Seattle Freeze

[Markor]

[Civil Servant]

Would it be heresy for me to say that I'm not sure I think the endemic winter doldrums / SADD theory has much credence? I have met many people over the years whom I suspect of using Seattle's winter weather as an excuse -- Oh gee I'd love to, but the weather's just got me *so* down. Well, wouldn't you perk up if you were eating a delicious hamburger, say, out at a restaurant with friends? I don't buy it. Seattle's not the only place where it's damp and dim and lousy for long periods of time during the winter. I grew up in one of them, and there wasn't the self-indulgent wallowing that tends to occur here.

RCC's too-far-to-drive theory -- yes, some of this. And maybe tied up with the annoyance of parking, in many neighborhoods -- a good friend lives in a condo on Capitol Hill, only an option via Metro. Which system, even though I commute-salute it, is not a good option for late nights and trips far afield from thoroughfares. I've mentioned here that I have an eye defect that makes it dicey for me to drive at night -- so my pal in Lynnwood I visit hardly ever. (There, I am part of the problem.)

[Markor]

[Alan]

Before I moved here, I met someone in Texas who moved here and moved back because everyone was so unfriendly (at least compared to Texas). I feel like most of the workers in the grocery and retail stores are in a bad mood. Although I don't interact with the customers too much. Maybe they are in a bad mood too. I blame the weather and the economic disparity in the area.

[rose-colored-coolaid]

[biliruben]

I find the best part of Seattle to not be Seattle at all. The city is sorely lacking in nice parks and other public amenities.

The key, in any weather, is to get out of the city. I tried living here without a car for over a year when I first arrived, and it worked fine. The problem was I had to rely on friends to get me into the mountains, onto the water, over to the peninsula. Some of the best times I've had, it's been raining in Seattle, but I've been above the clouds in the bright snow and sunshine.

[WestSideBilly]

[Notabull]

[Notabull]

[Lake Hills Renter]

There are hundreds if not thousands of miles of hiking trails in the Cascades. That's the best place to be in almost any weather IMO and I spent vastly more time in the mountains than the city. I know the Forest Service road network like the back of my hand, but I get lost in 2 blocks downtown.

[Markor]

[Markor]

[Notabull]

[Notabull]

[WestSideBilly]