stand the moisture, stay out of the city.

again not demeaning that state no need for it moi own bias and to move on..

Do us a favor and stay out of Albuquerque suckas!!!

It doesn't really rain all the time in the northwest...we just tell people that so they don't move here. It's been in the 80's all summer. Portland, Seattle, and all up the I5 corridor is lovely. Not to mention the Cranberry coast and mountain ranges. Living here, it's easy to take for granted the beauty. There is a great music scene in Portland and, as "me" alluded, there is a pleasantness inert in the people. Just as I feel I would benefit from traveling east, come west. It's worthwhile.

who are you referring to...

who are you referring to...

Austin makes everyone's list! Why?

If a movie were made about Austin, it would be titled: "Frankenstein meets Ma & Pa Kettle" (Frankenstein representing technology)

UT!? A bastion for socialists and academic parasites and an excellent football team.

Live music & 6th Street!? ...think bums, thieves and druggies.

Exciting things to do!? Watch Bats fly from under a bridge at sunset. The Bats are great, the idiots blocking the sidewalk and traffic are, well, Austin.

Austin summers!? Saudi Arabia is cooler.

Oh, if you lose you job. Home Depot is accepting applications. Prerequisite: Masters Degree to be a stock clerk.

Enjoy Austin

best city in the world new york city has everything not like this hot ugly jungle phoenix

To Tom bashing Atlanta, Hartsfield Jackson can get you anywhere in the country or the world for that matter so if you don't like Atlanta Delta is always taking reservations, MOVE.

Forget Seattle or Portland. Try Sammamish, a 40,000 suburb 15 miles East of Seattle, on the edge of the Cascade Mountains. Money.com lists in the top dozen cities in the country as best place to live; low crime, great parks and open space, great schools, highly educated and ethnically diverse population; a city only 10 years old but embracing the future. Work out of your home and forget the traffic in Seattle. Drop in Seattle for a Mariner or Seahawk game or just go to a local Skyline High School game; last two years State camps in football and other sports

Every place that you home has its problems big cities little cities no matter what its you that can change things one person at a time to make a difference and I love the northwest as well as East South or any other place the place is where you call home you have to make peace there.

Every place that you home has its problems big cities little cities no matter what its you that can change things one person at a time to make a difference and I love the northwest as well as East South or any other place the place is where you call home you have to make peace there.

I love both Seattle and Portlant and Tiffany get over Kimberly

I lived in Seattle after high school for a couple of years, moved and then came back, then left again. Graduated from hs in 1993. And I have to admit that I absolutely MISS SEATTLE! Its a shame I won't be able to go back because my mom left Seattle because she was sick from cancer and subsequently passed away 2 years ago. Ihad worked at Oreste's (the blob) and Cutter & Buck. Piece of advice for anybody who might read this, don't get married to somebody from the midwest and move to a city. I'm not even married anymore-go figure. I do think people blow the rain situation WAY out of proportion. Maybe because I am from a city (Syracuse) I really loved Seattle, who knows. Nevermore ROCKS!!!

Seattle people are in total denial about how utterly miserable their lives are. I lived there for 16 years and I know, problem is Seattle people have never been anywhere else so they think misery is NORMAL. Portland is a low income ghetto with topless/bottomless bars on every corner. Other than the eastside of Seattle the whole area is basically populated by snaggle-toothed hill-billys, sex perverts, and fire bugs.
The state government is incapable of doing anything and will never change because their rules and regs. were written by Populist idiots a hundred years ago. Washington has never seen a regulation or law that it didn't like. This is possibly the most regressive and backward area in the US and one with the highest taxes and worst education system. For the good of your children and family don't move there. You will waste your life living with horrible traffic, the countries worst weather, and the most snotty and arogant people I have ever met!

I

Seattle is a great place to raise a family. People says it rains everyday but it doesn't seem that way for me. In fact my grass and plants are dying cuz it doesn't rain enough. And I felt like dying during the summer heat OMG!

move to canada

I like many Phoenicians moved from AZ to Seattle WA. I think it’s a great place in the since that it’s not the desert and I notice the seasons changing. I think because times are hard people are really negative, and that is no good for your health or your outlook on life. We have many problems but none of them are mine. I can say that if you are young and ambitious this is a great place to bring your Ideas. I think Chris the GOV. is horrible at her job! I finally got rid of that D-bag mayor of ours and some new blood and Ideas on their way. If you are old on the other hand and grouchy this is not the place for you. You need to find another alternative like the Midwest or maybe Florida. Word has it that they have a great portion of the grouchy old people in America. Say what you will about the NW, but right now I am making money I have a great life and my family is doing well. That’s much more than the poor saps around the rest of America can say.

Seattle died a decade ago.

The homogenous population dwelling there now begging nobody to come there is merely repeating the pleas made 20 years before that when they hawked Seattle as one of the most livable places in the world. They and their parents eliminated the vibrant, quirky peoples, and over their generation raised the number of unsafe neighborhoods and the cost of living. Their achievement? Clearcutting their way east to the Cascades to build more housing in a messy, unplanned sprawl.

Ask any Seattle native over the age of 40 what they think of Californians.

Hell, show anyone that's been in Seattle less than 10 years an Almost Live rerun and see how many jokes they understand. Growing up, the complaints made by my parents and neighbors didn't mean terribly much to me beyond real-estate and sport team scandals, but it's a different city now.

Now, Seattle will probably change again, and it will be your turn to pine for the city you missed in the days of old as every time you read the news your stomach turns.

Finally, the rain comes in cycles. When I was young, Seattle seemed to have its share of rain and slugs. For twenty years, we had mild winters and dry summers. I've been gone the past three, but I hear Seattle actually has precipitation coming from the constant grey shroud.

TL;DR I'd like to say "Don't immigrate to Western Washington" but it's a bit late for that.

Joey how can you say that we Seattleites haven’t been out of the state when a great majority of us are VETS? This place is hopping with ex-military and that means that most of us have been around the world or at least around America. So don’t talk out your ass because you’re a non educated moron that couldn’t find sustainable employment.

Read all hese different proples comments about where to live, and they all miss the down to earth point // its the country's goverment that has ruined where we all live, we all had a grea place to live till we elected our goverment, and let the people with money run our country, now we sit back and bitch about it. someday I hope our people take back this country, and get our goverment to work for us instead of working for there pockets. wake up america its our fault that were in this shape!! we let our goverment decide how we will live instead of all of us making the choice.

One more thing…. Homes are not cheap. For instance I have a house in the White Center area and it ran me into the ground $300,000 and this is supposed to be the crotch of Seattle! You buy a home in the ghetto areas in any other major city it’s not going to run you half that price. The best part is it not only kept its value it’s gained value because it didn’t over inflate its self like the rest of the area. Also if you do decide to come over our way, go to the East side. Its chalk full of crazies that feel that a good life is over extending your budget just so you can say that you live x miles from Bill Gates. It’s true they think they are the shit and one day they will be the capital of Seattle. In reality its mostly crappy contractors and real-estate agents that think they are untouchable in a house they paid 1.6 million for that is located in an old marsh.

Texas is the best state to live in. There are jobs and it has the best economy in the country. I meet people from New York and California all the time who lived in extremely expensive small places but now live in mansions here. Cost of living is perfect for anyone. Especially families. Weather is not the best but quality of life is the best. Anyone who hates on TEXAS is obviously tainted from hater remarks and misconceptions. I live in San Antonio which is good but Austin is definately the best place to live in TEXAS. By the way, I have been all over the country for good peroids of time and TEXAS has the nicest people. Give it a try and you will see. I am outside of TEXAS attending MED school and I miss TEXAS more than anything.

Chillax Tif

I concur with Jordy. Move to TEXAS.
It's not my first choice, but it's where I am. May I suggest El Paso?

I live in Austin, TX. If you decide to move here please keep in mind that we have heat like Seattle has rain. We just wrapped up a summer of record-breaking temperatures: 60+ days of triple-digits. If you come from Phoenix or Death Valley, you shouldn't have a problem unless you want a job. Yes, the job market here is tight and it is not due to the economic recession - the job market here has always been tight. Students come from all over the U.S. to attend school at UT, graduate and stay. If they can't get a job, they go back to school so your competition is going to be highly educated. Austin has it's share of crime, too. What city doesn't? That being said, Austin is a great place to live. Also, Texas doesn't have a state income tax but, the counties make up for it with unbelievable property taxes. The people here are very friendly and love to party. The only place in the U.S. where I've met friendlier people was in New Orleans.

Just one more comment - I've been to Seattle and Portland on several occasions and thought both cities were fantastic! I almost moved to Portland after convincing arguments from some friends who live there until they told me the real truth about the rain. I'm just not built for that much rain and gray. Being a horticulture student, I understand that the rain is what makes the Pacific NW so green and beautiful. I will continue to tell friends that both cities are great places to visit.

El Paso?! Are you smokin' crack?! Are you trying to play a cruel joke on someone?! That place is an armpit!

Seems to me there is an awful lot of people on here concerning themselves a little too much about where other people live. Isn't there somthing better we can do with our time?

I have lived in Seattle all my life, and have spent the last 5 years trying to save money to get the hell out of this depressing place, after getting laid off, the unemployment rate here is the highest since 1982, the traffic is the worst in the world, it may not rain here 10 months a years, but it is dark from 4:00 in the pm till 8:00 in the morning, dark and dreary, in the windtertime. I hate this place! High alcoholism and suicide rate too, Come on over!

I have lived in Seattle all my life, and have spent the last 5 years trying to save money to get the hell out of this depressing place, after getting laid off, the unemployment rate here is the highest since 1982, the traffic is the worst in the world, it may not rain here 10 months a years, but it is dark from 4:00 in the pm till 8:00 in the morning, dark and dreary, in the windtertime. I hate this place! High alcoholism and suicide rate too, Come on over!

New England is the best place to live...seacoast, mountains, forests, museums, farms, colleges. I don't like the cold or snow much anymore (December through March), and summers can be warm and muggy, but all too brief, but right now I am looking at all the beautiful fall foliage and remembering why I love to live here, just outside Boston.

But, as someone above said, home is where the heart is.

I may be in the best situation possible. I live about halfway between Seattle and Portland (both are less than 90 minutes away), so I can spend time in either city without even having to stay overnight, let alone live there. The Pacific Ocean and Cascade Mountains are both less than two hours away, too.

So all this access to two major "hip" cities, the ocean and the mountains, living in a nice 1908 house that cost a fraction of what we would've paid in Seattle or Portland, and work just 3 miles away (or about an 8-minute drive because we have no traffic jams).

I'll stay in Chehalis because I can easily visit Seattle OR Portland whenever I want while saving the money, time and hassle of actually living in either. Sweeeet!

OK, I've lived in three of the cities. Each has good and bad. The key is finding out which one matches up best with your preferences.

Seattle has the most major employers and jobs, but is expensive. Tons to do in the city and tons of great outdoor activities. The gov't leans a bit too far to the left (any local gov't with a super majority of either party gets fat and out of touch) and as a result is tough on businesses and leans too far toward the environment over personal rights. Rainy in the winter, perfect in the summer. Fine in spring and fall. About 5 degrees cooler than Portland.

Portland is more laid back, easier to get around, and decent amount to do in the city. Tons of outdoor activities. Fewer major employers, but decent jobs base. Not as expensive as Seattle. An hour from the coast, so not as much water activities. Rainy in the winter, rarely snows. Good in spring and fall. Great in summer. Very liberal leaning (see Seattle comments above).

Austin is simply a fun city and VERY laid back. There is always some sort of city party or activity going on. Downtown Zilker park is the best. Average amount of outdoor natural activities, but unlimited fun activities in and around the city. a young and happy city. Decent employer base. Local government leans a little liberal, but balanced by overall Texas conservatism. Winter is beauiful. Spring and fall are nice. Summer is HOT. Much prettier than other Texas cities. Decently affordable, but not typical Texas cheap.

Of the three, I liked Austin most, but also liked Portland. Seattle is OK. For others the list will flip depending on preferences.

I have lived in San francisco, Washington DC, and Seattle twice (once for 2 years & once for 4 years) and I now live in Manhattan, NYC. The moves were all job related. I personally think Seattle is really strange in many ways- I couldn't get used to the weather after sunny California. If it didn't rain it was always heavy low grey clouds which is really depressing. The traffic was so bad the first time I lived there and the new Gov got voted in because all he had to do is say.. I'll fix the traffic. The second time I lived there after 4 years of living in Washington DC and you guesed it- Seattle's traffic was worse than the first time I lived there. Business has such a hard time in Seattle that Boeing couldn't deal with it and took off to Chicago. The short window of summer is glorious and short lived before the rain & grey clouds return. One very good thing about Seattle is the medical treatment. They have some really good doctors and a couple of really good hospitals that can make a big difference if your life depends on it. For the most part people are fairly well educated and are able to hold a decent conversation on pretty much any subject you wish to discuss. That said- there is this strange attitude that's pervasive when conversing with people- they tend to think when they get a basic BA that they are trying too hard to make you believe that they went to grad school.. or even have a Phd. I mention this because others have noted there's a snooty attitude.. either that or insecurity issues. But.. I'm not a shrink. Lastly I would say that Seattle is like a large town rather than a big city because of such indecisiveness to get even the most simplest of laws passed takes an act of congress. Also they are very low on the totem pole when it comes to culture- although the ignorant would try to tell you otherwise. The best thing about Seattle.. it's a couple hours drive if you wish to visit Vancouver, Canada.

I live in texas, and have been damn near everywhere eles in my life, and I have to say that where ever you live......you try to make the best of it....if it does not work, move on! Just try to fine the place that you can make a living and be at peace with yourself and with others. I have gone over all the comments and I can see that this country we live in really sucks for most.....but just be happy that you are still alive and kicking.....and if you have a job....keep it.....if you dont.....get off your ass and fine one. There are still jobs out there(here in texas there is anyway). And if you cant fine a job.....hell, go back to school! I guess what I am trying to say is make the best that you can out of what god has given you. You wont know tell you try....and if things look bad....keep trying. Good luck to you all and god bless each and every one of you.

People in Seattle and Portland are weird.

People in Seattle and Portland are weird.

Dayton Washington....Now this is a great place to live. Wonderful weather, tons to do and still a small town with small town charm and wonderful people. Houses are afforable and we are only 22 miles from Walla Walla, which to us is a big town.

Well, I thought since I read all of these posts I'd drop my two cents. I live in Seattle and find it to be a good place to live, may be not the best all the time, a couple more weeks of sun in winter would be nice, other then that my only gripe in this city of youth and ambition is everybody expects you to be married to your job, no matter how high or low on the food chain your position happens to be. I know its important to work hard, but damn, I need time to enjoy the income with friends and family with out scheduling everything 2 months in advance.

I lived in Portland for 5 years and loved it. People are friendly and seem genuine from the start. In Seattle when you first meet somebody there is always a strange stand-offishness about us, don't know why, just making sure the other person isn't a freak in disguise I guess.

Dayton Washington....Now this is a great place to live. Wonderful weather, tons to do and still a small town with small town charm and wonderful people. Houses are afforable and we are only 22 miles from Walla Walla, which to us is a big town.

I moved from Phoenix to Seattle, Seattle is probably one of the worst cities I have ever lived in, at least the most depressing I have ever lived in, it's dark and dreary for 9 months out of the year, the summer is nice, but God help you in the winter, no wonder Seattle has a high suicide rate, they like to jump off the Aurora bridge, this weather will do it to ya, I swear!

United States of America? This sounds more like the Divided States of America, we might as well be at war with one another.

NEW YORK? GET A ROPE!!!!!!WHAT A RAT RACE!

Well,
I must say on a recent visit to the Seattle area I too was smitten.It is beautiful.
As for Austin where I have lived for the past 19 years ...not loving it so much. Even thought articles will say the housing market hasn't suffered as much...guess what? rents have gone up to up to 20% in the last year. Because people who can no longer live in their foreclosed homes have to live where? yes apartment. Go to Indeed.com and look at the jobs....even people with PHD's and highly trained techies are only being offered jobs for 25 + 26K. Not enough to live on in this city. There are few public clinics and the city is broke and not hiring except for emergency persons 911 and such....might add that he fire department elected not to take rate increases this year to save the city money. Sixth street?? again crime drugies and street people. The lake down about 20 feet ...due to a five year drought.
I live in a one bedroom apt and my water bill is about 80 bucks a month( included waste water) Electric bill will run $100 to $150 trust me you'll have it on from May to Nov.Its HOT and HUMID!!!
Cattle ahve been known to get loose on the main free way which is a parking lot most of the time.
Im 55 have 35 years of experience and still can not get a job...as for the one guy who made the comment go back to school...some people dont have the monetary means or the time...its a right to work state which means the employer can fire you at many time for any reason ....
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST ...AGE DISCRIMINATION IS ALIVE AND WELL IN AUSTIN TEXAS!!!!!

So welcome y'all..come on down!

After reading this article - I asked my husband what city did he think made the top of the list - immeditately SEATTLE - We visited the area this summer for the first time and LOVED it...there was so much energy, so many young people, just a great feeling!!!!! We are retiring in 5 years and are thinking about moving to the area for a year or two, just to experience the excitement!!!

What a odd mixture of advice! It rains 9 months a year...it hardly rains at all. People are irritable and grumpy...people are genuine and friendly. It sounds like, as with everything, its just a matter of opinion. I lived in Portland for a little over a year, since then I have lived in San Diego. YES it rains in Portland, yes its gray a good portion of the winter. But you know what, the people are a hell of alot more friendly up north then here in San Diego, and they drive like shit here too. And sunshine all the time is a little over-rated. What's wrong with season changes?
I think some people just are unhappy no matter what they do. We are getting ready to move back up north, this time to Tacoma (if you don't know that's about 30 minutes outside of Seattle) and its because my husband got a job so I guess there are some jobs still. Its all about your state of mind people!! Don't be a jerk, be happy...its your choice.

I've lived in Portland my entire life, and will probably never leave. A lot of bad things, but more good things. We have the best transit system in the country, the parks are out of this world, downtown is AMAZING, and the surrounding areas are improving, but are great outlets. Let alone the fact that you are right smack dab in the middle of the ocean and an AWESOME mountain. Portland has everything....except jobs!!!!!

Pittsburgh without question, best football team, best hockey team best baseball stadium lol and without question best city.

Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh

Americas Best Kept Secret

Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh

Portland Oregon? Are you kidding me! The State takes 163.00 a week out of your check a week. Then, when your not working, which is most of the time, since the Eco-Action freaks have invaded the city! I have been in the construction industry for 20 years, and make company millions on Projects that I run. I was laid off from a $100,000.00 year job, so the company could keep our new eco-action freak who makes $80,000.00 a year figuring out what toilet paper we should use!

Anyone that says it rains here, 9 months out of the year! obviously is not from here! we just had another incredible summer with record temps, and just 10 days ago it was still in the high 80,s. and your prediction about mt. Rainier erupting? doubtful she's been asleep for over 125 years and shows no sign of waking! but if for some reason she wakes up? property value's will be ZIP! she make st helens look like a ladyfinger! i was born and raised in seattle, 50 years now, and i love my state! absolutely beautiful here.

Sounds like a personal problem Benham. I was just explaining a fraction of what this city has to offer.

I Love Portland Maine

What's with all the negativity, folks? Benham, maybe you wouldn't have lost your job if you learned how to construct proper sentences...perhaps the 'eco-action' freaks know how to communicate in proper English?

Yeah move to Portland and pay 300K for an 800 sq ft home. We have one of the highest state income taxes, and a mayor who belongs in San Franisco.
I have lived here all my life, use to be a nice city but now I am getting the hell out of Oregon. It is one messed up State and the City of Portland really sucks.

I lived in Seattle, downtown, capitol hill, alki beach....loved all those areas of town. Lived in downtown Portland near PSU...loved it! Lived in Boise, loved it. Phoenix, thumbs down on that town. Next move is near Tulsa OK. Can't wait for the new adventure.
Grew up in So Cal, remote area, loved it. YAY Pismo Beach!

Its all the immigrants faults if we wouldnt let some third world people come here and ruin america we would be a peaceful country without some darn chinese mexican or german ect all diffrent races come ruin america i was born here and so was most of all my family the immigrants take jobs from actual hard working true americans.

I think we need to make a system for true citizens then we would know what people to deport back to their crapy country and not ruin ours its bs US AMERICANS DESERV MORE

Yeah, go to Seattle if you love paying high local taxes with little to show for it in the city. Seattle is a great city wannabe.

Hey joseph..........How does one "fine" a job? I know how to find one, but I wish you would explain how we are to "fine" one.

The according to Hip Hop mag should have been a clue as to the BS factor.

OMG! Portland has to be not only the hippest and coolest city in the US but a nest of creative & talented people. To the dude moving from Washington to Austin.. are you willing to exchange your snickers for a fork? your Columbia wear for a T-Shirt that reads "Don't Mess with Texas? you've got to be crazy. Where else, other than Portland, can you drive Hood to Coast in only 3 hours? Where else can you touch a mountain with one hand and a good cup of coffee with the other? Where else can you keep your mind occupied, even while unemployed, enjoying the ever changing landscape. If heaven in fact does exist, it's got to be somewhere between Portland & Seattle.

Tom you cant fine a job u know ya no show wanna be go lucky punk face twit with a lisp and cleft lip, club foot, fungitoe, and mojo-finger. You are a lover wannabe vaginal protector

Another reason why Seattle is a terrible city is because all the people that live there who chastise the people whose opinion differs from their own.

To compare Chicago's traffic to Seattle's traffic is idiotic. In Chicago, I would have the option of not to drive and ride the L to avoid the car traffic. In Seattle, if I chose not to drive, I can ride the bus, which puts me right in the middle of traffic or I can ride the light rail for free when I'm supposed to pay, which take longer than the bus if you try to go to the airport from downtown, plus the light rail contributes to bad traffic if you' ever driven parallel to the track.

Yes other cities might get more inches of rain a year but not many get as many rainy wet days. For those of you who obviously don't understand how that works because of your example, let's say city A gets 1 inch of rain for 30 days out of the year (now that's 30 inches for the year), now Seattle gets 1/4 inch of rain for 90 days, that's 22.5 inches of rain for the year. So yes other cities might get more inches of rain for the year, but it doesn't mean it has more rainy days. And if it's not raining, it's usually grey. BTW, the grass at my parent's house is also dead, but the moss on it is alive and well.

All the people who said it was 80's all summer, the 80's must of been started in september since I left and I was there from end of may to end of august, and maybe....maybe a total of 2 weeks out of 12 weeks in that period was over 75 degrees.

I live just southeat of Portland, we moved here 4 years ago from Central California. The reason we moved here was because we love the rain! If you do not like rain, please explain to me what you are doing living in the northwest? It would be like me moving to Arizona and crying because it is too hot. Do your research before moving anywhere. As for unemployment, it is high but not impossable to get. My husband just changed jobs in January and it took him less than a month to find a new job. It just depends on experience and education. We love Portland but, we knew that we would because we did the research as well as vactioned here for a week in the summer and winter before moving. Anyone thinking of moving should consider doing the same before making such a big choice.
I think pumping your own gas is overrated. Did it for a long time in California. Glad to never have to do it again.

Why do so many people from the NW say bad things about it...some because they truly don't like the area, great move away...long timers because we don't want the rest of you to destroy what we love. The idiots are the new comers who have to go and ruin things by inviting everyone else to join them.

We really are aloof here in the Pacific Northwest. When the weather gets to us, we just go over to Maui for a couple of weeks. Oh, and for those of you who love the Eastside, hope you like yuppies. Contractors and realtors, that's the truth! Oh, and Sammamish diverse? Well, if you consider foreign Microsoft employees who are even more aloof then we natives are, living in miles and miles of ugly condos built over what used to be forest and farm land, "diverse", well that pretty much sums up Sammamish!

Please don't move to Seattle or its surrounding area. This once was a beautiful state, and is slowing turning ugly with all "hip" folks that are moving here. As for Governor Chris, she is a joke!

I lived in Washington State for almost 8 years. The weather sucks, it is expensive, the traffic is a nightmare, we were slammed by several earthquakes...but hey, the scenery is nice, so by all means, move there!

It's been fun reading all comments in the past 24 hours. You know, you guys take it for granted and have no idea how the whole world looks like and it's all about. Most of the people seem to be selfish enough not to look at the most important factors for your family. Seattle has many top school in the country, air quality by far has been one of the best as well. Food is plenty and night life is peaceful and quiet for young and old family.

It depends on jobs, neighborhoods and locations. I'm fortunate enough to have lived by the lake side, on Lake Washington Blvd. It's a heaven on earth when you can go out boating, cycling, jogging and golfing in your neirborhood. Hungry? a few minute drive to more than 140 different types of food from all over the world. Getting bored? an hour drive to any camping site, safe and quiet. Getting tired of driving, take a ferry to nearby areas for a day and come home fresh. If you're sick of staying at one place for too long, a couple hour drive to either Vancouver-Canada or Portland-Oregon for the weekend. A half an hour drive to skiing area, plenty of golf courses and shopping malls. SeaTac internal airport is convenient and easily connected to the world, domesticly and internationally.

As for me, I don't complain about the government, the traffic or the road conditions. I just enjoy life here and take the best part out of it. You are entitled to complain, but you'll never be happy no matter where you live the rest of your right because you forget one thing, you don't really know everything about this city before you complain about it.

There are good and bad things in every city of the world, some of you just happened to have lived in the bad parts and assumed Seattle is the way you experienced, you are dead wrong, folks.

Keeree: Are you a shill?
Barb: "Turning?"

To gary......not the best at this typing thing......but if it makes you fell better (find) so get off your ass and FIND a job....hope that makes your day!!!!! And on another note.......why all the shit on where to live......hell, go to a place that makes you fell better about yourself and your life. There is good and bad in all cities....so pick one and go for it.

To gary......not the best at this typing thing......but if it makes you fell better (find) so get off your ass and FIND a job....hope that makes your day!!!!! And on another note.......why all the shit on where to live......hell, go to a place that makes you fell better about yourself and your life. There is good and bad in all cities....so pick one and go for it.

To gary......not the best at this typing thing......but if it makes you fell better (find) so get off your ass and FIND a job....hope that makes your day!!!!! And on another note.......why all the shit on where to live......hell, go to a place that makes you fell better about yourself and your life. There is good and bad in all cities....so pick one and go for it.

Damn....had to say that 3 times....oooooowell.

I recently transferred to Pittsburgh due to employment. I had this image of a city in the midst of an industrial facelift. To the contrary I found a world class city that was clean , affordable, safe and alive. Apparantly many more see what I have seen, Google has just increased its Pittsburgh office to a state of the art facility and remarked Pittsburgh is the place to be!!! I have found my permanant home in Pittsburgh.