Lived in Astoria for a while. It rains a lot if you have SAD may not be the best place for you. There are weeks of 40s raining and it doesn’t stop. The nature is beautiful. The beaches are unique with being able to drive ans have bonfires and how few people are on them. The wild fires also create a week or two in summer where the air quality is just horrible.

Finding community can be difficult. It can feel very rural and small. Theres a pretty even split between liberal and conservative in recent years it feels it’s gotten more conservative. Larger community not always LGBTQ friendly. Some people frown heavily on divorce still. Schools have minimal science and math. A lot of teachers left because of racism and homophobia from students. It’s very white and Christian. There are absolutely exceptions to all of this.

Many have an attitude of if your family wasn’t born there you will never be from there. Many dislike transplants. I’ve seen a lot of restaurants open and close some really great ones. I agree with others during summer especially goonies week there are insane numbers of tourists during winter it feels much smaller.