Intersted in an extra perspective from a transplanted Northeastener (Boston)? We live in Vancouver Wash. It is just over the river from Portland Oregon. We, my wife and two kids, moved here five years ago.
The Pacific NW is a big area and it varies quite a bit. Along the coast you will get a lot of cloudy days, many of them with rain or drizzle. But as far as we're concerned, its beats the hell out of shovelling snow. Speaking of snow, in the western side of the states, we get very little snow. But when we get so much as an inch, it paralyzes these poor people. But it melts away almost immediately. Acutally, you get more rain than we do. Its just that the eastern rain will pour for a day or two then that is it. People here think nothing of a month without sunshine.
Jobs can be a bit difficult to come by out here though. We lead the nation in unemployment. So make sure you know how you will support yourself before you get here.
One neat thing about Vancouver is that I go over the river to Oregon for large purchases and avoid the sales tax.
We moved here to Vancouver partially because my wife has family here. But I have driven a lot of the area. If I were deciding wihout regard to anyone else, I think I would like to live in Spokane. Perty country out theya, pardner. It also has more of the seasons you are used to. It has more snow, more heat and humidity. Plus you are in the country just 20 minutes out of the city. Just don't expect any great museums or Broadway experiences.
Okay, people. They look the same, but they ain't. You can expect to take a couple years before you completely stop using the all that east coast sarcasm - it really puts 'em back. You get that 'what did I ever do to you' look. And driving? ... worst bunch of rubberneckers on the planet - it'll make you nuts. Just wait until you realize that they expect you to make eye contact and pratically come to a mutual agreement for a highway lane change. They think directional signals are a request. I still get flipped off once a week (it used to be every day).
Another important point: The west side, I think because of all the rain and mold and pollen and ... , is really tough on allergy sufferers. This doesn't get mentioned much. But if you have any severe plant allergies, you may find large parts of the year almost unbearable. My wife takes more allergy medicine than the entire city of Philadelphia (Of course I am just estimating).
Summary: We love it here and we ain't goin' nowhere.
