Do you think it rains too much, and other general questions

[HonuMan]

When I moved here, I was depressed by rainy, cloudy weather. I spent my childhood in Rochester, NY, which statistically has as many rainy, cloudy days as Portland. I was glad when my family moved to Southern California, with its endless sunshine, and then to Atlanta, which gets plenty of sun. So why did I move to Portland? I came to the PNW on vacation, and the scenery was so overwhelmingly beautiful to me that I decided I could deal with the weather for two or three years, just for a chance to explore the area. (I had a portable job at the time.)

What several people told me when I moved here is was that I'd hate the first two winters, and then I'd either adjust or leave. It was true: the first two winters were rough, and I considered moving south to California. But the next few winters were tolerable, and I liked everything else about Portland, so I stayed. And then a funny thing happened: I reached the point where I now actually like the climate. I love the fog, the mist, the rain, and the occasional snowfalls. I have no idea why this happened. It doesn't happen to everyone.

It's an exaggeration to say that the sun doesn't appear for weeks at a time. We get sporadic sunny days during the winter, and days with what we call "sun breaks" alternated with cloud cover. Some winters are cloudier and rainier than others. A few years ago, we had a stretch of late winter/early spring weather that was so dry (and often sunny) that the weatherpeople said at the end of April that it would have to rain for almost all of May and June to make up the rain deficit and avoid a drought. And guess what? We had two months of almost daily rain. I admit that the weather got to me that spring. But then summer came, and all was forgiven.

So it's hard to predict. In my unscientific polls, a minority of people here truly like the rain and the gray. Most put up with the climate because they love other things about the PNW. A lot of people take a vacation to a sunny place like Hawaii in mid-winter to maintain their sanity. If you react to rain and gray like gigglediva, then by all means, stay away. If you have a moderate dislike of the weather, then it will come down to how much you like the rest of what Portland has offer. As others have said, it's a good idea to visit first.

[Lee151]

I was born here but lived in Phoenix Arizona for fifteen years and now back here for over twenty.

Yes, it rains too much. Many that don't complain about the rain have never lived anywhere else to compare it too. I foolishly married a native who refuses to even consider moving or I'd be long gone back to the sun.

It rains, drips, mists, or is otherwise gray outside for weeks on end.

Yes, when the sun shines it is gloriously beautiful but move to California and visit here....

[LeftCoastee]

Originally Posted by Lee151

Yes, it rains too much. Many that don't complain about the rain have never lived anywhere else to compare it too. I foolishly married a native who refuses to even consider moving or I'd be long gone back to the sun.

Yes, when the sun shines it is gloriously beautiful but move to California and visit here....

And that would be your opinion. I lived in Southern California for three years and hated it. I'd talk to my friends back east and typically have conversations like:

"oh, is it spring? I didn't realize because everything is brown and dusty and pretty much the same temperature as usual."

"oh, is it winter? I didn't realize because everything is brown and dusty and pretty much the same temperature as usual."

How the heck does a car get covered in dirt when it is parked in your driveway for two weeks without moving? That would be due to the garbage in the air because you know what? It doesn't rain.

I have a 180 degree view of the situation. Live in a place that gets nothing but sun and really doesn't have seasons and then come back here.

[Lee151]

I thought the original poster asked for opinions? I gave mine and you can give yours. There was nothing said about only positive opinions of the weather wanted.....

I never noticed the rain as a kid but as an adult who gardens and rides horses it drives me crazy. Mud and rain are not enjoyable for either hobby.

I never missed "Seasons" when I lived in Phoenix. I'd move back tomorrow if I didn't have to get a divorce to do so....

[LeftCoastee]

Originally Posted by Lee151

I thought the original poster asked for opinions? I gave mine and you can give yours. There was nothing said about only positive opinions of the weather wanted.....

Opinions yes, misinformation tempered by your opinion...no. You basically said if you lived in a sunny place you would realize how terrible the weather is here.

What people constantly fail to realize is that some people despise constant sunshine as much as you despise rain / clouds. The real answer is that you can't tell someone if it rains too much. Too much for you, yes. Too much for me, no.

[sharkylittleton]

Originally Posted by LeftCoastee

Opinions yes, misinformation tempered by your opinion...no. You basically said if you lived in a sunny place you would realize how terrible the weather is here.

What people constantly fail to realize is that some people despise constant sunshine as much as you despise rain / clouds. The real answer is that you can't tell someone if it rains too much. Too much for you, yes. Too much for me, no.

It also depends on the climate from where the individual came from. Is someone from southern California going to have an issue with the rain? It's possible, maybe even likely. With someone from the midwest, like myself, find it to be an issue? So far I've been here for 2 months and it hasn't been an issue. I'll trade rain any day for brutal winters with snow and at times subzero temperatures.