Seattle
#1
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Seattle
By this time tomorrow I will have been retired for one week. Mrs. Grouch wants to move to Seattle (actually Lynnwood). I'm not so sure.
Seattle would mean developing all new friends, a whole new riding environment, new everything. I don't even know how to throw out the trash in Seattle because there's 3 bins. Also, there would be MAJOR downsizing involved. I'm thinking I'd have to make do with only 1 bike and I'd have to hold a "tool garage sale" for my sons and grand sons. Our Missouri family doesn't want us to go which actually makes me feel pretty good.
On the other hand, we have 3 grand kids in Seattle who are all unusually smart and who are all unusually needy. My daughter and blind son-in-law are in over their heads. I really would enjoy some one-on-one time with the grand kids, particularly the middle school boy who loves bicycling.
I thought that retirement would make life simpler.
Seattle would mean developing all new friends, a whole new riding environment, new everything. I don't even know how to throw out the trash in Seattle because there's 3 bins. Also, there would be MAJOR downsizing involved. I'm thinking I'd have to make do with only 1 bike and I'd have to hold a "tool garage sale" for my sons and grand sons. Our Missouri family doesn't want us to go which actually makes me feel pretty good.
On the other hand, we have 3 grand kids in Seattle who are all unusually smart and who are all unusually needy. My daughter and blind son-in-law are in over their heads. I really would enjoy some one-on-one time with the grand kids, particularly the middle school boy who loves bicycling.
I thought that retirement would make life simpler.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#2
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Lynnwood is not Seattle.
Once we get past that, and the garbage cans, this area is great.
Fight for two bikes, though, because we have awesome MTBing out here.
Once we get past that, and the garbage cans, this area is great.
Fight for two bikes, though, because we have awesome MTBing out here.
#3
Beicwyr Hapus
#4
Fred For Life
I'm only thinking about retirement right now, and more I think, the more complex it gets. Especially the downsizing part -- after living in the same place for more than 20 years, the amount of stuff you have that you don't need -- it's huge.
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Training? For Racing? Not me, man -- I'm having fun.
Training? For Racing? Not me, man -- I'm having fun.
#6
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Doubt I'm going to need a mountain bike - at least not a real mountain bike. Retro Grouch has broken too many things for him to huck the singletrack anymore. 2 bikes for me would be one of my SWB recumbents and my venerable Marin rigid fork beater bike. Can't decide which SWB. The Retro Rocket has wider tires for the crushed limestone Katy Trail, and is designed for more leisurely riding. The Retro Racket has a Chris King rear hub and is definitely faster on pavement.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#8
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Doubt I'm going to need a mountain bike - at least not a real mountain bike. Retro Grouch has broken too many things for him to huck the singletrack anymore. 2 bikes for me would be one of my SWB recumbents and my venerable Marin rigid fork beater bike. Can't decide which SWB. The Retro Rocket has wider tires for the crushed limestone Katy Trail, and is designed for more leisurely riding. The Retro Racket has a Chris King rear hub and is definitely faster on pavement.
#9
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The cycling scene here is great. We have the largest cycling club in the US: www.cascade.org. Have a look - multiple free group rides every day plus many event rides. And that's just one club. There are several in the area: RCC (Redmond Cycling Club), COGS (Cyclists of Greater Seattle), SIR (Seattle International Randonneurs), B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County. Seattle and other local cities have master bike plans in place to improve road conditions for cyclists. There are lots of rural, low traffic roads, and yes, hills. Redmond is particularly popular with cyclists as it's closest to rural areas.
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#10
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The roads to their house look do-able to me but a little iffy during high traffic times. More rolling hilly than I'm used to but nothing that I couldn't manage.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#11
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Get ready for grey - we have more than 50 shades.
Hey, once you start this moving around the country thing - it gets mentally easier after the 1st, for subsequent moves. California, Nevada, Missouri, Washington. We may be chasing toward a daughter in Portland, OR soon. Or an 80 year old father in Grand Junction, CO.
Hold on to roots or get ready to be blown by the wind. I'm the windy type.
edit: 2 bikes, good boots and a kayak (seaworthy) and you are set to teach those grandkids about the wonders of the area around where they live. Kayak with the orcas just off the shore from Lynnwood area.
Can't say enough good about PNW in general - except Puget Sound traffic and crowded roads. The local cycling around Wildwood, MO was better than here (IMHO). Hiking the Cascades is glory-full. No summer swelter.
Hey, once you start this moving around the country thing - it gets mentally easier after the 1st, for subsequent moves. California, Nevada, Missouri, Washington. We may be chasing toward a daughter in Portland, OR soon. Or an 80 year old father in Grand Junction, CO.
Hold on to roots or get ready to be blown by the wind. I'm the windy type.
edit: 2 bikes, good boots and a kayak (seaworthy) and you are set to teach those grandkids about the wonders of the area around where they live. Kayak with the orcas just off the shore from Lynnwood area.
Can't say enough good about PNW in general - except Puget Sound traffic and crowded roads. The local cycling around Wildwood, MO was better than here (IMHO). Hiking the Cascades is glory-full. No summer swelter.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 03-27-16 at 10:42 AM.
#12
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I lived there for 40+ years (born and raised), and there's a lot to like about the Seattle area, the cost of living isn't one of them.
Seattle used to be pretty bike friendly, but based on my last trip up there, I'd doubt that it's as friendly as it was 30 or 40 yrs ago.
Buy breathable rain gear, buy good sun glasses.
If you decide it's too wet to ride in the wet season, do what I did, learn to ski and fish. Putting a fresh salmon or steelhead on the dinner table is at least as good a substitution for not riding.
Seattle used to be pretty bike friendly, but based on my last trip up there, I'd doubt that it's as friendly as it was 30 or 40 yrs ago.
Buy breathable rain gear, buy good sun glasses.
If you decide it's too wet to ride in the wet season, do what I did, learn to ski and fish. Putting a fresh salmon or steelhead on the dinner table is at least as good a substitution for not riding.
Last edited by Wileyrat; 03-27-16 at 12:11 PM.
#13
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One of the apartment complexes that we've looked into is right on some paved trail that's adjacent to I-5. It's only around 3 miles from their house. Another complex is around 5 miles from their house and is adjacent to some trail but I don't know the name. That part sounds good to me. The 700 sq ft apartment with limited storage part doesn't appeal to me at all.
The roads to their house look do-able to me but a little iffy during high traffic times. More rolling hilly than I'm used to but nothing that I couldn't manage.
The roads to their house look do-able to me but a little iffy during high traffic times. More rolling hilly than I'm used to but nothing that I couldn't manage.
#14
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May buy a used panel van and park it in the complex parking lot. Doesn't even have to run as long as it's license-able.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#15
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If you're satisfied in your comfort zone then stay where you are. If you want to stretch your "comfort zone" (isn't that what they're meant for?), then move to Lynnwood. Looking at all the logistics, in the beginning, seems daunting, but if you break it into smaller steps it's totally doable. Regarding a small apartment....move here then once you learn the area, etc. move to a different place you like better.
As far as "stuff"? It's easy, in our society, to become "attached" to things...hard physical objects. It's not so easy to become detatched either. Studies on happiness report that it's the experiences we have, not so much the material possessions. It sounds, like either way, you'll be rich with family. It could be the opening to a life you've never known. An adventure.
Edit: just heard a story last Friday on NPR regarding small towns in Washington who are encouraging fat biking in the snow for income for the town. They have a special piece on the ski track groomer that grooms a seperate track meant for fat bikes. Also due to changes in the climate, when there is no snow, the snow park places are getting into fat biking for income.
Here's the link to the story:
https://ijpr.org/post/fat-bikes-gain-...ort-0#stream/0
As far as "stuff"? It's easy, in our society, to become "attached" to things...hard physical objects. It's not so easy to become detatched either. Studies on happiness report that it's the experiences we have, not so much the material possessions. It sounds, like either way, you'll be rich with family. It could be the opening to a life you've never known. An adventure.
Edit: just heard a story last Friday on NPR regarding small towns in Washington who are encouraging fat biking in the snow for income for the town. They have a special piece on the ski track groomer that grooms a seperate track meant for fat bikes. Also due to changes in the climate, when there is no snow, the snow park places are getting into fat biking for income.
Here's the link to the story:
https://ijpr.org/post/fat-bikes-gain-...ort-0#stream/0
Last edited by Velocivixen; 03-27-16 at 02:19 PM.
#16
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While I don't know your situation, I will say this: I got rid of about 75% of what I owned when I moved here. It was difficult for me, but once I got settled I felt really liberated. I found the cultural and weather adjustment difficult, but after several years I love it here and would hate to move elsewhere. Cost of living is a real problem, but less so the further you get from the city.
#17
Senior Member
It exists:
Two things:
A happy wife is a happy life. If Mrs RG says so...
And adventure is one of the spices of life. Do the research, set out a plan with a realistic time scale, and go for it.
You thought you had retired, Ha! You"ll be busier than full-time working for, oh, a year just doing this.
Two things:
A happy wife is a happy life. If Mrs RG says so...
And adventure is one of the spices of life. Do the research, set out a plan with a realistic time scale, and go for it.
You thought you had retired, Ha! You"ll be busier than full-time working for, oh, a year just doing this.
#18
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My mother in law lives on Vashon Island; Seattle and the area around it is beautiful. If you want more space, why not consider living farther away from Seattle?
#19
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As those of us who've slowly downsized our parents' domiciles know, it will happen to us, too. So look at getting rid of stuff as doing your kids a favor. Less stuff is better. Smaller is better as long as you have room for your bikes, trainer, workstand, etc. My wife an I have lived comfortably in 1100 sq. ft. for over 40 years. Most folks who bike around here have automobiles with bike racks, even if they can ride nicely right out their door. There are too many wonderful places to ride around here to be hard-core about not putting the bike on a car.
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#20
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I keep hearing that it rains a lot, but the place is packed with young techno-nerd types.
I've also heard that Seattle has some great restaurants.
I've also heard that Seattle has some great restaurants.
#21
Senior Member
One of the apartment complexes that we've looked into is right on some paved trail that's adjacent to I-5. It's only around 3 miles from their house. Another complex is around 5 miles from their house and is adjacent to some trail but I don't know the name. That part sounds good to me. The 700 sq ft apartment with limited storage part doesn't appeal to me at all.
The roads to their house look do-able to me but a little iffy during high traffic times. More rolling hilly than I'm used to but nothing that I couldn't manage.
The roads to their house look do-able to me but a little iffy during high traffic times. More rolling hilly than I'm used to but nothing that I couldn't manage.
The thing for me with Seattle is the g*****ss. Nope. That wouldn't work for me.
J.
#22
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I chose where we now live in 1993, after 32 years of roaming the earth, living and doing business in many places experience, as somewhere I'd most likely be good with living out the rest of my/our life. With 23 years now invested and being embedded in our community there ain't no frigging way I'd consider moving and starting all over again. Your situation, Retro, may be different but I'd at least think long and hard.
#23
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Nothing could keep me from living near my grandchildren. If I were you I would be moving ASAP. They're only young for a wee while, and you're not getting any younger yourself. Go west and make some lovely memories for those precocious kids while you still can and they still want to play with you.
Of course, that's easy for me to say. My grandchildren live four miles away and spend at least one day each week playing with me, so no one's asking me to pick up and move across the country.
Of course, that's easy for me to say. My grandchildren live four miles away and spend at least one day each week playing with me, so no one's asking me to pick up and move across the country.
#24
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I chose where we now live in 1993, after 32 years of roaming the earth, living and doing business in many places experience, as somewhere I'd most likely be good with living out the rest of my/our life. With 23 years now invested and being embedded in our community there ain't no frigging way I'd consider moving and starting all over again. Your situation, Retro, may be different but I'd at least think long and hard.
Nothing could keep me from living near my grandchildren. If I were you I would be moving ASAP. They're only young for a wee while, and you're not getting any younger yourself. Go west and make some lovely memories for those precocious kids while you still can and they still want to play with you.
Of course, that's easy for me to say. My grandchildren live four miles away and spend at least one day each week playing with me, so no one's asking me to pick up and move across the country.
Of course, that's easy for me to say. My grandchildren live four miles away and spend at least one day each week playing with me, so no one's asking me to pick up and move across the country.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#25
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Halfway in between: We have 4 families, with 13 grandchildren and 4 greats all living in the St Peters, Missouri area. We have 3 grandchildren in Lynnwood, Washington but those are the ones with the greatest needs. The first question is: If we were to move, would we be any actual help? Right now we're thinking about driving out for a month or so and bringing some bikes with us. That's an expense, but not nearly as bad as making a poorly advised move. I'm thinking bicycling in Washington would be more pleasant than Missouri during July and August.
I think that go for an extended visit first bit is a great idea. And if you do, please follow up post about it.
Last edited by ltxi; 03-28-16 at 04:15 PM.