Adjusting to Portland (apartment, rentals, living in)

[Supernova7]

For the people who relocated to Portland. Please state how long you have been living in Portland, where you came from and what adjustments you had to make to the new city. Was it a a major or a slight difference? In what way?

[nancy thereader]

That is another great question. I know that this forum makes everything seem more immediate. I really am so anxious to move & I want to know as much as I can before I do.

[PNW-type-gal]

When we moved here, I had never been to Portland (or Oregon or Washington, for that matter) before. We had one car, an infant, not much money and my husband had a new job with his shiny new Master's degree. So there was SO MUCH to explore about the entire region, we just got into the car and went somewhere every weekend, whether it was downtown, west side, east side, the mountains, parks, the coast, the dry side.

Pick up the A&E section in Friday's Oregonian, and, in the spring, summer and fall, there is always some festival or gathering somewhere to go see, and you can always find something that's free or low-priced.

Things were a little slower-paced than I was used to (and this was almost 25 years ago), but I never did like the crowds and the frantic lifestyle I'd left. People are people, just the same as anywhere else. The scenery's a little different, the pace is a little different, that's all.

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

When we moved here, I had never been to Portland (or Oregon or Washington, for that matter) before. We had one car, an infant, not much money and my husband had a new job with his shiny new Master's degree. So there was SO MUCH to explore about the entire region, we just got into the car and went somewhere every weekend, whether it was downtown, west side, east side, the mountains, parks, the coast, the dry side.

Pick up the A&E section in Friday's Oregonian, and, in the spring, summer and fall, there is always some festival or gathering somewhere to go see, and you can always find something that's free or low-priced.

Things were a little slower-paced than I was used to (and this was almost 25 years ago), but I never did like the crowds and the frantic lifestyle I'd left. People are people, just the same as anywhere else. The scenery's a little different, the pace is a little different, that's all.

I'm so happy for you and your family that you were able to make a life for yourselves in Portland. I really hope that I will feel the same. I think this will be my final move before I live abroad. Portland may well be the last city in the U.S. to find the liberal atmosphere/politcs I'm looking for.
That's most important to me, first and foremost I want to live in an area where I can breathe and be myself. I want to be around people who are anti-war, pro-peace, anti-prisons, pro-animal rights, pro- socialist reformation.

I used to be a vegetarian and even though I love meat, I am going to force myself to go Vegan in the coming year. I want to be around people who are not afraid to stand up and be counted. I appreciate those who are pro-active in ridding our nation of the social ills that force people in to poverty and mental illness. I respect those that care about the homeless, the prostitutes and the elderly. I believe in the values of God which is to imply "good nature" respect for the earth, Karma and treating others like you yourself would want to be treated. I'm not in the least bit interested in modern churches as they have become political tools for hypocricy and social manipulation. I appreciate people who put others before themselves and are not obsessed with materialistic gain because we all know that has not limit.

I hope to find my liberal utopia LOL or at least an enclave in Portland

Where did you move from Gal? Did you settle down in the city or in the burbs? You've been there so long, you must be very happy. What do you like about Portland the most?

[Veggie Chick]

Hi, I have lived her one year and am ready to move on. Portland has so many wonderful qualities that you are looking for. These same reasons and more are what brought me here. My story is rather long so I will skip all the details of what brought why I am here. As for your question of what adjustments needed to be made, the biggest and I mean BIGGEST is the weather. I can not deal with the constant gloom of Portland. Yes, the summer has been beautiful and I have really enjoyed all the beauty in the surrounding areas to hike in. I know I have 9 months of cloud cover to deal with. Many people I have talked to say they never get used to iy even after many years of living here. Other people say "rain happens" . The clouds here are not patches, they cover the sky with no sight of blue anywhere. They also hanfg low and make you feel they are pressing down on you. It has been very depressing for me personally so I am looking elsewhere. I really love many things about Portland and don't want to discourage anyone from coming here. I do think people need to know there are many who suffer from SAD here. It is hard to enjoy the beauty when it is raining all the time.
Hope this helps.

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by Veggie Chick

Hi, I have lived her one year and am ready to move on. Portland has so many wonderful qualities that you are looking for. These same reasons and more are what brought me here. My story is rather long so I will skip all the details of what brought why I am here. As for your question of what adjustments needed to be made, the biggest and I mean BIGGEST is the weather. I can not deal with the constant gloom of Portland. Yes, the summer has been beautiful and I have really enjoyed all the beauty in the surrounding areas to hike in. I know I have 9 months of cloud cover to deal with. Many people I have talked to say they never get used to iy even after many years of living here. Other people say "rain happens" . The clouds here are not patches, they cover the sky with no sight of blue anywhere. They also hanfg low and make you feel they are pressing down on you. It has been very depressing for me personally so I am looking elsewhere. I really love many things about Portland and don't want to discourage anyone from coming here. I do think people need to know there are many who suffer from SAD here. It is hard to enjoy the beauty when it is raining all the time.
Hope this helps.

Thank you for sharing your views. I have heard the same from another person I started to get to know here. She was having the same problems. I don't feel the weather is going to have any impact on me as I love overcast skies and gloom. I'm not sure if that's strange or not but I feel energized, alert and purpose driven when I see overcast and fog. I'm not a big fan of "heavy rain" though, juast prefer overcast skies. I hope that the "liberal atmosphere" lives up to its reputation and the cost of living won't go through the roof. Really what we're talking about is housing/apartment rentals, that's the important factor. I like the fact that you don't have to be wealthy to live in Portland and that there are different communities with their own little ambiance and flavor. I'm really hoping for a good experience and that's why I'm gathering as much info as I can. I want to get a very good feel of the city before I make the big transition.

[Lillietta]

Supernova, you sound like a gal after my own heart. I am moving to Portland next May and have the same questions as you, though when I visit, I just KNOW it's the place for me for many of the reasons you give, and the people are so open and friendly, in general. I, like you, don't mind grey overcast skies as I find the sun so very garish in summer, especially in a humid climate. When are you planning your move?

[nancy thereader]

I hope to be moving in late June (the day after I retire).

That is exactly how I feel about weather. When I try to explain that to friends who are moving to planned communities in AZ or NM, they look at me as if I am crazy. But, I do love overcast skies and a climate w/o snow or torrid days sounds just wonderful.

[gnab gib]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

I hope to find my liberal utopia LOL or at least an enclave in Portland

LOL, my wife will be in heaven, politically, if we do make it out that way in a few years. She's a major greenie. I've always been attracted to the PNW for the weather and the proximity to the Pacific, so I'll have to content myself with that ... unless I can find an Oregon libertarian society.

This thread has some great info so far ... thanks to everyone!

[gnab gib]

Originally Posted by Lillietta

I, like you, don't mind grey overcast skies as I find the sun so very garish in summer, especially in a humid climate.

Ha, I'm with you guys. Big Evil Glowing Orb in the sky hurts our eyes, it does!