August in Seattle

Sorry about the lack of recent updates.

I'm continuing to search for a job. I've had several interviews with REI for a position at their headquarters in a suburb of Seattle; I feel pretty good about the job but will have to wait for a couple more weeks for their answer. I've thoroughly enjoyed having the summer off, but it would be nice to have some income (I'm sure Anya would appreciate that as well).

Over the past few weeks we've been semi-seriously investigating the possibility of buying a house or townhome of our own. Although we already knew this, we're finding that real estate in Seattle is very expensive compared to Minneapolis. We toured one small, dingy house built in 1904 (and hideously remodeled in the 60's...it probably hadn't been cleaned since then). The house had noticeably settled to one side; it seemed that even a minor earthquake could cause a total collapse. Because it was in a desirable neighborhood it was listed for more than $400,000. We found one nice (but not luxurious) new 3-story, 1800 sqft townhouse in a very good location (a leafy residential neighborhood within a few blocks of coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, a grocery store). It was $815,000.

Since we're not really serious about buying anything right now, it is fun - although a little discouraging - to look at what's out there.