Moving to Seattle, skiing and climbing!

And good luck finding quality BBQ up here. I started smoking my own after a lengthy search. Having moved from KC, I certainly have my opinion. Issaquah is a nice spot for access to everything...

Jeep question is easy.

Just drive up I-90 in reverse.  FWD is achieved.

Epic post~

will I be getting stuck a lot with RWD?

People got to the mountains in the winter for years before 4WD was available on anything but a CJ. Really good tires, 200 lbs of weight in the back, forget everything you learned about driving in Texas . . . but after the third time lying in the mush on I-90 putting your chains on I pretty much assure you you'll be combing Craigslist for Subarus.

I would love to get a new one, but I got some stuff to take care of before I can get a new car. Maybe 2-3 years away

I work in Issaquah and live at Alpental. If you want to get out for some climbing/skiing/running let me know.

-kevino

Such hearfelt defense of the City of Destiny. But jokes on you; because I, like many other unfortunate souls, spent the first 18 years of my life on earth within smelling range of the Foss Waterway Pulp Mill

My post was, of course, half joke and for that, I digress. However, let's be honest. Tacoma is and always was an industrial city with a high crime rate. Perhaps even worse is its distant proximity to any real rock climbing and its close proximity to Spanaway, Parkland, and sorry Bro, Lakewood.

That said, you've got Crystal, Mt. Rainier, and a more favorable pace of life and less traffic than Seattle (unless you find yourself anywhere near I-5 during rush hour); and a decent cultural and social scene.

For the record, I live in the Central Washington Pastry Capital of the World, Der Leavenworth, not Seattle.

Anyway, sincerest welcome to the PNW.