Seattle: The Lofi Remix of My New York Life

Lyft driver: “Amazon?”
Me: “Yepp”
Lyft driver: “New hire?”
Me: “Yepp”

(Silence for the next 20 minutes)

This is how my first conversation here, with my Lyft driver went like when he tried to help me as I struggled to walk towards the car with four big suitcases, alone. A fair assumption considering a large part of Seattle is home to Amazonians. Three months back in this city, and I’m yet to meet someone who isn’t wearing a blue badge and carrying the infamous gray backpack. Every morning feels like a walk back to school. It’s not too new for me — I did spend three months here last summer. But what’s different is how I'm adjusting to the city this time. Back then, I was “here from New York for the summer.” Now, it's just “I’m here till my visa allows me to be here.”

The transition from an East Coaster to a Pacific Northwester is a work in progress. The Pacific Northwest — the new muse of my blogs.

If I’m being honest, I haven’t fully let it sink in that this move is permanent, especially considering my tickets to New York for graduation are booked (and I’ll be there in just about 20 days). But I figured the first step toward accepting this new life is to find joy — to explore and observe the little things about the city that excite me the way the Big Apple once did.

So, let me introduce you to the Emerald City — because she’s going to be the center of my blogs going forward.

 

If you’ve read my “Summer in Seattle” blog last year, you already know what it’s like exploring Seattle as a tourist — twelve weekends, all the major attractions, checked off.

But this time?

It’s a new chapter.

It’s Seattle 101: the things that make Seattle, Seattle.

It rains a lot here. So much so that a rainy day is a normal day for a Seattlite. It feels odd when it’s not pouring down. The good kind of odd. You will not see anyone opening an umbrella on most days when theres little drops falling on their coats and backpacks. In fact, if you are like me and trying to fit it, it will be a little difficult initially to resist the urge to take that umbrella out of your bag and save the trouble of drying your hair later that day. I smile to myself on mornings when my vision is compromised by the blobs of water on my glasses, when the realization hits that I AM trying to fit in. Which means I am getting comfortable in this new city. 

You’ll see a different kind of spark in the eyes (and instagram stories) of Seattlites when there’s an unexpected appearance of the sun on a random Wednesday evening. It’s brief, but he comes up to say hello and then sets off. A few opportunities to spot the golden hour views but each one is magnificent. It’s easy to make us happy. Some sunlight and a spotting of Mt. Rainer and we’re content. 

Another thing that is amusing for me, but normal for a local is spotting magnificent mountains from anywhere and everywhere. From my office window, on my way to Trader Joe’s, from my rooftop, on an afternoon walk. Pacific North West is known for its myriad of mountains and national forests but it feels unreal to look at them at random times, especially when you’re coming from a city like New York. And don’t get me wrong, there are MANY a tall buildings here as well but the beauty the puget sound, lake union, and the tall ice capped mountains bring is something very special. 

But what really makes someone a "Seattlite"?
A few very definitive characteristics, and trust me, everyone here would agree:

1. Every morning, before even getting out of bed, you check the day’s weather to decide: puffer jacket, windbreaker, or light jacket.
2. You start using words like "light jacket" in every conversation.
3. The first conversation of every day with anyone — your barista, your coworker, your Uber driver — revolves around the weather.
4. You never trust the weekly forecast — you just check the weather day-by-day because Seattle’s mood swings are worse than mine on a random Saturday (and that’s saying something).
5. Everyone roams around in rich athleisure — Lululemon, Aritzia, Alo Yoga — everywhere: at work, at brunch, running errands.
6. Lastly (and most importantly): Everyone here has been on at least one hike, one trip to a national park, and at least one weekend getaway to Oregon. No exceptions.

It's honestly the National Park part that's holding me back from full Seattlite status. Partially because I don’t know how to drive yet... and I’m shite-scared to learn.

To sum it up:
In true Jahnavi fashion — Seattle is the lofi version of New York.

1. It's walkable, but not so much that you can survive without driving or rideshares.
2. It's lively and safe, but not lively enough to roam alone till midnight.
3. People make conversation, but not the animated, passionate kind New Yorkers are known for.
4. Tall glass buildings, but filled with tech bros, not finance bros.
5. No random Ed Sheeran or Lorde performances on a Tuesday night. Only meticulously planned weekend trips.
6. Roads filled with Teslas instead of yellow taxis.
7. Waterways filled with calm dinner yachts instead of loud party cruises.

It’s a vibe. A chill, slow, serene vibe.

I used to flip between "I kinda like it here" and "I wanna go back to New York" almost every day.

Now, it’s changed to: "I can probably live here... as long as I know when my next trip to New York is." I even catch myself describing myself as a Pacific Northwester sometimes — now that the city is becoming familiar.

It wouldn't even surprise me if I eventually came to peace with the idea that I’m no longer (and probably never again will be) a New Yorker. And I’m okay with that. I can accept being a Seattlite now — a PNWer eventually.

But the name of my blog?
Will I change it now that I’m here?
No.
Will I ever change it?
Also no.

Because no matter where I am — in my heart, in my soul — I’ll always be a Novice New Yorker.
(And honestly, good for you — because if I stay obsessed with New York, you get to read more about New York.)
(Okay byeeee.)

~ Vee 🪐