Can a midwest girl survive and thrive in Seattle?

[dex]

I moved to Seattle from Tennessee *because* of the weather. I like cool, grey, misty/rainy days. And I love sunny days that don't involve ridiculous heat or stifling humidity. Those two things make Seattle pretty much perfect for me, and after being here for almost nine years, now I can't imagine living anywhere else.

I don't think it's that Seattleites are "unfriendly" so much as they are a bit guarded and hard to get to know. It can be difficult to make really good friends here, but not necessarily difficult to make friendly acquaintances.

Also, to be completely fair, Seattle does have a reputation for having a ton of passive-aggressive people. (I'm socially stunted enough that I don't notice this very often, but I hear about it all of the time.)

[GLC1968]

I can't speak to Seattle, but I did just move to Portland from the east coast. For comparision sake, I've lived in the following places: Milwaukee (WI), Boston (MA), Lewiston (ME), Detroit (MI), Poconos (PA), Tampa (FL) and Greensboro (NC).

I was really afraid that the long rainy grey winter was going to do me in. In fact, I had long exchanges with everyone I could find who lived in this area before we moved here to pick their brains. I was worried.

I don't mind the cold and I hate heat. My husband loves heat and hates the cold. Portland was our compromise - not too hot for me in the summer, not too cold for him in the winter (except this year ). While I have heard that Seattle is a little more consistantly grey than Portland (I don't know if that's true or not) - it's really not that bad. Today, for example, is about 45 degrees and it is alternating between pouring rain and blazing sun about every 45 minutes or so. Yes, it rains, a lot. But, it's really not always overcast. The sun does shine in the winter. While you can't plan something like painting a house where you'll need a solid week of sun, you certainly can steal and hour of sun here or there. In fact, I was worried how our plants would work in the greenhouse, and they are kicking butt. There is plenty of sun...it's just not constant.

And yeah, the summers are spectacular. Truly mind-blowing.

I also have to say that the people here are WAY cooler/nicer/easy going than any other place I've lived. Maybe it's because I fit in with their style, but people here seem 120% less judgemental than other places I've lived.

We've been here a year this week....and we both LOVE it. Love it.