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Negan1995 t1_jeaoibd wrote

God I really need to move out west sooner than later. I live in fucking Indiana, Washington is one of our top picks to move to though. Hopefully within 2 years.

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firelight t1_jeartsb wrote

Housing and the cost of living as super high here, but we’d be glad to have you. Expecting lots more red state refugees in the years to come.

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Negan1995 t1_jeaswow wrote

Yeah I've looked into the housing and cost of living. I assume I'll be able to find a decent enough job to keep myself afloat. But won't be able to save as much as I do now more than likely. It's a change I'm more than willing to take. :)

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firelight t1_jeauklk wrote

Once you’re settled it’s not so bad. I don’t know what you do for a living, but minimum wage is over $15/hr here and in Seattle it’s even higher.

The problem is lots of people expect to move here without any job prospects or housing lined up, expecting to be able to float for a long time based on the cost of living in Oklahoma or Arkansas or wherever they’re coming from, and that’s unrealistic. But it sounds like you’re doing your due diligence already.

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Negan1995 t1_jeav661 wrote

I do IT work. :) my girlfriend does school-based therapy for elementary/middle school aged kids.

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PoopOnYouGuy t1_jeb67ol wrote

You'll fit right in. I love it here compared to the south. It's very grey though so be ready for that.

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Negan1995 t1_jeb6rm8 wrote

How often does it rain? That's my gf's biggest concern. Doesn't concern me a bit though. Lol

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sdyawg t1_jebbymy wrote

Rain here is "different" than other places. In summer it helps keep us nice and cool, in the winter it means we're going to be a bit warmer. We get the most rain during "The Long Dark" from end of Fall till beginning of Spring. Honestly, in my opinion, getting used to the long dark season of Seattle is the make or break point more than the rain for most people.

Other than the dark season, the rain here is usually light enough that it's not a big impedance or problem. Umbrellas are a bigger hassle than just dealing with a little moisture 9 times out of 10. There's a running joke about Seattleites refusing to use umbrellas or being able to identify tourists because they're using one lol

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aithendodge t1_jebdc40 wrote

And “The Long Dark” doesn’t really hit people until they experience it. Folks think, “Oh, it gets dark at 5 in December/January? No big deal, it’s the same in other places.” But it’s not. 5 o clock winter sunsets here do not generally bring a serene twilight followed by a sky filled with stars - the perpetual cloud cover means it’s pitch-black at 5pm. I go to work and it’s pitch black. I come home and it’s pitch black. It gets to be a drag, and by the time Spring hits we’re all crawling out of our skin to get some of that gorram sunshine!!!

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MelloMaster t1_jebg2f3 wrote

>go to work and it’s pitch black. I come home and it’s pitch black. It gets to be a drag

Very much this, I've lived in Washington for 23 years now and it wasn't until I got out of the Navy and started working here again did I realize how bad the darkness in the winter is.

It doesn't bother me too much anymore as I pretty much just turn to a super gamer/hermit during the winter. Then once Spring shows up it's time to start getting all the camping and hiking gear out and start planning weekends of fun.

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aithendodge t1_jebj1wf wrote

I’ve lived here most of my life, and I hate it. The snowbirding lifestyle of my grandparents gets more appealing every year. Unfortunately if I’m ever able to retire all the Southern states will be on fire and uninhabitable anyway.

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KevinCarbonara t1_jebpd0g wrote

> And “The Long Dark” doesn’t really hit people until they experience it.

This is true. People seem to think it will only affect you if you have SAD. But SAD is relative. We have a biological need for sunlight. Some people will have symptoms anywhere. But here, you have to make a specific effort to get your sunlight and vitamin d.

I never had issues before, even when it got very cold or very dark, because it wasn't so permanent. But now I'm really considering buying one of those blue light therapy things. Only reason I haven't is that I feel like I could make my own much cheaper.

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GreenThumbFun t1_jeccujw wrote

Umbrella, what's that? lol 😆 Some people say, that's how you can tell who's not a local. When we first moved to WA, 12 years ago, I, too, carried an umbrella. Now, I just wear a coat with a hood.

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chucklehEDWIN t1_jebakwr wrote

Summers aren’t so bad. The rest of the year you get a fair amount of drizzle and overcast.

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KevinCarbonara t1_jebpr1l wrote

> Summers aren’t so bad.

I would go further and say that summers are incredible. There's a lot of light. The day never ends. Rain is much less frequent, and actually refreshing when it does occur. It gets warm, but not incredibly hot. Only downside is how much denial people are in over the temperature, to the point they don't even have AC. That is a big mistake.

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Chief_Kief t1_jebevpr wrote

Rain is pretty consistent about 2/3-3/4 of the year. We’re just now starting to get some sunny days interspersed amongst rainy days.

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firelight t1_jebj5o7 wrote

Like others have said, we have a lot of days with rain... but often that means an overcast day with a single hour of rain in it, or a gently falling mist that just hangs in the air which you can barely feel on your skin.

Once you have your standard issue heavy winter hoodie you'll be just fine.

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Rocketgirl8097 t1_jebjp18 wrote

Its only a problem in certain areas on the west side of the state.

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Negan1995 t1_jebjt3j wrote

Is there a map of what areas on the west get less rain? 🤔 we definitely want to be on the west side

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Rocketgirl8097 t1_jebmdm1 wrote

Probably find that in the U.S.National Weather Sercice - Seattle web page. But most cities listed in Wikipedia show a chart with average temps and rain. I think the actual rain is less than what it seems like. For me personally is the overcast skies that's more of an issue, i.e. the lack of sun, not the rain.

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KevinCarbonara t1_jebotqa wrote

High frequency, for about 7 months out of the year, but low volume. Compare annual rainfall to where you currently live - I actually moved from a much wetter city.

Also - this is only for the west side of the mountains. Seattle and surrounding area. It's not a whole state thing.

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Gekokapowco t1_jed7m3i wrote

often, but the rain usually just sprinkles compared to anywhere else in the US. Gray drizzle is the usual weather here, second is perfectly sunny with blue skies. There was like one or two actual rainstorms last year.

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mrswissmiss t1_jed959v wrote

I'm originally from Chicago and have been in Seattle for 6 months now. By far the mildest winter I've ever experienced. I was worried about the rain and cloudiness before coming out here as well, but the rain hardly is more than a drizzle. Plus the warm temperatures and more accepting people easily make up for having less sun in the winter

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Rich-Juice2517 t1_jeasw50 wrote

I'm surprised we haven't gotten more yet from even Idaho or Montana

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Rocketgirl8097 t1_jeazrdy wrote

Tri-cities has quite a few displaced Montanans over the years. Once they complete college they come on down either here or Spokane.

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Rich-Juice2517 t1_jeazycy wrote

Ah yeah I'm across the mountains. We've got a lot of California's but I've been seeing an uptick in Texas plates lately

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Rocketgirl8097 t1_jeazixb wrote

Come on out. I'm in a light red county in Washington but still light years ahead of the south and Midwest. (Our state's prettier too 🙂)

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ith-man t1_jec5qy0 wrote

Ditto, from arkansas. Looking to move near vancouver in 2 years.

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dreams-of-lavender t1_jeelvfu wrote

definitely take advantage of the outdoor recreational opportunities if you move here! there's so much cool stuff and nature is very healing. we have seven different biomes in our state, plus two that aren't found anywhere else in the world!!

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