Seattle, in Midst of Tech Boom, Tries to Keep Its Soul

Post by ulysses » Thu, Oct 08, 2015, 4:52 PM UTC

crabasa wrote: post #2

I have lived in Seattle since 2009, first working at Microsoft and now working remotely for a Bay Area company. For people who aren't familiar with the Seattle area, it is cleaved into 2 parts: 1) The city of Seattle or the "west side". This area is increasingly dominated by Amazon, local startups and engineering offices for Bay Area companies like Facebook and Google. 2) The cities to the east of Lake Washington (Re…

Post by refurb » Thu, Oct 08, 2015, 4:53 PM UTC

geogra4 wrote: post #21

alain94040 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

housing in SF is well over a million now, and if you're hoping to have kids and raise a family Why isn't a nice condo in Mountain View for $700K good enough? 1,300 sq.ft is plenty of space to live. For instance http://www.mlslistings.com/property/ml81517677/1945-mount-ve...

Because you can get a 1300 sq foot condo for 70k (or less!) in most of the country. If you aren't among the elite of financial means (we're talking 1% wealth) SF is a losing proposition.

Post by ondrae » Thu, Oct 08, 2015, 4:58 PM UTC

joesmo wrote: post #23

pm90 wrote: post #12

> John Criscitello placed posters in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood proclaiming “Welcome! Rich Kids,” and “Wish you weren’t here.” Its hard not to feel angry at people like this. "Rich Kids" really? These "Kids" spent years developing their engineering skills to get to the point where they are now. Are engineers paid a lot? Of course. But we're certainly not in the same category as those who inherit wealth. Most…

It's also ridiculous that these same people benefit greatly from a growing economy that's directly influenced by (and these days also partially propped up by) the boom in tech while deriding it like it's some kind of negative force. It sounds to me a lot more like envy than any nostalgia for artistry and run-down neighborhoods, as they claim.

Post by xxpor » Thu, Oct 08, 2015, 5:00 PM UTC

sushisource wrote: post #25

nicpottier wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think Capitol Hill is the most glaring change to me in the past 5 years. One of the neatest and most unique neighborhoods in the city, in a way iconic to how Seattle was seen is now filled with brand new condos and multi-use buildings. For god sakes there have been gay-hate crimes on Broadway. Yes, tons of new development has happened in SLU, but that area wasn't much of an established neighborhood to live in befor…

I still have yet to have anyone explain to my why "grit" is a desirable trait in a neighborhood. I can understand wanting diversity, unique cultures, but that absolutely does not conflict with a general quality of life increase.

Post by pinewurst » Thu, Oct 08, 2015, 5:01 PM UTC

theophrastus wrote: post #27

mattress wrote: post #9

Took a job in Bellevue in April and moved from Philadelphia to Seattle. So far it's a been an interesting experience. I've encountered many people hostile to software engineers in general. A bunch of people immediately ask if I work for Amazon with a hint of disdain after I state my occupation. So it hasn't felt super welcoming so far. I get it, even in some neighborhoods in Philadelphia the same thing is happening.…

A brief elaboration on "many people hostile to software engineers in general": the major source of this are the employers who have done a deal with the apartment owners to all but exclude anyone who doesn't work in the tech industry. The apartment owner simply doesn't rent to anyone who doesn't work for Amazon, Microsoft etc[1]. This makes people grumpy at the folks who apparently do the deal with the devil for this…