Drowning in OREGON! (Portland, Medford, Bend: neighborhoods, living, moving)

[heidinbend]

Ok.. So here is the deal.. grew up in Oregon (Portland Area)..Have lived various other places (Bend OR, Colorado, San Diego)... I came back to Portland because of my family being here BUT I cannot stand the the depressing weather! I am Very active and go to MT hood snowboarding as much as possible (I think that is all that gets me through the winter months) But Lately I am not even excited about that... I am goign to Hawaii in a few weeks to visit my brother and I cant wait. Dont get me Wrong.. I LOVE OREGON!! So Beautiful... BUt this Grey dreariness is too much...
Question? Does it get you down too? How do you deal. I tan, workout, get outside whenever it is dry... but still depressed... the prozac is not helping either..lol
IS IT JUST ME?????

[StealthRabbit]

sorry to hear about your struggle, no It is not just you, but... you need to adapt to 'getting out' - whether it's raining or not, walk a lot, (get decent raingear and footwear). Find some nice neighborhoods to explore (Eastmoreland and Laurelhurst+ many others) and find 'active' indoor hobbies next to a wood stove and adequate light. (that would not be TV...) maybe get into ballroom (or other) dancing! I like lap swimming, but don't have a high social need...

This has been a long cold winter,... get away when possible, as it is not too far to sun (east or south, or UP). Utilize the cheap fares to CA and NV ($79 RT to Sacramento) and blast off at least every couple months.

[JakeDog]

It's not just you- I too grew up in Oregon and moved back to Portland to be near family and found I couldn't handle it. Some people are affected by SAD more than others. For me it was just too much and I moved.

[heidinbend]

It's not just you- I too grew up in Oregon and moved back to Portland to be near family and found I couldn't handle it. Some people are affected by SAD more than others. For me it was just too much and I moved.

thanks... Yeah I think I might move away again too..

[StealthRabbit]

similar discussion currently (next door) in WA forum.

weather-related-depression - some helpful links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasona...ctive_disorder

[furyu]

Only kidding! But it doesn't sound like Portland is the place for you. There is a disorder called SAD--Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is very common in areas where there is too much rain and fog and cloud cover (Portland!). If you think you might suffer from this, you might want to check out some of the natural-spectrum lights available for this. It might help perk you up and help you cope especially during the winter months.

I have come to the conclusion there are two types of people, those who love rain and/or 'weather' and those who don't. The majority of those who don't live down south in SoCal or Arizon, Nevada, etc. Few living 'down there' would ever consider moving 'up here'.

I grew up on the east coast; I've always loved the change of seasons but hated humidity and the heat of summers in NYC. The southern coast of Oregon provides me with the best of all worlds... a definite but mild change of seasons, no humidity and usually cool temperatures, with the rare exception of a few days, maybe a week or two in the mid-summer, where the temps go into the 90s. No Santa Ana winds, no endless months & months & months of sunny, cloudless blue skies. I know--that sounds weird -- disliking sun, warmth, blue skies but it gets monotonous after... 17 years! (San Diego then San Clemente.)

I don't mind the heavy rains. I get out and walk my dog, enjoy the beauty of the ocean surf and all that surrounds it.

Wishing you sunny skies!

[parasol]

Originally Posted by furyu

No Santa Ana winds, no endless months & months & months of sunny, cloudless blue skies. I know--that sounds weird -- disliking sun, warmth, blue skies but it gets monotonous after... 17 years! (San Diego then San Clemente.)
!

Hi furyu! I have lived in Central Florida my entire life and that is what our weather is day in and day out. My (reverse?) SAD lasts pretty much all year here (except for a few weeks in 'winter'). I think you're absolutely right about people falling into one of two categories: those who thrive in overcast conditions and those who despise it. I'm of the former and am looking into relocating to Portland or perhaps even southern Oregon. I just wish my parents/nephew felt the same way so I wouldn't be going alone.

[ReturningWest]

Born and raised in Ptown...vowed never to return except to visit.

I do know that in the northern European countries they send their folks to the med for extended winter vacations to get some rays.

I think there is also some places that do non-harmful UV lights or something where you can go "sit in the sun" for a few to help get over the SAD.

I love central and eastern OR and hope to return as soon as ye ole farm sells.

So anyway...it's not just you

[OregonAndy]

I'm in the same boat.
Lately I've had an itching to move to Cali, but it's sooo expensive, no matter where in the state.

I spent a lot of time in Medford, I enjoy the weather much more down there. It rains, then it stops, doesn't linger for weeks on end.

[heidinbend]

yeah I tried so cal for a year once and could never adjust to all the people1 ahhh maybe I will move to Hawaii...
Rain, Rain, GO AWAY!!!!!!