Just like most places in the world, a majority of Seattle's landlords are lowlifes trying to squeeze as many people as possible into the dinkiest of apartments for way too much money. Forget about friendliness, or even a small bit of token customer service, it's "here's the apartment, do you want it or not?" However I was informed by one nice realtor the situation in Seattle really should be different. With a 10% vacancy rate, with an unemployment rate just as high, landlord's should be kissing the renter's butt. There were a couple of nice landlords I came across and they had the apartments to match. One of these people I eventually landed an apartment with. It would of been nice, though, to have had the vacancy rate information sooner and a little more time to find a place. I could of used that to strong arm some landlords myself instead of the other way around. Eh...live and learn.
My complaints aside, the apartment I got was big, decently priced, clean, bright and well located in Capitol Hill. The apartment manager is very nice and the place came with a little welcome package of TP (an essential), soap, paper towels, and bottles of water. A welcome package is a first for me. So far so good.
Finding the apartment was the (relatively) easy part. It was all the things that needed to be done, once I got back home, to ready for the move. Having spent more money then planned on the deposit (and perhaps some boots and a leather jacket as well) I was in dire straights in actually getting back to Seattle with more than just the shirt on my back. Luckily my family came to my aid. My brother agreed to pay for a trailer and my dad agreed to drive out there. All I had to do was pay for gas and food which turns out to be a lot of money.
They say "saying goodbye is the hardest part" but truth be told its a lot harder to find and connect with the people you need to say goodbye to. There were some missed connections and some anti-climactic moments. Safe to say there were a few people whose lack of thought made it easier for me to leave. I know though I'll see most of these people again so my heart was not too heavy at my departure.
Its weird but the hardest place to leave was my store. I had really enjoyed the people that worked there and wished I could of taken them with me. I was also scared of who I'd have to work with next.
Now a word to the wise for anyone who plans on moving across the country. If you are traveling more than 1000 miles take your time and spend the night somewhere. My dad and I drove over 1300 miles and took 31 hours to get to Seattle most of which was spent on the road and in the cab of the truck. It was an exhausting experience and both of us strained to stay awake at the end of the trip which is very dangerous. To top it off we had to unload the trailer as soon as we got there, drop it off at the rental place, and then drive to my uncle's house an hour down the road from Seattle. I think this trip might of aged my dad more than he already is after staying up for more 40 hours.
The easiest thing about moving was having a store lined up for me. I was able to go back to work right away. Which was a great thing considering I had exhausted all my funds to get to Seattle and pay my first months rent. Another great thing is that they pay very well here compared to Colorado and the price of living is about the same so I won't be living the poor life for long.
Making such drastic move like this one learns things very quickly. Things such as there are only a few bike lanes in Seattle and the car lanes go right to the curb. This makes it very dangerous for bicyclists like myself which is probably why one can be fined a lot of money if one isn't wearing their helmet (which I lack.) I've also learned that working downtown may not be the best place to be. It's full of business people who don't know that when someone says hello that they're supposed to respond with an equal gesture of greeting not "Triple tall latte." This are busy busy people who can be bothered with hellos and goodbyes but they do have 15 minutes to buy coffee. Then again I was already aware of these people its just that I work where they are amassed now. Lastly, and this is a big one, there are a lot of beautiful woman who fit my ideal type (indie girl with black framed glasses, cool boots and jacket to match) walking all over Seattle but I have at yet not figured out how to talk to them let alone get them to have coffee with me. I think that has more to do with me than Seattle though.
Perhaps if I am more diligent then my next post won't be so long. It's hard to keep up with doing a daily post but not that I am more settled maybe I can keep it up to at least an ever other daily post.
