Job Offer in Portland: Where should I live? (Beaverton, Tualatin: health insurance, how much)

[philwithbeard]

OT Reply:

There is a Walmart on SE 82nd ave. And a Walmart Supercenter somewhere near the Wood Village / Troutdale area.

But isn't there a Walmart a few miles west of Hillsboro? Google maps list one out in Cornelius OR.

[aroseinrain]

Originally Posted by uncertain25

I cant believe you dont have Walmart. Is that because its considered white trash? I personally love walmart. I shop their all the time because everything is so affordable.

It's not about white trash-ness, it's because Walmart is generally considered to be socially irresponsible. Portlanders are all about being socially responsible.

[Ryant]

Originally Posted by uncertain25

The math test here is just a quick timed test that each employer gives. They also give you a personality test. I think the math test is to weed out illegals because we have a ton of them. But then I dont understand why they dont have an English test instead of math. Anyways you cant use a calculator and its timed so if you dont naturally remember the fractions you did in high school you can have a hard time getting a job here. It sucks.

I cant believe you dont have Walmart. Is that because its considered white trash? I personally love walmart. I shop their all the time because everything is so affordable.

I have been looking at different apartments in Beaverton and cant believe how cheap it is compared to Cali. I can get a one bedroom for $600 or a 2 bedroom for $900. And those have washer and dryers and nice pools. My apartment in Cali is a hole with no central air or heat, no washer or dryer, bugs everywhere, and the rent is $1,100 and up. You would think the wages would be way lower in Beaverton since rent is so much less but OR actually has a higher minimum wage than us.

Yeah, it seems cheep to live out here to me too.. The best Walmart is the one out by Troutdale : )

[uncertain25]

Thanks Ryant. I dont know what I would do without my walmart. Its so much more affordable than target. Im guessing the reason people dont like it is because the products come from less-blessed countries? Some people say its supporting child labor or unfair wages. But other people argue that even though they are under paid, they are getting jobs and getting paid something, which is better than nothing, so we are actually helping their economy. But I just shop there because its cheap.

Anyways, maybe if I was coming from somewhere else OR would see standard or even expensive. But coming from CA the rent seems like a dream come true. I think the reason people over pay to live in CA is the warm weather and beaches. But I just dont think that's worth spending all your paycheck on rent.

[aroseinrain]

Originally Posted by uncertain25

Thanks Ryant. I dont know what I would do without my walmart. Its so much more affordable than target. Im guessing the reason people dont like it is because the products come from less-blessed countries? Some people say its supporting child labor or unfair wages. But other people argue that even though they are under paid, they are getting jobs and getting paid something, which is better than nothing, so we are actually helping their economy. But I just shop there because its cheap.

Anyways, maybe if I was coming from somewhere else OR would see standard or even expensive. But coming from CA the rent seems like a dream come true. I think the reason people over pay to live in CA is the warm weather and beaches. But I just dont think that's worth spending all your paycheck on rent.

I totally agree with you about California costing way to much for what you get. People pay millions to live there in neighborhoods that are just so-so. And regarding Walmart; the funny thing is that Walmart is near the top of the list of companies that are perceived as socially irresponsible AND the list of companies that are perceived as socially responsible. Weird hu?

[Nell Plotts]

While many in Portland don't like Walmart because of their employment practices another factor is the amount of parking required for their stores and Portland's costlier parking landscaping requirements. Land costs, generally, decrease in a radius starting at Portland's city center. Notice that Costco stores are also on the periphery, however, the demographic for their customers is higher income than Walmart so they can afford to be closer to the city center.

FYI, there is a Walmart in Scappoose.

[uncertain25]

I saw there is a Walmart Supercenter in Vancouver WA also. Wondering if that one would be closer to go to than the Woodburn OR one. ?? It shows it on a map as a shorter distance but maybe its farther due to traffic? My husband used to work at walmart and one of my best friends works there now. They both liked it. I have always wanted to shop at a supercenter walmart (with groceries), as we dont have those anywhere in my area.

I know people said Vancouver WA will be a hard commute to Portland (but it looks so close on the map), Im guessing due to traffic. How do rents compare between Beaverton and Vancouver? Does anyone know. I want to get the most bang for my buck, while still being in a safe family friendly area of course.

Someone told me that Vancouver/Portland gets a lot of acid rain. Is this true? I have not experienced this before. What does acid rain do to you? Is it dangerous??

[aroseinrain]

here's an article regarding acid rain in Oregon:
More on Acid Rain

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by aroseinrain

It's not about white trash-ness, it's because Walmart is generally considered to be socially irresponsible. Portlanders are all about being socially responsible.

Other issues: When filing their paperwork they drastically underestimate the number of cars that will visit the store. When they were looking at Cedar Hills, they filed for 5000 extra cars during peak hours. Unfortunately, no Walmart in the US has such a low number during peak hours. The lowest is double that.

Sexual Harrasment and Sexual discrimination suits surround the company. They settled a huge joint-suit a few years ago among employees at a couple of stores in the South.

Walmart touts that their full time employees are well paid for retail (~$12.50/hour.) What they forget to tell anybody is that 90% of their employees are worked to one hour below full time and paid much closer to minimum wage.

They also keep most of their workforce off of full time to reduce health care costs. The company provides brochures and information to local free health clinics for their part timers.

In 75% of cases, local municipalities tax incomes are drastically decreased as local businesses are shut down because they can't compete.

There are tons more reasons, but Wal-Mart Sucks! explains them all.

[aroseinrain]

@hamellr:

yes, that's what I meant by socially irresponsible.