Half the men in Seattle are never-married singles, census data shows

My brother was a never-married single in Seattle, and it was the cause of his death at the start of the pandemic. He was terminally lonely and without purpose and suicided. But he was a tremendously loyal person. If he was able to make a connection and form a family, he would have been full of purpose. Instead he lived quietly in a small house in a quiet neighborhood, and after he died none of his neighbors could even recognize his photo. He lived within a community but never reached out to it, and nobody ever reached in. Socially he might as well have been living in a cave on a remote island. He was a free proton in an atomized society. Aka an acid. I blame society, my brother, myself, and probably you too if I can figure out how.

Hey I’m really sorry for your loss. And sorry he didn’t find that connection.

Do you think a different city would have been better for him? I only visited Seattle once and I know this is a cliched thought but I do wonder if the weather and sprawl undermine people’s chances to make connections. Vs a more dense or at least sunny city.

He was much more active and open when he lived in Santa Cruz. But then, also younger. I don't know what he saw in the damp cold gray north.

very sorry for your loss. i've been similar in Seattle and it was tremendously alienating. I left as soon as I could. Obviously not a seattle-only thing but I think Seattle is so full of picture perfect couples (working 9-5, big tech/big tech adjacent, dog, 1.5 kids) and gloomy weather that it is the perfect combo of depression fuel for anyone that doesn't fit that mould. the only social activity is beer. so you aren't just lonely but you also get drunk and fat (and probably shave your head bald and grow a beard but thats more portland spilling over).