» The Seattle/Eastside Or Just The Eastside?-Does The Eastside Stand Alone?

The Seattle/Eastside Or Just The Eastside?-Does The Eastside Stand Alone?

Ever since I moved to the Seattle/Eastside (or the Eastside) in 1986, there’s been a rivalry between the eastside of Lake Washington, the eastside, and the westside of the lake, Seattle. I remember picking up a postcard back then with a drawing of a car crossing over to the eastside on the 520 bridge. The caption on the card said, “Honk if you love mauve.” Of course, all home owners on the eastside had the very latest colors, mauve and gray, and all home owners on the eastside did the exact same thing. Seattleites thought there was nothing over here on the “plastic” eastside, but plastic houses filled with plastic people. Everyone lived in a cookie cutter home decorated in mauve and gray, on a cookie cutter cul-de-sac, with 2 kids, 2 cars, and 2 car garages.

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Of course, we on the eastside have always known this was not true. There are cookie cutter neighborhoods, but there are slick contemporary homes, mid-century modern homes, mid-entry homes, old bungalows, and McMansions. You can choose to live in a variety of neighborhoods, in a variety of homes, on a tiny lot or acreage, within walking distance of shops and restaurants or in rural privacy.

But more importantly, the eastside is filled with a diverse population. It’s a veritable melting pot with people of all ages, from all over the world, with a variety of interests and lifestyles-very much like the population of the westside of the lake, Seattle.

Fast forward to 2009. The eastside or Seattle’s eastside is now the economic center of the region. The reverse commute is worse than the commute into Seattle. (Thank you Microsoft, Nintendo, Expedia, etc) Bellevue’s downtown is fast becoming a hotbed of luxury shopping, dining, living, and working. Seattle Metropolitan magazine had a recent issue on the terrific economic growth of the eastside.

It’s time to throw down the boxing gloves and declare a truce. Seattle and Seattle’s eastside are both great areas. We grow and prosper because of each other, not in spite of each other. The eastside is an outgrowth of Seattle and we would not be here without it. Seattle would not be thriving if it weren’t for the eastside.

Lisa Hilderbrand was right when she responded to a comment on a post to someone who asked about her using the name the Seattle/Eastside. The comments in her post prompted this piece. Most people outside of this area have no clue where and what the eastside is without the name Seattle attached to it. Mmm..makes me think I should change the name of this blog to Seattle/Eastside Real Estate Buzz. (By the way, you should check out the link to Lisa’s post, she has some gorgeous eastside photos.)

So which is it? The Seattle/Eastside or the Eastside? Does the Eastside stand alone?

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http://www.EastsideEntrepreneurs.com Joe Kennedy

Funny Debra – you should call your blog whatever you like!

In my mind when the Eastside of Lake Washington is referred to as Seattle’s Eastside, it is inaccurate and misleading. If you feel like the people you are trying to reach don’t know anything about the Eastside, perhaps the “Seattle area” or even “Puget Sound area” would work?

BTW – this has nothing to do with a rivalry between Seattle and the Eastside (mostly Bellevue). The trash talk is usually from those who choose to live in Seattle and have drastic misperceptions about the Eastside (of Lake Washington), but most Eastsiders that I know like going to Seattle and don’t have anything bad to say about it. The good news is when Seattle residents, as well as visitors to our region, take the time to visit the Eastside, they usually realize that we have a lot going on over here – and it’s a great place to be.

Go Eastside (of Lake Washington)!
http://www.debrasinick.com Debra Sinick

Hi Joe,

I agree with some of what you’ve said. There are a number of Seattleites who have misconceptions about the eastside. There are still a lot of people who make comments such as the person who commented on Lisa’ post on the Seattle PI blog.

Again, I agree, most people I know love the city. I would be lost with the Seattle Rep, the Seattle Art Museum, the waterfront, and some of the great restaurants.

The eastside has grown so much in the 20+ years I lived here and it’s exciting to see. It’s a dynamic, diverse place.

On two other notes, an Eastside institution, Yarrow Bay Grill, is closing at the end of this month. I was shocked to hear this and will be sad to see it go. So my husband and I are heading out there tonight for dinner, rather than head to Seattle.

Also, thanks to you for all the great work you’ve done energizing the business community with your blog and online newspaper. Good luck with your future pursuits. I may catch up with you at one of the Green Drinks sometime. All the best!