San Francisco to Austin to... Salem? (Portland, Eugene: relocating, job, nightlife)

[LadyBlacksmith]

I am considering moving to Salem from Austin for a job opportunity, but don't know very much about the area. I've done some demographic research, ect., read a lot of threads, but what I really would like to know more about is the city life/nightlife. I am a single, 30y.o. designer/photographer, into music and the arts. I know many people who have moved to Portland and love it. Is Salem anything like Portland? Any local music scene? Art scene? Good dive bars? Stuff for single folks? I am not a hippie or a hipster... but maybe something in between.

[tablemtn]

Is Salem anything like Portland?

Not really. It may be tolerable for you, but you should certainly make a visit before relocating.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by LadyBlacksmith

I am considering moving to Salem from Austin for a job opportunity, but don't know very much about the area. I've done some demographic research, ect., read a lot of threads, but what I really would like to know more about is the city life/nightlife. I am a single, 30y.o. designer/photographer, into music and the arts. I know many people who have moved to Portland and love it. Is Salem anything like Portland? Any local music scene? Art scene? Good dive bars? Stuff for single folks? I am not a hippie or a hipster... but maybe something in between.

I lived in Portland for 9 years before Salem with my hubby and no kids and we went out a lot. Portland has great energy.

Salem...not so much. It is nothing like Portland. I can't imagine being single and living in Salem, but I came from Chicago to Portland so my definition of arts and culture is based on that. SF to Austin to Salem will result in the same culture shock that I had when I moved here.

Salem is not bad, just very slow paced and family oriented. If you were outdoorsy the Chemektans outdoor club has a lot going on, but there really is not a good nightlife type of scene here.

[graphxs]

Portland would be more to your liking than Salem.

[dachmom]

I agree, I think Portland would be more to your liking. The Pearl District downtown is supposed to be the "hip" place for young people right now. Salem is more family oriented. Salem is basically a small town that got bigger,it's never really had the big city vibe like Portland does.

[5chevin5]

Try Eugene...
Has much more of what it sounds like you are looking for.
But even more so Portland, less hippie quota the Eugene....

Good Luck
5

[JakeDog]

Salem is pretty weak. You could commute from some decent places though.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by JakeDog

Salem is pretty weak. You could commute from some decent places though.

You could live in N Keizer in the Clear Lake area which would be an easy commute to Portland (depends on where you work), or you could live in the southern burbs of Portland (Wilsonville, etc) and commute down.