Everyone wants to live in a better city. But what exactly does that mean?
It’s natural to answer that with a list of your favorite solutions to the city’s issues: this big growth spurt, our housing crisis, and a lot more. But what if we start by just saying what kind of city we want to live in in the first place?
Product manager Paul Gambill explained why it’s a good idea, and a bunch of you gave it a try, describing in one sentence the Seattle you want.
With some editing and verbal finesse, we turned your sentences into a wish list for the city.It doesn’t represent every view, of course. And not everyone will agree with each sentence. But it’s an interesting way to see where we’re at:
I want to live in a city where people of all economic statuses have the opportunity to live, learn, and thrive (Sarah Schacht), and people from anywhere in the U.S. feel it is a good economic choice to move here. (Daniel Worthington)
I want to live in a city where kindness and making strangers welcome is a value (Traca Savadogo), and where diversity is cherished for enriching our community. (Roxanne Baecher-Gill)
I want to live in a city where there’s less outrage about everything. (Colin Henry). One in which critical thinking is of greater value than like-minded thinking. (Warren Etheredge)
I want to live in a city where arts and cultural activities are accessible to, appreciated by, and taken advantage of by everyone (Marika Malaea) — and where people value and support our artists. (Jewel Lorée)
I want to live in a city where transportation — walking, public transit, driving, and parking — is much, much better. (Ken Thickman) Where people use the streets for paths, parks, and plazas. (Thomas Haley) Where all people take an active role in keeping all public spaces clean and garbage-free. (Mary Wiegand)
I want to live in a city that proudly pays a living wage to all of its citizens (Saba Samakar). Where everyone can afford to rent or buy a home, and everyone has one. (Vicki Weeks, Melissa Aaron, Geraldine DeRuiter) I want to live in a city that values the people that live here — and the people who soon will — more than the type of housing they live in. (Amy Cash) A city where homelessness is obsolete. (Rosalie M. May, Julie Onofrio)
I want to live in a city where education is a right, not a privilege. (Tony Matesi) One that truly believes, acts on, and makes possible the inherent brilliance of all of our students. (Nathan Fitzpatrick)
I want to live in a city that takes pride in core infrastructure and services (Angie Herb Gerrald) and uses its massive wealth and collective education to be a role model for truth, justice, and the environment. (Constance McBarron) I want to live in a city that is capable of measurably improving people’s lives. (Paul Gambill)