I Give Up - I'm Leaving -- Seattle's Smug, Superior Attitude Is Just Too Much

Editor, The Times:

Upon reading the letter from K. Harjo of Redmond July 5, I thought, finally, another person who feels the way I do! I'm not a California transplant, I'm even worse - a Midwest native!

I have found the isolationist tendencies of Seattleites unbelievable. The attitude seems to be, if it doesn't happen on the Pacific coast it doesn't matter.

Wake up, Seattle! You are part of a global village, and no matter how isolated you were in the past it isn't so anymore. The smugness and superior attitude I encounter among most Northwest natives have been too much. I'm going back to a place where people don't think if you aren't a native, you aren't worth anything.

And this ``quality of life'' that you're all so proud of - give me a break! Why are so many homeless living on your streets? Why are your roads congested beyond belief? And the nine months of rain - don't even get me started.

Last Christmas, my husband and I went back to Philadelphia and found that housing prices were cheaper in Philly than in Seattle. Not only are homes cheaper but the transportation system is light-years ahead (ever heard of trains?), there's a wonderful historical ambience, New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. are only hours away, and the residents don't make you feel like a criminal for being born in a different state.

The old adage, ``Be careful what you wish for - it may come true,'' certainly applies in this situation. You may find in time, when more transplants get fed up and leave (and I've spoken to three families in my apartment building alone who are planning to go back East), that it wasn't so bad after all.

- Teresa Horstman, Renton