<p>MickJag: You are pretty close with your “perceptions” of UDub and Seattle. There are gray days and drizzle up there, but also spectacular days not only when Mt. Rainier is out, but the entire Cascade Range, and across the Puget Sound, you can see the Olympic Range. Its clearly one of the most beautiful cities in the United States and one of the most eclectic. But its definitely NOT pretentious in a snobby way. Its a bit pretentious in the “Seattle way” meaning, the Starbucks, granola crunching, backpack wearing, birkenstock wearing “close to the earth” type of people. If you arent’ like that it can be a bit overbearing. But Seattle-ites are quite friendly and open.</p>
<p>UDub does have a lot of commuters, both those who don’t live on campus as well as those who live in frats and dorms who go home to do laundry on weekends and catch up on sleep. BUT…the social scene at UDub is very lively and with so many students it will NEVER EVER feel like a ghost town. The advantage of UDub over Oregon in my view is because it IS in Seattle, whereas Oregon is in Eugene and not all that much happening there that is not school related…though the outdoors are incredible and the Oregon beaches are not that far of a drive. To me, both Oregon and UDub are two of the most UNDER RATED top tier state universities in the nation. They deserve a lot more respect than they get. Both are phenomenal research institutions as well. I cant’ think of a BETTER place to go to school for Marine Biology than UDub. People who rank on UDub or Seattle, just dont get it. So move along.</p>
<p>JoeLangford: the drizzle sort of grows on you after a while. Seattle-ites consume more coffee per capita than any city in the United States…its not just Starbucks either. Several major coffee roasters are in town, and a HUGE Scandanavian population have always meant for high coffee consumption. The weather is conducive to a good book, a good cup of joe and just having a good time.</p>
<p>I lived there for awhile, so I know.</p>