City Life

Buying a Home With Cash? Not in Seattle.
Buyers here have the lowest rate of all-cash transactions in the U.S.
Maybe it’s because of escalating prices, but homebuyers in Seattle use all-cash purchases less than any other major city in the U.S. Seattle-based Redfin reports that only 18.8% of Seattle homebuyers made all-cash transactions in December. Nationally, 31% of buyers purchase homes using all cash. The median down payment in Seattle, however, is 20%, or…

The Pulse: Winds of Change
A custard-lined cinnamon roll, a dreamy bookstore relocation, and Seattle’s seasonal optimism
After a blustery few nights sent recycling bins flying and knocked out power for thousands, the wind is gone and the sun is out. We’re in for a small stretch of mild weather — sunny, even. Now’s a good time to get outside and look for dirt blooms. Here’s what’s going on around town… …

The Pulse: Soggy and Saucy
Rain, rumors, and rental chickens — just another week in Seattle
The forecast? Rain, rain, and more rain. My husband is recovering from Covid, so we’ll be doing puzzles and keeping cozy this weekend. What about you? Here’s what’s been going on around town… MoPOP is honoring Black sci-fi legends, and yes, you can see Geordi La Forge’s VISOR in-person. I’m not crying, you are. Could…

Serving Prize
Vancouver-area ninth grader wins national cookoff
Nadia has bigger plans for her college meals than just ramen and cheap takeout. Nadia — a 13-year-old from the Vancouver, Wash., area who asked that her last name not be used — whisked her way to the top of the 2024 K-12 National Cook-Off competition, besting more than 300 students from across the United…

Seattle Swipe Skeptics
Online daters across the city increasingly wary of tech-driven romance
At a Super Bowl party last weekend, I asked a friend who had recently become single if she was preparing to jump back into the online dating pool. “No,” she said emphatically. “Online dating sucks.” Now comes new data as to exactly why. In Seattle alone, 57% of online daters say they’ve encountered romance scams….

Moxie on Monday: Rewriting Your Story
What if we collect security instead of insecurity?
What would life look like if we went through it collecting securities rather than insecurities? What would it feel like if we built our self-worth from the inside out rather than the outside in? The concept of self-worth is based on our view of the self, yet most of us go through life half asleep…

The Pulse: Love in a Cold Climate
The most romantic walks in Seattle and another breakfast heist
Happy Valentine’s Day. I’ve always liked the idea of celebrating love. And being in the city feels romantic this time of year — cold air, twinkling lights, maybe a late-night walk under the glowy moon. Whatever it is you’re doing, I hope you’re staying warm. Here’s what’s going on around town… Need Valentine’s plans? Find…

Panorama Plates for Valentine’s Day
These Seattle restaurants all offer great food and spectacular views
Some local restaurant groups have built their reputations on waterfront locations with a view. Most offer special Valentine’s Day menus. Duke’s Seafood, Daniel’s Broiler, Anthony’s, Salty’s, Ivar’s and other restaurant groups have multiple locations with water views. Fire & Vine has two waterfront concepts, Aerlume — just north of Pike Place Market — and AQUA by El Gaucho on Pier 70. …

The Pulse: Thawing Out
Seattle’s food scene steps up and an ugly art tradition lives on
We made it through all the snow and ice this week, and now it’s time to gear up for Valentine’s Day. We’re keeping things simple this year — just stencils, stickers, glitter, and some white cards to decorate. What are your plans? It’s been a week full of news and updates, so here’s what’s happening…

Chef Jan Parker is All Over the Map
As Reyna Filipina Kitchen prepares to open, the chef’s got her hands full with popups and dinner parties
Seems like wherever I turn lately, I see Chef Jan Parker’s face. Since 2018, the Tacoma-based popup and catering chef has been serving her fresh, dynamic Filipino cuisine at farmer’s markets, in wineries and breweries, at ticketed dinner parties, in holiday street festivals, even at flea markets and vintage clothing fairs. She’s also hard to…

The Pulse: Snow on the Horizon
A new MoPOP exhibition, Memorial Stadium’s future, and Pete Carroll in dad mode
Hey there, how’s it going? It’s been a busy week at the office. We’re gearing up for the next print issue — think stunning homes and killer photos. Also, they’re calling for light snow this weekend and possibly into Monday. Any bets on if it’ll actually happen? It’s been a dry winter, so any precipitation…

Valentine’s Day: How Suite It Is
Check out these eight romantic getaways
Valentine’s Day: Dinner, flowers, romance. Done? This year consider a new tradition: the perfect annual excuse to pamper, luxuriate, and staycate. Here are eight local options for cozying up with Valentines, Galentines, and Palentines of every persuasion. W Bellevue Bellevue makes for a delightfully nearby staycation — just pop across the bridge and press…

True Crime, Live
Yeardley Smith brings her hit podcast to Seattle for its first live tour
There’s no body, but there is a mystery: Why does Seattle love Small Town Dicks so much? Maybe it’s the brooding skies. The shadowy streets. The endless drizzle. Or the coffee-sipping, side-eyeing locals who can’t resist a good story. Or maybe it’s something deeper — an appreciation for the human-centered cases and compelling storytelling the…
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