Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with WashingtonState

Experience with Sprint / Nextel MiFi?

bamassippi — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:04:59 -0800

Experience with Sprint / Nextel MiFi? Moving into an area of Seattle with a cable/Internet provider with a poor reputation and performance. My wife and I are considering the MiFi 2200. We both work from home and I wanted to ask the MeFi-ers first to see if anyone has had any experience with this device/service.

We need something that can handle everything from running reports through VPNs, to watching videos, to downloading large files. What should we need to know (or be concerned) about? How does it compare to a top-of-the-line high-speed broadband service?

I'm moving to Beacon Hill in Seattle -- need assistance getting adjusted.

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:42:07 -0800

I'm moving to Beacon Hill in Seattle -- need assistance getting adjusted. Been living in Queen Anne for my 3 years in Seattle. I'll be about 2 blocks south of Amazon's building. Quite the different neighborhood.

Looking for insight and suggestions from others who've made the transition into this neighborhood that everyone keeps claiming is the "next big thing!". I'm not quite convinced, though my rent is $650 less, and I've tripled in rooms and storage.

- Who are the cable/Internet options in the area? (Your reviews of said service.)
- Bars/restaurant suggestions.
- General "things you should know" before moving to Beacon Hill.

Contesting car registration fee due to circumstances beyond my control

Sublimity — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:19:53 -0800

About to register a new car in Massachusetts--can I fight the Mass. sales tax if I already paid more in Washington State? Six weeks before my family was to move from Washington to Massachusetts, our only car was massively rear-ended and totally destroyed. As a consequence we bought a nearly-new car in a hurry from a dealership in Washington state so that my husband and kids could drive across the country to relocate with me.

The car's registration expires in September. While investigating converting our registration we find that we will be charged 6.25% of the purchase price of the car because we didn't own it for six months before we moved.

The purchase of the car was in no way intended to evade paying sales tax in MA. I can provide ample documentation about the accident destroying our previous car, etc.

I am so pissed off that I needed to buy another car due to circumstances beyond my control--it was a huge hassle and expense in an already stressful and expensive time. The idea that I'm going to be assessed an additional $1000+, just because some fuckwit rear-ended and destroyed my car, really puts the cherry on top of the whole experience.

Can I fight this? What are good strategies? The Attorney General of Washington State is a remarkably good consumer advocate--would they be helpful, or their Massachusetts equivalent? Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

How to not get kicked off the beach for camping?

pontouf — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:02:40 -0800

Where can I find public access beach camping in Washington State? I want to go on a weekend trip from Seattle to do some beach camping without driving terribly far, so within the state (or up in B.C. I suppose). I can't seem to find any resources that state where the beaches are public vs. private though. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Can landlords make a profit from utilities payments?

Anonymous — Tue, 12 May 2009 08:50:30 -0800

In Washington State, can a landlord legally make a profit off of a business tenant's utility payments? I own a business in Washington State. We've been in one space for several years and are currently negotiating our lease option.

The landlords had not previously mentioned any increase in our utilities bill until after they agreed (at our request, due to the economy) to not raise our rent for the next year.

When they sent us the new agreement, however, they now claimed that our utilities payments (water and electricity only) were going up 25%.

We suspect that this increase may be retalitory in nature, which leads me to wonder: can they charge us more for utilities than those utilities actually cost them, and then pocket the rest? Or, legally, should our cost be the actual cost?

Relaxing weekend for one in or near Seattle?

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:53:34 -0800

Relaxing weekend for a solo woman in or near Seattle? I'm a burnt-out mom in need of a vacation. I'm thinking of treating myself to a night or two away from my darling family (they don't know this, thus the anonymity). I live in Seattle. Where should I go? What should I do?

I'll be alone, so "romantic getaway" trips aren't appealing. I like walking, I like good food, I like spa stuff like massages, I like hotels with room service and bathrobes and clean rooms, I like movies. I don't like shopping or scented candles or horses. I'm not interested in Victoria (too romantic getaway-ish). Too much free time makes me nervous, so I'd like some structure or activities.

This would be sometime this January, probably, on a weekend.

Its my birthday... where should I eat in Seattle?

bamassippi — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:29:27 -0800

It's my birthday... where should I eat in Seattle? I'm looking for insight into some of Seattle's nicest restaurants which I may not have yet eaten at. Chain restaurants are ok... though my wife and I usually prefer Seattle's unique restaurants.

Money is no big deal, though I'd prefer to have options which didn't break the bank.

Any suggestions?

Where to stay in Olympic National Forest

ambrosia — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:22:08 -0800

Please share your favorite lodgings in/near Olympic National Park. We are planning a family reunion for the summer of 2009, and we've decided to go to Olympic National Park. There are lots of different places to stay, and I'm having a hard time sorting out the best spots. Some of the places that have been suggested are Lake Crescent Lodge, Lake Quinault Lodge and Kalaloch Lodge. Reviews on tripadvisor.com are rather mixed. Please share your experiences of these lodges or suggest another place.

We will be a group of 10 people ranging in age from 1 to 74, wanting 5 separate sleeping spaces. A few of us might be up for serious camping, but most of us will want rooms with beds and en-suite baths.

why so many WA state plates in NoVA?

fnord23bc — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:05:31 -0800

I live in northern Virginia, and since I moved back to this area about 8 months ago, I've been noticing many out of state license plates from Washington state (this happens one or more times a week). Is there any rhyme or reason to this (some big company relocating here), or is it just coincidence?

Best beach on the Washington state Pacific Coastline?

bamassippi — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:11:24 -0800

Best beach on the Washington state Pacific Coastline? Taking a looong day-trip (rain or shine) to the Pacific Coast this Saturday from Seattle. Anyone have any recommendations for the best beach with access on the Washington coastline?

Also... I want to head South (Olympia) to the coast and come back through the North (via Bainbridge ferry) on the way home to Seattle. Anyone ever done this? Is this crazy to think to do (by simply driving and not stopping very much) in one day?

(Any suggestions as to good eateries/sights that can be easily accessed en route to or from the coast are welcomed as well.)

Looking for good hotels and wineries in Washington State wine country.

bamassippi — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:45:03 -0800

Looking for good hotels and wineries in Washington State wine country. My girlfriend and I are looking to take a weekend trip from Seattle down to Walla Walla for a weekend on wine.

I am looking for suggestions on cool hotels and wineries in the area. We are somewhat experienced in the field of wine tasting and are looking for any non-touristy wineries, though we'll put up with with tourist crowds if the wine is right.

Any suggestions (or side-trips en route to Walla Walla) are welcomed.

Looking to donate blood plasma in the greater Seattle area. Where do I go?

Anonymous — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 05:09:56 -0800

Looking to donate blood plasma in the greater Seattle area. Where do I go? Running a little low on fund right now and wanted to donate plasma to earn a few extra bucks. Can anyone provide some insight as to what centers/hospitals around Seattle and Bellevue will pay for plasma?

Good hikes around Seattle.

bamassippi — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 10:33:20 -0800

Good hikes around Seattle. Although it's raining right now outside my office window, us Seattleites are still hopeful for a beautiful Summer weekend.

I'm new(er) to the area and have yet to go on a good day-hike in the area. I've heard that Mt. Rainier National Park is beautiful, but I'm looking for any suggestions from the MeFi-ers.

What are some good (relatively easy/relaxing) hikes that you would suggest?

I don't want to drive more than 2 hours in one direction... gas is too dang expensive. (Also...do any buses run from the city to any parks? I'd love to spare mother nature, as well as my wallet.)