if you love sunshine and perfect weather check out San Diego.

I have lived in SD for 40 some years and i have to say, i love Portland, Ore. I fly up every 6 weeks or so to visit my granddaugher and kids.

I think Portland is such a dynamic and exciting city - that I never even notice the weather. There is too much else going on.

Consider Boise - not as big, but actually interesting, and no rain. Have to like the outdoors, but they aren't without culture. Must live in the city, not burbs.

There is no answer to your question. It is of the kind of which Tevye famously said, "Would cross a rabbi's eyes."

Currently 71 with a blazingly blue sky today in the Seattle area.

Count me as one of those who's never seen the "weeks on end" overcast/rainy weather. A stretch of days maybe, but certainly not weeks. Personally speaking, January is the only month that I absolutely hate weather wise with November being the runner up. Oddly enough, we tend to get gorgeous and clear days more often than one would think in December. I'd enjoy them more if it wasn't so bloody cold without clouds. :)

I'm sold. I live in Raleigh, NC. If you want trees, trees, and more trees, to the point of not being able to see a darn thing, Raleigh is your town. Trees and concrete. I'm done. I'm in my 50's and I want mountains and water and I want to SEE something when I get to where I'm going. For me it was between Denver and Seattle. I've been researching for 2 years. Fifteen minutes ago I just made up my mind. Seattle won. I love gray, overcast skies. I flourish in "gray". Sunshine is way over-rated if you ask me and I have a son who flies for US Air so I can visit Hawaii or Florida when I need a yearly dose of sun. I can't wait to move. I'm not buying, I'm renting. I'm a closing coordinator for a commercial real estate firm and my husband is in the hospitality industry. If we can find jobs, we're coming. Well, we're coming anyhow and we'll worry about jobs when we get there. Thanks to all of you who posted and helped me make up my mind. Life is too short to be living somewhere you hate.

C'mon.....er, up! We're waiting for you!

Can anyone let me know what area to look for apartments in Seattle that has the best view of the mountains? Or IS there a view of Mt. Ranier from anywhere in Seattle??

I will let those who actually live in Seattle proper give you advice on neighborhoods.

I would like to say that while Mount Rainier is The Mountain and it seems to follow one like the eyes in a painting, it's not the only one. With the Cascades to the east and the Olympics to the west, this area is literally surrounded by mountains and on clear days, you can see them from anywhere that has an open vantage point. You can't escape 'em. :)

Sure, there's a view of Mt Rainier from loads of places (my apartment on Capitol Hill for one of them!) when it's "out" (it's covered in clouds many days).

Throw in the entire Cascade and Olympic ranges and plenty of apartments, condos, and homes look at one of these beautiful sights.

For rentals in great neighborhoods, located centrally, I'll recommend: Capitol Hill, First Hill, Central District, and Madison Park are ones I personally like best.

A bit further out and somewhat more urban-suburban in feel but still convenient: Madrona, Leshi, Greenlake, Fremont, Wallingford, Ballard, Ravenna, West Seattle.

Thanks to all who are giving me these great suggestions.

Sorry, I've been gone so long. Been kinda busy and also planning an Alaska vacation for next year. Thanks for the many replies. Dmlove, I feel ya. I would take what I could get for my home too. I understand that. I think my point is that many people have been priced out of homes and that is the unfortunate side of this price boom. And I refuse to be one of those people who can't do anything but stay home. I happen to have a travel habit that's like cocaine. These days they (housing market analysts) say you can get a 'bargain', but to me a bargain is not 1000 sf. home (not new) for 400,000. Like someone said, what about our kids? (Not that I have any). All of us aren't going to make a million or even half a million or a quarter mil to buy such homes.

Anyways, I haven't got my plan set up yet as to where I would work. I work for the DOD and I like it and will have to concentrate my search based on that. A trip out there in January should help me decide what to do. All I know is that Metro Washington (northern va) is not for me.

Thanks for the update, good luck with your move, to wherever!

p.s. You can rent a nice small 1-bedrom apartment on Capitol Hill in Seattle for ~$850/month.

kat, good luck with your move (if you do it). I know exactly what you're saying because I DO have almost-adult (well, they really are adults, I just don't think of them that way yet) children and they lament the fact that they couldn't afford to live in the town they grew up in. That part is sad.

Thanks suze, but I don't think my dogs would understand that. LOL. I'll figure something out.

right-o, with multiple dogs you would likely prefer to live outside the city a ways. i'd missed that in your posts.