S.a.d. (Missoula, Bozeman, Polson: move, nicest, relocate to)

[delaina]

I wont to relocate to SW Montana but I worry about seasonal affective disorder. I had a bad experience in WA State where I moved for love but left because of the rain. Which areas are best for SAD sufferers like me?

[bigtrees]

You probably won't have much trouble east of the divide. Northwestern Montana is basically Seattle weather except a bit colder, so that rules out most of the Flathead Valley. There are some microclimates (near Polson and Hot Springs, for example) that are sunnier but most of Western Montana is pretty gray. You'll probably rule out Missoula as well.

Bozeman area and most of eastern Montana get a fair amount of sun in the wintertime. Don't get me wrong - it can still be cold. Once beautiful sunny morning I walked outside in Bozeman, thought it was a bit cold outside, and low and behold, it was 32 degrees below zero!

[Fungi]

Delaina,

Of course, higher latitudes are always a problem, because they just get less light in the winter. So that is one variable. The second is clouds, of course. So, anywhere north of Colorado will not get too much radiation in the winter, but E. Montana might be ok. Anywhere in the Southwest has fairly sunny winters. But I don't know what else you are looking for.

[JoanD'Arc]

Hi, delaina! I'm just passing by but couldn't resist passing along something I learned. My husband (at the time) started complaining about not getting enough sun (in FL, yet!) so I secretly put a full-spectrum light bulb (plant light) in the bathroom so he would get a few minute's exposure every morning. He immediately stopped mentioning needing sunlight! So I told him about the bulb and we left it there. No problem! I use them all the time on my indoor plants. I love the rain, too, but never feel sad about it! Just something to think about.
J

[gra2wish]

I would definitely rule out Missoula. National climate data reports only about 75 sunny days per year, and these are all clustered in the summer. The winter days are short in duration too. Missoula is located in a valley and seems to just trap the clouds in. In February you may not hardly see the sun except for a glimpse or two on a good day.

Many people here suffer from SAD. Many routinely leave during the winter for a few weeks, if they are able. The areas surrounding Missoula are somewhat sunnier. Sometimes Missoulians leave the valley just to see the sun!

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by delaina

I wont to relocate to SW Montana but I worry about seasonal affective disorder. I had a bad experience in WA State where I moved for love but left because of the rain. Which areas are best for SAD sufferers like me?

Wow, that is a depressing acronym. I'd pick a new one that sounded better.

From my simple (and sometimes wrong) observations of folks that move here, I find the ones that are the nicest seem to get along the best.
They are the type of folks that can make a good situation out of any type of weather. (or any kind of a situation for that matter)

As for the normal weather, I always keep a parka and a couple layers close to me year round. You just never know what you are going to get. The thing I enjoy is that we can be in a snowstorm one minute, in the sun the next, and the breeze during the normal year (and even in the evenings during our awesome summer) can be cool enough to wake up anyone. Some of the best fun is getting to where ya need to go, cause you never know what might happen!

[RUBIES77]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf232

Wow, that is a depressing acronym. I'd pick a new one that sounded better.

From my simple (and sometimes wrong) observations of folks that move here, I find the ones that are the nicest seem to get along the best.
They are the type of folks that can make a good situation out of any type of weather. (or any kind of a situation for that matter)

As for the normal weather, I always keep a parka and a couple layers close to me year round. You just never know what you are going to get. The thing I enjoy is that we can be in a snowstorm one minute, in the sun the next, and the breeze during the normal year (and even in the evenings during our awesome summer) can be cool enough to wake up anyone. Some of the best fun is getting to where ya need to go, cause you never know what might happen!

SAD stands for Sudden Affective Disorder. Many people suffer from it, including myself, and it is nothing to laugh about. The plus of it, is that once the person goes to a sunny place, with no clouds, it disappears instantly. I go to the Caribbean for the winters, and it works for me.

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by RUBIES77

SAD stands for Sudden Affective Disorder. Many people suffer from it, including myself, and it is nothing to laugh about. The plus of it, is that once the person goes to a sunny place, with no clouds, it disappears instantly. I go to the Caribbean for the winters, and it works for me.

I wasn't trying to offend.. Personally I just think the acronym is depressing. Even if my doc told me I had this I'd try to think of it like sEasonal Affective diSordEr. Instead of SAD.

Lots of folks can't afford to go to the Caribbean every winter, good for you that you can find your out that way, and thanks for the chuckle I got out of your reply..

As for the OP and the weather, I still keep a parka and some layers with me, what you all do is up to you.