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Seattle #22: The honeymoon period – will it last?

23/2/2018

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It took 9 months to settle into Tokyo. I was struggling in almost every way, culturally, socially, in practical ways, financially, and then I had to go home for a funeral. People in Australia at the time would ask how my move to Japan was going, and I would answer honestly - not well, I'm not happy there, but I'm definitely going back because I am determined to have made it worth it. It was a turning point for me, and by the time I left Japan at the end of that year, I was the happiest I had ever been in my life. But I knew I was leaving at the peak, as many expats hit their 2 year anniversary in Japan and become miserable. Those who stay longer are generally fine, but sometimes you’d meet embittered long-timer expat (or, *ghasp*, immigrant). I understood their grouchiness by a thousand frustrations, from the constant reminders that you’ll never be considered one of the Japanese, the spectacular bureaucracy and the toxic corporate culture – it just hadn’t gotten to me yet. I like to think I made the right decision leaving when I did.

Hanoi was different, and I instantly had a lot of fun there, but I definitely think the cycle is much shorter there. Quicker honeymoon period, but it will wear thin on you much quicker. I quite enjoyed one small book by a jaded expat.

Edinburgh was similar to Japan, probably owing to the fact that I moved there in Autumn, just as events where one can make friends are winding down, but the following spring my social life and happiness blossomed, and did so permanently.

It took 5 months to find my happiness in Seattle. I have a wonderful home, social circles, and I’m even the fittest I have been since I was a teenager, but I wonder if this is my new normal level of happiness, or just the honeymoon period and I'll turn into a grizzled expat or immigrant like in Japan. I don’t think it’s the same here because the culture is less alien and the cons are very different. Unhealthy food, violence, and expensive healthcare are the first cons that come to my mind, not monoculture, toxic work culture and impermeable social barriers. Furthermore, this is my fifth country I have lived in in five years. I learned every place has its pros and cons, and I have the experience that allows me to truly appreciate the great things here.
Whether this is my home for a couple decades , or the rest of my days, I think I’ll be very happy here.
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Seattle #21: Street drug addicts and mentally ill.

16/2/2018

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I lived in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland, where Trainspotting is based. The area has a methadone clinic on Great Junction Street, also (not so) affectionately called "Great Junkie Street." The area was decimated by the HIV epidemic in the 90s, but the area is now gentrifying, with beggars sitting outside of high-end eateries and stores on Leith Walk. While there are many similarities to Seattle, it's very obvious America takes a lot less care of its' mentally ill, addicted, uneducated and poor, although Seattle clearly does a lot better than many places in the US.

Seattle's problem is exacerbated by the fact that the city has effectively legalised heroin, crack and meth by raising the bar on possession, and the police have a catch and release policy, without any actual treatment given. Numbers of addicts living here are also up because neighboring cities' police departments will issue non-extraditable misdemeanor arrest warrants for them, effectively turning Seattle into a dumping ground.

Not unique to Seattle or the US, police don't to waste their time on minor crimes. E.g. <$1000 in theft/damage, when a shoplifter fights store security but doesn't use a weapon, etc. This is because they know the county prosecutors will not file felony charges. Thus criminals target accordingly without fear of felony prosecution. I highly recommend this Reddit post by an anonymous Seattle cop explaining this.

Washington state also trails the nation in mental health treatment and has a high prevalence of mental illness. (Reference.)

I grew up in Perth, and for 5 years lived in a relatively dangerous area, Carlisle, between the Burswood Crown Casino and notorious Oats St Station. I felt unsafe on public transport more frequently than in Seattle, but I downright dread downtown bus changes where homeless people congregate. Overall, I would say I feel unsafe here enough that it is a major con of living here, and it's something I am forced to warn visitors, or prospective migrants about. Sorry Seattle and America - get your things together and help your fellow man like lots of other countries manage to.
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Seattle #20: Street fairs and parades

9/2/2018

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Americans love them, they're frequent, and they're done extremely well. Much better than Australia's poor attempts at Christmas parades.
- My first was Fremont Fair, which starts with a naked bike ride, and gets further liberal and artsy from there. If I hit my gym goal, I'll ride next year.
- A week later the Pride Parade blew my socks off, but at four hours, it was ridiculously long. FOUR HOURS!
- The Seafair Parade was weird and creepy. The grand marshals were a couple white, male B-list actors who had achieved moderate success. The floats were mostly three pretty women from a local rural food item festival awkwardly waving at everybody, corporate groups, military drill teams (very creepy to non-Americans), ethnic groups, marching bands (these were actually really good) and waving politicians with their entourages.

Next up, I need to go to county fairs. I can't wait to find out how they compare to Australian Royal Shows.
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Seattle #19: Quick movie releases, live TV, and cinema prices

2/2/2018

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I can watch Game of Thrones live at the comfortable time of 6pm Sunday, and not have to avoid the internet for a day for fear of OH MY GOD THEY JUST KILLED OFF ARYA STARK!!!!

As for movies, a popular past-time for people (locals and ex-pats) in Japan is to complain about how much later a popular movie is going to be released there, usually 3-6 months. I've even had friends post angry Facebook screenshots of release schedules. Apparently it's so they can market a movie as ""Number 1 in the USA!" You can read more about the reasons here.
Australia, in my youth, used to be the same, but has since gotten much better. 

Movie tickets are also much cheaper in the US. According to
 WorldAtlas.com, USA is $8.13, the UK $10.90, Japan $12.77, and Australia $12.95. However, these are national averages. I lived in Edinburgh, Tokyo and Perth, all expensive capital  cities, and are therefore even more expensive. I also currently pay even less in the US because I use Moviepass which is $10/month for unlimited movies. Yet another reason I love living in the US - experimental business models.
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    About this blog

    Musings, frustrations and wonderment from an Australian who moved to the US having never visited the country before. 

    ​This is the fifth country I have lived in in five years, and if I've learned one thing, it's that every place has its pros and cons.

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