Pacific Northwest - Should I move to Seattle/Redmond?

I am road cycling enthusiast who works as a software developer. I am looking for a new job. I may be offered one in the Redmond area, which I would need to decide on without ever having visiting the area. May sound strange, but that is the nature of this business -- job interviews and offers (one hopes) over the phone.

So, my question is, is this a good place to work/live for someone with a strong interest in cycling and other outdoor activities like xc skiing, hiking and kayaking? And, where would I look for living space in this area? I currently live in the Northeast, and could use an adventure, hence my interest in taking a job in another area. This would be a 1 year contract, so I would not be committed beyond that, which makes taking the chance easier.

What do you think? Your opinions are most welcome!

I am road cycling enthusiast who works as a software developer. I am looking for a new job. I may be offered one in the Redmond area, which I would need to decide on without ever having visiting the area. May sound strange, but that is the nature of this business -- job interviews and offers (one hopes) over the phone.

So, my question is, is this a good place to work/live for someone with a strong interest in cycling and other outdoor activities like xc skiing, hiking and kayaking? And, where would I look for living space in this area? I currently live in the Northeast, and could use an adventure, hence my interest in taking a job in another area. This would be a 1 year contract, so I would not be committed beyond that, which makes taking the chance easier.

What do you think? Your opinions are most welcome!

The short answer is yes. If you'll be working in Redmond, probably best to live on the east side of Lake Washington. The 520 I-90 commute from Seattle in rush hour sucks.

So, my question is, is this a good place to work/live for someone with a strong interest in cycling and other outdoor activities like xc skiing, hiking and kayaking?

What do you think? Your opinions are most welcome!

Yes, it's an excellent place to live if you enjoy almost any outdoor activity. The cycling community is very large and active. Here is a link to the Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle, one of the largest cycling clubs in the country. Take a look at their schedule of rides and activities, there is always something going on, plus they are the sponsor of the Seattle to Portland Bicyle Classic (STP) ride in July.
http://www.cascade.org/Home/

A 1 year contract makes it an easy choice really. You'll be at the heart of everything you've listed plus plenty of cyclists in Redmond, they even have a velodrome. The only two things I would warn you about is the traffic and real estate, both are amoung the highest in the country. If you'll be living in or near
Redmond then commuting by bike shouldn't be a problem.

You should also check out Trip advisor's forums. There a lot of info there and some so called experts that will answer anything you need to know.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g60878-i74-Seattle_Washington.html

Just to echo what has been said so far, Seattle is often ranked as one of the top cycling cities in the world. But you do need to have good rain gear if you want to ride year round.

Housing and traffic are the big problems. But I suspect you'll be making good money - just expect to spend a great deal of it on rent, especially if you have a family, pets, etc.

- Mark

Lots and lots of XC skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, MTBing road biking, fishing, SCUBA diving locations, and both river and sea kayaking.
We have it all, sea to summit. Good beer too.
Heck if you change your mind about careers, and want to be a real life lumber jack, you can do that too.

i used to work out at microsoft (in redmond), and commute from capitol hill (near downtown seattle) via bus and sometimes bike. there's a more-or-less direct bus from capitol hill/downtown to micro$oft, so i'd say you should live in seattle proper. you can still ride your bike (about 15 miles from downtown) to work, or about eight miles if you use the bus for part of the ride (over 520 instead of i-90). there are a series of bicycle trails that can get you there. check out the king county bike map for the trail info.

the commute to and from does indeed suck, but then again so does redmond, kirkland, and bellevue, unless you love strip malls and the sub-urban life - at least in my opinion.

This is good stuff... Thanks for your replies. In place of personally being on the ground there, there is nothing that beats the experiences of people actually on the ground!

we don't have any malls here? very close to Seattle and Redmond. Don't get me wrong, I loved working in downtown Seattle and have tried to move the fam to Montlake/Madrona/Capital Hill but for sound reasons my wife boycotts me taking 520 to the eastside each day.

back on track: there are few places short of the Bay Area or Austin that I think would fit your description better. Austin doesn't have the mtns and degree of water activities but the cost basis is much lower. SF is very appealing but an even higher cost ... making WA/OR about right. If you like commuting in the rain you can get about anywhere in the metro area safely via bike lanes (no flames for non attentive cell head drivers please).

I have lived here 13 years and still hate the winter but there are plenty of days in the summer where you wonder why you would ever leave....

Ping me if you gig doesn't work out, I work in the IT services industry also

One year contract makes this a no-brainer. I just moved here from the Northeast myself to attend school for the next couple of years. I couldn't be happier. One stop shop for satisfying your adventure needs, I'd say.

PM if you have any questions.

I'm so sweet I melt in the rain.
I lock myself indorrs when the dreaded liquid drops from the heavens.

Willl I die if I move to Seattle?

Haven't found an answer to my inquiry, but at least another answer was given to me concerning the helpfulnesss & friendliness fo the bikers there.............:(

I worked as a contractor at MSFT for 6 months or so. Unlike Seattle proper, there aren't that many commuting options to get to Remond. I live in the south end (Kent/Auburn) and take the Sounder to Seattle to work. During my MSFT contract the options were either Vanpool, 2 hour bus ride or 80+ mile daily driving.

Moral of the story: if you plan on working at MSFT long term, live on the eastside.

I'm so sweet I melt in the rain.
I lock myself indoors when the dreaded liquid drops from the heavens.

Willl I die if I move to Seattle?

No, but you might get mistaken for the Wicked Witch of the South :D ?

"I'mmmmm mmmmmeeelllllttttiiinnngggg......."

Don't move here if you don't like rain. Rain is good. Cloudy days are good.

East Hill

Not only the rain but it gets dark at 4:00 pm from late November till the middle of February. If I didn't work I think I'd slit my wrists after the Christmas holidays. Its a dark and dreary life till you get that one or two teaser days in Feb and the sun comes out and the sky clears and you can see the mountain then you know why you love it here. Now if you happen to get up to Crystal Mountain to ski on those days when it cloudy down here and clear up there then its really a treat. Take the job for a year and decide then