There are a thousand new people arriving in Seattle every week—and you are one of them. You got a job at Amazon, or a job at a start-up, or a job in construction. Or you're a cannabis entrepreneur, or you're in the restaurant industry, or you've always wanted to live near the mountains. Maybe you're an activist who wants to live in the most left-wing city in the country. Maybe you're a designer who got tapped to work for Nordstrom HQ or a barista who got tapped to work for Starbucks HQ. Maybe you're from Idaho and you finally got away from your redneck parents.
Whatever the case—congratulations. We're happy to have you. No matter what anyone says.
You're in unfamiliar territory now, and you probably need a friend or two. While Seattle's economy is booming, it is not the easiest place to make new friends.
Without friends, how are you going to get answers to the questions on your mind? Like, what should you do tomorrow night? And which of these millions of restaurants is worth your time? And why don't drivers here understand how four-way stops work?
That's where we come in. Every issue of The Stranger has answers to the questions of where you should eat and what you should do tomorrow night, but this particular issue of The Stranger is dedicated to you—the newbie.
You're probably wondering about those mountains you can see from wherever you're standing, and specifically about good hiking trails. Your friend Rich Smith shows you around.
You're probably wondering how to find an affordable apartment or how to file a complaint about a sketchy landlord. Our housing reporter Heidi Groover has answers.
You may be wondering what it would be like to live in an apartment the size of a walk-in closet. Paulette Perhach, who recently moved into one, can tell you all about it.
You may have noticed that, unlike in European capitals, you cannot drink on Seattle's light rail. However, you can drink near the light rail. Charles Mudede gives a rundown of the best bars near light-rail stations.
You may be wondering how city hall works and how to make it work for you. Our news editor Steven Hsieh breaks it down.
If you are gay and play dodgeball (or not gay but still want to play dodgeball), Matt Baume discovered a dodgeball club that's perfect for melting through the Seattle Freeze and making new friends.
If you are feeling lonely but you don't want to interact with anyone—well, you've chosen your new city well. Sydney Brownstone, a transplant from the East Coast, has a bunch of recommendations for you.
As for what people in Seattle are like generally? How locals get through the gloom of nine months of darkness? How we behave at heavy-metal pizza places? How we behave at four-way stops? Derek Erdman does his best to get to the bottom of those mysteries. 
