I spent a week in Tara's home. I turned out to have my own bathroom, and actually a living room on my own, which was an unexpected, pleasant surprise. I got to have dinner in the back yard and watch Tara prepare a birthday cake for a good friend that filled the apartment with flavors and joy.

It is hard to disentangle my experience at Tara's from that of the city - which was unbelievable: I wish I lived in Seattle. If you are outgoing and do not expect constant hand holding, Tara is a perfect host in the perfect city where there is SO MUCH to do. Tara's place is convenient to go for a long run, it is pretty decently connected to downtown by buses, and should you have some affairs to look after on campus it is a 40-50 minutes walk (which is totally worth it). Do not expect her being at home for much of the day. But should you chose her as a host it may happen that she gives you a ride from a more distant part of the city at night in case you cross each others way.

I would certainly recommend going to Seattle. And recommend Tara's place if your goal is not to get lost in Seattle's night life (for that Tara's place is probably a little far from downtown). If you work in the city, or you are on an active vacation stay at Tara's, you will not regret it ;)