Does it really rain THAT much? (Portland, Banks: luxury, calculator, maintenance)

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep3

Shouldve been left if it was that serious.
Keep in mind though, even here in the South where its almost always sun, in the summer, its just like it is up there, well we have sunshine atleast, but everyone stays indoors cause its so damn hot, you sweat as soon as you step outside.

Let me repeat that.

You sweat as soon as you step outside its so humid.

Ill say it just once more so you guys can realize how real this is.

As soon as you open your door and hit the outside air, you feel the humid air, wetten your pores, and your body proceeds to sweat.

It gets really, really, humid and hot!
I go through 2 shirts just going to the store in the summer. Water bill is higher in the summer cause I have to take two showers and wash twice as much.

I don't miss the humidity of the east coast one bit. I always sigh when I hear someone in Oregon complain about it being too humid here.

[PDXnVegas]

Originally Posted by t60r

I am looking into moving to Portland in the next year or so but I am skeptical of the amount of rain that "everyone" says Portland sees.

I am originally from Rochester, NY, the heart of feet of lake effect snow covered winters and 100% humidity summers. I've spent the last few years in the Hartford, CT area so I am no stranger to weather, rain and the elements.

Honestly though, does it really rain THAT much in Portland? I've also been looking at Medford based on what the precipitation maps have shown me (similar climate to Portland but less precip.) I guess I am really looking for the frequency and duration of rain when it comes...

Thanks!!

It's not the rain that drives people out of town.

It's the sustained grey layer that dominates about 4/5 or more of the year.

This grey, overcast layer prevents UV/VIS radiation from reaching you in normal quantities.

You'll hear people discuss Vitamin D levels. This is not really an issue.

Your unique US-version of cabin fever and depression starts with diminished serotonin/dopamine levels, or a balance and circadian rhythm that is completely out of alignment due to zero aid from the sun, the brain's release of melatonin around the clock as a response to overcast conditions. You'll become lethargic, confused, and crave simple carbohydrate like never before.

You'll notice a collective bitterness and frustration within portland's populace during the sad 4/5 of the year. It's a really sick cycle, in my opinion - sucking it up for 4/5 of the year to wait for the June - August or so that flat out rocks like no other time / place in the nation.

This climate and conditions are not unique to Portland. it's no wonder european and russian cultures have essentially perfected depression.

I lasted 2 years and had to leave. And my family's roots to Portland begin in the early 1900s.

Portland, in its history and current state, has many striking similarities to other brand-name, trendy cities - transient culture, minimal, focused economy, insufficient well-paying job volume, etc.

I'm in New Mexico now and love it.

I'll still visit Oregon when I can. If I'm ever successful enough I'll have a temporary residence there.

I miss the Germany-like feel of Oregon. The fun of driving in the rain.

[CanuckInPortland]

Originally Posted by PDXnVegas

You'll notice a collective bitterness and frustration within portland's populace during the sad 4/5 of the year. It's a really sick cycle, in my opinion - sucking it up for 4/5 of the year to wait for the June - August or so that flat out rocks like no other time / place in the nation.

This climate and conditions are not unique to Portland. it's no wonder european and russian cultures have essentially perfected depression.

Though if you look at any list of the happiest countries on Earth, they're usually full of Scandinavian countries and Canada near the top. Russia is a different story in terms of quality of life.

As someone who grew up in Canada, where the winters are much more severe than Portland, I find that the people who are depressed are often so because of their own personal situation rather than solely the weather. Usually it's people who don't have a lot going on in terms of career or personal life or have a bad situation that get really affected by the weather. People in Montreal and Vancouver BC and Portland and Seattle that I've known might slow down during the winter, and people get more moody when it's always cloudy, but they don't seem truly depressed unless something else is going on. I see people out doing stuff in the winter in Portland in my neighborhood and they seem cheerful. People who are happy with their jobs, go outside to do stuff, can afford to go skiing or other winter stuff(when it snows) seem to be usually be fine during the winter--people that are just sitting around all day are going to be much more sensitive to a cloudy day.

[pdwpdx]

Probably also why there is so much drinking and drug use in this region.

[melodyjg]

It does rain alot..... if grey, wet weather doesn't get you down you will do fine. I have lived here 28 years and came from snowy weather and do fine. Although I do admit to not wanting to go out in it occasionally! lol
But if you garden.... great place to be!!!

[almostjay]

I keep hearing that this is an abnormal year, but I can't say I'm disliking it:

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by almostjay

I keep hearing that this is an abnormal year, but I can't say I'm disliking it:

It has been a very dry winter, I am more worried about what that will do for our water supply in the summer.

[smarino]

It's not just the rain, and there is PLENTY by any measure. It's the gloomy, depressingly gray days. I tried Portland, and it didn't work for those reasons. I'm hardly the only one! Once I asked a coworker if she was going to stay in Portland and she said "I tell you what, I am not going through another winter here!"

[oldtintype]

I always love how these gloom comments come on days when it's beautifully sunny here. I'm looking outside at the sunshine right now, during this time of "9 months of no sun."

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by smarino

It's not just the rain, and there is PLENTY by any measure. It's the gloomy, depressingly gray days. I tried Portland, and it didn't work for those reasons. I'm hardly the only one! Once I asked a coworker if she was going to stay in Portland and she said "I tell you what, I am not going through another winter here!"

Watching the winterstorm hitting the Northeast right now, I will gladly take Portland's cloudy 55 degree winter over that. Even better that is was a bit sunny today, this has been a great week here weather wise.