My Seattle
People often ask me, "Does it really rain all the time in Seattle?"
And of course, the answer is no! But does it rain frequently – yes! Does it rain hard or a lot – once in a while. Most people that live here for any time just get used to it. We dress for it or just don’t let it bother us. Who invented Gore-Tex? I don’t know, but they probably visited Seattle. So many outdoor activities year round. My husband, a life long resident – doesn’t even own an umbrella! A good raincoat, yes.
If you wait around for a non-rainy day, you’ll wait your life away. We just do it!
Seriously, They want to know. . . what is the climate like?
In a word: "Mild." Winter’s daytime temperatures range around 40-45 with a few nights below freezing each year. Summer’s daytime temperatures are around 70-75, with a couple occasions each year where the daytime temperatures go over 80. No real extremes either way.
What’s it look like in Seattle?
…. When the sun shines – there’s no prettier place. Perry Como sang about it in the '60’s: "The Bluest Skies You’ve Ever Seen are in Seattle."
We have such a variety of sights in close proximity – spectacular views of Puget Sound – with salt-water access to miles and miles of great, protected cruising, sailing and exploring. Wonderful lakes with great fishing water skiing, sailing and views. Mountains on both the East and West so close that it seems you can touch them – with world class skiing, snowboarding, hiking and views. One enormous mountain – Mount Rainier – over 14,000 feet tall – it looks like a giant ice cream sundae.
Tremendous National Forests with miles and miles of unbelievable camping, hiking and year round recreational opportunities within 60 miles of the city center.
The Pacific Ocean lies about two and half-hours west and just one and a half-hours east lies an amazing desert environment, along with the mighty Columbia River.
Just three miles north and you are in truly another country – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – site of the 2010 Winter Olympics and a truly international city.
How’s the Job Market?
Did you know that the largest American Exporter is Boeing? And a large portion of all imports from the Pacific Rim enter the US through the busy ports of Seattle, Tacoma, Everett and other Puget Sound ports. Who hasn’t heard of Microsoft, virtually starting the PC and software explosion! You may have heard of other major employers who are headquartered in the area: Starbucks, Nordstrom’s, Alaska Airlines, Weyerhaeuser, As well as some big names in the medical field: Amgen, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the University of Washington Medical Center.
The Puget Sound region is also home to several large military bases – the Navy has bases in Bremerton, Bangor, Everett and Whidbey Island. The Army has Fort Lewis and the Airforce has McCord Airforce Base. The Coast Guard maintains large base in Seattle, which includes the homeport for all of the United States Polar Icebreakers.
What’s there to do in the area?
The Seattle area is home to the Seattle Mariners baseball team – with a beautiful, modern stadium at Safeco Field – which has a large retractable roof so you can enjoy a game rain or shine.
Another recent addition to the skyline is Qwest Field – home to the Seattle Seahawks NFL team – which has brought NFL Playoff football to the area for the last several years.
The NBA Seattle Supersonics and WNBA Seattle Storm bring all the professional basketball stars to town, and Emerald Downs thoroughbred race track is a great outing on a sunny afternoon.
During the summer, there are many neighborhood farmers markets – where local growers bring fresh vegetables, flowers, honey, nuts and other products created in the area.
The summer also boasts a two-month long festival called Seafair – many community fairs, parades, a visit from the fabulous Blue Angles, and an Unlimited Hydroplane Race which draws nearly 200,000 fans to the shores of Lake Washington.
There are other fun weekend festivals featuring music, food, art and fun: Bumbershoot (oddly enough, it means "umbrella") over Labor Day weekend, The Bite of Seattle in July, Folklife in June and a number of neighborhood street fairs.
The city and the neighborhoods support a large number of great restaurants, some world renowned, many with friendly neighborhood flavor.
There is a thriving club and music scene around the area, along with superb arts and cultural events – The new Olympic Sculpture Park is part of the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera both offer a full range of opportunities.
Seattle supports two major daily newspapers – something that very few cities in the US can say. It’s home to the University of Washington, Seattle University, the University of Puget Sound, as well as fine Community Colleges: South Seattle Community College, Seattle Central Community College, North Seattle Community College and Bellevue Community College. There’s also a fantastic new central library – with stunning architecture – situated right in the heart of town.
