Oregon or California (Portland, Lake Oswego: fit in, apartments, crime) - City-Data Forum

Raiderette · 01-12-2012, 09:25 PM

I'm trying to decide where to move. I've narrowed it down to San Diego, San Fran, or Portland. These are my 3 favorite places. San Diego weather is a little warm for my taste though, which is one reason I think I would fit well in Portland or Nor Cal, although San Diego is beautiful. I'm a writer so I can work from anywhere and my husband fixes airplanes so he can work at any airport. Can people please tell me which of these 3 places they would prefer to live and why.

Squidlo · 01-13-2012, 06:13 AM

Well as a born and raised Portlander I can see the allure of either Portland or San Francisco to a writer. If money was no object I would pick the bay area hands down. Portland offers more bang for the buck in terms of basic cost of living. The diversity of culture in San Francisco is attractive to me as well as the proximity to all that California has to offer Portland has much within an hour of town as well. Really, if you are a lover of nature cost & is a concern Portland. If you love a big city, the diverse culture and all around just more to do and see go with San Francisco.

hamellr · 01-13-2012, 09:04 AM

If San Diego is a "little warm" for you, then Portland may be a lot cold for you.

I prefer Portland for many reasons, but SF is a fine town and I wouldn't be unhappy living there.

Raiderette · 01-13-2012, 12:34 PM

Portland area is currently my first choice honestly, but just a little worried that the winters might be too cold. I love nature and I dont eat meat and I think I would fit in with that area. But Im from Los Angeles and Im used to 78 degree winters like today. However, I actually prefer low 60's and 70's. But I guess it would be snowing this week if I was in Oregon. Winter would actually feel like winter! We do get days in the 30's here in winter but overall its warmer here. Money does matter and getting more bang for my buck is desirable. But Lake Oswego really caught my eye. Reminds me of the nice suburbs we have in LA but with more nature. Any opinions on Lake Oswego? And you think a LA person can get used to OR winters??

Squidlo · 01-13-2012, 07:43 PM

If you have the resources to live in Lake Oswego you wont mind winter in Oregon. My biggest gripe was my career had me outside most of the time and I did get tired of being wet most of the year. Portland has mastered the art of "indoors". We love a good fire, deck of cards and a few friends on a weekday evening. Beyond work I never had any issues with the weather. You just adjust with the seasons.

The summer heat can come on fast and its comical to me now to hear people griping about it being 91 degrees in Portland. Were I live now that is very doable even at 70% humidity. You get used to the weirdest stuff.

Woof · 01-13-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiderette

.....These are my 3 favorite places. San Diego weather is a little warm for my taste though, which is one reason I think I would fit well in Portland or Nor Cal, although San Diego is beautiful.......

I suspect from reading this that you haven't actually been to San Diego, but have read things about it and have seen pics. It's the blandest looking of the bunch, not beautiful except from a few viewpoints. The climate is not at all hot, not unless you get far east in San Diego County (the county is huge and extends out into hardcore desert). In the city proper and all along the coast for about 10 miles in, the climate is paradisical - it rarely goes above 80F in summer days, and rarely below freezing in the dead of winter. In summer the nighttime temps usually go into the 50s. The humidity level is usually almost perfect, except maybe for the morning fogs. It's so perfect there that the biggest problem is boredom from all the perfect sunny weather.

San Francisco is beautiful. It also has more culture and character than the others. It has a changeable climate that some find a bit chilly and breezy, basically you need to carry a windbreaker jacket with you most days. Housing is extremely expensive.

I don't know too much about Portland other than that it's almost as rainy and gloomy as Seattle, has good beer and pizza, and is somewhat cheaper than the others. I'd also like to find out more about it.

Sizzle-Chest · 01-15-2012, 12:04 PM

I like all three very much. In my opinion, San Diego is the most pretty and pleasant. It doesn't really get that hot, average summer temps are mid 70's, while Portland is low 80's. However, there are so many people! Every time I drive down there I can't stand the endless sprawl.

The bay area is also very pretty and has lots of culture, but seems to be very expensive and again has a lot of sprawl.

Portland is awesome and more affordable. I'm used to weather up here, but if I was moving in from another area I wouldn't care for it.

delta07 · 01-16-2012, 11:44 AM

If you are used to the weather in LA, especially winter, Portland might be a drastic change for you. The hardest thing is not actually the temperatures, but the overcast, gray skies for months on end (sometimes up to 9 months). The natural beauty around Portland is that way because of all the rain.

sarahkate_m · 01-23-2012, 12:54 PM

All 3 of your top choices have difficult freeway/city streets, in my opinion. If you could live/work/shop without driving: that would be the spot to live.

Oregon is much colder than what Los Angelenos are acclimatized to...speaking from experience, here. I once thought 68 degrees was too cold for the house's thermostat. Now, I feel luck if the indoor temp is above 50 degrees. 70's temps in OR: shortlived.

However, more bang for your buck here in OR & in my opinion, it's a friendlier state, although I've heard that in Portland, you may as well be in LA, considering attitudes I've heard of there....

The population density of the state of OR, last time I checked, was the same as Los Angeles County. That means fewer jobs cuz there are fewer people here & everyone is competing for work here. If you are independently wealthy, this will be of no consequence.

I love San Diego but the driving is FRIGHTful on the freeways.... I love SF also but I've read the cost of living there is comparable to NY.... I could be wrong...

Good luck on your adventure!

Raiderette · 01-23-2012, 05:21 PM

Thank you for the input everyone! I am thinking although I would love San Fran I might have to rule that out just because I dont want to pay new york type cost for housing. Yikes! San Diego isnt exactly cheap either and yes it has weather that is closest to 72 degrees year round (what most people prefer) although I prefer more overcast weather with very green nature. What I do love about San Diego is there is lots to do: great shopping, the zoo, sea world, night life and so on. Its more suburban than LA for sure though, less crime and smog. Yes I have spent several weekends in San Diego checking out schools and apartments but how much can you really tell about a place without living there first?? Oregon still remains on the top of my list. Im guessing that MT Hood isnt the place to be for jobs and lots of social activities like Portland but it just seems sooo beautiful. I dont think I would mind it being rainy and overcast but I will tell you right now I have no idea how to drive in snow which scares me :0 Also someone mentioned that summers can be in the 90s? Well in LA it gets in the 100s but I hate it and I am trying to get away from that. I know it gets even hotter in TX but I simply couldnt move there just because I dont do well in heat. But from what I (think I) know the heat isnt really a problem for people in OR. I know someone mentioned jobs being an issue but I have a hard time believing it could be worse than CA where the unemployment rate is over 12%!