Adjusting to Portland (West Linn: living, garden, move to)

[nancy thereader]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by Redrover

This has been a really interesting thread to follow although I neither live in Portland nor do I plan to move there. I have, however, made a number of visits there as my sister lives in the area. Sad to say I am one of those fools who voted for G.W. but had I been able to see into the future, I would just have stayed home that day (didn't like any of the other options). Having said that, I have no beef with liberals (however misguided they may be) but I don't understand why Portlanders take such pride in living like leftover hippies, dressing as though style and fashion were dirty words, as though wearing make-up was a government conspiracy and as if shopping in a thrift store was the highest form of indulgence. I'm sorry, but going out to dinner at a nice restaurant or attending the opera is a reason to clean up and look nice. Plaid shirts, Birkenstocks, no make-up, un-shaved legs and sloppy backpacks do not constitute proper attire for the evening venues. Wallow in your liberal politics all you want but for crying out loud can't you get cleaned up when you go out at night? From what I have observed, much of Portland's inhabitants appear to be caught in a time warp that harkens back to the 60's or at the very least to days of collegiate rebellion. There is nothing charming about showing a complete disregard for the sensibilities of those around you. Granted, we live in a much more casual society these days but shaving, wearing a jacket, a little make-up and some real shoes...how hard could that be? As a city though, Portland is delightful and I always enjoy my visits (last one in May/June of this year) but don't use your politics as an excuse for flaunting all convention.

(For those of you here who have stated a preference for Raleigh, I'm right behind you. At least there they know that not dressing appropriately for dinner or the theater shows a complete lack of regard for the people who present the food or entertainment. )

Posts like this are such a joke. Portland is comprised of NEIGHBORHOODS. There are a few neighborhoods where many people could fit this description but there are many neighborhoods that are as far from this as you can possibly get. I go to nice restaurants, I've been to the ballet and art openings and so on and people are very dressed up, and more and more so as time goes on. No, Portland is not NYC, but Raleigh is certainly not a hotbed of fashion and culture either. Give me a freaking break!

[nancy thereader]

I like Birkenstoccks, actually.

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by Redrover

This has been a really interesting thread to follow although I neither live in Portland nor do I plan to move there. I have, however, made a number of visits there as my sister lives in the area. Sad to say I am one of those fools who voted for G.W. but had I been able to see into the future, I would just have stayed home that day (didn't like any of the other options). Having said that, I have no beef with liberals (however misguided they may be) but I don't understand why Portlanders take such pride in living like leftover hippies, dressing as though style and fashion were dirty words, as though wearing make-up was a government conspiracy and as if shopping in a thrift store was the highest form of indulgence. I'm sorry, but going out to dinner at a nice restaurant or attending the opera is a reason to clean up and look nice. Plaid shirts, Birkenstocks, no make-up, un-shaved legs and sloppy backpacks do not constitute proper attire for the evening venues. Wallow in your liberal politics all you want but for crying out loud can't you get cleaned up when you go out at night? From what I have observed, much of Portland's inhabitants appear to be caught in a time warp that harkens back to the 60's or at the very least to days of collegiate rebellion. There is nothing charming about showing a complete disregard for the sensibilities of those around you. Granted, we live in a much more casual society these days but shaving, wearing a jacket, a little make-up and some real shoes...how hard could that be? As a city though, Portland is delightful and I always enjoy my visits (last one in May/June of this year) but don't use your politics as an excuse for flaunting all convention.

(For those of you here who have stated a preference for Raleigh, I'm right behind you. At least there they know that not dressing appropriately for dinner or the theater shows a complete lack of regard for the people who present the food or entertainment. )

I think the beauty of liberty is to live how you choose. Why does one need to follow "tradition" like it's such a necessity? I agree, if you go out you should have some common sense, like bathing, putting on make-up and looking presentable but if people don't do this I'm certainly not going to make them feel bad and ugly inside. It saddens me that true liberalism is so rare in America. I think we'd all be much happier if we could create an environment where everyone is welcome.

[Pen Cap Chew]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

... like bathing, putting on make-up and looking presentable ...

Yes, all women should be forced to wear make-up when they go out in public. It's just soooo un-natural to not have this stuff smeared all over their faces. How dare they! And shave those pits, too, and walk like a lady, damn it. And no wearing pants, you're not a man. </ sarcasm>

[Triana]

My husband and I will be moving to Portland in 5 weeks. I've been living in the cultural wasteland that is the Poconos of Northeastern Pennsylvania where the job market is wretched, winters can be dreadful, and public transportation is only something you see on television.

We like the idea that Portland is a bit more progressive and liberal, that there are many colleges in the area, that we can possibly live somewhat car-free, that there are beautiful forests, mountains, and an ocean nearby, and I won't be looked at funny when I say I don't eat animals. As far as rainy winters in Portland, well, you don't have to shovel the rain.

We chose Portland based on the fact that the positive reviews have far outweighed the negative ones. It was also somewhat a process of elimination. We can't stand the climate of the south, the northeast, or the midwest. California is too expensive and crowded. All that was left is the Pacific Northwest. The more we investigated, the more it looked like it would meet our needs.

I'll post again after our move and let ya'll know what we really think of the place. Researching a place and living in it for a year are completely different things, obviously. I hope Portland lives up to its reputation as a place where "European charm meets environmental nirvana."

[GucciLittlePiggie]

Originally Posted by Pen Cap Chew

Yes, all women should be forced to wear make-up when they go out in public. It's just soooo un-natural to not have this stuff smeared all over their faces. How dare they! And shave those pits, too, and walk like a lady, damn it. And no wearing pants, you're not a man. </ sarcasm>

i draw the line at not bathing, though. if you're going out in public, you need to not be offensively smelly. it's just rude. the body hair thing is personal preference, though i prefer my women not hairy. the makeup thing is not important in my opinion... and of course the rest of that, either.

that being said, i respect the rights of people to dress how they please and do what they want. but i think it needs to extend both ways. if i want to dress nice and drive around in a fancy car, and i'm not being pretentious or rude, i shouldn't have people judging me either.

[DCSucks]

Originally Posted by brandonlbrinegar

For the people who relocated to Portland. Please state how long you have been living in Portland

9 months

where you came from

Boston

and what adjustments you had to make to the new city.

Learned to accept socialism and liberals as an unnecessary force in this hippy town

Was it a a major or a slight difference? In what way?

It's not a city, it's a dive. The food blows and the people are wierd. The drivers are slower than anyone else and nobody cares about big-business. Are we in the US still?

What a shocker considering people from Boston think their city is the center on the universe.

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by Redrover

This has been a really interesting thread to follow although I neither live in Portland nor do I plan to move there. I have, however, made a number of visits there as my sister lives in the area. Sad to say I am one of those fools who voted for G.W. but had I been able to see into the future, I would just have stayed home that day (didn't like any of the other options). Having said that, I have no beef with liberals (however misguided they may be) but I don't understand why Portlanders take such pride in living like leftover hippies, dressing as though style and fashion were dirty words, as though wearing make-up was a government conspiracy and as if shopping in a thrift store was the highest form of indulgence. I'm sorry, but going out to dinner at a nice restaurant or attending the opera is a reason to clean up and look nice. Plaid shirts, Birkenstocks, no make-up, un-shaved legs and sloppy backpacks do not constitute proper attire for the evening venues. Wallow in your liberal politics all you want but for crying out loud can't you get cleaned up when you go out at night? From what I have observed, much of Portland's inhabitants appear to be caught in a time warp that harkens back to the 60's or at the very least to days of collegiate rebellion. There is nothing charming about showing a complete disregard for the sensibilities of those around you. Granted, we live in a much more casual society these days but shaving, wearing a jacket, a little make-up and some real shoes...how hard could that be? As a city though, Portland is delightful and I always enjoy my visits (last one in May/June of this year) but don't use your politics as an excuse for flaunting all convention.

(For those of you here who have stated a preference for Raleigh, I'm right behind you. At least there they know that not dressing appropriately for dinner or the theater shows a complete lack of regard for the people who present the food or entertainment. )

I have to agree here! I will enjoy anyone's company who is friendly, but please do not smell like body odor and weed while sitting next to me. What ever happened to daily showers?? May sound harsh, but it's true.

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

I have to agree here! I will enjoy anyone's company who is friendly, but please do not smell like body odor and weed while sitting next to me. What ever happened to daily showers?? May sound harsh, but it's true.

That's because you're a Conservative/Republican and your ideals require people to stand upright, sip tea (slowly), don't break eye contact and god forbid you don't smell like Gloria Vanderbilt People have much to offer besides their hygiene. Some never learned good habits and others may lack the resources. Who knows? people are different. I never thought Marijuana had a foul smell. Actually, it has an aromatic scent to it, better than body odor...Lol You're a nature girl you should know these things