Portland or Seattle? (crosspost from Seattle board) (Rainier: sales, condo)

[zerp]

I may have the opportunity to move to Seattle or Portland for work. I am 34, male, single and enjoy the outdoors/camping. Which location would be better and why? I'd be looking for a condo around $250,000-$300,000.

I'm fine with not being close to a downtown, but would like areas where there are plenty of singles in my age range (27-37).

If I choose Portland, I was thinking of living on the Vancouver, WA side to take advantage of no state sales taxes.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by zerp

I may have the opportunity to move to Seattle or Portland for work. I am 34, male, single and enjoy the outdoors/camping. Which location would be better and why? I'd be looking for a condo around $250,000-$300,000.

I'm fine with not being close to a downtown, but would like areas where there are plenty of singles in my age range (27-37).

If I choose Portland, I was thinking of living on the Vancouver, WA side to take advantage of no state sales taxes.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Oregon has an income tax and no sales tax. Washington has a sales tax and no income tax. If you live in Vancouver and work in Oregon, you'll still pay the Oregon income tax, as well as paying the Washington state sales tax.

For a singles scenes, I'd suggest Portland over Vancouver. In that price range for a condo, you can live in a lot of interesting areas.

Mt Hood and Mt Rainier, camping-wise, have similar problems - too close to an urban area and even the "wilderness areas" get a lot of use. You need to drive out half a day or further to get away from crowds.

I chose the Portland area over the Seattle area because of size, traffic and population issues.

[zerp]

I've been looking closely at the state income tax issue. I am technical sales support and would be covering Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, with the bulk being Portland & Seattle.

I am 99% sure I can get my office listed as Seattle, yet live in Vancouver, as I telecommute as well as visit customers. I don't have a true office, per say. That's why I think I could live in Vancouver, fly out of PDX and telecommute/visit customers as needed.

Thanks again for all information and help.

[brandonlbrinegar]

seattle wins in every category. why waste time and money in this wasteland?

[Pen Cap Chew]

Wasteland? Why so pouty about Portland? I've seen all your posts dogging this place. C'mon, man! Brandon, are you having a bad day? What happened? Sit down. Have some tea with me.

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by Pen Cap Chew

Wasteland? Why so pouty about Portland? I've seen all your posts dogging this place. C'mon, man! Brandon, are you having a bad day? What happened? Sit down. Have some tea with me.

I think some people have nothing better to do than bash cities and cultures that they can't identify with. I simply say that it isn't for me if I dislike it. Apparently, there's a personality clash between left and right wing views and I certainly am not going to change my morals because some may not agree with me. The bottom line is move where you'll be happy. There are many bad people in this world and I certainly wouldn't want to waste my precious time around them

[Lillietta]

If Seattle wins in every category, please let us know your list so we can be persuaded.

[NYSooner]

I relocated to seattle from NYC seven months ago. I have really tried to like it. I hate it. It is not the politics I am very liberal. It is not the rain either. I have been one of those who seems to not have a life by taking time out to bash it. It in fact is the only subject I have ever posted on. I can't resist it. It is sort of like venting I guess, and it helps to have others who feel the way I do now that I am stuck here for at least a few more months. I have recently visited Portland and I think I like it much better. The people seemed a hell of a lot less passive agressive. The set up of the city was much better. It actually reminded me a lot more of New York than Seattle does. It's funny though, when you talk to Seattle natives about it they look at you like you are an idiot for saying so. When you talk to non seattle natives that have been there they all agree. My wife and I are very much consiedering moving down there.

[PNW-type-gal]

In general, PNWers (really, west-coasters in general) don't respond well to the "in-your-face" communication style, as I remember it being practiced in NYC (it's been quite a while since I lived there). It's definitely a slower pace of live (though not moribund, by any means), and people who stand in line and fume at checkers, for instance, tend to get a cold shoulder from everyone in line.

Is that what you define as passive-aggressive or is it something else? Portland won't be any different from Seattle in the above example.

[tiffela74]

I think the space needle in Seattle is awesome, but I like everything else about Portland better. Grant you though, Ive never lived in Seattle. Just visited. So maybe my opinion doesnt really hold much. I hate driving up there, I will say that! And when my car broke down once, it was FOREVER before anyone actually stopped and helped me. Very different response in Oregon. I even had an elderly couple park their car behind mine and sit w/me until my friend was able to get there to help me (this was after someone else had stopped and gave me use of their cell phone) PD response was quicker in Portland too. (this was on I5 btw)
anyhow, again, ive never lived in Seattle, but lived in Portland, just VISITED seattle, and never had the urge to move to Seattle. JMO
tiffany