Where Should I Move? Seattle vs. Boulder

**AK47bp** · 12-01-2019, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by thejongiest

There's a much larger difference between 20 & 25 and 25 & 30. Not to be pretentious (sure I am) I'm not interested in hanging out with undergrads, I'm graduating from grad school.

I guess literally no one has any comments on what backcountry skiing is like midwinter in Seattle?

Remember, the sun sets about 4pm in Seattle on the 12 winter days the sun actually comes out. If you are willing to drive many hours in the dark for thigh burning moisture ridden dank mank cement snow be my guest. Lots of stream, creek, waterfall garbage to deal with. Gotta stay in the back seat to keep those tips up even with heavy rockers.

Yuck.

Not for me.

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**Lindahl** · 12-01-2019, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by thejongiest

There's a much larger difference between 20 & 25 and 25 & 30. Not to be pretentious (sure I am) I'm not interested in hanging out with undergrads, I'm graduating from grad school.

I guess literally no one has any comments on what backcountry skiing is like midwinter in Seattle?

Conditions are hit and miss in the PNW. A little bit like feast and famine due to freezing levels. I preferred the consistently high quality snow in Colorado. No matter when I could get out, it was usually good snow. Can’t comment deeply on crowds and access, since its been a while, but for non-sidecountry, I felt like Colorado had better access. Lots of high mountain roads and trailheads that dump you right into good ski terrain with good snow (rather than having to climb for a while). That was nice for morning weekday tours and showing up at noon. But you said you preferred long climbs and suffering over laps, so there’s that... and facets...

**plugboots** · 12-01-2019, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by ACH

Your search game is weak.

No shit. Hi jong boy, here's all my favorite places to ski on weekends.
Put it this way: When I talk to folks from outside the area, they don't think of Seattle as a ski town. Good.

**PNWbrit** · 12-01-2019, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by thejongiest

I guess literally no one has any comments on what backcountry skiing is like midwinter in Seattle?

FFS man give beardmech a chance to get back to you.

**Danno** · 12-01-2019, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by thejongiest

There's a much larger difference between 20 & 25 and 25 & 30. Not to be pretentious (sure I am) I'm not interested in hanging out with undergrads, I'm graduating from grad school.

Boulder is a university town. And a tech hotbed, outdoor hotbed, etc. Meaning a shit ton of grad students and young professionals. Almost all sickeningly fit.

SB · 12-01-2019, 07:29 PM

Got friends up hill from Boulder, they love it.

Can not say bout Seattle other than its dying.

**stuckathuntermtn** · 12-01-2019, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by thejongiest

There's a much larger difference between 20 & 25 and 25 & 30. Not to be pretentious (sure I am) I'm not interested in hanging out with undergrads, I'm graduating from grad school.

I guess literally no one has any comments on what backcountry skiing is like midwinter in Seattle?

Yes. But if it's anything like Missoula and UM, which I'm pretty sure it is, there'll be plenty of grad students and hangers-on between 25 and 35.
Don't forget, it's also a huge metro area with, what, 2 million people? And they're all on i70 every weekend. No thanks.
IDK if you have any joint conditions, but if you do, stay in the Rockies.

**riser4** · 12-01-2019, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Yes. But if it's anything like Missoula and UM, which I'm pretty sure it is, there'll be plenty of grad students and hangers-on between 25 and 35.
Don't forget, it's also a huge metro area with, what, 2 million people? And they're all on i70 every weekend. No thanks.
IDK if you have any joint conditions, but if you do, stay in the Rockies.

Joint "conditions" are legal in both cities OP mentioned. Just saying.

**billyk** · 12-01-2019, 11:58 PM

Did anyone mention it rains a LOT in Seattle? But there are those few glorious days with bluebird skies that almost make it worthwhile. I’d move back if I could figure out how to make it work. Unfortunately, it’s not a very affordable place to retire to.

Last time I lived there I was surprised by the amount of wood smoke pollution in the winter. I don’t know if that is still a problem.

**TBS** · 12-02-2019, 01:13 AM

OP, you're saying you will have a basic 50 hour workweek in SEA? Because you know that's gonna turn into 60 hours right?
No quality of life in that son, esp. when you add in the clusterfucks they call commutes in SEA.

**ski-wpk** · 12-02-2019, 01:23 AM

For the record: mountain bike access is NOT the same in Denver and Boulder. I don’t think I’ve put my bike on my truck for a local Boulder ride in almost 2 years. Plenty of good riding from the garage...

**SirVicSmasher** · 12-02-2019, 01:30 AM

Plan to spend 10-12 hours a week minimum in your car to and from work.

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**SirVicSmasher** · 12-02-2019, 01:37 AM

https://komonews.com/news/local/spen...s-report-finds

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**Jacques Strap** · 12-02-2019, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by thejongiest

getting the hell outta Texas

Wait, you want to leave Texas? Are you a Texan (you know exactly what I mean)?

If you aren't: Let me wish you luck on your journey and your next phase of life. Thank you for coming to Texas, and thank you for leaving.

If you are: Then get the fuck going before we throw you out, fucking traitor.

**The SnowShow** · 12-02-2019, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by billyk

Did anyone mention it rains a LOT in Seattle? But there are those few glorious days with bluebird skies that almost make it worthwhile. I’d move back if I could figure out how to make it work. Unfortunately, it’s not a very affordable place to retire to.

Last time I lived there I was surprised by the amount of wood smoke pollution in the winter. I don’t know if that is still a problem.

So a sunny day in Seattle is like a 2’ powder day with the frenzy to go get out and do something? Sweet.

**Mofro261** · 12-02-2019, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by billyk

Did anyone mention it rains a LOT in Seattle? But there are those few glorious days with bluebird skies that almost make it worthwhile. I’d move back if I could figure out how to make it work. Unfortunately, it’s not a very affordable place to retire to.

Last time I lived there I was surprised by the amount of wood smoke pollution in the winter. I don’t know if that is still a problem.

Not this November unfortunately.

Id skip Seattle. No good touring, crowds, and its been totally overrun with entitled millenials moving here since @2011.

Def. Check out SLC
My kid said 4+ hrs to get down B.C. on friday.

**TAFKALVS** · 12-02-2019, 08:50 AM

Life time Washington resident, just moved away.

the cascades have the best ski touring and mountain terrain in the universe, (well maybe not the best, there’s probably somewhere in Europe that’s better but pretty mind blowing mountains) however you can’t get to any of it easily, especially in the winter time. And access has been getting worse. The few areas that are accessible are massively crowded, expect moguls on the common routes.

Lift skiing: there has been no new ski areas since the 1960s. There has been no major expansion of terrain since the 1980s. But there’s now 10 times the population. There will be no expansion of skiing due to insane anti-development environmental groups. Regardless, all the ski areas were built before climate change was on the radar and powder skiing was a thing. They are all very low elevation. There are places in the cascades where a ski area could be built that is above the rain line for most of the winter but never going to happen at this point.

I would look elsewhere, and that’s not a jaded local thing, I moved away because I was tired of hour long lift lines and having to be at the ski area by 7am to get parking.

**fastfred** · 12-02-2019, 08:52 AM

the chicks in boulder are one reason to move there, young and old they are all top shelf
looking like every other tool and fitting in will be easy, boulder is ground zero for tools
you'll end up with a garage full of outdoor gear in boulder and barely use it winning
once you move to boulder you'll realize all the really cool people live in golden and want to move
maybe littleton is more your speed
driving to eldora since it got ruined will be so much fun, taking a shuttle bus from ned to the backcountry to go skiing or hiking will be a blast
the uptight self rightous boulder people will make you enjoy life to the fullest
Got a comped hotel room in boulder this weekend, I'll use it to the max and let you know if i decide to move there

**east or bust** · 12-02-2019, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Have you considered Rutland, VT?

Coffee out the nose, thanks

**Danno** · 12-02-2019, 09:05 AM

I'm not sure I want to admit how much Fred nailed it with that one, lol.

Fred, I owe you a beer for all your helpful posts when I was remodeling, give a shout if you want to collect.

**east or bust** · 12-02-2019, 09:17 AM

Honestly sounds like you could make either location (Boulder/Seattle) work from a lifestyle/outdoors perspective. However, like mentioned earlier more emphasis should be put on the career thing. You went to grad school so I'd have to assume the career means more than peanuts to you.

Would a year or 2 of suffering in Seattle make you marketable enough to have more options wrt location? [probably]

From what you described about the Boulder job I wouldn't be thrilled going that route. Sure you have a bit more time to do stuff, but at what expense? Getting shoehorned into a stagnant position sucks and is not gunna do you any favors when you eventually are looking for a new high level job.

Look at Denver or SLC. More opportunity, more going on, great access to outdoor rec. You're an engineer, you're smart. Smarter than 99% of the mouth breathers complaining that it's too difficult or "sucks" to live in either of those places.

And, Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself.

**east or bust** · 12-02-2019, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by fastfred

boulder is ground zero for tools

Let me direct you to Scottsdale AZ. I'm from a small, predominantly white, relatively wealthy NJ suburb and feel like I grew up on a fucking cattle ranch compared to the prissy toolbags out here. Kind of hilarious actually. The women are sure nice to look at, lots of rocks upstairs though.

**riser4** · 12-02-2019, 09:22 AM

If OP is an actual Texan, please, for the love of dog, stay in Texas. You can fly Southwest to skiing a couple times a year if you must.

**fastfred** · 12-02-2019, 09:47 AM

wait a minute your young try things out salt lake boulder denver if you don't like something keep moving until you end up in Albuquerque

**fastfred** · 12-02-2019, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

I'm not sure I want to admit how much Fred nailed it with that one, lol.

Fred, I owe you a beer for all your helpful posts when I was remodeling, give a shout if you want to collect.

I'll be in boulder this weekend.............. not really sure of the plan though, just know someone who has a hotel room fri and sat so when I see the word free I"m usually there
all depends on weather too, so I can go road biking