Redmond

Visited my uncle here this past August—such a beautiful little city (just like the majority of Washington state XD). I especially loved the graffiti wall; I adore the concept and wish they had one available here in Missouri. Hoping to get into UW, so maybe I’ll be back in Redmond soon =].

Looking for recommendations:

I’d like to start a knitting group in Redmond (where I live) or Bellevue. I don’t want to hold the knitting group at my home, so I’m thinking in terms of coffee houses.

I’ve heard terrible, horrible things about some of the non-Starbucks coffee houses in Redmond, so I’m hoping for personal recommendations.

Requirements:
1 – doesn’t matter if it’s Starbucks or not, as long as they’re a location that stays open past 8pm
2 – has at least enough chairs for 4 to 6 people to sit in a group and knit comfortably
3 – should be in Bellevue, Redmond or Kirkland
4 – not TOO prohibitively expensive
5 – OK with people who might buy one or two things and stay for two hours. At least one of the non-Starbucks places I’ve read reviews on had several reviews that mentioned the owner would pointedly tell people they were sticking around too long, despite being otherwise quiet.

Any recommendations? I appreciate the help!

I’ll be relocating to Washington and need input from locals. Here’s a list of what I’m looking for. Redmond seems to satisfy, agreed? If not, where else does?

1. Desire smallish coastal (or close to it) town on the stretch between Tacoma and Bellingham. (Bellingham also seems to have a lot of what I’m looking for but might be just a tad too far north at this time.)

2. No to Seattle, just outside Seattle or other large cities. Been there done that, and at this age (49) need mellower quality of life.

3. Yes to reasonable SANE commutes.

4. Sense of community and social outlets, especially for singles.

5. Good employment opportunities (not Boeing). (My true work is writing/journalism but I will need some fall-back jobs.)

6. Cultural offerings and well-defined downtown area with cafes, bookstores.

7. Reasonable and affordable rents!!!!!!

8. Safety. No gang wars and drugs lords please.

On this list, what do you Redmondons think about your town, pros and cons? What other satellite communities might you suggest? Thank you!
Gussie

Buy a bicycle.
This town is very bicycle friendly. There are trails all throughout the city and they lead everywhere.

It’s the first city I’ve lived in that you do not have to own a car, or have to rely on the bus.

-g

i’m hoping to move to Redmond in just 2 years with my boyfriend/fiance/almost-husband. he’s going to Digipen and i’m hoping to go to grad school somewhere. we are soo excited about moving because we live in Lubbock, Texas now and its horrible here!

Well, I graduated college and they made an offer I couldn’t refuse. I stay for the work, but the long rainy season gets old, so I will consider leaving after now 9 years. Beautiful summers, San Juan Islands, sailing, camping, wonderful live music culture and terrific eating of all ethnic varieties, all the arts you can hope for outside of NY or SF. Terrific outdoors, skiiing, hiking, fishing, lakes, mountains, rain forests, etc.

My advice is to skip RTC completely and go the extra couple of blocks to Victor’s Coffee Company, which to me is the real heart of Redmond. Wonderful little place, awesome hot chocolate, great staff, lots of character.

So many ways its no comparison…moving from summer to winter (rainy winter). But then you have Microsoft, Nintendo, multiple QFCs, views of mountains, 20min to Woodinville…I’m trying to make myself feel better.
Looking out in winter, you can sometimes see sun, but it is deceptive…don’t go outside!! If you do, you need to grab your jacket!! It will still be COLD. The roads aren’t designed as well, but then you can post your letters (not packages) where you collect your mail…and where else can you find across the road Mint Oreo cookies and icecream and HAPPY HOUR!! – maybe America is the land of opportunities!!

God I miss Redmond..

..which admittedly would probably get boring after a short while, but there are a lot of great places to eat in the more rustic downtown area.. especially Indian. The best Mexican place I know in the greater Seattle area is in Redmond.. Taqueria El Gallo.

It’s also great to come out to a friend’s large house in Redmond and party here… as long as you don’t drive back to Seattle if intoxicated, or can sleep over, of course. Redmond partiers are underrated.

Oh yeah, very pretty too, if you look above and beyond the tech and the burb dreck.

But it’s certainly a better visit than Bellevue!

Kirkland beats Redmond for visiting, though, because it has a pretty colorful waterfront area.