In case you haven’t heard, I’m moving to Seattle.
This decision has been a long time coming. My high school bucket list had “Seattle” as item number 14 before I added the words “Move to” after my junior year of college. So if you’re surprised, you probably don’t know me that well.
Before you ask: no, I don’t have a job set up yet (though I’m hitting the freelance pretty hard) and no, I don’t know anyone in Seattle (aside from friends of friends). I just know it’s where I’m supposed to be.
For years I’ve spoken of Seattle with longing to my friends, family, and coworkers, but until last July, I’d never set foot in the city. So I’m used to the eye rolls you’re no doubt performing right now at my seemingly gross naivete. Perhaps you’re someone who needs a logical reason to make a big change in their life like the promise of a job or a loved one tempting you to move. But jobs and people are everywhere, so why not love the place you’re in as well?
Loving Seattle goes beyond the rain or a good cup of coffee.
My visit to Seattle only confirmed what I’d expected. I am in sync with its rhythm and flow. I feel like I belong. And I’ve been on the lookout for that ever since I graduated.
I’ve never felt that way in my hometown, or anywhere in the Midwest for that matter. The Midwest is a country for the old, permanently resistant to change, always the last to pick up new ideas. Other big cities like Chicago and New York are too high-strung, cutthroat, and dirty. The North is too cold. The South too blatantly racist and sexist.
On the other hand, the Pacific Northwest, with its mild climate, rain forests, and eco-friendly attitude, stood out among the other options. More specifically, Seattle is full of young, vibrant, progressive people who are often migrants themselves. It should also come as no surprise that access to zero waste options, reliable public transportation, and energy-efficient municipality practices also played into my final decision.
Plus, I’m a huge fan of Twilight.
I played it safe for 4 years.
I want to specify that I did try to secure a job before leaving St. Louis. However, after months of applications and phone interviews, I decided I make a far better impression in person. If I’m able to arrive onsite and shake someone’s hand, at least I know I’ve done all I can to stand out in their memory. Especially considering Seattle is fraught with talented people just like me who don’t live half way across the country. The competition’s pretty stiff. If I were to wait for a job, I may never leave and staying is no longer an option.
Considering the state of the job market, economy, and student debt my generation faces, it’s a miracle I’ve had any financial stability the last four years. My wonderful job has awarded me the experience and savings I need to take a risk like this one. And as my pal Eleanor says, “Do one thing everyday that scares you.” There are sure to be plenty of those days ahead.
It’s sad.
My enthusiasm and excitement for this new adventure is counterbalanced by knowing I’ll be far, far away from people I love. My family is stationed in St. Louis and the majority of my closest friends live in the Midwest. Many, many, (many) tears have been shed the past few weeks, but they are also followed by lots of I’m-so-proud-of-you’s and I’m-so-excited-for-you’s. As I’ve told everyone who has apologized to me for getting emotional: it would be far worse if people were only happy to see me leave. No one wants to hear, “I can’t wait to see you go.”
Even through all this change, my support group continues to be overwhelming in its capacity to support me. I’m truly blessed and can only hope that the people I meet in Seattle are half as wonderful.
It’s a personal growth thing.
To put it plainly, I’ve never wanted anything this badly in my life. I’m not being melodramatic, just honest. Acting on a dream like Seattle is a rush. You feel powerful and terrified and brave. Which must be why we as a species are so fond of change.