And Seattle's pervasive laid-back attitude is a refreshing change of pace from the adrenaline rush of other metropolitan centers. In 1884 when the railroad arrived, the city grew by leaps and bounds. Today, it's the largest city in the Northwest, and it's likely to maintain that status as it continues to attract more new residents every year. Seattle is loyal to the arts and has fostered the growth of a diverse assortment of museums and local music groups. The city's cuisine is varied, stressing local seafood and Oriental cuisine.
Newcomers find that the city's atmosphere to be casual.
Any profile of Seattle would be remiss if it didn't mention the fact that contrary to popular belief, it doesn't always rain in Seattle. The sun shines, and sometimes snow falls, as well. That brings the opportunity for such pasttimes as backpacking, hiking, skiing and mountain-climbing. The advantage of experiencing regular rainfall, however, is that the city is covered in an abundance of lush, green forests. Seattle's nickname, in fact, is the Emerald City.