Most popular FAQ's about our downtown life:
Q: Where you do get gas?
A: Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, SoDo, and in a pinch, Denny Way.
Q:Where do you buy groceries?
A: Within walking distance- Whole Foods, C-Stores, Target (long walk/bus), IGA (long walk/bus), Safeway or QFC when in the car, or the best option ever invented: Amazon Fresh Delivery.
Q: Isn't it loud?
A: Yes, but you get used to it. After a while, if the city is quiet, you know something is really wrong
Q: Where do guests/friends park or Isn't driving in downtown horrible?
A: We are lucky enough to have an open air lot next door to our building with reasonable rates, street parking if you are willing to look/walk a bit. And yes, driving in downtown sucks, which is why we recommend parking on the edges and walking everywhere. We don't drive unless we have to.
Advantages:
- Our power will probably never go out. If it does, I'm willing to bet that we're looking at a Zombie Apocalypse.
- Landscaping/upkeep - I don't spend my weekends gardening/mowing/painting. Lightbulb goes out? That's a phone call to replace. My building's roof deck & entry is always immaculate.
- We can walk/Cab/Uber/Lightrail to SoDo for any sporting event and not worry about parking. Ever
- We have our choice of 50+ restaurants within a 10 block radius of where we live. We could eat somewhere different every week for a year and easily never repeat.
- Same day delivery - Nordstrom & Amazon both offer it, in Downtown.
- All the major Seattle tourist attractions are within walking distance (Space Needle, Seattle Center, EMP, Pike Place Market, Seattle Underground, Columbia Tower, International District, etc)
- Major city events (4th of July, NYE, Torchlight) are just a stroll away, or in one case, a view out the window.
- Snow days (when they actually do happen) are awesome instead of the worst headache ever. I can still walk to everything I need.
- Starbucks. Yes there really is one on every block. Sometimes two or three.
- Space. Limited space means you get more efficient/creative, and are less likely to develop a clutter problem. You can't hide clutter well in 900 sq ft.
- I don't have to get into a car to go do the things I want to do.
- The views. I can see Elliot Bay, South Lake Union, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, the Olympics, the Cascades, the Space Needle, etc. depending on where I am in my building or downtown. You truly can't get tired of how amazing the place we live is when you see the most fantastic views every day.
- There is a vibrancy, a buzz, a pace, even a mood to a city that makes it feel alive all the time. And unless you've lived in one, it's hard to understand.
Disadvantages:
- If the elevator is unavailable/broken, it's a 17 story walk. It's happened. Once.
- Homeless people. You'll never be asked for more spare change in your life than you will in the city. If you concentrate social services within a 4x5 block radius, that's what's going to happen.
- Taking the dog out means getting in an elevator. To a pet walk or truly outside, but not as easy as just opening a door.
- Space. Ever worried about fitting your couch into a room? We do. Every time the lease is up.
- Higher cost of living. Which is pretty much offset by all the advantages listed above.
Golden Tidbit:
A necessity for every city-dweller; the Starbucks Gold card. Register any Starbucks card and you can be on your way to GOLD. (more info here )
Golden Quote: "I have an affection for a great city. I feel safe in the neighborhood of man, and enjoy the sweet security of the streets." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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