Northwest vs. Southwest

**klpeake** · 01-21-2007, 01:50 PM

We have spent so much time looking into the Vancouver area (specifically Battle Ground) and now this morning my cousin (who lives in Port Angeles) calls and tells me that we don't want to move there. We should move to Sequim because there is barely any rain and it is sunny and wonderful and....the vancouver area has freezing rain in the winter and barely any sun and...and...and

So, I know that some of you can form an opinion on this. What are your thoughts of the pros and cons.

**MyAzi** · 01-21-2007, 03:15 PM

I personally like it more up north than down south but I think you should visit both areas and see what YOU like. Maybe your cousins just want you closer???

**RodFarlee** · 01-21-2007, 04:14 PM

Sequim is a much smaller town (city pop. 5000, area 28,000), with all that entails (pro and con, depending on your needs in jobs, shopping, entertainment, etc and your tolerance for traffic, congestion, commuting, etc).

Sequim does receive much less rain (16"/yr) than Battle Ground (52"/yr), and more partially sunny afternoons throughout the winter. This is the effect of the Olympics' rain shadow. Because Sequim is on salt water (the Strait of Juan de Fuca), its temperatures are slightly more moderate throughout the year than Battle Ground's.

Sequim is in a gorgeous location, at the base of Olympic Nat'l Park, near the shore and bay, beside the Dungeness River. You can be at any of these in minutes. So it is a popular "active retirement" area. Nearby alternatives worth exploring include Port Townsend (lots to do for a town its size!) and Port Angeles (a bit more affordable).

Let us know what your interests are, and we can try to give you an idea if you might find them in Sequim, or perhaps suggest other areas, as well. Best wishes - Rod

**the dufferz** · 01-21-2007, 04:34 PM

If you want less rain and more sun, then you are on the right track. If work location does not matter, Port Townsend and anywhere east works good. Past that you would either need to go east over the mountains, or north to the san Juan Islands.

The areas around portland including vanc. will bring lots of rain, but the freezing rain is probably not that big of an issue. Post in the oregon forum to see more about the weather in portland, which will be about the same as Vancouver.

**PDXnative** · 01-21-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the dufferz

If you want less rain and more sun, then you are on the right track. If work location does not matter, Port Townsend and anywhere east works good. Past that you would either need to go east over the mountains, or north to the san Juan Islands.

The areas around portland including vanc. will bring lots of rain, but the freezing rain is probably not that big of an issue. Post in the oregon forum to see more about the weather in portland, which will be about the same as Vancouver.

Yeah, post over in the Oregon forum and I will tell you all about it

01-21-2007, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
klpeake the offender Join Date: Jan 14th, 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 16	Northwest vs. Southwest We have spent so much time looking into the Vancouver area (specifically Battle Ground) and now this morning my cousin (who lives in Port Angeles) calls and tells me that we don't want to move there. We should move to Sequim because there is barely any rain and it is sunny and wonderful and....the vancouver area has freezing rain in the winter and barely any sun and...and...and So, I know that some of you can form an opinion on this. What are your thoughts of the pros and cons.

01-21-2007, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
MyAzi Slave to Sir Azi Join Date: Jan 14th, 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 1,306	Re: Northwest vs. Southwest I personally like it more up north than down south but I think you should visit both areas and see what YOU like. Maybe your cousins just want you closer??? __________________ FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY

01-21-2007, 04:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
RodFarlee American Join Date: Jan 15th, 2007 Posts: 345	Re: Northwest vs. Southwest Sequim is a much smaller town (city pop. 5000, area 28,000), with all that entails (pro and con, depending on your needs in jobs, shopping, entertainment, etc and your tolerance for traffic, congestion, commuting, etc). Sequim does receive much less rain (16"/yr) than Battle Ground (52"/yr), and more partially sunny afternoons throughout the winter. This is the effect of the Olympics' rain shadow. Because Sequim is on salt water (the Strait of Juan de Fuca), its temperatures are slightly more moderate throughout the year than Battle Ground's. Sequim is in a gorgeous location, at the base of Olympic Nat'l Park, near the shore and bay, beside the Dungeness River. You can be at any of these in minutes. So it is a popular "active retirement" area. Nearby alternatives worth exploring include Port Townsend (lots to do for a town its size!) and Port Angeles (a bit more affordable). Let us know what your interests are, and we can try to give you an idea if you might find them in Sequim, or perhaps suggest other areas, as well. Best wishes - Rod

01-21-2007, 04:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
the dufferz Duff man! Join Date: Jan 04th, 2007 Location: Bothell, Washington Posts: 1,327	Re: Northwest vs. Southwest If you want less rain and more sun, then you are on the right track. If work location does not matter, Port Townsend and anywhere east works good. Past that you would either need to go east over the mountains, or north to the san Juan Islands. The areas around portland including vanc. will bring lots of rain, but the freezing rain is probably not that big of an issue. Post in the oregon forum to see more about the weather in portland, which will be about the same as Vancouver. __________________ "Who am I and what am I doing here?" - James stockdale, Ross Perrot VP candidate, VP debate, 1992. My favorite political statement.