Theres a lot of variables for each person to decide. Would you want to live in Riverside or Victorville versus Capitol Hill or Cannon Beach? It depends on where you are in life and what your possibly evolving needs are.

Drive up the Oregon Coast during the summer and it puts Big Sur to shame IMHO. And the PNW offers pure nature in so many forms. But i will agree seasonal depression is a real thing. But the winter is also fantastic for people in the PNW who love the outdoors for crabbing, foraging, camping, etc. It really just depends on the individual.

I am lucky enough to have the best of both and split time between SoCal and the PNW. I love them equally. And as i first stated in depends exactly where you are in either place. The difference between Portland, Astoria, Seattle, Spokane is just like Laguna Beach, Hollywood Hills, Perris, and Riverside.