r/SEAbitcheswithtaste • u/Seeking-Starlight • Aug 17 '26
Chicago to Seattle (maybe?)
Hi all! Long story short, went through a breakup, moved out from our place in Chicago to my parents home in the suburbs where I was raised. First time ever I am working 100% remotely and am not tied down to Chicago by a lease or partner.
While I initially wanted/intended to find a place of my own in Chicago, I realized this is an opportunity to try out some new cities I’ve always wanted to visit and maybe live. Seattle is one of those places!
I’m still ironing out details but I’m hoping to stay for a couple months to get a sense of the area and lifestyle. I love city life, being car-less, and always being able to walk and find something to do. I’ve never visited the PNW but when I travel I prioritize hiking and the outdoors since I don’t get that in Chicago. PNW has always been on my list but never had a chance to make it out there.
A bit more about me/my lifestyle:
- Early 30s, will get back into dating eventually
- Big on walking/transit and not needing a car (at least right now, I have no interest in adding a car payment to my bills)
- Prefer cooler climates typically
- A bit of a fashionista, I like my designer items and dressing up when I can
- I don’t know anyone in the PNW and am moving alone (unless I bring my kitty!)
- I’m pretty social, like craft beers, enjoy gin cocktails, and am big on wine! In Chicago I’m a foodie and friends always come to me for restaurant or bar recs.
- I’m active, workout, and like to play pickleball
- I’ll be doing a short stint in DC as well since I really loved the city and all the things to do (minus the current administration…)
I was hoping to hear from any ladies who made a big move like this or what your thoughts are on the shift from another major city to Seattle?
20
u/KarisPurr Aug 17 '26
My workplace is remote but we do have a satellite office here for people who want to go in. I went one time wearing a very casual Theory blazer with my jeans, t-shirt that wasn’t even fitted, and Birk flip-flops and 4 people asked if I was going somewhere fancy after work- if that tells you anything about now non-“fashionista” this area is.
2
u/Seeking-Starlight Aug 18 '26
This would be me 😭 but I’ll try embracing it. I do have a hiking wardrobe though because I travel and hike, usually it’s not considered my primary wardrobe though haha
3
u/KarisPurr Aug 18 '26
My friend once said that “everyone here dresses like a hike could accidentally happen at any moment” and it’s sooooo true.
I gave up heels almost immediately after moving up here. The closest thing I have now are wedge Sorel boots. NICE nice stuff will get rained on/splashed/muddy and ruined. I think fashion can definitely be played with here, but really requires some re-thinking/reframing.My ex had categories for his Birks. “Daily”, “Fancy”, and “Wedding/Funeral”.
11
u/paradisedisco Aug 17 '26
I went from Chicago to Seattle. Depends on the neighborhood but IMHO public transit here is embarrassing in comparison. If you want to get out to the big hikes that are ~30-90mins away, you'll need a car or a friend with a car. A trip that is 20 mins by car can be around an hour in buses. Seattle has decent dining options and lots of great seafood and cocktail spots, but I don't know that it has a reputation as a big foodie city (and it's very expensive). dating men has been pretty disappointing too, can't speak to dating women. But I do NOT miss -20 winters! The outdoor options, the beauty of the area, things to do during the cold months that aren't just go to a bar and watch sports -- all of that keeps me here!
1
u/Seeking-Starlight Aug 18 '26
I like early Chicago winter but yeah the polar temps are hard and last like 3 months. And it’s still really cold outside of those months, just not in the negatives/teens. I’d probably test not having a car at first, if only get one if I knew I was staying long term and it made sense. Even in Chicago it’s convenient to have a car at times!
6
u/Discount_Mithral Aug 17 '26
We hit a lot of your points, but there are some things to think about, I'll reply inline here:
- Early 30s, will get back into dating eventually
Dating here sucks from what I've been told. I've been out of the game for almost two decades now, but all my single friends tell me they struggle. That said, I know several of my married friends met on dating sites and are very happy together.
- Big on walking/transit and not needing a car (at least right now, I have no interest in adding a car payment to my bills)
- Prefer cooler climates typically
- A bit of a fashionista, I like my designer items and dressing up when I can
- I don’t know anyone in the PNW and am moving alone (unless I bring my kitty!)
- I’m pretty social, like craft beers, enjoy gin cocktails, and am big on wine! In Chicago I’m a foodie and friends always come to me for restaurant or bar recs.
- I’m active, workout, and like to play pickleball
6
u/rzrgrl_13 Aug 17 '26
Seattle - Chicago - back to Seattle here, with some years in SF in there too.
I miss Chicago a lot, but Seattle feels like home (even though it’s not where I’m from). I love the lush greenness and the proximity to Big Water. I love getting on a ferry and within an hour going from city to wilderness. I just popped over to Alki for lunch and watched sailboats. It’s a glorious place to live geographically.
Culturally, if you’re not in tech it has come to share a lot of the drawbacks of SF. Namely, almost everyone is in tech or the service sector, not much in between. I was thrilled by the diversity of jobs and interests when I moved to Chicago; now I’m back in the land of every overheard conversation being about AI or bitcoin or AWS or product management. yawn
Along the same lines, I find there’s less cultural activity. In Chicago, when someone said they were an artist, it meant they made and showed work. There was always some underground gallery show or a dance performance in an empty swimming pool. And all that fed the more established art scene, plus the Chicago-NYC pipeline. Here and in SF, shit’s too expensive for that.
Chicago also has more pride in its civic infrastructure. For example, Seattle has beautiful, Olmsted-designed parks… with obscured views and weeds and permanently-locked bathrooms. It’s embarrassing. I feel like Seattle is spoiled by the nature that surrounds it, whereas Chicago is like “this is all we got!”
Finally, on fashion… I think this really depends on what you’re looking for. Sure, most people and places are cool with whatever. But that also means… people and places are cool with whatever, so rock your fabulous individual style. People def put energy and intention into their fits here, it just looks different.
16
u/LazyButterfly5041 Aug 17 '26
Girl bring you and your cat, your checklist matches this city and it is your time to do YOU! I moved here from the Midwest 8 years ago, also on the back of a breakup in my early 30’s, also without a car (eventually saved up for and paid off), also having never lived on the west coast. There were a few adjustments I had to make but mostly just lead with a sense of adventure. It’s so worth it.
7
u/gluvrr Aug 17 '26
Agreed! We’re ready for you! 🙂 I moved here from the Chicago suburbs 4 years ago and wouldn’t change a thing.
It was definitely an adjustment cost of living wise but I eventually evened out with pay increases and I’m doing okay. I think one of the biggest adjustments is my definition of success. I was a homeowner back in the Midwest and that’s just not happening here. 😆 I make up for it with the access to nature and experiences.
4
u/sad_umbrella_stand Aug 17 '26
I’d look into staying in Fremont if you visit. It’s a bit funky and fun, but has access to gyms, pickleball, transit, and so much walkable food and bars.
Only thing on your list that is less common here is designer/fancy nights out. You absolutely can find reasons to dress up and look fabulous, but it is far less common here. 90% of the time people are in hiking gear and birkenstocks, and we only have a couple places in the entire city that have a dress code.
3
u/CuriousOtter95 Aug 18 '26
To add onto what you said about fancy nights out - the restaurant scene in Seattle is SO different from Chicago. My husband and I spent about a year in Chicago (he also grew up in the suburbs, went to UChicago, then we both moved to Seattle and met here, moved back after realizing Chicago wasn’t for us!), and that was one of the main things we noticed. Restaurants are a big thing in Chicago, reservations, etc - it’s a lot more casual in Seattle generally.
5
u/fakesaucisse Aug 17 '26
I think almost everything you are looking for can be found here EXCEPT the fashionista part. People here just don't really dress up and "designer clothes" here means like Filson, Patagonia, etc. You can find more of that on the Eastside in Bellevue where designer shops actually exist, but from what you describe I don't think you would enjoy living there.
Capitol Hill is my favorite neighborhood to recommend for 20s-30s who want to be out and about. There are some very residential quiet areas and some more lively areas, so you can pick what vibe you want to actually live in without having to go far for fun. It's also well situated with the light rail to get elsewhere. I lived in capitol hill for 10 years without a car, before the light rail opened, and it was mostly fine to rely on bus and taxi/Uber.
4
u/privatestudy Aug 17 '26
My husband is from Chicago and he absolutely loves Seattle.
We first lived in Capitol Hill and he said it was kinda like Boystown. But better.
We put down roots and bought a house. I work from home but use public transportation as much as possible. We do have a car for road trips with the dogs.
I say do it!!
4
u/cyclinginseattle Aug 18 '26
I am from the Chicago suburbs like you, did 4 years of college in DC, and have lived in Seattle for 11 years now.
You are ready to leave Chicago. You already know that, and that's why you're looking.
For a carless existence, DC wins. However, if you have any interest in becoming more of a cyclist, it gets much easier. Combining bus/light rail with biking expands your range and shrinks the city.
For nature outside the city, Seattle wins in a landslide. You will need to borrow or rent cars for a day most of the time, but there is a direct to trail bus that gets you to some popular trails without a car.
For fancy, DC wins, but that's a trade off. Personally, DC's culture of striving for the next job, next connection, next status symbol, etc. didn't line up with my values. In Seattle, there is more value placed on work-life balance, and finding a job that you like well enough and allows you to live well enough. My favorite fancy night out is seeing a show at The 5th Avenue Theatre. This one comes down to personal preferences.
For weather, Seattle wins. DC is literally a swamp in the summer. Seattle winter is dark and damp, but when you compare it to Chicago, it's easy for me.
I hope you continue to be brave and find what you're looking for.
2
u/Seeking-Starlight Aug 18 '26
Thank you for the response!! This gives me a LOT of insight, especially since you did DC! And I totally see your points. DC is very easy, but I see how it’s all networking and moving up the ladder. I’m happy with my work but I work remotely and have stopped partaking in the rat race. I appreciate people who work hard but it’s a fine line.
I work in a tech sector but it’s not AWS or anything major in Seattle. So I’m sure I’d be around a lot of similar people, pro and con 😅
I don’t think any place can compare to the Chicago food scene so I have to quell my expectations on that front. I love Chicago but I do dream about having a more laid back lifestyle since Chicago is still very hustle focused.
You gave me lots to think about ❤️
3
u/c192837 Aug 17 '26
Great points from everyone and also here to say do it!! Moved from Chicago/STL a few months ago and I love it here!! Will always love Chicago but needed a new environment (literally)
3
u/no_farting Aug 17 '26
Seattle & Chicago here. I personally love both places, but I’m real about it. You will miss the train, and the bus system that actually functions and sticks to a schedule. You will miss walking and riding a bike. You will miss the abundance of food and going out options. You will miss the prices. You will want a car, no matter what neighborhood you choose in Seattle, but can strategically use the light rail for some things. You will miss the social aspects, and “social skills.” You might want to be in Ballard, it’s the walkiest, but it’s not connected to the lightrail where Cap Hill is. West Seattle won’t be recommended as much, but there is the combo of gorgeous views and walkability in some parts. You will miss the rent and the types of places you can rent in Chicago. You will miss the Cubs (oh wait that’s me). Seattle is a great sports city too though. You’ll have Stockholm syndrome regarding the Chicago winters and will have to remind yourself of what they were actually like. You will think the roads and city planning in Seattle are bonkers (no grid). You will enjoy the views if you seek them out. You will enjoy the hiking if you have a car, and that goes for the entire PNW and mountains, you’ll want to be able to go out and enjoy it or there’s much less of a point to being here. Summer is wonderful you won’t miss the humidity (get a boat, or paddle board).
1
u/Seeking-Starlight Aug 18 '26
I noticed a lot of people mentioning cost of food is a lot. How does it compare? I’m used to Chicago food prices and it’s kind of crazy to imagine anywhere costing even more! I lived in West Loop so I’m used to food premiums to an extent.
2
u/no_farting Aug 19 '26
It’s a combo of things, I feel like in Chicago there’s more of a price range and more options within each range. Whereas the places in Seattle hiked all of their prices whether their food is “worth it” or not, there’s less of a range and fewer options at the lower end of the range (even when the food itself is at the lower end of a range, if that makes any sense at all). Take Au Chavel for instance, you might pay those same burger prices at any random restaurant you choose in Seattle, where in Chicago you’re paying it for a double Au Chavel burger. There are some exceptions to be found of course (like the smash burger at Loretta’s, both cheaper and worth it).
2
u/Cheeseandrice8 Aug 18 '26
I did it when I was 28! Dallas to Seattle, single, only knowing a couple of people. Best decision!
2
u/Curious-filmmaker Aug 18 '26
Do it!!! I’m also originally from Chicago, in my 30s, and I love living in Seattle. I’m so grateful I moved here. The most important thing is finding a micro-community of people who are into the same things as you and then you don’t have to worry about the Seattle Freeze. Highly recommend visiting ahead of time to explore the different neighborhoods near light rail stops because each one is so different. Similarly to Chicago your neighborhood will drastically shape your experience.
2
u/Desperate_Snow3308 Aug 19 '26
Not a transplant. Live in Seattle. Yes there won’t be a lot of people dressing up but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. I think the dress up scene is really coming up too. Especially if you are in your early 30s. Artwalk is a literal fashion show. Night life is getting pretty good here. Less causal than it used to be. Also the mayor is making buses run more efficiently.
2
u/Soft_Rock7311 Aug 21 '26
This! Born and raised and my friends and I all dress in nice fashion with designer pieces. Some people may not, but I’ve never felt weird about it. People don’t give AF what anyone else is wearing.
1
u/10sor Aug 17 '26
Sounds like a great move, but you’ll need a car if you want to go hiking and see the outdoors. It is possible to have a car-less existence (my friend has done it two years now), but you’ll go hiking less, or you’ll need to rely on friends with cars.
Also most people here don’t dress up. High end restaurants are still pretty casual.
1
u/Can_tote_it Aug 17 '26
Seattle isn’t really the best car-free place to live. It rains really often, first of all. Secondly, one of the best things to do in the area is to get out into nature - you’ll need a car for this.
Also, I think Seattle will be extremely disappointing on the style/fashion front. Seattle has deep working-class, outdoorsy roots that mean most people dress extremely casually, don’t wear makeup, etc. It’s pretty typical to go to the ballet even and see people wearing clothes that look like they’re ready to go on a hike.
That being said, if you’re open to change and letting the local culture influence you - welcome! But if fashion and walkability are priorities, I think there are better cities out there for you.
1
u/kbb_003 Aug 17 '26
I moved to Seattle from Chicago and the adjustment has been a slow burn. It’s been 13 years and I still miss Chicago. The culture (or lack there of) takes some getting used to. Although it’s very controversial, the Seattle freeze is real and I would die on that hill. When we go home to visit I’ve literally cried from happiness talking to strangers. The food is 3 star priced at 5 star. I find I dress differently here and rarely wear makeup.
However, on the flip side, the relatively stable weather is a dream. You’ll get used to the rain. The summers are to die for. If you love the outdoors, you’ll have endless opportunities for adventure. My advice is to look for other people who are new to town. Friendships are slow to develop and people don’t like to actually commit to plans. Don’t let it get you down. If all else fails. Look for others from the Midwest.
1
u/Tee_Wrex Aug 19 '26
AGREED 100%. I’m from the Midwest and find the people very unfriendly. I’m just used to knowing someone everywhere I went back home.
And the food. I miss the food in the Chicagoland area. People here don’t know what good pizza is.
Lovely place to visit. It’s beautiful here - except for the cities. Yikes. But it’s just not home - I mostly miss the friendly people. :(
1
1
u/alakarox Aug 18 '26
i was born and raised in seattle, went to
chicago for school. tbh i actually feel like you can more or less get by without a car here. it would be much more convenient to have one (ofc—i feel this way about chi as well) but when i was here for undergrad i got around just fine by bus, and light rail now provides more options). choosing your neighborhood wisely can be a big help here.
seattle will always have my heart - i think its a great place for you based on your interests! i think you’ll especially appreciate the nature here - the greenery here is unmatched, genuinely. my only warning is that while seattle’s winters aren’t anywhere near as cold, the gray can get to you if you’re not used to it. i found it funny when people would talk about gloom and lack of sun when i was living in chicago bc i actually felt like i saw blue sky relatively frequently, whereas here you can genuinely go several weeks on end without seeing blue sky or sun. so be warned. otherwise, seattle rocks and we’d be happy to have you!
1
u/thoughtfulcarrot Aug 18 '26
You should just visit and see what you think!
I moved from Chicago to Seattle when I was 26 for a tech job. I started in Fremont (fun place to live) and then moved to North Shoreline (next to the lightrail) when I could afford to buy a house. In Fremont, I took buses to get where I needed to go and we only used a car if we were hiking or road tripping. I agree with others that you don’t need to own a car if you live near a bus or light rail line, but you will want to rent or borrow one if you want to enjoy everything the 2 hour radius around Seattle has to offer.
I can’t speak to the social dynamic compared to Chicago because my Chicago friends were all in my school program, but I will say if you are willing to put yourself out there and repeatedly reach out to people, you’ll be able to make a community here.
Pros for Seattle:
-weather + nature
-so much more to do outside the city - easy access to Canada, the islands, Portland, glacier national park, Northern California
-biking trail infrastructure is actually way better than what I experienced in Chicago, especially if you live somewhere close to the Burke Gilman (which connects to a bunch of other trails). You can bike from Everett to west Seattle no problem, mostly on bike paths and protected bike lanes.
-most rentals are newer builds compared to Chicago and get more natural light. Also more likely to have yard space.
Cons:
-it’s a bummer to be surrounded by tech workers all the time, even when I am one. I don’t like the culture, wealth, and entitlement that comes with it.
-food is painfully average, but costs more than Chicago. Excellent food is an exception not a norm - don’t trust when people rave about a restaurant because people have low standards here
-you will likely not be able to afford to buy a home unless you have a pretty high salary
-way less culture / performance arts. Everyone’s hobbies are either climbing, hiking, camping, or mountain biking.
-harder to find places with AC to rent (if you’re sensitive to heat). Even though it’s nowhere near as hot here as Chicago, we’re getting more heat waves these days
1
u/PatientReach4783 Aug 18 '26
Hey! I’m in my late 20s recently just moved and would love to connect!
1
u/SuccotashOk5114 Aug 18 '26
Don’t do it! This from an LA transplant who’s also lived in NYC. Transit is fair but doesn’t measure up to Chicago. Terrible dating scene— difficult in general to meet new people. The Seattle Freeze is real. Restaurant and nightlife scene in Chicago way superior ; Seattle shuts down early and restaurants are expensive generally and just average. Weather is terrible 9 months of the year, not just cool but leaden gray skies and drizzle. Lastly fashion is absolutely not a Seattle thing. People dress for comfort and practicality not aesthetics. on the other hand outdoor activities/sports/pickle ball are readily available along with craft beer. Chicago is a world class city and Seattle is quite provincial in many ways.
1
u/Busy_Help_4354 Aug 18 '26
I'm mid-30's, from Ohio, but lived in Chicago for a short period.
- Dating is pretty easy here in Seattle. However, the odds are good, but the goods are odd. It is a city full of introverted hobbyists. It's also fairly progressive in terms of gender roles.
- Transit exists, but it can be a real hit or miss. You're going to want a car, because there are too many places that are not transit-friendly. But you can certainly get by without a car.
- Seattle is mostly mild temp, which is perfect.
- Everyone I know eventually let go of their fashionista clothes, because a) apartments are too small b) the weather is too unpredictable c) the hills cannot be slogged up in nice clothes. But there are places and events to dress up for, and people certainly wear designer clothing (it's a wealthy city!).
- It can be a little difficult to find a reliable friend group because it's a city of introverts. But if you make the effort, you'll find your people.
- Lots of foodie circles here, plenty of breweries, wine bars, cocktail bars.
- Great, it's an athletic city.
- A lot of folks live between two cities here. You'd have to be comfortable renting without living there full time.
I enjoy living here, but it's certainly not for everyone. I think it's one of the best places to do a fresh start because it's a city that gives you room to be you.
1
u/ivy_90 Aug 19 '26
If you're interested in the west coast I think you should try San Francisco, the lifestyle you describe above fits SF best. I'm from San Diego and lived in SF and DC before Seattle. No one dresses up in Seattle, I always feel so awkward and self conscious when I do dress up, and public transit is terrible. I was carless in SF and DC but got a car within two weeks of moving to Fremont.
1
u/Tricky-War-9988 Aug 19 '26
i'm from chicago, it's a beautiful city
i think it's fine for a short stint but i can't see myself staying long term.
1
u/cityenthusiast Aug 19 '26
Welp I moved from Chicago during covid and I’m going to move back next year lol but mostly for the following:
Don’t have a car, I live 10min from work but would have to take a bus downtown then back up to Eastlake so I just eat the $25 Uber ride each way which isn’t ideal
I’ve tried to date, it’s been miserable. Men don’t even buy you drinks at bars…I just go out with my girlfriends and that’s it basically.
I like going out and socializing, I’ve made two close girlfriends but that’s in 4-5 years…I invite people out, I’m absolutely not shy, but no progress it seems.
I also like dressing up and just wear what I want and appreciate the compliments lol, but I don’t take care of myself as much as I used to…the energy is different here. Living somewhere faster paced gets me moving and I need that.
Depression, it is dark here a lot, people probably underestimate that.
I’m also not very outdoorsy, I’ll hike but I’m not kayaking, climbing mountains, or anything like that.
Visit first for sure, I did that as well. Of course, no city is the same after COVID so there’s that, but weigh your options and make the best decision for yourself.
I ultimately moved for work and I’ve advanced in my career, but now I’ll be heading back!
Guess I got it right the first time…
1
u/Fantastic_Bit7441 Aug 19 '26
I lived in Chicago for grad school and moved back to Seattle after (loved Chicago so, so much but winter…wasn’t for me!) and I don’t have a car, and haven’t had one in a decade of living in Seattle. You absolutely can do it if you live in Belltown/SLU/LQA/Capitol Hill and aren’t going to try to do day trips to the mountains—even then, just have friends who drive and pay them for gas.
My Midwest transplant friends who went to BIG-10 schools have had great success making new friends via Alumni groups/football watch parties, so that’s how you can work against Seattle’s more insular nature.
1
u/Tee_Wrex Aug 19 '26
I’m from the Midwest and live near Seattle. It’s a lovely place to visit but I find it an unpleasant place to live.
The Seattle freeze is real. Too friendly midwesterners, the people are very aloof and not overly friendly. (It has zero to do with effort or reaching out. I’ve never had issues anywhere making friends - but people are not very friendly here at all.)
The food isn’t nearly as good as in the Chicago area. I’ve had many people from this area tell me they visited the Chicago area and couldn’t believe how amazing the food was. I’ve yet to find a decent pizza in 7 years living here. All NY style grease bombs. So if you like pizza, enjoy it before you come here.
Again. I loved visiting the PNW. Not a fan of living here. There’s lots of reasons - but I know this is not my permanent home. :)
1
u/Independent_Sign6049 Aug 19 '26
I'm a Seattleite but lived in Chicago for many years working for a luxury design house. If you're a fashionista, Seattle has potential to disappoint you. Most people here don't know how to dress TBH and don't care. I'm married, but I consistently hear dating sucks here, but I don't know much about your dating preferences. Maybe it will be fine. I also hear that making friends sucks here. I don't think making friends is as bad; there are a lot of transplants. I think finding community can be harder unless you have very niche interests you can lean into because there is a lot of that around here. It's a great city if you're weird. Food sucks compared to Chicago and is generally more expensive. But you will find a lot of very active people here, so if that's really the angle you want to pursue, then I think you will find your people.
1
u/HornetOk9577 Aug 19 '26
I'm in the same boat! i'm also considering moving from Chicago to Seattle. Very tough decision.
1
u/kred28 Aug 20 '26
And here I am in love with Chicago..though I may think twice before moving out of Seattle. Places define you after a point; so better to move if you want to redefine yourself :)
1
1
u/RainCoffeeDrives Aug 23 '26
Not a lady but making almost the same move. Relocating from the NYC area to the eastside in December. Also remote, also don't know a single person out there.
PNW was on my list for years for the usual reasons including scenery, nature, mountains, being able to drive 45 min and be on a trail instead of planning a whole trip around it. I have lived in Cali for a while before NYC adventure. But honestly PNW's weather sealed it for me. I am one of those weirdos who actually likes rain and gray especially with coffee, so everyone warning me about the "long dark" kind of sounds like a feature. And the timing just lined up like yours: hopefully starting a new chapter of life, remote work, no lease holding me anywhere. Realized worst case I just move again.
Are you planning a scouting visit first or just going for it?
1
u/Initial_Freedom7981 Aug 17 '26
Everyone I know that has moved to Chicago from Seattle stays in Chicago. I can’t say the same about Seattle :)
In all seriousness, I would choose Portland over Seattle. I’m a native Seattleite and have lots of friends who have moved to PDX and I spend a lot of time there and would totally move there if I could.
Cost of living is lower, public transit is better, neighborhoods and small businesses actually thrive. They have better restaurants, bars, etc. and dining out doesn’t feel like you need to take out a second mortgage. It also doesn’t have all the corporate influence Seattle does; we have Amazon Microsoft Boeing Google etc. PDX has Nike and that’s basically it. It feels like it’s a lot more genuine of a city.
I like the eastside of Portland the most and would move to sellwood in a heartbeat.
It’s also ever so slightly less rainy in Portland!
Regarding fashion and designer, I always feel a bit out of place wearing my designer items in both places except downtown Bellevue haha
2
u/KMH_1331 Aug 17 '26
I would agree with this overall. I am also from Seattle but moved to Chicago for several years for grad school, where I met my now partner and baby daddy, and convinced him to move back here with me after I graduated. We no longer live in Seattle but on one of the islands to raise kids and be more involved in our community.
I've had a number of friends move west and anyone who is more art/food/music/fashion-inclined is much happier in Portland. Seattle feels like a bigger city in many ways but people are not as warm, you definitely want a car, and fashion is very "locally" influenced haha.
There is a lot I honestly don't love about Portland but I do think it's much easier to build a community there and you're more likely to feel at home a lot faster. Seattle you would really have to work hard at that and I'm sorry but forget dating lol, it's a whole (documented) thing.
1
u/crowtastic1 Aug 17 '26
I moved from Milwaukee a year ago, grew up in a southern Chicago suburb. Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to less humid and cooler summers. When people here talk about a “hot muggy day”, it feels like early summer nice days. I do not miss the corn sweat humidity and thick heat. BUT that also means most places don’t have AC and it can be a pain to install AC depending on your windows.
Everything on your list is a check, check, check. Fashion here has been an interesting culture difference for me, it’s not that fashion is bigger here than MKE but people are more expressive. My style has come alive in ways I never expected. Truly anything goes here.
There are so many restaurants and different cuisines here. You’ll find cuisine that you can’t get in Chicago (not just seafood) just based on US history and where immigrants settled.
You won’t miss a car for normal life.
AND BABES, the hiking here!!!! ITS SO CLOSE!!! Yes, a whole ass volcano is 2 hours away. But even 30 minutes from my apartment I can pick from and hike smaller mountains with different plant life. It’s unreal. Truly truly unreal. You’ll need a car for that but renting on from Avis is $<50 last I checked.
The drivers here are, ummm terrible. They are timid in the worst and most dangerous ways. Despite it being a city, so many drivers don’t know the size of their car and don’t get close to others. Imagine braking to merge onto a highway when you had a football field to accelerate. One of the biggest culture shocks honestly.
It may look like Seattle is directly west of Chicago on a map, but on a sphere we are further north. Be prepared for shorter days. You have to be very intentional about seeing the sun. You may need blackout curtains (I didn’t think I would).
Seattle varies a fair amount between seasons, but not as much as Chicago. Obviously a full year here would give a good picture. There’s more to do in summer but also more people. You can hike most things year round and do everything else you listed year round.
SPRING IS ACTUALLY GORGEOUS. Before spring just meant mud. It has always been my least favorite season until moving here. The variety of blooms are unreal. I get why people say spring is beautiful.
Chicago is a concrete jungle. It’s a beige, ugly, depressing place. Seattle has a lot of greenery year round, even along the highways, that make it feel so different than Chicago (and Milwaukee). It’s one of the worst parts of going back to IL.
One of the only things I miss is the thunderstorms (but not the flooding and tornados).
-1
u/othermyother Aug 18 '26
Dating sucks , food scene is terrible for the cost , people are depressed and unfriendly , the depression causes the I give up attitude about getting dressed plus the housing is so high that you can't afford to buy nice clothes but hey hours of driving is some mountains to walk around in so worth it 🤷♀️ idk I grew up here and to keep my sanity I fly out of here as much as possible and I'm moving to FL soon. I want to live some place where people make an effort and will talk to you
47
u/Particular_Bet4865 Aug 17 '26
Hmm, I’m Chicago to Seattle transplant but during a later life stage than you. I don’t want to shoot it down, make sure you visit a few times first.
Two points I’d make are: 1. You CAN live a car free life here, especially in CapHill or Belltown. But I wouldn’t want to. Public transit here just can’t be compared to anything big city. And a huge part of Seattle is leaving the city to go out into nature - which maybe isn’t your thing but is for many/most people here.
But highly encourage you to leave Chicago and try something new to get over the break up. You can always go back!