Seattle Newcomer Examiner

A Tale of Two Cities: Cheating on New York with Seattle

Apologies for the long lag between posts, but I have something important to report: I think I'm falling for Seattle. The only problem is, I'm already in love with another city (you know, the one that never sleeps and makes pizza to die for).

People often ask me what it's like being a New Yorker vs. a Seattleite, adding that it must be nice to know and love two cities so well. But I wonder if it's possible to be truly bicoastal without feeling a little bipolar (or like you're in two relationships at once).  

First, there's keeping track of important news and events in each city so you don't, say, bike naked through New York for the summer solstice or try hailing every yellow car that drives by in Seattle.

Then, of course, there's wearing appropriate attire.  On days when I sport my "I love NJ" shirt, I'm always surprised to find how many people here hail from the Garden State.  But the very same shirt on the N.Y. subway can (and did) spark a conversation ending with, "New Jersey can go %&@# itself."

Finally, there's trying not to over-idealize one city while you're spending time with the other.  There's remembering that subfreezing winters aren't better than rainy ones; that the freedom of walking everywhere also makes it hard to escape the crowds; and that ubiquitous mountains and lakes are  awe-inspiring in a different way than an impressive skyline or world-class museum.

Still, I feel like I'm cheating on New York.  Then again, I'm not the first or last person to love N.Y. (I don't even own the t-shirt to prove it) and with the number of people that love it, sometimes the city just doesn't have enough love to give back.

But the more I allow myself to fall for Seattle, the more I challenge myself and get in return - I can live alone, have an herb garden on my balcony, fit guests in my apartment, recycle with ease, hike on the weekends, spend less of my life waiting in lines, and wake up to a view so beautiful, it reminds me how growing up, I never knew an American city could look like this. 

Topics: community , culture

Seeking bagel bliss in Seattle

Greetings from New York, where I am currently in bagel bliss.  I know, New Yorkers can be obnoxious about their bagels, among other things.  But experiencing the chewy goodness all over again has got me thinking - maybe there really is something... Read More
Topics: food

Experiencing the great outdoors in the city ... sort of

Before moving to Seattle, my idea of being in nature was taking a hike through Central Park, watching pigeons (and avoiding the rats), and stepping out for some fresh air on the fire escape.  As for getting out on the water?  Outside of crossing... Read More
Topics: visitors , outdoors

Get lost in Seattle with a scavenger hunt

Get lost. Seriously. I don't mean driving around aimlessly, which can be frustrating (and costly, given the price of gas).  But losing yourself in a scavenger hunt can be a great way to get to know a new city, or see one you know intimately... Read More
Topics: visitors , events , community , out & about , entertainment

Outside Looking In: The meaning of Seafair?

If I've learned something in the few years that I've lived in Seattle, it's that you can't ignore Seafair.  Between the bridge closures and the sound of Blue Angels flying overhead, you'd have to be living under a rock to not know that "Seattle's... Read More
Topics: events , community , culture , entertainment

Seattle is for book lovers

Okay, I admit it... I'm one of those (former) New Yorkers who thought that New York was the capital of, well, everything - especially books.New York is still the heart of the publishing industry, and when it comes to books, they mean business (I'll... Read More
Topics: community , culture , shopping

Curry Conundrum: Where's Seattle's amazing Indian cuisine?

Seattle's got some fantastic restaurants, like Wild Ginger and Palace Kitchen.  But there's still something missing - the South Asian equivalent (that is, a restaurant/lounge with authentic but inventive Indian food and great ambiance).I'll... Read More
Topics: community , culture , food

Surreal life in Seattle

 There's something surreal about Seattle. Maybe it's the impossible forecasts (cloudy with a chance of rain and sun), the odd cloud formations that look like they belong in a Savlador Dali painting, or the juxtaposition of nauture meets metropolis... Read More
Topics: art , culture

A rude awakening from polite Seattleites

I'm feeling a little homesick. No one's flipped me the bird, tried to run me over, or openly rolled their eyes at me in a while. It's not that New Yorkers are rude - they're just more familiar (you know, total strangers sharing their... Read More
Topics: community , culture

Burlesque - Seattle's best-kept secret?

People say a lot of things about Seattle: It's rainy; it's progressive; it's metronatural. But words like sexy and edgy don't usually make the list.Well, at least they didn't make my list - until now.  Recently, I was surprised to learn that Seattle... Read More
Topics: events , culture , out & about , entertainment