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!