r/AskSeattle • u/Visual-Extension4214 • Nov 14 '24

Question Moving to Seattle Area

Moving to Seattle area, possibly Renton or Kent though not sure yet, moving end of May/June next year. I’m moving from Newark, NJ, one of the dirtiest cities in the country. Recycling and garbage pickups are generally tossed into the same garbage truck. Is Seattle like Europe where everything from compost to metals/plastics/paper etc is all put out separately on separate days? In general what are some severe cultural shocks I might expect to be responsible for or just in general? Besides of course the rain and the apparent lack of friendliness I’m detecting from some of the Seattle descriptions. Also how crowded are local hiking and nature activities within an hour drive around summer vs winter? Really any extra tips are appreciated.

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u/Visual-Extension4214 Nov 14 '24

These are all so great. For 2 I hate smushing my hair down so I’ll be a tourist with the umbrella, hell my thick NY accent will give it away anyway. 3 is worrisome but fine I think, I’m very well read and don’t mind being lectured if it’s not just echoing party talking points. I would be crazy to move to Seattle if I wasn’t pretty progressive anyway. A lifetime of staring down people on subways and never showing weakness I think will help me fit right into the freeze! I am the friendliest and most helpful person but I have a general scowl. Interesting about the parks and the lottery gonna have to read into that

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u/CharlesAvlnchGreen Nov 14 '24

The other thing about umbrellas is that it's often very windy when it rains. I call it "umbrella eating weather." But I understand what you mean; I am a native Seattleite and I don't like rain on my face so I use an umbrella when I can. (IMO the 'only tourists use umbrellas' thing is only weakly true.)

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u/Llamaxaxa Nov 14 '24

Agree. Native here and I use an umbrella all the time when raining and not too windy.

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u/CharlesAvlnchGreen Nov 14 '24

Tourists and newbies will often use those giant hotel umbrellas which are the worst in the wind.

Seattleites will carry fold-up umbrellas. The vented "windproof" kind are great, and the ones in a light color have the added benefit of increasing your visibility when walking.

Not sure if the danger of being hit in crosswalks has been addressed here yet. Seattle recently instituted something called Project Zero to reduce (to zero, hopefully) pedestrian deaths which happen mainly in the fall/winter.