Not long ago, M and I were having a conversation with some former Seattleites, now W. Islanders, about the cost of living here. We made a little mental list of everyday things and compared their cost. I've decided to write them down, because somebody broke my computer Scrabble game, nobody wants to play Barbies with me right now, and this may just be the incentive you need to move to good ole' Whidbey Island.

Things that are cheaper here than Seattle:
Property (duh), women's haircuts (about half!) auto and homeowner's insurance, electricity, garbage, auto taxes, mussels, babysitters, kids' sports fees, preschool, veterinary care, ice cream cones, good restaurants, organic food (if you get it from the farmer's market), and swimming lessons.

Things that are exactly the same:
Men's haircuts from the barber shop (although here all the haircuts seem to be the military special, which is why M probably gets such sympathy when he limps around with his scar and buzz cut), lattes, and pedicures.

Things that are more expensive here than Seattle:
Gasoline, drycleaning (almost $4 per shirt!), specialty foods.

That took half an hour, now it's time to make dinner.