The Short: I'm a single young adult with a college degree and student loan debt. I live in a sterile small city with limited job prospects. I want to move out and get an entry-level or temporary job in a coastal U.S. city (NYC, LA, SF, Seattle). Please walk me through the logistics and help me devise a plan, as well as offer any advice you have on making it on your own in a new city (essentially, how to be an independent, self-sufficient adult). [more inside]
posted by matticulate on Dec 13, 2012 - 19 answers

You've been offered the same position with the same company in your choice of two offices: Seattle or San Francisco. The salary is the same in both positions but, due to a cost of living adjustment, the pay is higher in SF. What are some of the factors you'd consider in deciding where to go? Which would you choose and why? [more inside]
posted by IdRatherNotSay on Aug 26, 2012 - 50 answers

West Coast Road Trip! Mr. desjardins and I are flying into Seattle in early September, renting a car and driving to San Francisco. What do we do in between? We want places to stay and things to do. Amazing scenery is a priority. [more inside]
posted by desjardins on Jul 25, 2011 - 26 answers

I want to sample freelance life in another American city for 1-2 weeks this summer. How should I accomplish this on a student budget? [more inside]
posted by bradly on Jun 2, 2010 - 6 answers

My wife and I are going on a road trip in about a week along the Pacific Coast Highway (101) from San Francisco to Seattle. What are some not-to-miss places along the way? [more inside]
posted by i less than three nsima on Jun 13, 2009 - 23 answers

I'm at my wit's end here in Long Beach, CA. I have some money, I have a car, and I don't have to be anywhere till 9am on Tuesday. I want to get far away from here, just drive and drive and drive. But where should I go and what should I do when I get there? [more inside]
posted by malapropist on Mar 12, 2009 - 13 answers

Please recommend the best places to stop for PHOTO opportunities and delicious FOOD along the 101 from San Francisco to Seattle on a 3-day road trip? [more inside]
posted by dcruzin on Oct 2, 2008 - 14 answers

My wife and two kids and I are not able to renew the lease on the house we're renting in a Maryland suburb of DC (the landlord is selling his other house and moving back into this one), so we're looking to move at the end of August. I've also been contemplating a career change for a while, and as this "opportunity" has dropped in our lap, we're thinking about making a city change as well, that would benefit my intended Mac development career, possibly to the SF Bay Area or Seattle. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by mboszko on Apr 5, 2008 - 13 answers

Quickie road trip! How long does it take to drive from L.A. to Seattle? And how long to drive from downtown Seattle to downtown Vancouver, BC? And how long from Seattle to L.A.? How would you budget your time in each city? We're leaving on Sunday evening and we have to get back by Friday night. We might skip Vancouver if the timetable gets too tight. [more inside]
posted by oldlies on Aug 11, 2007 - 21 answers

Moving from Seattle back to San Francisco this weekend - weather looks interesting to drive in! Any advice for a California (non-winter) driver during these icy times? [more inside]
posted by icetaco on Jan 18, 2007 - 17 answers

What's a good 2-3 day route for driving from Seattle to San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by kirkaracha on Jul 19, 2006 - 18 answers

Driving from San Francisco to Seattle: how do we plan a pleasant 4-day trip up the west coast? [more inside]
posted by paulrockNJ on Jun 18, 2006 - 7 answers

For recent travellers, is the U.S. still a bargain? Specifically, how would you compare the price of eating out in a similarly semi-fancy restaurant in 1) San Francisco, 2) Seattle, 3) London, 4) Paris, 5) New York. Let's peg the baseline cost at about $50/person in San Francisco, excluding wine. [more inside]
posted by _sirmissalot_ on Feb 8, 2006 - 16 answers