Summers only in Seattle vs. Portland & Eugene (Port Angeles, Port Townsend: sublet, 2014)

[ctr88]

Hi,

I have a Internet job that allows me to me to live somewhere else in summers. I live in San Diego (but born and raised in Vermont) and I'm thinking of spending summers in Seattle, Portland or Eugene OR. I would get a Craigslist sublet for probably July-Sept. I'm a single male 38 and make an average income. My goal would be to spend a lot of time outdoors in summers in these areas; hiking, biking, boating, outdoor live music. In addition to being close to beautiful outdoors, I also want an interesting, progressive community with fun events, festivals, etc...

On a side note, what are your thoughts of spending summers in Port Townsend or Port Angeles? I'm thinking it might be a little too slow.

Also what is the weather like June-Oct in Seattle/Port T. & Port A?

Thanks for you imput!!!

[PeterNorth]

I've never been to Eugene, but I would definitely choose Portland over Seattle. Port Townsend and Port Angeles would be brutally boring, in my opinion.

[ctr88]

Thanks. Any reason for choosing Portland over Seattle for the summer months? Or over Eugene?

[MsKitten]

I grew up in Eugene but left for college in OC because I wanted some sunshine in my life! I always thought that Eugene would be the perfect summer place... it's smaller than Portland or Seattle but full of life, festivals, art, shows and people, especially during the summer months. June can be still a little cold but July and August, as well as September, are usually warm to hot, in the high 80s into the 90s and sometimes there are a few days in the 100s. July has the Oregon Country Fair, a gathering in the woods west of Eugene for three days of music, food, shows, vaudville, parades, hippies having a great time... I could go on and on and on. There are a number of festivals, and often there are free concerts in the park all summer long just south of Eugene, with big names like Joan Baez, Michael Franti and more. Within driving distance is the coast, the mountains, and the high desert. There is tons of outdoorsy stuff to do: camping, white water rafting, canooing, rock climbing, wind surfing, all depending on where you go. Eugene is an incredibly progressive community with lots to do in the summer and an amazing selection of restaurants. Feel free to PM me if you'd like any more information.

[SeattlitefromNC]

Portland is a nice choice ... unless you have allergies! I liked the city as a whole, but my allergies meant that I could not make that place my "summer getaway".

[stuckinseattle]

This past summer was my first in Seattle and I am planning on spending next summer elsewhere. It's hot and nasty and there isn't any air conditioning and everyone's in a bad mood because of the lack of air conditioning.

Dan Fernandez's Blog : The Seattle Air Conditioning Lie

Air conditioning in Seattle: The myth must die

[seattlerain]

Originally Posted by stuckinseattle

This past summer was my first in Seattle and I am planning on spending next summer elsewhere. It's hot and nasty and there isn't any air conditioning and everyone's in a bad mood because of the lack of air conditioning.

Dan Fernandez's Blog : The Seattle Air Conditioning Lie

Air conditioning in Seattle: The myth must die

I'm very confused here, on one hand we have all a lot of people complaining about how short summers are in Seattle...that it's not truly summer because it is not hot enough...and on the other hand we have this fellow in the second link you posted saying: "Long means from July 1 through mid-September. Sure, you might get a few mild days in the 70s, but for the most part you can expect 85+ to 95+ temperatures just like anywhere else. Except there's no air conditioning in Seattle, for the most part."

Which one is it, it can't be both.

[stuckinseattle]

Like I said, I've only been here for one summer. July through August was unbearable. I've spent time on the equator with no air conditioning. I've lived in Madrid and Barcelona with no air conditioning. This was so much worse.

[ctr88]

"I grew up in Eugene but left for college in OC because I wanted some sunshine in my life! I always thought that Eugene would be the perfect summer place... it's smaller than Portland or Seattle but full of life, festivals, art, shows and people, especially during the summer months. June can be still a little cold but July and August, as well as September, are usually warm to hot, in the high 80s into the 90s and sometimes there are a few days in the 100s. July has the Oregon Country Fair, a gathering in the woods west of Eugene for three days of music, food, shows, vaudville, parades, hippies having a great time... I could go on and on and on. There are a number of festivals, and often there are free concerts in the park all summer long just south of Eugene, with big names like Joan Baez, Michael Franti and more. Within driving distance is the coast, the mountains, and the high desert. There is tons of outdoorsy stuff to do: camping, white water rafting, canooing, rock climbing, wind surfing, all depending on where you go. Eugene is an incredibly progressive community with lots to do in the summer and an amazing selection of restaurants. Feel free to PM me if you'd like any more information"

----------->Thanks MSkitten for such a descriptive answer. Do you still live in OC? That is a big switch from a liberal progressive town like Eugene to a conservative/materialistic/shallow cookie cutter place like the OC!!!

I like the weather in San Diego but I'm not crazy about it culturally and it has a lot of sprawl & cookie cutter. Unfortunately all the interesting, progressive cities in the U.S. are in bad climates...NYC, Boston, Seattle, Chicago, Portland, Madison WI, Boulder CO, Eugene OR, Burlington VT. There really isn't a great warm weather city in the United States. Austin TX is probably the closest, but the heat in the summers is really bad and it's not close to the mountains or coast. Even the Mountain West cities (which have a sunnier climates and are close to outdoor recreation) are less desirable cities in terms of culture, progressiveness, character...Boise, Salt Lake, Denver, Alburquerque.

[motor80]

The most beautiful summers I have ever experienced are in Seattle. I was pretty much raised in southern California and lived there for 17 years - and let me tell you, I was *done* with the hot summers. Summers in Seattle are mild and just absolutely pleasant. Mid 70s to mid 80s. Clear blue skies. A couple days in the summer will approach 90s and that's where having no AC really does suck. I just keep a fan in the basement for those days. And because we're so far north, sunset is usually 9:15ish. 9:30ish on the longest days of the year.

Coming from San Diego, I am sure you will be pleased with the summers in Seattle. Plus, you've got lake beaches and sound beaches, nature all around you and TONS of summer festivities like Seafair, Bumbershoot (3-day music event), bite of Seattle, etc. Plus, being a much larger city than Portland, Seattle has a lot going on.