Welcome to the Emerald City - land of espresso and fresh seafood, bicycles and boats, computers and airplanes, high fashion and Gore-Tex, grunge rock and classical music, competitive business and a laid-back attitude, bus tunnels and floating bridges, skyscrapers and parks.To some, the city may seem filled with contradictions, but the Greater Seattle area welcomes and encourages these diverse lifestyles. Seattle offers a life that balances favorable working and living conditions. ,