We loved Victoria, BC... similar in Washington? (Seattle, Vancouver: statistics, best weather)

[Arushan]

How about Australia?

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by Arushan

How about Australia?

To those recommending South America and other countries, the OP stated: "but we aren't ready to move to a different country."

[Botev1912]

Also, you can't just move to a foreign country. You need visas for the whole family (which is not easy to get) and you have to learn a foreign language if it's not Australia, England or Canada.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Also, you can't just move to a foreign country. You need visas for the whole family (which is not easy to get) and you have to learn a foreign language if it's not Australia, England or Canada.

Or other english speakers in many other places ... Belize, Singapore, Phillipines,,,

the OP stated: "but we aren't ready to move to a different country."

OK... maybe there is someone else besides the OP that reads this in the next millenium, besides... I think the OP meant Canada, there are ez'r places to move than Canada. And with their first 10 mo old... they can use some enlightenment (about a 20 yr headstart on 'edu' advice might help)

[west seattle gal]

The Seattle area is great for IT, but the weather requirement definitely rules it out. Have you considered Chapel Hill, NC? It fits all of your requirements and is very green.

[BellevueNative]

I'd recommend you look at Salt Lake City or Denver.

[garryoak]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

This is not true. Victoria is not sunny at all. It's definitely gloomier than Ohio, Toronto, Calgary and even Montreal. You have visited in the summer and summer is the only true sunny and dry season in the Northwest (almost everywhere, not just Victoria)

You are mistaken. According to Environment Canada, Victoria gets 2,195 hours of sunshine annually, which is more than Toronto (2066 hours) or Montreal (2051 hours).

For the person who said that you need to go to eastern British Columbia or Washington for sunshine, Victoria also gets more sunshine than any other location in British Columbia, including places like Kelowna or Penticton which have a reputation for sun.

[TrueTimbers]

Originally Posted by garryoak

You are mistaken. According to Environment Canada, Victoria gets 2,195 hours of sunshine annually, which is more than Toronto (2066 hours) or Montreal (2051 hours).

For the person who said that you need to go to eastern British Columbia or Washington for sunshine, Victoria also gets more sunshine than any other location in British Columbia, including places like Kelowna or Penticton which have a reputation for sun.

Ya that's Canada. No one is impressed with climate statistics of the great white north...

Do you agree the center of the Olympic rainshadow is just off shore from Sequim? Yes?

Sequim is at 16 inches of rain... Victoria is at 24 inches!!!

Victoria is by no means at the center of the rainshadow... Yes it is in the rain shadow and has a GREAT climate by Canadian standards but... Still would be considered one of the most dark and dreary places in the US.

Any American that says sunshine is a priority should not really consider anywhere in the PNW as a location.

Virtually ALL of the US gets more sun than Victoria, or for that matter Sequim, which is the sunniest spot in the PNW.

I can respect Canadians have different standards than Americans... But seriously do not tout the PNW as sunny compared to virtually all of the United states outside of the PNW.

[NewbiePoster]

#1 does NOT eliminate Washington. Sequim, Port Townsend and Port Angeles, all on the Olympic Peninsula are in a rain shadow, so they have significantly more sunny days than Seattle and other cities on the other side of Puget Sound. Port Townsend definitely has a sense of community. Vibrant economy? I'm not sure. Small town atmosphere. On the water. An easy ferry ride to Victoria from nearby Port Angeles. Low crime, liberal community.

And btw, Victoria has a seedy side. At night the prostitutes come out, and downtown isn't so charming.


New Mexico is sunny, but does not have good schools, does not have low crime, and has a somewhat shaky economy. The small art towns do have a sense of community. But the high desert is running out of water.

[NewbiePoster]

Strong economy, especially for IT: San Francisco Bay Area. Not especially low crime, though there are some lower-crime communities that are family oriented and have great schools, like Orinda, Walnut Creek and Lafayette. Definitely sunny. For cooler weather but still good schools, try the inner Bay Area towns of Albany, Alameda or El Cerrito.