Making Friends in Western Washington (Seattle, Vancouver: live in, cost of living, club)

[noplacelikeWA]

Originally Posted by hamerabi

So, somebody mentioned that there is "year round" skiing on Mt. Hood. Have any of you actually tried to ski at Timberline in the middle of summer. It's not skiing and it's freaking ridiculous. Knock that BS off and start telling people what it's really like here. The forecast for the next 10 days is wind, rain, and mid 40's for the highs. Most of the time it is raining at the ski resorts, and at best the conditions are "slushy." Yes, I have had absolutely glorious days on the slopes of Mt. Hood, but they are only about 5% of the time I've been there. Yes, I ski a lot if you are asking. Bottom line is, the weather sucks, and all of the "stuff" that you can do here is mediocre.

How sad, another NW resident suffering from sunny day deficiency. It's no wonder transplants have a hard time making friends with the locals, too many weeks with out the sun takes a toll on people. Enjoying the outdoors "year round" is not realistic but its not "horrible" year round either. Living in the NW is not for everyone and if you get too depressed with the cloudy cold weather take a vacation and get warmed up, don't take it out on people that love the gloomy weather and are able to see a silver lining in the clouds.

[brightcopperkettles]

The best choice, at least as far as I'm concerned, would be to live in the South 9 months out of the year and come up here for June, July, and August. There's no place on the planet that can beat the Washington summers, but man the other 9 months of rain will flat out kill you.

[noplacelikeWA]

Originally Posted by brightcopperkettles

The best choice, at least as far as I'm concerned, would be to live in the South 9 months out of the year and come up here for June, July, and August. There's no place on the planet that can beat the Washington summers, but man the other 9 months of rain will flat out kill you.

We are a living example of your suggestion, we moved to San Antonio last April, and plan to live in our travel trailer in WA from June to August. There is "noplacelikeWA" in the summer and we can't wait to be back there to enjoy it.

[jojo7]

I moved to the NW 6 years ago and still have not made any lasting friendships. Many, many acquaintance type of relationships. Many hellos how are you? and that's about where it ends. I am from the east coast and really thought there was something wrong with me since I couldn't make any friends but after reading this forum, I know now I am not crazy. The people are definitely "different". There is a website www.meetup.com. You can meet people according to your interest and it's not one on one meeting. It's a group that meet in public places so it's pretty safe but use your own judgement. I just joined a moms group since I am a mom with two children. I am meeting the group next week for the first time so I can't speak from experience on how the people are but you really have nothing to lose. Check out the website and see if there is any group of interest. I can report back after a month and give you better feedback on my personal experience. Good Luck.

[StealthRabbit]

interestingly enough... seems our best friends gained in PNW came from 'camping as groups'. We did a week in the fall, and a week in the spring for Homeschool Field trips, + the local churches often do a week 'group' camp in summer. It seems to be the one consistant thing we did that made lasting friendships. (usually families with like aged kids, but sometimes singles and seniors). For older and single adults, I'd say Master Gardeners and Orchard Society / hiking and camera clubs worked ok. But nothing like an intensive week of camping in the rain to bring together lasting friends... Give it a try !! -if you have a camping trailer or motorhome, consider joining up with one of the above groups, you'd be really popular if you had a dry place, (awning works) and HEAT - the thought of that alone is heavenly.

Maybe there is a way to connect with others hiking the Pacific Crest trail, there is an opportunity, and some of the 'legs' are not too strenuous. Bring the hikers home for a shower and food, then drop them back at the trail so they can continue... Opening up our home as a "guest home" has brought great friends, but not local ones...usually the most friendly guests are from Europe (amazingly enough). Also from the US farmlands (beyond the 'midwest'...(Iowa and west) and WI, WV and the south are pretty friendly. They always appreciate Fresh salmon grilled on cedar plank followed by a PNW fruit cobbler (especially if you help them pick the fruit). Been a lot of fun, but tough on the waistline. (that's where the hiking comes in )

You see there is a theme arising...toughing it out together (WI weather, storms, culture shock) these are what builds friends (and charactor). So.. get out of the house!, maybe live under a bridge for a week ?? - Oh, working with 'senior volunteer services' has helped too. Some folks could use a hand, and it was good training for homeschoolers.

[CityGirl72]

I have been up here now for 3 years. And I do not like it at all. I have joined clubs, and have those "school-sged kids" mommies, I have "Friends" at work, but NO one else. I'm in my mid 30s, and have small kids and I've always been super outgoing too, but I'm super depressed in this city.

I'm from Sacramento - where it's so much warmer all year long and I feel so trapped in my house!! My kids want to go to the park on a sunny day - but D@MN it's 42 degrees out - and mommy won't go!

I have finally gotten a therapist, but I still yearn desperately for Sac town, I'm hoping to move back one daywhen their house prices go down. I want out of here.

[KidBlue]

Hi CityGirl72.

I guess the best combination would be western WA in the summer and Sacramento in the winter. Our winters are the best-just wish our winters would last longer! You are correct--it's still warmer here. I'm looking out at Capitol Park in downtown Sac and it's 60 degrees and mostly sunny. Sorry, you can get me back in the summer when it really bites here!

[CityGirl72]

I used to live in a house on 17th looking out at capitol park (before all the new buildings)

It's beautiful there

[hamerabi]

Originally Posted by noplacelikeWA

How sad, another NW resident suffering from sunny day deficiency. It's no wonder transplants have a hard time making friends with the locals, too many weeks with out the sun takes a toll on people. Enjoying the outdoors "year round" is not realistic but its not "horrible" year round either. Living in the NW is not for everyone and if you get too depressed with the cloudy cold weather take a vacation and get warmed up, don't take it out on people that love the gloomy weather and are able to see a silver lining in the clouds.

I love this. EVERYONE HERE SHOULD READ THIS !!! I have lived in the PNW my whole life. Please do not take the advice from people about the PNW that are able to "snow-bird" like noplacelikeWA is doing. He/She is living in a trailer for the summer months in the Northwest and then going to San Antonio during the rest of the year. Why, noplacelikeWA, would you think you should comment if you are living that lifestyle? By the way, at the end of this year I will have been to Hawaii, Australia, Las Vegas twice, and Scottsdale AZ, three times. I travel quite a bit and have been around a lot. I get out of this gloom any chance I get and will be moving ASAP to a warmer climate.

[noplacelikeWA]

Originally Posted by hamerabi

I love this. EVERYONE HERE SHOULD READ THIS !!! I have lived in the PNW my whole life. Please do not take the advice from people about the PNW that are able to "snow-bird" like noplacelikeWA is doing. He/She is living in a trailer for the summer months in the Northwest and then going to San Antonio during the rest of the year. Why, noplacelikeWA, would you think you should comment if you are living that lifestyle? By the way, at the end of this year I will have been to Hawaii, Australia, Las Vegas twice, and Scottsdale AZ, three times. I travel quite a bit and have been around a lot. I get out of this gloom any chance I get and will be moving ASAP to a warmer climate.

My "snowbird" lifestyle does not exempt me from providing input. I only moved to San Antonio in April 2006 and have not been back to WA since and I miss it terribly. I do NOT miss the clouds but I do miss the NW and I had lived there for 20years before moving.

Most of my good friends in the NW have no trouble seeing the silverlining in the clouds and I did not rag on them for keeping shut in as we all waited patiently for the sun to reappear. It just got to be more then I could take to go 9 months in mostly cloudy weather and to save my family and friends from my depressed and grumpy attitude we have now elected to live the "snowbird" lifestyle.

BTW... before moving we tried taking a mid-winter break to AZ and it made a big difference in my ability to get through that winter and thats why I suggested it. It also just so happened that an opportunity to live the "snowbird" lifestyle came available and we took it. I realize not everyone can do this but it is one way to enjoy living in the NW if you struggle with SAD.

The cloudy weather can contribute to why it may seem more difficult to make friends in WA, but I think if you put yourself out there you can find really great people who make really great friends anywhere.