Three months today, we finally took occupancy of our new home in Seattle, and it’s finally time to answer some common question we’ve gotten since arriving.

(Sadly the updates to this site about our time in Seattle have been less frequent than planned, but that’s only because we’ve been spending exploring a lot of our time exploring the city.)

How did the move go?

Once our stuff finally cleared customs (it took a week longer than expected), it went very well. Unpacking seemingly took forever but we are all settled in now. Our place feels more like home than almost any of our past residences.

How are you liking it?

Seattle is definitely the best place we could have moved to here in the U.S. The climate is good (and when it is, the views are spectacular); the people are friendly intelligent, and politically akin to our fellow Torontonians. And the dog loves it here.

Are you missing Toronto?

Some days, extraordinarily, when Jason Collett and his band serenaded us with some songs from our old neighbourhood, and when we want nothing more than hang out with good friends at places like Sweaty Betty’s. But it does help that Toronto had near-record snow this winter.

How has the weather been?

Honestly, except for the end of March when it snowed just as a good friend from Toronto arrived for a visit, the weather has been more better than I expected. A few days ago it was 27°C and sunny. Typically, it’s been in the mid-teens, and the rain never really lasts. Compared to the Toronto weather patterns, Seattle’s are, to us, unpredictable and brief.

What’s different?

A lot, and not a lot. Biggest thing that has surprised us is how cheap it is. Everything, even with the dollar at par is cheaper than it is in Toronto: food, drinks, clothes, appliances, and transportation. That Seattle’s recycling program is horribly antiquated in comparison to Toronto (and Ontario).

How is the commute?

We live close enough to the Microsoft campus that my commute (on a company shuttle, with Wifi, no less) is about half-an-hour each way.

Will you get a car?

Probably not. But everyone in Seattle seems to love their cars. Which is strange, consider own environmentally friendly they seem.

How is public transit then?

Public transit as means of getting around town, though, is less than ideal. With the exception of very short streetcar line (dubbed the SLUT) and a dead-end monorail, it is all buses that mostly into downtown and back out. And the payment system…we still struggle with that on occasion. But, it is cheap.

Hilary or Obama? …Or McCain?

Can’t vote here yet (which has made living in the U.S.’s current political climate a bit strange).

When are you coming back?

To visit? This summer — in the first week of June. If you are in the city and would like to meet-up, let me know.