Family moved to Portland and bailed after a year of non stop rain and clouds (Eugene: fit in, home)

[Dingler]

A family I know visited Portland last summer and loved it. They were visiting during the nice time of year (July) and enjoyed touring around in 75 degree sunshine. They liked the lack of humidity and bugs. They loved looking at Mount Hood floating over the City. They loved the Midwestern feel of the City and the beautiful neighborhoods. They loved Portland so much that they moved the family out there in September.

Almost as soon as they moved out to Portland the winter rainy season started. My friends had never looked into the climate and were shocked when it went weeks without seeing the sun. It rained and rained and rained. This winter was one of the worst Portand had ever seen. If it was not raining it was snowing or sleeting. Throw in some ice storms and freezing rain and depression kicked in like crazy. Last month they moved back to Virginia, feeling foolish and naive.

Anyone else move to Oregon without looking into the climate and finding out it is so rainy and cloudy 8 months of the year?

[kander63]

This was my third winter in Portland after moving from San Francisco. I did visit in winter before moving (something I recommend for anyone considering moving here) so I had some idea what I was getting into.

I don't love winter here - it really can be quite gloomy - but I manage to cope, mostly by getting exercise and forcing myself to do things outdoors as much as possible. I have a very energetic dog who needs long walks every day so that helps. If you can afford it, it also helps to get away to someplace sunny during the winter.

It's not for everyone though, that's for sure.

[wtg]

Are winters in Portland darker/gloomier/lengthier than in Seattle?

[Norsk]

Are winters in Portland darker/gloomier/lengthier than in Seattle?

We lived in Bellingham and now just 30 minutes outside Portland. I'd say Seattle is nicer. Portland is colder, icier, stormier.

[PNW-type-gal]

In the long run, Seattle and Portland are similar. Statistically, Seattle gets a little more snow and rain and is overall a little cooler, in both the summer and the winter.

[frenzied]

Portland may have had more snow freezing rain this winter, but I doubt they had a ton of rain. We live down in Eugene and compared to the past 13 years I have lived down here, I thought the rainy season wasn't nearly as bad as other years. Spring has come a lot sooner. There were some more snow days than usual. But not TONS of rain. Just the usual rain fall. I think the first year the rain is kind of a shock, the second year it can be depressing, by the third year you either tolerate it and get used to it or not. I like the humidity and green year round.

[babycoleslaw]

Originally Posted by Dingler

A family I know visited Portland last summer and loved it. They were visiting during the nice time of year (July) and enjoyed touring around in 75 degree sunshine. They liked the lack of humidity and bugs. They loved looking at Mount Hood floating over the City. They loved the Midwestern feel of the City and the beautiful neighborhoods. They loved Portland so much that they moved the family out there in September.

Almost as soon as they moved out to Portland the winter rainy season started. My friends had never looked into the climate and were shocked when it went weeks without seeing the sun. It rained and rained and rained. This winter was one of the worst Portand had ever seen. If it was not raining it was snowing or sleeting. Throw in some ice storms and freezing rain and depression kicked in like crazy. Last month they moved back to Virginia, feeling foolish and naive.

Anyone else move to Oregon without looking into the climate and finding out it is so rainy and cloudy 8 months of the year?

I'm sorry they didn't do their research. We're relocating from Omaha, Nebraska to Portland this summer and knew about our relocation in September. So nearly every day I compared the weather between the two. Yes, it's incredibly gray/rainy in Oregon but when I did the side by side comparison, there were MANY days where the temps here were FRIGID and out there tolerable. So you need to weigh what's important to you. I'm going to miss the people in the midwest and our school system but not the bitter winters.

[PNW-type-gal]

I'd also say that for some people, researching it and experiencing it are two different things. We work in high tech, where there are a lot of layoffs/ transfers/ job hopping, and we've seen people move into the area thinking they were prepared for the winter weather and then move away again, unable to cope. We've also seen a lot of people move here and fit in just fine and come to love the area.

[Stonecoldharbours]

I think what it comes down to is maybe being prepared and not lying to yourself, people can sometimes convince themselves of things. It's not Alaska or even Canada for that matter here, its rainy, its cold and its hot, not much unlike most areas from what I gather....the biggest factor I am most concerned with for myself is affordablity and earthquakes, not so much the weather.

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by PghPaNative

I think what it comes down to is maybe being prepared and not lying to yourself, people can sometimes convince themselves of things. It's not Alaska or even Canada for that matter here, its rainy, its cold and its hot, not much unlike most areas from what I gather....the biggest factor I am most concerned with for myself is affordablity and earthquakes, not so much the weather.

I absolutely agree with you. I actually love the weather in the PNW. At least it isn't boring.

Honestly, though...it's all about what you can put up with. Some people love hot and sunny weather. I don't. Living in New Mexico or Arizona would be my specific type of hell.

I love the changeability of the weather in the NW. Some of my fondest memories as a kid were walking home from school in the rain. By the time I ended up at home I was soaked to the skin from the rain and stomping in the water puddles. But if you're not prepared for or accustomed to inclement weather, it could grind on you after a while. Personally, I enjoy an overcast and cold day as much as a sunny and warm one. Just for a different reason. It's the perfect day, to me, to cuddle up with a good book and a cup of tea in front of the fireplace.

It isn't too tough to find affordable living. And the earthquakes are not too common, so long as you're not along an active fault line. (Some areas historically get more earthquakes than others. Might not be a bad idea to check that out with the USGS before you decide where to live if it's a huge concern to you.) I lived for 30 years in the NW and experienced two earthquakes ever. Only one was due to Mt. St. Helens.