June 7, still no sun (Portland, Phoenix: for rent, living, price)

[parasol]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

I'm quite the opposite, I feel depressed when there's sunshine

This describes me also. In conjuction with the sweltering heat from May until December-ish I know with certainty that this climate makes me miserable. We actually had a pretty chilly and wet winter this past year and on those soggy, cool days I noticed a spring in my step. How weird is that? Until I started reading posts on this board relating to weather I thought I was alone in feeling this way.

[oldtintype]

Supernova--you must be in the San Diego/So.CA as I'm originally from San Francisco and there is rain, fog, cold summers...it was rarely 85 degrees. Southern and Northern are different worlds. I don't find Portland that different from SF. If anything the summers here are way nicer and winters just a little wetter.

I think it's probably accurate that people who complain about Portland weather either have SAD or suffer from depression (and no, not depression due to rain) as I don't feel any different here than when I lived in SF or when as a kid I lived in Los Angeles. I do find my self becoming more and more intolerant of really hot weather for days on end though as when that does happen here the air quality goes to pot and you realize how nice it normally is.

[gnubler]

Today, June 9 now, feels and looks more like January 9 outside. Cold, gray, and pouring rain for hours now. Guess I'll just stay home and look at pictures of the sun on the Internet again.

I'm from the desert and I'm going back to the desert. Goodbye Portland.

[jescherer100]

Hey - I live in Northern California where it can be hot in one place and ten miles away it's foggy and cold. If you can afford it and handle the crowds, it's a great place to live. I am seriously considering moving to the Portland area for it's diverse culture, beauty, politics and seasons. My daughter just got back a week ago from Portland and she complained that it was HOT! Get a sun lamp and stay!

[Supernova7]

Hi all,

Parasol- Nice to meet you! We are in the "minority" as most people like sunshine. However, I like a fair balance and will gladly pass on 100 degree temperatures. Ideal weather-Light sprinkle to no rain, constant overcast skies with temperatures in the 60's. That would be PERFECT!

I have a friend who lives in a different region where it rains a lot and she gets very sad when it rains. I have come to learn that she feels this way not so much due to weather, but because she doesn't have many friends or people to do things with. So perhaps good company makes a big difference. I like to spend time with people I care about when I start to feel down, and find myself feeling better.

Oldintype- Yes, I am. Been to SF and loved it. Only problem is the HIGH COST of living which sadly plagues my entire state. If RENT and MORTGAGE weren't EXTRAVAGENT I wouldn't even consider relocating. Honestly, California has it all..diversity, culture, world class everything and on the southern end, gorgeous weather all year round. I just love the big city vibe...

Gnubler- It can't rain all the time. Here's a smile for you PM me anytime....

Jescherer100- I relate completely. I'm very seriously considering moving for the same reasons. Political atmosphere and how people relate to each other makes the city in my opinion. I like nature, mountains and water and a strong bohemian atmosphere. This was Venice and SF back in 1960's and 70's but it's changed immensely. Gentrification and the whole expensive loft/condo boom, change in politically cliamte all ruined it.

[oldtintype]

Actually when you leave CA you realize that CA does "not have it all." It takes leaving to realize what a crappy place it's really become. Unless you're extremely rich that is.

[Supernova7]

Maybe so. I haven't experienced Portland yet so I can't comment on that city. However, I've been all over the country and California meets my needs. The only thing I don't care for is the sprawl and the high real estate, other than that it's better than most places IMO. You're right, you NEED to have a good income to live here but cost of living seems to be going up in all the good cities. Portland sounds like a wonderful place!

[ninakix]

haha saying that people who hate cloudy weather MUST have something wrong with their brains. How about sunshine just being a preference?

[dissident]

...but it's not really deterring me. In the part of Pennsylvania where I live, it's cloudy just as much - if not more - than it is in Portland. The big difference is that starting right around Halloween it snows and remains cold, cloudy and snowy through the end of April and often into May. IMHO, gray skies that rain are far better than gray skies that snow. The few sunny winter days we do have come with bone-chilling, spirit-crushing COLD. Eventually, the lovely white snow grows a brown, icy-hard crust of road grime and salt, then melts into a caustic brew that destroys cars and shoes.

Weather-wise, i think Portland sounds like paradise.

[Pathwalker]

I'd give up chocolate for a week if it could be 58 degrees with rain here in SW Ohio.

This persistent sun, drought, and unusually high temps of 90-some degrees is getting on my nerves.