In early 2024, a young individual decided to leave behind their life in New York City to embark on a new adventure on the West Coast in Seattle.
Having visited their mom’s cousin in western Washington as a teenager and being inspired by the area depicted in the beloved “Twilight” franchise, they vowed to live there one day—and they finally had the chance.
After spending about 10 months in New York City, following a move from the UK, they felt a lack of stability due to being unable to secure a lease—lacking a rental history in the US—and had been living in subletting arrangements.
Needing a change, the move to Seattle came with high expectations, but the reality turned out to be quite different.
A year later, they returned to New York City.
Despite loving their apartment with a stunning water view, they found the public transportation system lacking.
They signed a six-month lease on an apartment in Kitsap County, located about 15 miles from Seattle by ferry, later extending it for eight months.
The apartment was incredible—overlooking the Puget Sound, where sea lions and occasionally orcas could be spotted from the window.
Only a short walk from the Washington State Ferry terminal, they had access to Seattle via a 30-minute $2 fast ferry ride or an hour on the larger free ferry.
The time spent on the ferry was reminiscent of their experiences in New York, where it could easily take an hour to travel between certain areas of Queens and Brooklyn.
However, the major difference was that there were only eight larger ferries daily, often at inconvenient times.
The fast ferry was small and frequently required waiting in line for up to an hour during peak times just to secure a seat.
On days when meetings were scheduled in Seattle, they found themselves accounting for an extra two hours of travel time.
If they wished to enjoy a dinner or night out, missing the last ferry home posed a serious problem, as they were often left with the option of waiting for the 12:50 a.m. ferry, which would get them home around 2 a.m.
During one such outing, they did miss the 10 p.m. ferry and had to endure the long wait for the next one.
While they felt safe on the ferries, being out late alone still made them uneasy.
Although the public transportation system was frustrating, it wasn’t their primary concern with life in Seattle.
They had expected that moving to Washington would translate to more opportunities for adventure, with long hikes and trips to the beach.
Having envisioned frequent excursions to Olympic National Park, they soon faced the harsh reality of not possessing a driver’s license, making such outings nearly impossible without exhausting bus rides.
Though their mom’s cousin lived nearby, and distant family was relatively close, making friends proved challenging.
Prior to their West Coast move, several people had warned them about the difficulty newcomers often experience in forming connections—a phenomenon dubbed the “Seattle freeze.”
Despite their efforts to engage with others—smiling and chatting about the weather while grabbing coffee or shopping—most people seemed startled by the interaction and would often ignore them.
Efforts included trying Bumble BFF and joining local Facebook groups such as Seattle’s Girl Group, but these initiatives bore little fruit.
They would often initiate conversations and arrange meetups, only for potential friends to stop responding, or for the unreliable ferry schedule to complicate matters, making it hard to meet for drinks or entertainment.
The hustle and bustle of NYC was seriously missed.
While the chaotic energy of city life could be overwhelming at times, the joy of that atmosphere was something they craved.
In Washington state, there were occasions when nearly a week passed without them leaving their home, simply due to loneliness.
Their small Kitsap County town was characterized mainly by military personnel and retirees, with most venues closing by 8 p.m.
Moreover, events they wanted to attend in Seattle frequently clashed with the ferry schedule, limiting their opportunities for social engagement.
In contrast, during their time in NYC, they were routinely attending media events and socializing with friends at least three times a week.
This social aspect was ultimately what they missed the most.
Thus, in April, just over a year after making the transition, they packed up and returned to New York City.
Despite the challenges faced in Seattle, they hold no regrets about their time there.
The experiences provided self-discovery and assurance that they are truly suited for the vibrant energy of city life.
Living in New York City, they feel alive and at home, embodying the spirit of an honorary New Yorker.
image source from：https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-from-nyc-to-seattle-only-lasted-one-year-2025-4
