Response to Heather
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12/12/2006
I lived in Seattle for 2 years (1991-1993, visited 2000) and 8 years in San Diego (1996-2004). Seattle is still expensive. Housing is maybe 20% less than San Diego, but all other items are similar (and no state income tax). I felt Seattle was perfect except for the weather. SD gets 9" of rain a year compared to Seattle's 38" with rare winter snow. The snow doesn't last, however, similar to CO's Front Range. Ask: Do you like 47 sunny days a year? Portland is similar, Olympia is worse (more than 50" of rain). The only argument I have in favor of Seattle is that the culture is alive, the city is walkable, surrounded by water with a view to mountains both east and west. Politically, it's very liberal with a hot nightlife for all kinds of people. San Diego is too conservative and doesn't have a sense of "CITY" like Seattle does. But, honestly, I couldn't stand the Seattle climate and latitude. In December, the sun rises around 8AM and sets at 4:15 or so--the street lights pop on around 3PM because it's so dark. Summer days are very long (5AM to 9PM) but it's still too cloudy to see the sun! I live in Phoenix now and I like it but I think I'd prefer Colorado--am attracted to Fort Collins, Grand Junction, and the smaller towns of SW Colorado. It seems you want to be near the water where it's wetter than San Diego but not as expensive. Seattle indeed fits that description. You might like Port Angeles with the Olympic NP as your backyard.
Abhd | Phoenix, AZ