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Pros/Cons, economy, jobs, brighter future/potential, cost of living, local mindset, culture, nightlife, more to do, urban amenities, cosmopolitan or provincial.
Oh gosh. Interesting comparison, but this one really isn't close. Portland is beginning to rival Seattle and Vancouver, BC as the most interesting and vibrant city in the Pacific Northwest. Kansas City is an oasis of culture and urbanity in the Great Plains, but it doesn't really hold a candle to any West Coast metro. Heck, it doesn't even compare to Denver.
Portland is emerging as a destination city. KC is a great place to live, but you wouldn't plan a vacation there unless you lived in driving distance.
Portland wins for airport, scenery, amenities, diversity, and urbanity. Kansas City wins for cultural heritage, American food (love that barbecue) and probably museums. But too much of KC is stuck in the 80s and 90s -- suburban sprawl, massive shopping malls, Johnson County, office parks off the freeway, an airport that's located 25 miles away, etc. A Portland Timbers game is a better fan experience than a Chiefs game at Arrowhead. The Pearl trumps the Plaza. Midwest cities are usual friendlier than West Coast cities, but Portland is as friendly as KC.
Two HUGE pluses for KC however are cost-of-living/real estate, and the weather. On those grounds, Portland is definitely the city to visit, but the two are tied in terms of where to live.
Portland is sexier and prettier and has amazing rail transit for a city its size, but KC is every bit as livable and cultural and urban (for less money). I would say Portland is slightly better, but it's honestly a very close race.
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