<p>Shrinkrap, I sang that song incessantly the summer before I moved from Orange County to Seattle!! I moved up with no job, no housing, no friends, and had zero difficulty adjusting while gaining residency and applying for a grad program. It is a beautiful beautiful area with incredibly nice people, and I had a great time, although after 4 years and the completion of a grad program I couldn’t wait to leave. There just wasn’t enough to do 25 years ago for a city girl like me, (and I couldn’t wait to distance myself from an ex fiance). </p>
<p>DD got into Seattle University, a terrific school, with a terrific scholarship, and we flew up there. Everything looked wonderful - I told my DH that I thought we would be signing up for housing before we returned. We landed on a gorgeous day - the city was sparkling - I was so impressed how everything had changed for the BETTER in the 25 years. My DD, however? She loved the Pink Door, Pike Place Market, etc but could not imagine herself living there. No way - no how. Couldn’t really pin it down initially, but finally admitted that it was simply “too” casual for her. Hated that everywhere she went people compliimented her on her nice jeans and well coordinated outfit. Hated that she couldn’t effectively straighten her hair. Actually wrote a question on yahoo re her other choice of college at that time “Do people dress up in Chicago more than Seattle” and was reassured when they said they did. Fortunately, she had an equally dramatic positive reaction to Boston both initially (within 5 minutes she said no tourist stuff - add on more colleges because this is where I want to go to school) and at the end of the process when she got into her first choice college. I really do believe in “fit” and although they can’t articulate it, I think it’s like a boyfriend - if you are open to your intuition, you know it when you see it.</p>