I also grew up in GR and moved to Seattle a little over 16 years ago. Reading the term "lake effect" cracked me up since it has been so long since I last heard it. Have you been back recently at all? Downtown has a bit more going on but wouldn't want to move back at all. Those winters are brutal.
I haven't been back in seven years. Relatives usually come out to visit me. I'm too soft now to survive a winter there. :)
I went back for the first time in ten years about a year ago and was surprised at how much downtown has changed. I also went back during ArtPrize which is very overwhelming. I have never seen so many people in downtown GR at one time in my life. Also, some of the new breweries there are great. But I still refuse to go back and visit during the cold months. Like you, there is no way I could survive a winter there.