Susan (not her real name) deplaned from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on October 31, 2024, only to see rental car employees welcoming customers in Halloween costumes. It was her first impression of her new home, a metropolitan area of four million people.

She knew no one there.

At age 24, Susan was fresh out of a graduate program in the Southeast and venturing into her first professional position. She was leery about the “Seattle Freeze,” the notion that residents in the city tend to keep to themselves and avoid pursuing new friendships.

She found three random housemates on Facebook, who quickly became her first social support network. In just a few months, her circle had grown to include friends from running groups, ultimate frisbee leagues, and community environmental activism groups.

“I feel like it was easier to connect with other transplants,” she said. “Everyone seemed to revolve around hobby-based communities.”

Susan’s adjustment to a new city was relatively smooth, which unfortunately may not be typical for Seattle…or other US cities for that matter.

Aaron Hurst wants to change that narrative.

Hurst, a foremost social entrepreneur and expert in life purpose/fulfillment, faced the challenge first-hand in moving from Brooklyn to Seattle nearly 11 years ago. He was aware of the "Freeze" and, in seeking to become connected to his new home, he hosted biweekly........

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