5 months in the Seattle area - 6 initial thoughts (Vancouver: utilities, living)

[simken]

Hi guys...

I have now lived in the Seattle area for about 5 months and just thought I would share some initial thoughts with those who are curious and those who are interested in a possible move here.

1. Jobs. I moved here with my wife for a job. She got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived here. So everything is good on the jobs front. The jobs market here seems pretty strong overall. Lots of different industries and a great place if you do anything tech related.

2. The area. Lots of things to do. Lots of great day and weekend trips. So far we've visited Portland, Vancouver and the San Juan Islands. All can be visited in a day. A lot of beautiful scenery around Seattle in the mountains with waterfalls and great hiking!

3. The city. Seattle itself is beautiful. It is such a great looking city. Gorgeous skyline. Beautiful natural setting. Water, mountains, lakes all over the place. Also a well educated population and many great libraries and parks.

4. Values. Seattle is a pretty liberal city. The Eastside (east of Lake Washington) is definitely more conservative. Despite what people think there are a great deal of churches (both small and mega churches) and a lot of church goers if that's important to you, like it is to me.

5. Cost of living. It's a pretty expensive place. We moved from another expensive place, so it hasn't been that noticeable to us, but if you come from other areas than the West Coast or the North East it's going to feel pretty expensive (utilities are pretty cheap though!).

6. Weather. This is where you need to really careful if you are thinking of moving here. It may actually be the deal breaker for me. I expected a lot of rain, but it overwhelmed me nonetheless. If you think to yourself that you may not like rain, this is NOT the place for you. You may think that you'll be able to overlook it...not a chance! It's a huge part of life here. During wintertime you will see an occasional ray of sunshine on a few days only. Some people love it, most don't. The locals say August and September are nice and usually sunny (except 2011). We'll see.

Those are a few of my initial thoughts. Hope they are helpful. Feel free to comment.

[Seacove]

I'm grateful for the rain. Can you imagine what the population would be if we had California weather? Don't get me wrong, I love California weather. But this area is quite beautiful and if we didn't have the rain, we would be overwhelmed with people. How many times have you heard people say, if it didn't rain so much, this would be my perfect city? A lot of people are moving here but many will leave over time and that's why in twenty years, it's grown, but it hasn't been completely overwhelmed...yet.

[Mclaurin]

Regarding the weather. Remember how many people who settled in Seattle are Scandinavian.

The weather is a plus to many in the PNW. It's in the dna for some, me anyway.

It's hard to experience change though. Rain is really hard on many people. You have to give yourself a pat on the back for making a huge life change like a move! Sounds like most of it is good. Hope it works out well for you.

[SaltyDawg]

We've had two consecutive years of way above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures.

Not that it will be balmy most winters, but 3 years ago, I was playing golf in January and lamenting the lack of snow in the mountains.

Nevertheless, your points are valuable. The weather is a deal-breaker for many. Their loss, I say

[snowbird2B]

Originally Posted by simken

Hi guys...

I have now lived in the Seattle area for about 5 months and just thought I would share some initial thoughts with those who are curious and those who are interested in a possible move here.

1. Jobs. I moved here with my wife for a job. She got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived here. So everything is good on the jobs front. The jobs market here seems pretty strong overall. Lots of different industries and a great place if you do anything tech related.

2. The area. Lots of things to do. Lots of great day and weekend trips. So far we've visited Portland, Vancouver and the San Juan Islands. All can be visited in a day. A lot of beautiful scenery around Seattle in the mountains with waterfalls and great hiking!

3. The city. Seattle itself is beautiful. It is such a great looking city. Gorgeous skyline. Beautiful natural setting. Water, mountains, lakes all over the place. Also a well educated population and many great libraries and parks.

4. Values. Seattle is a pretty liberal city. The Eastside (east of Lake Washington) is definitely more conservative. Despite what people think there are a great deal of churches (both small and mega churches) and a lot of church goers if that's important to you, like it is to me.

5. Cost of living. It's a pretty expensive place. We moved from another expensive place, so it hasn't been that noticeable to us, but if you come from other areas than the West Coast or the North East it's going to feel pretty expensive (utilities are pretty cheap though!).

6. Weather. This is where you need to really careful if you are thinking of moving here. It may actually be the deal breaker for me. I expected a lot of rain, but it overwhelmed me nonetheless. If you think to yourself that you may not like rain, this is NOT the place for you. You may think that you'll be able to overlook it...not a chance! It's a huge part of life here. During wintertime you will see an occasional ray of sunshine on a few days only. Some people love it, most don't. The locals say August and September are nice and usually sunny (except 2011). We'll see.

Those are a few of my initial thoughts. Hope they are helpful. Feel free to comment.

I pretty much agree with everything you said. We have been here 6 years..and have decided the weather IS the deal breaker for us..I'm not so sure if it is the rain..gray skies..or just a combination. However, it truly is a beautiful place..but we are some of those that just need more sunshine...

[pw72]

I read through these posts and I will offer only this:

If you crave sunshine, W. WA is not for you. If you like a variety of climate, and don't mind the comforting cloud cover most of the year, then W. WA IS for you.

[evergraystate]

The people that say they like this weather need a checkup from the neckup, or maybe the antidepressants are working. Yay for modern science!

[Woof]

"comforting cloud layer" is a nice way to put it.

[iskray917]

some people like rain and clouds, something that people like evergraystate can't comprehend

[Hemlock140]

It just makes me appreciate the sun more, when it does come out even for a few minutes. For me the green all year is more important and we wouldn't have that without all the rain I can keep the lawn green all year and only have to water it 3-4 times in late July and August.California may have a lot of sun but they also have ugly brown dry grass from May through October. I walk 1 mile from the bus tunnel to work and back every day and have yet to use an umbrella, you simply get used to the rain and being wet.