Baltimore vs. Portland, OR (Columbia, California: houses, tech jobs, safe neighborhoods)

[rudy_d]

Originally Posted by shades of gray

Unless you have already lined up employment, do not move to Portland. There are no jobs here. And that bookstore job you alluded to in your post--forget it (unless you know someone on the inside who can get you in). I am a native Oregonian living in Portland with a graduate degree, and I have yet to find employment in Portland (after six years of looking), that provides an adequate wage. So, I am moving to Baltimore! I was offered a job there, and the wage is adequate--so, I am going to find a way to skirt around the horrible crime I hear goes on there for the sake of a job. I will always love Portland, but I just can't live here underemployed anymore.

I have heard anecdotally that Portland has some of the best-educated waiters in the country.

[shades of gray]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

I have heard anecdotally that Portland has some of the best-educated waiters in the country.

So true, so true........

[pwright1]

Who says Portland has no jobs. Two of my friends left their cities and accepted great jobs with Itel and Hewlett-Packard. I live in Seattle and travel to Portland quite often for business and pleasure. I use to live in D.C. and quite familiar with Baltimore. You say you live in Boston. Why stay on the east coast? Head out west and try Portland. Jobs are there, its clean and beautiful with interesting neighborhoods, far less crime, a beautiful dt with major shopping and entertainment, great food, and great public transportation. As far as weather I would definately go with Portland. Milder winters, less oppressive summer heat and humidity and less bugs. Baltimore has its issues but still I think you would enjoy living there too. Everybody raves about D.C. but I found Baltimore to have more character.

[shades of gray]

Originally Posted by pwright1

Who says Portland has no jobs. Two of my friends left their cities and accepted great jobs with Itel and Hewlett-Packard. I live in Seattle and travel to Portland quite often for business and pleasure. I use to live in D.C. and quite familiar with Baltimore. You say you live in Boston. Why stay on the east coast? Head out west and try Portland. Jobs are there, its clean and beautiful with interesting neighborhoods, far less crime, a beautiful dt with major shopping and entertainment, great food, and great public transportation. As far as weather I would definately go with Portland. Milder winters, less oppressive summer heat and humidity and less bugs. Baltimore has its issues but still I think you would enjoy living there too. Everybody raves about D.C. but I found Baltimore to have more character.

As of October '07, the state of Oregon ranked 11th in the nations unemployment rate. Last year around this time we ranked 8th. Just because two of your friends happen to find jobs, doesn't mean much in light of the statistics. Portland is great in so many ways: clean, liberal, fun, great parks, great hiking trails, good beers and wines, near the beach and the mountains, etc, but if you don't have a job, you can't possibly enjoy much of what this city has to offer because you won't be able to afford to. Just make sure you have the job before you make the move, or you might be in for an ugly surprise.

[pwright1]

Compare Oregon's unemployment rate to the rest of the U.S.
Also take a look at the unemployment rate for metropolitan Portland.
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lis..._unemployment/
http://www.economagic.com/em-cgi/dat.../lauMT41389003

[NYMTman]

PORTLAND

BEAUTIFUL scenery, cheap real estate, far less crime/poverty, and a pleasent climate. Enjoy some of the world's tallest mountains in your backyard and July days in the 70's with no humidity and January nights nearly always above freezing. No contest here. Next

[NYMTman]

As for Baltimore, if I were forced to move there for employment, I'd suggest living in Pennsylvania and commuting in. Stay out of the city limits, period. I don't want to hear about the various up and coming neighborhoods or how Roland Park is supposedly rich. The city has a horrid education system and crime rate, as well as a local government run by chimpanzees.

I lived in Lauraville, which was supposedly nice. My home was broken into by a lunatic with a knife. I would have shot him dead but Maryland law would call that murder So I moved to Montana. Bye MD!!!

[Be More]

NYMTMan.....can't say I agree with that. There are plenty of schools to choose from that aren't hell holes. Those that live in Penn. and commute to Baltimore are scared of their own shadow. Thats unfortunate.

[jonjj]

Sorry about your experience NYMTman. I guess that is why you justify your move. But,I have lived in the city for over 20 years and have never had a bad experience. I walk daily for at least 4 miles and try to cover as many areas as I can while doing so. I guess I have had the opposite experience you have had. Good luck to you in Montana. It is a beautiful area. I guess democrats=chimpanzees in your neck of the woods!

[sobo16]

I'm sorry, too, NYMTman. I personally have never had a bad experience in Baltimore, either, but I also know that it's not the safest city, so I am as careful as possible. I respectfully disagree with your suggestion to commute to Baltimore from Pennsylvania. Encouraging people to commute long distances only adds to congestion on the highways. And who wants to spend 2+ hours in the car in traffic every day when he/she could be spending that time with friends or family?