[madmmac]

North to South in W Wa the temperature is not that much different. There are pockets, like along the Hood Canal that get cold air trapped and dumps a lot more snow and the Bellingham area that gets the Frazier River outflow for much colder W Wa temps. Of course there is the famous Puget Sound Convergence Zone where the clouds and rain funnel through the Straits of Juan de Fuca and dump from Northern Seattle to Arlington.

Growing up in W Wa and nearing retirement myself(3-5 years), I have decided I will not be retiring here. I am sick and tired of the endless gray drizzle and exorbitant property taxes, right about 7+k now, but still mainly the gray drizzle. It is a stunning place when the sun is out with an amazing variety in climates and terrain. Tons of lakes and rivers and inland salt water fishing if that is what you enjoy. Again, for a couple of months a year, unless you are a snow skier or you enjoy the rain.

When I retire I want to be outside enjoying myself as much as possible. Purchased a 2nd home in Az during the downturn for the sun, golf, hiking, sports and such. Shopping right now for a condo in Maui for those hot summer Az months. Something to rent out when we are not there.

Like I said to my wife, we could come to the PNW in the summer and stay at a nice hotel for a couple of months or rent a house and still be ahead on what the taxes are.

The traffic sucks also.