My Brief Stint in Seattle and the Return to New York

In the first quarter of 2024, I left the bustling streets of New York City, embarking on what I hoped would be an exciting journey to the West Coast, settling in the city of Seattle.

Having visited my mom's cousin during my teenage years and being entranced by the region immortalized in the 'Twilight' series, I had long dreamt of calling Washington home—and finally, it seemed possible.

Although I had spent about ten months in the Big Apple after a move from the UK, the inability to secure a stable lease due to lacking a U.S. rental history left me feeling unrooted. This propelled my desire for change.

Although I anticipated a love affair with Seattle, the reality was quite the opposite. Just over a year saw me back in New York City.

The apartment I found in Kitsap County, approximately 15 miles from Seattle, was a dream with its breathtaking Puget Sound view, revealing the occasional sea lion or orca from my window.

Living a short stroll from the ferry terminal, Seattle was accessible via a $2, 30-minute fast ferry or a larger ferry that took an hour. The commute was akin to traveling between the boroughs of NYC.

However, unlike New York's transit, the ferry options were limited, with only eight larger ferries daily and the fast ferry often requiring long waits during peak hours.

Attending meetings meant adding two hours to my schedule. Evening plans required catching the last 10 p.m. ferry, or facing a lengthy wait until after midnight.

One night, after meeting an out-of-town friend, missing the 10 p.m. ferry left me idling for the 12:50 a.m. ferry, landing me home around 2 in the morning.

Even though the ferries were generally safe, traveling solo at such hours made me uneasy.

Explorations and Social Life

I envisioned weekends hiking and visiting beaches, yet without a driver's license, these excursions were unmanageable without time-consuming bus rides.

Despite having some extended family near Seattle, my interactions with them were sparse, and forming friendships proved challenging.

Warned about the elusive 'Seattle freeze', I found it hard to connect, as even casual greetings in coffee shops were met with surprise or indifference.

Attempts using social apps and local groups led nowhere, often thwarted by the tricky ferry schedules.

Yearning for NYC's Energy

What I missed most was the vivacity of New York. Weeks would pass in Washington with me homebound due to the lack of social engagements.

My town in Kitsap was predominantly military personnel and retirees, with early venue closures and city events not matching ferry times.

In sharp contrast, my NYC life buzzed with events and frequent outings with friends.

Eventually, in April, after about a year, I found my way back to the energetic embrace of New York.

Final Reflections on Seattle

Returning to New York felt right, yet my time in Seattle wasn't in vain. It offered insights into my lifestyle preferences and deepened my love for urban living.

I discovered my affinity for the pulse of a big city, cementing my identity as a New Yorker at heart, where I feel most engaged and alive.