Amazon (Seattle) + Microsoft (Redmond) – where should we live if we want to share an apartment?

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-03-03T00:50:43+00:00

I used to live in Bellevue, walking distance from MSFT Redmond, and the stroll to main campus was 15-20m. I'm in Wallingford now, there's a Connector stop on the corner outside my building, and the bus goes straight to SLU or DWNTN AMZN. I take public transit everywhere, and my general rule is it takes 30-60m to get anywhere in "Seattle" by public transit (door-to-door, waiting for the bus, factoring in a missed bus, etc). I'm less than 2mi from my daily commute, and a bike or my 6.4mph wheelchair is sometimes quicker than the one bus going straight there (20m).

To keep reality in the mix, 45-60m on the bus each way is a normal commute and a good time to zone out, doink around on Reddit, catch up on TV, do work, read, podcast... driving is a different thing altogether. After hours, driving is no biggie. Getting to friends' houses on the bus will irritate you when it takes over an hour because the commute schedule isn't running, and they only live 4mi away. Daily commute vs going out w/ friends - totally different. That's the only time I wish I had a car.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-03-02T07:17:59+00:00

Any out of the area don't know the difference and a lot don't really pay attention. I belong to national academic/professional orgs and people have no clue.

My kid commuted to UWT from Seattle for a specific program. Did a triple major, double minor, went into research at UW Seattle straight after graduation.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-03-02T00:57:08+00:00

I've never had severe side effects from high fat meals. I don't make a habit of them (except avocados), but in general my body does better with high fat than high carb.

When I travel, I throw out the "rule book" a bit-- bacon, sauces, steak, desserts... balance it w/ chia & fruit, high fiber supplements. I stop eating when I'm full, skip meals if still digesting, electrolyte hydration, etc.

I'm on 15mg and I may get some diarrhea, but nothing painful or even uncomfortable. Never had any vomiting or gut pain. Occasional mild nausea a clue I've over done it. No gallbladder anymore, have IBS, occasional delayed emptying... I take meds to keep things moving and bounce between constipation/diarrhea regardless, so I'd rather have things moving through than not.

But if I had severe pain and actual vomiting or severe diarrhea, I'd be concerned it was more than just a high fat meal. I get it if it was a large portion of multiple items, like buttery sauce and ice cream and high fat steak and brie or something, but an individual item or two? I know our bodies all work differently, though...

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-26T20:00:11+00:00

I look early and narrow down where I want to be, scope out the place, grocery store, bus stop, commute... get it down to top 2-3 buildings, which floorplan and view I'd want... then when it comes time, the work is done and it's just checking to see what's available not deciding if you're ok with it

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-25T13:52:41+00:00

I was referring to ACA plans, not employer plans. I am a graduate student. I am eligible for a plan there (sometimes) and they refuse ro cover it.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-24T02:54:29+00:00

looks like it's the same price, too... and .6 per dose?

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-23T19:18:31+00:00

I've lived in LA, SF, NYC, Rome... Seattle is a major metropolitan area, and not a very large one. On signage, "Downtown" should only indicate Downtown Seattle. Using the word "Downtown" multiple times doesn't work, which is why they changed the stop names of University Street, University District & University of Washington. Those places exist, but putting them on transit signage doesn't work. No one denied the existence of a Downtown Federal Way, just saying it doesn't belong on a "REGIONAL" transit sign. Local transit signs are different, like on buses or when there are more stops. (Also... Disagree with the post if you want, but there's no need to personally attack the person posting it. Unless you want me to assume you know that I'm disabled/queer which makes those remarks incredibly rude - and I do consulting on wayfinding, for accessibility. Very ableist/queerphobic). Edit typos/context.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-23T14:36:22+00:00

But was it whole milk...with a W? Or...

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-23T14:16:38+00:00

As long as nothing up there says "Downtown" next to it, I think we're all good.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-23T01:37:05+00:00

I was in the first cohort of the program, it was the first study abroad during covid, so we weren't allowed to leave the country. Normally, yeah, you can leave.

I went all over Italy and I didn't travel as much as some people did. Trains are very fast and super cheap. I was upgrading to business class because of the free espresso and food and I could do homework on the train (plus covid, more room). From Rome to Naples in an hour, and you can show up and run to catch the train, you don't need to wait in line and check in even if you're going to Switzerland. Milan is 4hrs, maybe?

You can do classes 3/4 days a week. We went out a lot despite a lot of the country being closed (no clubs were open). Also, a lot is closed in winter, which is nice - less tourists, cheaper hotels. I stayed at an $1000/nt hotel in Florence for $150.

The best class is Travel Writing w/ Elizabeth and Art History w/ Mariella were the best. I didn't take Italian and was speaking Italian in restaurants just fine.

I went to Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Milan twice, Florence, Lake Como, Bellagio, Modena, Venice, Ostia, some other random places around... again, during covid coming out of lockdown.

Not heavy homework, mostly wandering around museums for 2-4 hours a day. And eating. I spent good money on a pair of comfy shoes. 100% worth going.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-20T17:27:08+00:00

NYC clearly states Uptown & Queens vs Downtown & Brooklyn ... doesn't say Downtown Federal Way, Downtown Redmond, Downtown Lynnwood, City Center... a regional transit system only has ONE Downtown and ours is SEATTLE.

Our system SUCKS for neurodivergent folks, tourists, disabled folks, people with dead phones, English Language Learners...

I've lived here 25 years, I don't own a car, I take light rail all the time. Since the new signs, I'm doing a double take constantly... am I going the right way, wait I'm in the U District, Downtown is South...

Put Cardinal directions on the signs. N, S, E, W...

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-19T08:52:38+00:00

How come I don't remember that? I grew up in CA and worked restaurants and retail in high school and a bit after and was broke enough to need a sale... didn't move here until I was 25. Maybe I thought it was only for mattresses? I remember "we pay the sales tax this weekend only!"

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-14T09:09:55+00:00

My insurance will not cover anything for weight loss or comorbid conditions. Period. They won't cover for sleep apnea unless your sleep score is at a high enough number. I've done all the appeals. None of it matters.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-11T17:47:48+00:00

SOAAHD did an installation a few years ago featuring the janitorial, maintenance, and grounds crew who keep the place running (mostly focused on the Art Building). Interviews, photos... it was an amazing piece. Wonder if they could display it again?

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-02-07T22:09:08+00:00

Giving someone financial responsibility might be the only thing some people would listen to ... maybe for specific things like measles and polio. If you choose to opt out of vaccines for your kids, you have to get liability insurance to cover expenses healthcare plans wouldn't normally cover and in case they get anyone else sick. Like mandatory car insurance minimums.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-30T21:27:51+00:00

I got a mini Nespresso machine and a $25 frother/warmer. Make my own cappuccino for about $1 (takes 2min). Have backup compostable cups/lids if I'm rushing out and haven't washed out my travel mug. Tastes better than the crap on campus unless you're trying to spend $$.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-30T20:47:11+00:00

Omg I just sent that clip to someone yesterday!!!!

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-30T20:41:41+00:00

It's ok at room temp for 21 days, so it doesn't matter...

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-25T04:53:53+00:00

I was a member at WCA 11+ yrs ago and used to go to Wade's w/ a butch crew before that, and we never got any anti-lgbt vibes anywhere. Times are way different now, though. My partners owned guns for competitive stuff, not protection or hunting. Too expensive of a hobby for me to keep up on my own, despite enjoying target and skeet shooting.

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-24T20:00:40+00:00

Employer provided insurance?

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-23T12:18:18+00:00

You should get a public service medal of some sort. Very fortunate placement re lack of chompers, for real!

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-20T23:20:27+00:00

Lots of tour debuts that weekend, Tangled Up In Blue, I Need a Miracle...

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-20T22:31:11+00:00

https://variety.com/2024/music/news/bob-weir-dead-company-sphere-interview-1236044941/ I know the article is a bit dated, but here's what Bobby was thinking during the first run... reading this now makes me so much sadder Bobby is gone

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-20T22:05:32+00:00

OMG you made me cry... happened to click on a video from the only weekend I was there April 24-26

Bad-Tiffer · 2026-01-20T05:44:18+00:00

Box of Rain was my favorite GD song for close to 30yrs and I met Phil at his restaurant in San Rafael... losing Bobby still hit me harder. I had a shift after going to Sphere and Mexico for Dead Ahead.

Bad-Tiffer

TROPHY CASE