Just got back from a nice week in Seattle for a business trip.

Weather was wonderful, as it can be in Seattle during the Summer. Have been there many times but this was the first daylight landing in clear weather, so Mt. Rainier was fully visible.

Of course I was checking out the used car prices and other conditions. Here are my observations from an east-coast perspective:

Used-car prices are a little high. Perhaps that is due to their condition. They don't have to use road salt, and the typical Seattle weather is overcast, so the cars don't get as much interior and exterior "sunburn". I really saw some nice vintage cars on the road, including a 1975 or 76 240D that was just about mint.

Unemployment is a problem there. Boeing is considering moving more operations away from Seattle. Better hope Microsoft doesn't get the urge to move......

Mortgage rates are lower. I saw 4.5% zero points.

The best airline food I ever had was on the Alaska Airlines flights, non-stop from National to Sea-Tac and back. Can't recommend AA enough.....

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Yup, that's Seattle

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past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

I lived (?) there for a year . GOD - talk about depressing . True June and July are nice but the other ten months of the year it was raining or it looked like it was ready to rain . I can see why suicide rates are high and why it was the ''birth place'' of grunge music . Think I'll stay in Arizona ...

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"I have spent MOST of the money I have made in my life on expensive women, expensive cars, and expensive drugs. The rest I just wasted." - Myself "Belief in the supernatural, reflects a failure in the imagination." - Edward Abbey "Give me a firm place to stand, and I will move the Earth." - Archimedes

Howdy All,
Never been to Seattle but I sure would like to get back to Arizona

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Frank X. Morris
17 Kia Niro
08 Jeep Wrangler 4 door unlimited

Hi Frank ; You are welcome here any time . Tell me when and we'll show you the time of your life , bring your dogs too !! Mark and Teresa

__________________
"I have spent MOST of the money I have made in my life on expensive women, expensive cars, and expensive drugs. The rest I just wasted." - Myself "Belief in the supernatural, reflects a failure in the imagination." - Edward Abbey "Give me a firm place to stand, and I will move the Earth." - Archimedes

I grew up in Arizona, and I'm moving to Seattle. The weather is a bit of a downer, but there's a lot more to the area than the weather. When the weather becomes a pain (as, inevitably, it will), we'll just hop down to the place in Scottsdale to dry out. Sort of the best of both worlds. I've lived in California for something like 22 years now and I'm STILL not used to it, although Northern California is the best compromise.

And Alaska Airlines is a nice alternative to America Worst and Southworst. I fly to Seattle often enough to sit in the first class cabin much of the time. What a nice change from cattle calls on Southwest.

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David

His:
2003 Dodge Durango SLT
2002 BMW E39 530i Sport
1988 Mercedes 300TE
Hers:
2003 Chevrolet Suburban
1999 E430

I happened to choose Halibut for lunch and it was incredible. Like being in first class on another airline. Thick Halibut steak. Yumm.

Now I want recommendations for a place that will ice / freeze Halibut for me and ship FedEX. I presume its caught in Alaska anyway, so a place in Alaska would be a bit fresher?

Ken300D

__________________
--------------------------
1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

The farmers market in Seattle is the best in the world .

__________________
"I have spent MOST of the money I have made in my life on expensive women, expensive cars, and expensive drugs. The rest I just wasted." - Myself "Belief in the supernatural, reflects a failure in the imagination." - Edward Abbey "Give me a firm place to stand, and I will move the Earth." - Archimedes

Howdy Mark,
Thanx for the invite!¡ When I go over there to see my aunt and uncle in Payson I'll let you know I'm on my way.

__________________
Frank X. Morris
17 Kia Niro
08 Jeep Wrangler 4 door unlimited

We'll be expecting you .

__________________
"I have spent MOST of the money I have made in my life on expensive women, expensive cars, and expensive drugs. The rest I just wasted." - Myself "Belief in the supernatural, reflects a failure in the imagination." - Edward Abbey "Give me a firm place to stand, and I will move the Earth." - Archimedes

I don't understand all the whining and complaining about Seattle. I love it here. I am orginally from the Knoxville TN area, I moved here in 1982 and I will probably be here for the rest of my life. There are few places where the culture is as diverse, the general population is a bit laid back. (unless you count the outsiders who move in and try to change things). I am very happy here and can't really find much to complain about except the traffic. But I guess that's what you have to live with if you want balance in your life.

Did we mention the grey skies and rain?
Seattle rainy season: Jan 1st thru Dec 31st

Yeah, it really is a good place to live as far as the country and lack of bugs go. But I'm a California kid (we moved here in 1968), and I like my sunshine. But this is where the family is, and my job(for now), so I just stay here and whine alot:p

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)