Getting used to the rain... (Seattle, Gig Harbor: fit in, home, buying)

[Vykki04]

Hello. We are in the progress of moving from California to Gig Harbor, Washington. I have, personally, never lived outside of sunny ol' California. The heat is killing me! Haha. Anyways, I was wondering if someone who moved from a "dry State" to Washington could tell me how they dealt with all the rain. Are you used to it now? If so, how long did it take? With all the beauty that Washington has to offer, it's something that I hope to learn to appreciate. But ... nine months, really?

My husband asked me to ask about the fleas. That's the only other thing (besides all the green) that we haven't yet dealt with. We have two indoor cats, will it be a problem?

Thank you all in advance!
*Vykki*

[Ultrarunner]

Very nice area you are moving to

First thing to remember is the days are getting shorter and the wet season is starting just as you arrive.

Summers are truly spectacular and I happen to like rain... liquid sunshine you know

It's a welcome change to not have to deal with CA style water rationing!

Most Washingtonians that I know seldom let rain get in the way of outdoor activities... just dress accordingly... and that almost never includes an umbrella if you want to fit in.

Much of WA rain is more like drizzle and overcast anyways.

Will you be moving to a home with a view of the Sound... goes along way to see the change of tide and ships to make things more interesting.

Oops I just read you are coming from Kern County... going from one extreme to another.... My uncle was a Kern County Deputy and lots of beauty in the desert too.

[allforcats]

If your cats are, as you say, indoor cats, then fleas won't be a problem since they won't be walking in grass, flowers, bushes, forests, and so forth. I've shared my life with indoor cats for decades here, and not a single flea has ever visited us. If you also live with dogs who spend time rummaging in grass, bushes, etc. they might bring fleas indoors.

As for "rain", we almost never get downpours, and rain is often limited to November and December. We get brief showers, or most usually drizzle and mist and something we lovingly call mizzle. The natives and those of us who've become as natives hardly ever use umbrellas outside of November and December. The rest of the time in mist, mizzle and drizzle, umbrellas aren't necessary.

Hope that info helps!

[poogie777]

HI Vykki! I came from extremely dry mid west to WA a little over 6 years ago and I honestly don't mind the rain we get up here. It's rarely a down pour kind of rain and is actually bearable to walk or hike in all year around. I have 3 umbrella's and have never used them! lol
We have a cat, too, that came with us. She is an inside cat, goes outside only in summer for a spell and we've never had flea problems.
Well, hope this helped! Hope you have a smooth move!

[AzDreamer]

I'm not sure why folks claim umbrellas aren't used up here, I see them all the time and use one myself when it makes sense. Of course if you are riding a bike you won't benefit from an umbrella but the times you want to walk to the store and arrive home dry an umbrella works pretty well. It's also a lot cheaper that buying a closet full of REI GoreTex.

Umbrellas can be a problem if you spend time downtown. The buildings concentrate the wind and you know what that does to an umbrella. Costco sells large golf umbrellas that are very sturdy and stand up to the wind pretty well.

We moved here from AZ over 20 years ago and have never felt that cold rainy windy weather is anything but a pain. Maybe it's fun for a couple hours but not much longer.

It helps if you can get outside every day to absorb some natural light. Even cloudy days provide enough light for most of us to avoid SAD. If you have a flexible schedule you can usually find at least an hour or so every day with no rain.

On really bad days I use the local doppler radar to check when a good time to head out is approaching. The king5 web site has my favorite doppler radar but there are others that show different things that you might find helpful. Some show rain different from snow but that's usually only important in the mountains.

[Freebird2007]

it rained....then it was sunny

[West coast at heart]

Hi Vykki. I have been to WA at different times of the year. I am not a resident(yet), but I have seen what the rain is like. If you ever start to feel like the rain is too much, plan a trip to Southern Florida. I am telling you that one driving experience driving in one of those rain storms will make you happy that you live in WA.

My inlaws lived in LaConner for 10 years and their cat never had a problem with fleas that I am aware of. What makes your husband ask about the fleas?

Washington is really beautiful. I am planning my move there (some where in the PNW) for the spring. I hope that you enjoy Gig Harbor. I have not been there yet, but it was one of the places that I have researched to move my family. The pictures are wonderful. Good luck with your move.

Peace,
wc@h

[nwcountrygal]

It is always the grass is greener! looking into leaving the PNW....

I have lived in WA over 30 yrs - the only time I had an umbrella was when I sold cars and gave it to customers - you just used to getting wet...... I wear a baseball cap allot of time - finally after 30 yrs cut my hair to give up on a style. It is just plain easier......... although know many who still try to keep hair style ... and do ... just too much trying for me.

My young years were spent in MT -- nice rain storms - big ones- hail the size of golf balls or bigger making all roofs need of repair. Lived on Mt Rainier - having 6 ft snow block my driveway.. waiting for neighbor to bring backhoe to dig me out just to have snow plow push it all back in as I back out of driveway. Drive 15 miles that takes you an 1 hour 1/2. Breath mold and smog in city.

Nothing -- I am sorry nothing .......... (ok other than wind cant do it ) is like 110 days without sun - mist drizzle rain - so cold - I will take 10 degrees in MT vrs 45 in Seattle with mist. SAD is a very big thing especially if your coming from somewhere else but here. Lack of vitamin D. It took me 12 years to find something I liked about this place .........then I realized ocean - mts - almost desert..farming - city - great food ...more and more.

On the other hand. When you can see the mountain clear on Puget Sound.... when the sun does finally come out on the ocean coast...... when you can walk in the rain forest..... when you can fish hunt get freash seafood go to the farmers market ...ride your horse on a crisp fall morning... smell the fresh spring making itself known. Hear the first humming bird fly past you with a cup of coffee on the deck during your one hour of sun from the mountain in front of property blocking sun rest of day... you knowing spring is coming. Lay on a padded layer of moss on rocks with river crashing by you to waterfall. Hear Elk bugleing in September. Drive home in middle of night and watch twin baby deer meet nose to nose with your cat. Watch people come from all over the world and met your friends that are inspirations to their lives to climb up to the top of the mountain - Rainier change their life.

You realize it isn't that bad... Just get gortex! Although after all these years I am looking to move... we will see.

[Botev1912]

it is 38 and sunny in Seattle right now. It's freezing cold. I hate it! I prefer 50 and rain it feels much warmer and milder

[allforcats]

And at this moment it's 51 degrees and brightly sunny in a cloudless blue sky.