Friendly Oregonians?

[bustedbus]

I grew up in NC, and next to the people I knew there, Oregon is incredibly friendly.

I came here with a chip on my shoulder, and big frown on my face from NC, and will leave(due to allergies) with a smile and friends that will last a life time. The rain is terrible until you get used to it, and I've never really been completely ok with it, but the natural beauty it creates makes it worth it to me. It definetly gets a lot of people down, my self included.

Western Oregon is where it's at in my opinion. We live in Cottage Grove, and it is by far my favorite out of the places I have lived in my life. Folks are just plain nice here. I can still remember when were first checking out down town Cottage Grove and we steped out to the curb on main street waiting for a break in traffic so we could cross. Traffic stopped in both directions to let us pass! In Springfield they just honk and speed up!

[tiffela74]

Ive lived here in Oregon all my life. I love to talk with just about anyone, if I can help them out, it just kinda makes my day brighter. although ya, I do sometimes get stuck with those who want to tell me all their woes, aches and pains. That can be pretty teethgrinding. lol But then again, you never know how long its been since theyve had someone to talk to.....I was driving home from Portland this weekend, and got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic around Woodburn (i think it was the tulip festival) anyhow, i ended up chatting with the people in the rig next to mine. lol Who btw, are lifelong Salem people. I thought that was kinda funny. And I must say, it made my day tht the ONLY person to be rude, was a guy on a motercycle (with OUT OF STATE PLATES..wont tell ya where though) that was just weaving through people when there wasnt even room, then going for several lengths up the shoulder of the road, well, couple miles up, he wove right past an unmarked pd car. hehe. Thumbs up going past watching hm get a ticket. hehe.
anyhow, i think youre gonna get people who are rude and/or just want to be left alone, and youre gonna get those who will happily give you directions to the nearest "hidden gem", a lot depends on your approach, but a lot also is just who they are.
Tiffany

[Oregon gal]

Portland as a whole tends to be cautious.

I relocated to the coast a few years ago and people are MUCH friendlier here but I think it has to do with population size. People feel safe down here.
The community is tiny (Sandlake) compared to a metro area like Portland and everybody here knows you or is related to you in some way.
If they don't know you, they will make you a casserole and be on your door step with a welcoming smile.

On the whole, Oregonians tend to be a very thoughtful, helpful group as long as they feel safe.
Take Care.

[Dr.VanNostrum]

portland is a nice area, but extremely liberal. the locals tend to keep to themselves. too many homeless and drug addicts on the streets. it's a mixed bag of good and bad. i don't consider it a family town. but for young people and retired it's a nice place.

if you a half way decent looking straight guy with a decent job, you can clean house on the dating scene. there are lots of attractive women but few eligible men. my sister left the area because she couldn't meet any normal men. it's common out there for men to leave their families and because they're gay.

if you're a striaght women and you want to meet guys, i wouldn't live in portland unless you want to date hippies or effeminate men.

[lilypad]

I did find it difficult with dating in Portland while there. The best place for "real men" is probably going to be SW, where it is more typical and mainstream, businessmen, upper class, etc. I never liked that area though, not eclectic enough, very suburban types.

[Mother Nature]

Central to Portland, Bend, the coast and just about any other interest you have. Not Portland for sure! But is is expanding. Lots of nice people and animal lovers.