Stressed out in Seattle: We're the most anxious major metro in the U.S., new census data shows

[brooklynite]

Seattle Times

Here in Seattle, we take a lot of pride in our status as the coffee capital of the nation. But starting tomorrow, you might want to consider switching to decaf.

Why?

Because Seattle is also the most jittery major metro in the U.S., according to survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

In a survey conducted Sept. 29 to Oct. 11, 54.5% of the adult population of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties — that’s roughly 1.8 million people — said they felt “nervous, anxious or on edge” for at least several days during the past two weeks. That’s the highest percentage among the 15 largest U.S. metro areas.

[nolabear]

1. I resemble that remark!

We care. We try. We tend to be high achievers and are largely liberal (though not entirely). It's been a miserable decade for those who care.

[WheelWalker]

2. Caffeine shakes.

The "Starbucks Effect"

[cilla4progress]

3. I felt something different when I was there last weekend.

A lot of angst. And a lot of litter, and graffiti in huge black letters. People crying out to be heard.

Homeless camps, of course.

I couldn't even get a cup of decent coffee - IN SEATTLE! Starbucks got my order wrong the 1st time, after like 10 minutes of friendly convo with the barista. Then, it wasn't till AFTER NOON on Sunday I was able to get one! Lines, even early, at Pike Place!

Also - those scooters on the sidewalks???? Jeezus, who decided THAT'S OK?

And the place we've been staying for like 20 years, with "sweeping views" of Puget Sound and Capitol Hill - all boxed in with new highrises, including expanded Convention Ctr.

I know I sound like a fogey, but, these are my true feelings. I'm sorry.

[Sympthsical]

4. Had a really funny Starbucks incident yesterday

My partner's best friend is a SB fanatic. The man goes daily. So, he'll go along once or twice a week and bring something home for later.

Anyway, he brings home the white chocolate mocha seasonal thing they do. It's basically white chocolate cocoa. It's pretty tasty, and he loves it. Around 9pm, he comes flying into my office in a panic. "I think I have Covid!" Of course, then I start freaking out. "What, why?!" We both work from home, but I go to school several times a week, so I started panicking that I might've brought it home.

"I can't taste my cocoa! It has no taste!" Oh no! I fly into the kitchen. I take a sip.

It's milk foam. All milk foam. They forgot to put the flavoring in.

Oi.

[cbabe]

5. Fun game: what killed Seattle?

Hockey stadium cost City $850 million. Could’ve spent on housing homeless.

Whole neighborhoods of bungalows and gardens bulldozed for concrete high rises for tech workers. Side effect is streets are raging rivers when it rains; no more gardens to soak up the water, only concrete.

Number one for 2020 population growth. Overcrowded between mountains and water, narrow streets clogged with traffic, more leaf blowers destroying calm and beauty.

And…

[cilla4progress]

6. No contest

Bezos

[roamer65]

8. People ruin everything they touch.

Dump is a prime example.

[BlackSkimmer]

7. I visited there a few years back.

I’d already decided I loved the city.

It was kind of a letdown. No interest in going back.