seasonal affective disorder in bay area? (San Diego, San Jose: houses, horse, to relocate)

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by dalparadise

In just over one year in San Francisco, I have had approximately seven days without some sun and blue skies. Total. Anyone who suffers from SAD here either is a hermit, or they don't know how to walk for 15 minutes in any direction.

In general, I agree. But keep in mind last year's winter was sunnier and drier than average. We do get some winters where it can rain day after day. We had a spring around 2006 (not exactly sure about the year) where it rained 21 out of 31 days in March and it was cloudy almost every day through the end of May. That's not typical, but it does happen here.

[kttam186290]

Originally Posted by SunnyTXsmile

This is fabulous information. So, if you had severe SAD, where would you live in the Bay Area?

Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon

[yowps3]

90% of the days in SJ are clear, bright & sunny

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

In general, I agree. But keep in mind last year's winter was sunnier and drier than average. We do get some winters where it can rain day after day. We had a spring around 2006 (not exactly sure about the year) where it rained 21 out of 31 days in March and it was cloudy almost every day through the end of May. That's not typical, but it does happen here.

True, but then again, that can happen pretty much anywhere. Florida, the "sunshine state," can get tons and tons of rain, and I've been in SoCal during some recent summers where it was just socked in with fog and low clouds for months during the spring and summer.

I think the only truly dependable areas for high sunshine are the actual deserts, but overall, California tends to be very sunny most of the year, most years. And if we get a fluke bad year, we'll take that trip to Hawaii that year! :-)

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by tstieber

True, but then again, that can happen pretty much anywhere. Florida, the "sunshine state," can get tons and tons of rain, and I've been in SoCal during some recent summers where it was just socked in with fog and low clouds for months during the spring and summer.

I think the only truly dependable areas for high sunshine are the actual deserts, but overall, California tends to be very sunny most of the year, most years. And if we get a fluke bad year, we'll take that trip to Hawaii that year! :-)

No need to go to Hawaii, just head to Palm Springs . It's closer and cheaper.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

No need to go to Hawaii, just head to Palm Springs . It's closer and cheaper.

Only good for golf and hangin' with old people who drink stinky liquor. Except for Spring Break.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by tstieber

Interesting point about terrain. I suppose that applies to anywhere, though, not just at a particular latitude. The latitude of San Jose (about 37 degrees north) is roughly the same as the south of Spain or Italy, and lemme tell ya, people in those countries don't talk about SAD. They always have a good time. I think Americans are more oversensitive to that stuff, and I think Americans spend much more time indoors and would benefit from more direct daylight. In fact, most of my relatives are in Germany, which is like 51+ degrees north, it's gloomy much of the winter, with short days, and they don't even experience SAD, because they're outside much more, even in the cold. So I think that's really key to avoiding SAD -- getting outside and not just driving to work and then leaving when it's dark. That can get depressing.

^this. I always wondered why this is a big deal in America but you hardly hear about it elsewhere.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by tstieber

Hey, has anyone actually ever experienced reverse SAD? I distinctly remember being in high school in '89 or '90 during a severe drought, and it was seriously starting to freak me out that it was sunny every day for so many months. The rainy season was basically ending in March, it would get hot by April, and it would be sunny until mid-December. I think that may be more of a "I need some variety" thing than a depressive state though...

Yes! I don't think it's an officially recognized thing but I'm like that during prolonged sunny and especially hot periods. Summer is my least favorite time. This will sound strange to some but the weather was the number one factor I left San Diego. Heat, long dry periods and arid terrain screws with me big time.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

Only good for golf and hangin' with old people who drink stinky liquor. Except for Spring Break.

I don't play golf and I go there. I don't drink either (not much, anyway). I like being out by the pool in the sun and doing some of the outdoor recreation they have here. There's also more to do if you're gay.

[hsa]

Originally Posted by fair weather cumulus

Hi,

We're considering either moving to the Bay Area of California or to Raleigh NC for our work. Do any of you live in these areas and have SAD? How hard is it to live with SAD in these places?
How grey and cold are these areas?

Thanks!

Here's my experience. I grew up in SoCal, lived in New England for 7 years and now live in Menlo Park (on the Peninsula, close to the South Bay). I get a mild form of SAD and, yes, I have it here. I find the winters chilly, somewhat dreary and barely tolerable. I didn't love winter in SoCal, but I despise it here and don't like going outside. Is it better than NE? Of course, but I still don't like it. And anyone who tells you that San Jose is 70-75 during the winter is misleading you. Check out the *record* temps - in January, those are mostly around 70 degrees. Not the average, mind you, but the record highs.