Where in the northwest is there both sun and overcast skies? (Seattle: apartments, job)

[eeford]

Hi there,

I am REALLY wanting to move to the northwest, either OR or WA and I love cool, wet, rainy weather, ocean, mountains etc., but since I also suffer from SAD and I've heard the northwest gets 9 months of overcast skies per year I am worried about falling into a funk after being there for awhile. My problem is that I do not fit into a 100% "sun-loving" or "rain/cloud-loving" category- I need both to be happy and healthy. I'd move to CA if I could afford it. Ideally I'd like to have temperate weather all year round, and an equal amount of sunny, partly cloudy and overcast days. I get depressed if it's all sun/heat (MI summers) or all overcast (MI winters) for most of the year. I prefer an area that never drops below freezing and doesn't go above 80. So, that said, is there anywhere in the northwest that I could live that comes close to meeting these requirements? I know this is a tall order, but I don't care about any other variables really, just the climate. I'll live anywhere. Please, if anybody has any comments, suggestions or advice, let me know. I am having such a hard time researching this, I'd prefer to hear it "from the horse's mouth" as it were. I am looking to move in a year's time when I am done with school. Thanks very much!!!

[frogamigo]

I don't know of such a place, but maybe someone else does.

[janb]

Originally Posted by eeford

... I love cool, wet, rainy weather, ocean, mountains etc., but since I also suffer from SAD ... I am looking to move in a year's time when I am done with school. Thanks very much!!!

will you need a job? or access to large city? What is 'school'?

I don't think there is a place in the PNW with moderate weather + sunshine.
Sequim is as close as I can imagine + has water and mountians, but not tons of clear sunny days.

I'd also consider White Salmon, or Goldendale. (does get hot in Goldendale, but cools at night) Occasional snow, and a BIG river + reasonable access to nice OR coast. and ~ 2-3 hrs and also can head east for more sun. Mt Hood or Mt Adams~ 1 hr

Klamath Falls, OR seems pretty close top your sunshine wishes, but a long ways from the coast.

[magrack]

Maybe Medford or Grants Pass?

[Mark S.]

The Seattle/Tacoma area probably wouldn't suit you. It's pretty gray about 8-9 months out of the year.

Summers are actually quite dry and sunny. But since very few homes and almost no apartments have air conditioning, a daily high of 85 feels more like 95 indoors.

Portland is a bit farther from the ocean, so it tends to not be quite so gray.

[eeford]

I appreciate everyone who posted so far. I will look into each area mentioned. Thanks and I'll keep checking back for more replies. I am so glad there are some areas out there that are at least a possibility!

[bmurphy]

If you wanted to live in the east it would be easy, since for example Philadelphia is a little cloudier than average but it has a mix of sun too.

As for out west, I can't help much, but I must say your weather desires are pretty unique! Good luck!

[41Willys]

Originally Posted by bmurphy

If you wanted to live in the east it would be easy, since for example Philadelphia is a little cloudier than average but it has a mix of sun too.

As for out west, I can't help much, but I must say your weather desires are pretty unique! Good luck!

I was gonna mention the wrong coast,OOPS! I mean the East coast but he said not real cold and not real hot! That Eliminates everything from Maine to Florida and everything in between.

[Aquajox]

I've heard that the San Juan Islands get better weather than the rest of western Washington.

[plantlover]

What about Hawaii? Mild climate, sea breezes. Higher elevations would be a bit cooler.