Pacific Northwest - Seattle vs. Bainbridge Island vs. Redmond vs. Other good spots

Hello,

Midwest to Northwest. I am thinking about a possible job on the island or in seattle area. I am 25, single, and like to mountain bike/camp/fish/mingle. I like culture and the whole outdoor thing, but would like to find other single people around my age to bike with and hang with. Would Bainbridge Island be a good location for a 25yr old single guy? Should I just look at Seattle, what about Redmond, WA? Anthing would be helpful, thank you for your input. Happy trails!

If I were moving to Seattle as a 25yo bachelor, Redmond and Bainbridge Island wouldn't be real high on the list (unless my work was around the corner). There are areas closer to downtown and the University that would have a lot more going on.

I'd agree with dtrain. Stay in Seattle close to downtown or wallingford/fremont/udist. There must be some eastside areas that are good for a single guy. It's been a long time for me though, and I'm a long ways away now, so don't take my word on it.

thanks, I will look into those, I guess I am looking to stay out of the college scene, but want to meet people into the outdoors. Anyone currently there with suggestion, I dont have to be right in a city, I usually prefer the outskirts, with some lively places? I am still looking.

Everybody in the Pac NW is into the outdoor scene. You won't have any trouble with that. Maybe stay away from the u district to avoid the college scene, but anywhere else you'll be OK.

When I lived there the best places were Capital Hill and Fremont for hip, funky types and queen anne for the straighter types, but in Seattle it didn't really matter. You were hip for just living there. This was back in the 80s, so take it with a grain of salt.

Bainbridge always just seemed weird to me, not a good weird either. People were into things that seemed cultish to me, but I didn't know that many people there.

I was back in Seattle this summer for the first time in over 10 years and it really has changed.

Ballard!

Stay away from Bainbridge Island! It's isolated, with only one road leading on/off the island. It will be necessary to take a ferry for most purposes. It would suit your purpose if you live life to fish, though. Even if you want to go to the Olympics, it's a long way around. Redmond is a better choice, especially if you work for 900 pound gorillas (Microsoft). However, if you really want funky/hip/cool/affordable, I agree with marqueemoon, Ballard is a great area. Fremont's pretty good too. Only drawback to Ballard is that it's a pain to head over to I-5. But it's got the Ballard locks, a marina, etc. Reasonably affordable, too.

East Hill

Hey thanks everyone for the input. I will have to check out some of these spots. Thanks for helping my narrow it down.