So boring here (Seattle: live, restaurants, versus)

[madaboutmad]

We moved here from southern California a year and half ago. I'm bored out of my mind. I have a 3 year old and have joined a moms club, do lots of activities, but compared to socal where the weather is so nice and you can go outside and do just about anything at anytime, I'M SO BORED. There are just only so many farms and shopping malls that I care to go to.

When I moved here, I heard there are so many things to do, but I think I am finding out that this came from people that just haven't experienced amazing weather all year round and don't have the perspective of someone who lived in awesome weather all year round. Any one else feel the same way?

[BATCAT]

Originally Posted by madaboutmad

We moved here from southern California a year and half ago. I'm bored out of my mind. I have a 3 year old and have joined a moms club, do lots of activities, but compared to socal where the weather is so nice and you can go outside and do just about anything at anytime, I'M SO BORED. There are just only so many farms and shopping malls that I care to go to.

When I moved here, I heard there are so many things to do, but I think I am finding out that this came from people that just haven't experienced amazing weather all year round and don't have the perspective of someone who lived in awesome weather all year round. Any one else feel the same way?

When it's nice (or decent at least) outside, I try to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

The rest of the year, I try to focus on indoor activities. *shrug*

I will say that the climate here really makes me appreciate the late Spring and the Summer. I lived many years in San Jose, Costa Rica (mostly temps in the 70s, get s bit rainy occasionally but its usually over fast) and actually, while the Winters here can get me down, overall I prefer having actual seasons.

We also try to do our vacationing to warmer places (like Hawaii) during the greyer months.

[eskercurve]

Maybe a suggestion would be to go outside when it is cloudy and damp. If you don't, you will go stir crazy. I went on a 5 mile hike today in the damp. It's easy, just wear a jacket, a good waterproof one, and get real hiking boots.

Sounds to me it is less of an issue with the things to do versus the weather. Is that true?

[Seacove]

I remember the OP posting everywhere, TX, PA, etc. about potential moves and settled here. Maybe TX would have been a better fit? It rains and is overcast in Seattle in the winter. It's not going to change because newcomers don't like it. It's January 2nd, the heart of winter, and in the Northeast a snowstorm called Hercules is coming (best snowstorm name ever). It's 54 degrees here. I should check on the Alaska board and see if people go there and complain about the snow.

[Molli]

Honestly, its just not easy being able to keep yourself entertained with a 3 yr old. Even in a climate with sunshine nearly year round, 3 yr olds get bored pretty quickly. I just did a quick internet search about cheap things to do with toddlers in Seattle and it came up with quite a few hits. Have you tried expanding your horizons via an internet search and trying something new. Heck what 3 yr old wouldn't have fun splashing thru puddles when its raining! I STILL like to do that and I'm in my 40's hehehe.

[benleis]

Our kids are only 2-3 years older than yours and we found the best strategy is to keep going outside year round. Bring a raincoat and a rag to wipe off wet surfaces like swings but we found there were plenty of other families at all of our regular parks in January. Also don't forget to rotate in some museums, library story hours and indoor play spaces in between all the farms and shopping malls.

Good luck,
Ben

[angelenogirl]

I'm from Socal and walked to U Village today with my kids. Halfway through was I thinking it sucked? Yes. Was I freezing my ash off on one of the warmest winter days we've had? Totally. But I got out, and I'm happier now that I did it. It just takes some getting used to.

Have you talked to your moms group about your feelings? Whereabouts do you live?

[UrbanAdventurer]

Originally Posted by Seacove

I remember the OP posting everywhere, TX, PA, etc. about potential moves and settled here. Maybe TX would have been a better fit? It rains and is overcast in Seattle in the winter. It's not going to change because newcomers don't like it. It's January 2nd, the heart of winter, and in the Northeast a snowstorm called Hercules is coming (best snowstorm name ever). It's 54 degrees here. I should check on the Alaska board and see if people go there and complain about the snow.

54 and rain sounds pretty nice right now. 19 and blowing snow here.

[Hemlock140]

If you don't like rain and clouds, then it may not be the place for you. I love it, and walk 2 miles a day rain or shine (or snow). It's what keeps things green all year here, without the rain it would look like where I came from in CA with brown hills 9 months of the year, and 100 degrees for 3-4 months (Yuck!). We have been here 20 years and raised 3 kids, all of whom have chosen to stay here in the area after they moved out. What did you do there that you can't do here?

I admit there are no beaches with warm water, but if you embrace the rain, you can still go sailing on a lake, hike, play frisbee, soccer and the rest. People I know that like sun take 2-3 trips a year to places like Arizona, Hawaii, or CA for a vacation or long weekend.

[mimike]

Originally Posted by madaboutmad

We moved here from southern California a year and half ago. I'm bored out of my mind. I have a 3 year old and have joined a moms club, do lots of activities, but compared to socal where the weather is so nice and you can go outside and do just about anything at anytime, I'M SO BORED. There are just only so many farms and shopping malls that I care to go to.

When I moved here, I heard there are so many things to do, but I think I am finding out that this came from people that just haven't experienced amazing weather all year round and don't have the perspective of someone who lived in awesome weather all year round. Any one else feel the same way?

I totally get it because I'm from So Cal too. I thought the weather was something I could get used to, but I've lived here for 10 years now, and it only gets more difficult. Even with all the rain gear, I just don't enjoy going outside when it's dreary, cold, wet, and gray. I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old, and I take them to malls, museums, restaurants, dance lessons, reading lessons...I guess that's it most of the year. There are a ton of fun things we like to do when the weather is nice, but that's only a small part of the year. When the weather is nice, we like to have BBQs in our backyard, take the kids berry picking at the local farm, go to the park, ride bikes, go to the farmers markets, festivals, plus all the things we do the rest of the year. We're working on moving back to CA this year, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it happens soon!