Is Seattle worth it? (transplants, homes, transfer)

[azoria]

Originally Posted by DNewt206

It only rains something like 150 days a year.

Only 150 days a year

[Casportsfan]

Not from Seattle, but lived in Eastern Washington for 9 years, and have been to Seattle many, many times. I've never experienced a downpour or anything remotely close in all of my visits. It's a pretty awsome city in terms of beauty and uniqueness, and there is plenty of culture, places to go, and things to explore.

I have lived in northern Cali 22 years now, and I can say that if you were comfortable in Minneapolis, you'll probably love Seattle.

I would say that anyone that didn't realize what the weather was like before moving to Seattle most likely a) didn't do their due dilligence and homework before moving, and b) had a chip on their shoulder to begin with.

For instance, I'd not move to Houston and then complain about the year round heat. I know that I can't stand the heat and that Houston would be a bad place for me because of that.

I'm not getting why so many people have moved to Seattle and then complained about the weather. It's mind blowing. Try doing some research about the basics before you pick up and move to a place. If you moved on a whim, you were most likely trying to escape SOMETHING, and when the thrill of moving wore off, you were left just as depressed as before.

[tada]

Originally Posted by azoria

Only 150 days a year

Only behind Olympia, WA for number of days with precipitation.

[nowheretogo]

Hello, I've lived in Mlps for 3 years, and sometimes wonder why I moved. My home town is San Francisco. I'm in Seattle right now, I don't feel that I am an authority on either location, but I will say that they are not similar. In size, shape, character...The winters in Mlps are ruff, but for the rest of the year it's a beautiful place. I find Mlps/St.P to be more socially and culturally progressive with a certain amount of diversity that is less obvious than in Seattle.

[eastwesteastagain]

Originally Posted by Casportsfan

I would say that anyone that didn't realize what the weather was like before moving to Seattle most likely a) didn't do their due dilligence and homework before moving, and b) had a chip on their shoulder to begin with.

I'm not getting why so many people have moved to Seattle and then complained about the weather. It's mind blowing. Try doing some research about the basics before you pick up and move to a place. If you moved on a whim, you were most likely trying to escape SOMETHING, and when the thrill of moving wore off, you were left just as depressed as before.

Don't you think this is a bit extreme? Sometimes people relocate for job opportunities, to be near family, or a number of other reasons that have nothing to do with escaping something or falling in love with the Seattle area and moving on a whim.

Also, it may be challenging for some people to predict their reaction to the day-in-day-out gray until experiencing it (e.g., living somewhere else where it rains more frequently than 150 days/year but also clears more frequently probably doesn't translate into the Seattle mizzle experience). Weather "on paper" or even from a week-long visit during rainy season is a bit different than living the persistent overcast out here.

And honestly, people complain about the weather in every city (too sunny, too hot, too cold, too wet, too humid, too dry, whatever).

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Casportsfan

I would say that anyone that didn't realize what the weather was like before moving to Seattle most likely a) didn't do their due dilligence and homework before moving, and b) had a chip on their shoulder to begin with.

For instance, I'd not move to Houston and then complain about the year round heat. I know that I can't stand the heat and that Houston would be a bad place for me because of that.

I'm not getting why so many people have moved to Seattle and then complained about the weather. It's mind blowing. Try doing some research about the basics before you pick up and move to a place. If you moved on a whim, you were most likely trying to escape SOMETHING, and when the thrill of moving wore off, you were left just as depressed as before.

I didn't mind the Seattle weather so much until I became a parent. Then I wasn't happy. But I never complained about it...I just moved.

I do think, though, that there are a lot more possible reasons why people are surprised or disappointed by Seattle weather than the two options you outlined above. I think many people underestimate the biological and psychological effects that lack of consistent sun will have on their physical and emotional well-being. Just because it doesn't affect some people doesn't mean that it isn't extremely impactful on others.

The people that can reliably predict the effect of gray weather on them are people who have lived in it before for a few years, not just a few days or weeks.

[eskercurve]

Originally Posted by Topaz

I do think, though, that there are a lot more possible reasons why people are surprised or disappointed by Seattle weather than the two options you outlined above. I think many people underestimate the biological and psychological effects that lack of consistent sun will have on their physical and emotional well-being. Just because it doesn't affect some people doesn't mean that it isn't extremely impactful on others.

The people that can reliably predict the effect of gray weather on them are people who have lived in it before for a few years, not just a few days or weeks.

I agree. Seattle definitely has a certain affect on some people. The people who I find are most affected by the weather are people who used to live in sunny climates. A friend of mine moved to Phoenix and it was moving from one extreme to another, but she is much happier there than here, it was a definite change in psychology based in biology.

She misses the people and the culture and the more laid back atmosphere but she wouldn't move back. She said if Seattle was less gloomy during the winter she'd never leave.

[ElektroDragon]

Originally Posted by eastwesteastagain

escaping something or falling in love with the Seattle area and moving on a whim.

That's amusing, because that's exactly why we moved here. We fell in love with Seattle and moved here on a whim, plus we were trying to escape a little state called NY, which is going downhill fast. It helps that I love rain, because those annoying flying insects don't bother you in it.

Although sometimes I dream of having a goat ranch in Wyoming or something.

[tricki_nicki]

I've lived in the Seattle area for almost 20 years. The only thing I DON'T like about it is the weather. The mountains...ahhhh...the water...ooooo...the farmers markets in the summer...eeeee. Food, culture, education, jobs, you name it.

Unfortunately, I have three small boys who are turning into house plants! Before I had them I didn't really notice the weather.

People say it rains a lot, and it does. But more than that, it's just gray most of the time. Long days on the boat in the summer make it almost worth it. That is, if we've had a good summer - which we don't always. I'm longing to be outdoors more than 3-4 months out of the year...

[seattlenextyear]

Originally Posted by ElektroDragon

That's amusing, because that's exactly why we moved here. We fell in love with Seattle and moved here on a whim, plus we were trying to escape a little state called NY, which is going downhill fast. It helps that I love rain, because those annoying flying insects don't bother you in it.

Although sometimes I dream of having a goat ranch in Wyoming or something.

If by "fast" you mean The last 30 years, you're right. Upstate used to have actual companies and businesses. More than just Eastman Kodak.