Seriously, How do Locals Deal with 200 + Days of Overcast? (Seattle: university, live)

[Rcsligar]

I understand that there is an official thread about the climate here; however, there are some specific questions I'd like to ask.
I understand the argument that "constant overcast" is better than 4-6 months of extreme heat, but I still personally believe that sunshine is somewhat essential to mental health. I know that's just my opinion but I think it's pretty valid.
What activities do people partake in during the constant drizzle/downpour? Some activities are impossible to execute pleasurably in those conditions.
Is there a nearby area that people go to to catch rays every once in a while. I heard that the sun shines a little more in Wentachee, I also heard that people fly to Hawaii.
Lastly, overall do you think the pros outweigh the cons? I'm curious to see what people think.
I visited this city a couple months ago and really enjoyed it. Capitol Hill is great, I love the downtown and I love Seattle University. Cool place besides the polar opposite weather of Florida, haha.

[tobester]

I bike to work nearly every day and run year round. In other climates, this is not possible - way too cold and icy in the winter, way too hot and humid in the summer. I, for one, think the nine months of cool weather are worth the gorgeous summers we have.

[Flightoficarus87]

The bottom line - Opinions vary on what "miserable" weather is

I've lived in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area my entire life, and the overcast/rain doesn't bother me. Sometimes I even miss the rain after long periods of sunny weather (like what we experienced over this last summer). Personally, I think our summers more than make up for the many days of overcast throughout the year. IMHO, few cities can match Seattle's beauty on a nice, sunny day.

Overall, I like our mild climate. I'll go visit Southern CA if I want heat, and head up to the cascades if I'm craving some snow.

[Rcsligar]

Do you fly or take a bus down to SoCal.
Also, is it fairly easy to access the beach?

[Flightoficarus87]

It depends where you go. Last time I actually went down to SoCal was awhile back, but I went to the Palm Desert/Palm Springs area, about 2 hours east of LA. Not much in the way of beaches there, but 85-90+ degrees and sunny daily during March/early April if you just need heat and dry weather. If you're looking for beaches too, you may want to stick to the major metro/coastal areas (LA/San Diego). And although it's more Bay Area than SoCal, I'm personally a fan of Santa Cruz.

Last time I went to SoCal, I drove down. Personally, if you're going that far south from Seattle, I would opt to fly if possible. Not sure how long distance bus service would go, but it's a bit of a drive when flying only takes 2 1/2-3 hours or so.

[spotlesseden]

Originally Posted by Rcsligar

I understand that there is an official thread about the climate here; however, there are some specific questions I'd like to ask.
I understand the argument that "constant overcast" is better than 4-6 months of extreme heat, but I still personally believe that sunshine is somewhat essential to mental health. I know that's just my opinion but I think it's pretty valid.
What activities do people partake in during the constant drizzle/downpour? Some activities are impossible to execute pleasurably in those conditions.
Is there a nearby area that people go to to catch rays every once in a while. I heard that the sun shines a little more in Wentachee, I also heard that people fly to Hawaii.
Lastly, overall do you think the pros outweigh the cons? I'm curious to see what people think.
I visited this city a couple months ago and really enjoyed it. Capitol Hill is great, I love the downtown and I love Seattle University. Cool place besides the polar opposite weather of Florida, haha.

I'm not a local, i live here for like a year. I don't have to deal with it because sun or no sun, it's still the same to me. You can do all the activities here without much problem. So at the end it will not do anything to my mental health. There are still Sun in this time of the year. I went out this weekend, it was sunny all day when i was out.

The sun in seattle area is just enough, too much sun is bad for your skin.

[Rcsligar]

Sorry, I should have specified that I meant how easy is the access to the coast from Seattle (i.e. Westport)? Is there an efficient public transit system that takes people over there?

[Seacove]

Seattle is about three hours from western most part of coastal Washington and requires a car to drive there. There are ferries that take you across the Sound to Bainbridge Island, Port Townsend, the San Juan Islands and Victoria BC. But to go past the Strait of Juan de Fuca into the Pacific Ocean, the roads are 101 from the north or 12 from the South out of Olympia.

As for lack of sunshine, it really depends on the person. Some people absolutely cannot take it. They flee after suffering from SAD which makes them depressed and reclusive. Sometimes lights can work but usually if they suffer from SAD, the best solution is a sunny place. If you are coming from Florida, you may find the change to be too dramatic as you would be adjusting not just from the lack of sun, but also the rain and much cooler temperatures. It just depends.

[BioMechanical]

Guess what? Some people actually like the weather. Summers are beautiful!

[Rcsligar]

I'm sure the summers are beautiful but that's about two months out of the year