When I was younger, I always thought the phrase “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes” was only a Colorado phrase. After all, it is true here. Storms blow in and out in a matter of minutes, you can wake up to snow and then drive home later with your windows down. Parka in the morning, shorts in the afternoon.
It was only as I got older and started listening to what others said (read: started paying attention to someone other than myself) about where they lived that I realized this phrase counts for pretty much everywhere. While the Northeast is known for a consistently snowy winter, and the South is known for a consistently humid summer, and the Northwest for it’s consistent… uhhh? What? Clouds? Someone in each of those places will promise you that the weather is not something on which you can rely. One moment you’re blinking in the sun, the next you’re running for cover from the pouring rain.
As every place does have it’s “normal” weather patterns, I can remember always being thankful to live in Colorado and listing the bad-tempered weather as a reason why. Now, I know better. And really, it seems to be less about weather anymore, anyway. This makes my more logical—and perhaps reaching— adult mind come to the conclusion that if I’ve been waiting five minutes here, I could wait five minutes anywhere.
For the next few days, in fact, I’m going to be waiting five minutes in a place something like 3,000 miles from Colorado. And guess what? It’s true there, too. Five minutes, ten minutes… whatever. And maybe you don’t really need to run from the rain anyway, because where I’m going you really have no place to be.
So I’d like to pose a question (or two): What do you love about where you live? AND, do you think you could love somewhere else just as much?
I’m excited to see the answers to this. I’d like to believe I could make a life anywhere, regardless of surroundings, but I don’t know. (Though I would be lying if I said it wouldn’t always be a little about the weather.)
{ 21 comments }
OMG! No comments yet! I’m excited that i get to write first.
Well, they definitely use the 5 minute phrase in Chicago even though it only holds true in the Spring as the city goes back and forth from Spring to Winter all Spring. I definitely loved Chicago, and it was fun but unless your rich or single it can be expensive. And, the winter definitely wears you down. I wouldn’t want to live there again. And, I admit it was a very tough transition to move there from St. Louis where I had tons of friends. I never did feel like a Chicagoan.
I’ve only been in Nashville for a few months and I feel like it is home already. Its like St. Louis, but the people are nicer and friendly. But, honestly given the chance I would move back to St. Louis in a heart beat. After randomly picking up and moving to Chicago I don’t think I could move anywhere and be happy, but I definitely think I could move a lot of places and be extremely happy. I think the key is to have at least one friend that is in the same place you are in life. Moving here we had a couple we knew and have become friends with that has made all the difference in the world. In Chicago I had my sister who was very pregnant – didn’t work out as well.
Okay I’m rambling.
Where are you going? St. John? my co-worker was just there – I hate him! I want to go!
In my neck of the woods, Winter tends to end somewhere in early April, but this year it was something like late May. Not that it snows up until that point, but it’s just still too cold to not have a jacket on. What I love about where I live has nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with the culture. You simply cannot get bored in my neck of the woods. There is always something going on. And I absolutely believe I could love living somewhere just as much.
What do I love about where I live…it’s definitely not the place I would’ve chosen for my birth, and I’d like to get out but with family nearby, it’s kind of difficult to leave it seems. I guess I love those perfect spring/summer days. We have a few of them, and when they hit, it really is perfect. I live for those days. I definitely could be happy elsewhere, and someday I do hope to leave and try something else. I just haven’t really quite figured out where that might be.
My answer to this will be posted – there is just too much to say and I need time to think!
Love it though – have fun – and although I have heard the saying often through my life, I have rarely lived anywhere that lives up to the saying. Though there are days and weeks when I wish it would hold true (like right now when we are on day 8 of 95+ temps with high humidity and no rain!)
I’ve never heard the five minute phrase. I think we have these big huge weather systems and movements that are just so BIG, for a lack of a better term.
I could absolutely live somewhere else. And shhh! We talk about it ALL THE TIME. We like the weather enough – I mean we sure aren’t moving to Chicago. And we like the beaches. But we want more. This is a slow boring Southern town for the most part.
Funny, I love everything about where I live, except maybe the population growth… I miss the small towns of my youth! To live on the northwest side of the mountains in WA means you have to love gray and green – gray clouds, dreary days and green so green it hurts your eyes. And I do love it – of course, I’m a native. The thing is, when it is sunny it is so beautiful it takes my breath away.
And yes, I can learn to love other areas. When I moved to Rifle CO in 1978, I flew into Grand Junction. I was stunned to find the town surrounded by piles of dirt! Turns out those were hills, and that living in CO meant brown replaced all my green. I thought I would hate it, but I came to love it too. It takes a little time to get used to the changes, but each place I’ve lived I’ve come to love.
Virginia: I love having 4 seasons, although winter is one I wouldn’t mind leaving out. I love driving 30 minutes away from my suburban neighborhood and being in wine country with rolling hills and lush greenery. I love the awesome food that comes with my area’s ethnic diversity. I love the Wasington Post and the museums downtown. I love the word “y’all” and the Shenandoahs. I love being within a day trip of the ski slopes, the beach, the hiking trails, and the city all from my little perch here in NoVA.
(seattle) i love the mountains most, and the water next, and also being in a city with all the “outdoors” so close by. i used to say i’d never leave here, but now i know it is never smart to say never. i think i could be happy anywhere there were mountains…
I live in Southern California…where the weather almost never changes.
Over a few days, sure, but certainly not all in one day! I love living here because I can go to the beach and the mountains in a 12-hour span if I want to. The temperate conditions enable me to do lots of things outdoors – and the sun helps my Seasonal Affective Disorder. 
I always thought if I were to move it would be to Colorado. I like the mindset out there – I really enjoyed Boulder when I visited. I also like Portland a lot, but probably couldn’t deal with the rain up there. When it comes down to it, I think So Cal is the perfect fit for me…and I may never leave.
It is nice to know that we Canadians are not the only ones who obsess a bit about weather.
I have always found it too sunny here. People think I am nuts, but the sun is really very harsh, being at such a high altitude. You probably find the same thing where you live. And I have never been fond of the mountains. But I do love how it cools off enough at night to sleep comfortably in the summer.
I could definitely live elsewhere, although I am getting pretty excited about the exploding arts scene here.
Oh gosh, I wish I could say I could live somewhere else but I’m not sure I could … Well, I live in San Francisco right now, which I love, but I doubt I will stay here the rest of my life, though you never know. But what I mean is: I love Northern California with every bit of me, and I don’t think I could leave. I did leave, for nine years when I lived in DC, and I missed it so much that I’m still sort of in that infatuation phase of not believing I get to live here.
So, short answer is: I think I’m pretty settled in the Bay Area, but if I were rich I’d definitely have a little house on Spetses (in Greece) and in Edinburgh and maybe also in New Mexico. Colorado, actually has always been appealing to me, but I think I would miss the ocean too much …
I live on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada, and I love it. I have lived in Vancouver, BC and it is likely the most beautiful city in the world with the ocean and mountains. The grass stays green all winter so that’s cool too and there were no mosquitos or black flies…just spiders. People are a little freaky but that’s a big metro area for you.
Here in NS, it’s hard to escape the impact of the Atlantic Ocean. It keeps the winter temps fairly moderate and offers perfect relief from sweltering days in July.
I a big fan of history and heritage so I fit in well here. We live on the banks of a tidal river so our view changes every few hours…first discovered by Samuel de Champlain over 400 years ago.
It’s tricky moving into an area such as this…we’ve been here 12 years are still considered CFA’s…those who ‘COME FROM AWAY’. Regardless, it’s a great place to be. Awesome place to raise a family.
Economically, I love that in the South we enjoy one of the lowest costs of living in the states (yay cheap housing/gas). In Atlanta, we’ve got a pretty large tech sector meaning I shouldn’t have too difficult a time remaining gainfully employed.
Culturally, as a Southerner I feel comfortable here among friendlier types and haven’t enjoyed the cold shoulders of the larger cities to the North. A lot of folks complain about there not being enough to do here, but they’re just not looking hard enough. There’s a great mix of all sorts of things here, especially so since so many folks came for the Olympics 12 years ago and never left.
Geographically, it’s a nice halfway point between a variety of places. Within a few hours in one direction you can be in the mountains for hiking, skiing, etc or on the beach in another direction.
Do I think I could live somewhere else I could love just as much? If it weren’t that 100% of my family being located between a few states here, I’m sure I could but the distance between here and were I think I’d enjoy living would be offset with a sense of home sickness.
I hope that wherever you are headed resembles a lot your blog title picture. As for where I live….if you are out on the Ocean 5 minutes could be life changing and we sure do like to blame the weatherman. What I like about living here is I’m 40 minutes from skiing and 10 minutes from the beach – not sure there are any other places like that on the planet. Though I’d settle for caribbean weather all year round. You know that 10 minute pouring rain and then the sun’s back out. Yeah!
I love living in NYC. I enjoy having everything at my fingertips (although I admit to not taking advantage of most of it). There’s also so much outside of the city but within driving distance (or a train ride). If I didn’t live in NYC, I think I’d choose San Franscisco or London.
NYC weather is something I can do without. I love the Fall and early Spring but Summer and Winter? Fuggedaboudit!
I love the bay area for sailing, cycling, wine tasting, and hiking. But I’d actually rather live someplace else – San Luis Obispo, Manhattan Beach, NYC. I’m tethered to the bay area because of my kids, though. Once they’re off to college in a few years, I’ll be a lone wolf and able to move wherever.
MN – I found it funny to read that the 5 min wait is not exclusive to our fine state!
I love MN for our 4 seasons, as they are distinct and harbor numerous differences, difficulties and enjoyments.
I honestly don’t think I could live in another state. I think I would be confused on what year it would be!
I was born in Colorado and lived there many years – so I get the “just wait 5 min” thing. However, in Cali, that doesn’t apply. Though I will always love Colorado, I prefer California as I don’t like to be cold. Ever. I do miss rain though. However, I love the ocean. I love the sun and sand. And I like the lifestyle.
LOL! I’m waiting five minutes right now! Huge black cloud plopping her fanny right over my Sunday pool! Even if she bally~hoo’s and rains on my parade, the sun’s coming up right behind her! Enjoy the 3000 miles girl!
In MN there are thunderstorms and blizzards, which I like, and no hurricanes or earthquakes, which I don’t like. There is an abundance of road races from mid-March to mid-Nov … every weekend. And 10,000 lakes to swim in or bike around.
I love the rivers … St. Croix, Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers … which seem like part of the weather here. The sun shines!
Being near family is high priority for me. I like my MN state registered Naturopathic Doctor and proximity to Mayo Clinic, and access to organic produce and gluten-free foods… Not weather, no, but health issues for us who run. MN is a blue state.
But, of course, I wish the temp never got below zero, and I wish summer days were either hot or humid and never both. But there are indoor running possiblilites here.
I’d be grateful if you would delete my comment.. I got carried away and wrote about a lot of stuff besides weather.
One thing about our weather, though…. because of the clouds (weather) … we have amazing sunrises and sunsets!
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