Portland Gloom (find a job, living, cost of living)

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by John Smart

" I really wonder why people on these posts get so mad and defensive at people who talk bad about Portland. It's a forum for people to say why they LIKE a place and why they DON'T like a place. "

I think people get defensive because the negative posts are always over dramatic and exaggerated. The postitive posts tend to be more balanced views. So was there anything you actually liked about Portland? If you weren't so one sided people might listen.

I also think it's a case of there being places that some people will just never be happy in. Why some people move here and then act shocked that it's not conservative, sunny 365 days per year or a hotbed of high fashion is beyond me. I mean, I know I'd be very unhappy in most parts of middle America so I simply don't move there. And if I did move there I'd realize what I disliked about it was not everything and everyone, but just that it didn't provide things that make ME happy. I wouldn't decide that the entire place is bad and that no one else could possibly be happy there because I don't like it.

[rebecca11]

Originally Posted by Steve Mark

The people of Portland are also an interesting bunch. If you're a conservative of any bent, you are IN THE WRONG TOWN. Being 'conservative' in Portland means you save energy, water and trees, NOT that you're a Republican or any other type of typcial 'conservative'. I've never been to a more liberal town than Portland, outside of maybe San Fran. If you are a conservative, plan on being the minority in every aspect of your life, which includes where you work, hang out, eat, whatever. You will be criticized for driving the wrong vehicle, believing in the "wrong" religion (that means anything Christian), eating the wrong foods (meat), voting for the wrong candidates, etc. "Open mindedness" in Portland means you're open to their way of thinking, it is not reciprocated. If you happen to have a faith that teaches certain things are wrong, you will find that the majority of Portlanders you end up running into or befriending will immediately think you're closed minded and the bad guy.

I'm sold, I can't wait to move there.

[Rhiannon29]

When people don't like a place, they tend to exaggerate its negatives. We've all done it. But even someone that doesn't like Portland, instance, should have enough imagination to see why other people like it. Once thing in my opinion that I think is particular to the the Northwest is that when the weather is nice, its PERFECT. Never experienced such perfect weather during the summer.

[SteveMark]

I agree with Rhiannon and some of the others who commented about my post. I did only focus on the negatives, although I didn't exaggerate anything. They were MY experiences. Someone said after reading my post that "yes, I had been hit up once by a homeless person". That's great for her. For me, it was everyday of the week I was in the city itself. Not most days, everyday. Maybe I'm a magnet for it, although I don't know why. Like I said, I wore an iPod everyday walking from Pioneer Courthouse Square to my office, it didn't matter. I also have been to San Francisco and Seattle MANY times and I still don't think they are as bad as Portland, at least where I was at in SF or SEA.

Regardless, as I said, they are only my opinions and experiences. Also, unlike some complainers, I did two things: 1. I did stay there long enough to give it a real chance (3 years) 2. I did LEAVE. I don't like people myself who just complain and run something or some place down and yet never change anything about their life. I realized I was never going to be happy there, nor was my family. Therefore, I quit a VERY good job and moved to another sunnier, friendlier place that people are more to my taste. Since doing that last summer, I haven't been happier and more content in three years.

I will admit, since I've been "called out" that there WERE some nice things about the area. One, I did make some very good friends that I will always stay in touch with. Two, if you get a sunny day and drive to the coast, there's almost no place prettier in the US. Also, the drive along the gorge is breathtaking. I also enjoyed the food carts of all different ethnicities. In fact, the more I think about it, I really like most other places in Oregon outside of Portland! Boy, I just couldn't stay positive, could I

Again, I think people who are more "liberal" minded will love Portland. I was just too conservative for it. However, as I said having lived all over the country, I do not understand how anyone can actually like the weather. As for the summers, maybe none better! Outside of that, fuh-getaboutit!

For those Portland fans here, sorry if there was any offense. For those of you who agree with me (and I saw many posters who hate Portland too), if you're still stuck living there, I'll take a quote from Bill Clinton and say, "I feel your pain".

[John Smart]

^^^ There you go, some positive points. Portland isn't for everyone I agree. I actually like the weather. You can't appreciate the spring fully unless you endure the winter I guess. One thing about our weather its always changing.

[ginger44]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

I mean, I know I'd be very unhappy in most parts of middle America so I simply don't move there. And if I did move there I'd realize what I disliked about it was not everything and everyone, but just that it didn't provide things that make ME happy. I wouldn't decide that the entire place is bad and that no one else could possibly be happy there because I don't like it.

If only you could post this in every city thread on this board. I've been on a number of different city forums and if only I had a penny for every negative comment that encompassed an entire population/area/etc. vs. stating the negative incident and acknowledging that it doesn't apply to everyone/everywhere...

When researching cities, I appreciate knowing the good and bad about an area, but I immediately dismiss the views of thread stalkers (whether they be hawking their good or bad views). Usually these posters will go from thread to thread trying to convince everyone that their opinion is right and/or bash anyone with an opposing opinion. Everyone is allowed their own opinion - diversity makes the world more interesting.

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by rebecca11

I'm sold, I can't wait to move there.

Neither can I. The only difference is I've been there, lived there and I know that the naysayers are exaggerating the negatives quite a bit. I was born and raised in NYC and never thought about leaving until I met someone online. I wasn't happy in NYC because I was lonely, not because the subways are skanky and the cost of living is outrageous, the homeless legion and the not homeless arrogant and proud, etc. no those things were simply reality and I didn't imagine someplace else would magically make all those negatives disappear and not be replaced with some new negatives perhaps worse (worse than $12 movie tickets?). Well after some other failed internet romances took me to yet other cities in the Midwest I proved to myself that I really could live 'anywhere' and it really came down to the nuts and bolts of the actual day to day. Who you live with (or not), where you work (ditto), what the people are like. But mainly it comes down to the one-on-one. For me. I left Oregon because the one-on-one wasn't working and I had an opportunity to find immediate employment (and a new one-on-one) in NYC. But for the first time in life I have met someone who doesn't want to be here (NYC) and wanted to try somewhere else. Of all the places I have been, the one that I thought would be the nicest was Oregon. I could have tried someplace totally new but there doesn't seem to be any point. Anyone fleeing Oregon because of _______ or __________ or __________ will get no argument from me. I don't agree and feel strongly enough about it that I am willing to return. True, I didn't live in Portland but I visited a time or few. Where I did live is in the same Willamette Valley and has the same weather system. Didn't faze me. I am in school finishing up certification in Network Engineering. America's economy sucks, period. That is why the recession word is on everyone's lips. It will be hard for anyone without credentials in the Computer, Allied Health, Law Enforcement and other growth industries to secure viable employment in just about any city, relative to how things were a decade or two ago. Growth will be a factor (I hope) for any place that is desirable. Why is Portland becoming overcrowded? Because no one wants to live there? If the population of Portland was moribund and people were leaving in droves you naysayers would be complaining that there isn't any this or any that and there isn't enough of a city to keep you interested blah blah... I've tried less and less to tell people where they should live based on my value system because I can see that that is not the right approach. Instead I now say, find your place in the sun (or clouds) based on the intrinsics that matter to you and call it good. For the foreseeable future there will be free and unrestricted travel/relocation between the States of the Union. Use the option period wisely. FWIW.

H

[ginger44]

Originally Posted by SteveMark

I agree with Rhiannon and some of the others who commented about my post. I did only focus on the negatives, although I didn't exaggerate anything. They were MY experiences. Someone said after reading my post that "yes, I had been hit up once by a homeless person". That's great for her. For me, it was everyday of the week I was in the city itself. Not most days, everyday. Maybe I'm a magnet for it, although I don't know why. Like I said, I wore an iPod everyday walking from Pioneer Courthouse Square to my office, it didn't matter. I also have been to San Francisco and Seattle MANY times and I still don't think they are as bad as Portland, at least where I was at in SF or SEA.

Regardless, as I said, they are only my opinions and experiences. Also, unlike some complainers, I did two things: 1. I did stay there long enough to give it a real chance (3 years) 2. I did LEAVE. I don't like people myself who just complain and run something or some place down and yet never change anything about their life. I realized I was never going to be happy there, nor was my family. Therefore, I quit a VERY good job and moved to another sunnier, friendlier place that people are more to my taste. Since doing that last summer, I haven't been happier and more content in three years.

I will admit, since I've been "called out" that there WERE some nice things about the area. One, I did make some very good friends that I will always stay in touch with. Two, if you get a sunny day and drive to the coast, there's almost no place prettier in the US. Also, the drive along the gorge is breathtaking. I also enjoyed the food carts of all different ethnicities. In fact, the more I think about it, I really like most other places in Oregon outside of Portland! Boy, I just couldn't stay positive, could I

Again, I think people who are more "liberal" minded will love Portland. I was just too conservative for it. However, as I said having lived all over the country, I do not understand how anyone can actually like the weather. As for the summers, maybe none better! Outside of that, fuh-getaboutit!

For those Portland fans here, sorry if there was any offense. For those of you who agree with me (and I saw many posters who hate Portland too), if you're still stuck living there, I'll take a quote from Bill Clinton and say, "I feel your pain".

As a person deciding between cities on where to live, your comments, both negative and positive, have been helpful in getting to know the area from a different point of view. Thanks.

Every city has negative points, so from a researcher's point of view, it is more valuable to find good constructive criticism of an area and then weigh the pros and cons as they relate to me and then make a decision, vs. assuming that a random poster's views are the same as my own. No one should make a decision based off of one person's comments, negative or positive, and if I only wanted to hear good things, I'd go to the city's tourism website.

[SteveMark]

Originally Posted by ginger44

As a person deciding between cities on where to live, your comments, both negative and positive, have been helpful in getting to know the area from a different point of view. Thanks.

Every city has negative points, so from a researcher's point of view, it is more valuable to find good constructive criticism of an area and then weigh the pros and cons as they relate to me and then make a decision, vs. assuming that a random poster's views are the same as my own. No one should make a decision based off of one person's comments, negative or positive, and if I only wanted to hear good things, I'd go to the city's tourism website.

Amen! I've made my negative feelings clear and people who love Portland for many reasons "overhype" (as I was accused of) the positives. They love Portland and everyday they have great experiences.

I do believe a lot of it is where you are from too. I noticed while living there that most of the people I knew were from the Bay Area of CA or even LA and San Diego. They got to Portland and experienced cleaner air, LESS traffic, lower housing prices and appealing scenery. For people like me that came from small towns in the Midwest (although I have lived in many other large cities across the country), everything that I knew and loved was gone, and therefore, I focused on all the horrible things I experienced there and couldn't wait to get out!

I was pretty much miserable the majority of my 3 years there. I hated getting up in the morning to face the ride on the Max. I hated having people ask me on the Max, outside of Starbucks or restaurants, or on my walk to work, "sir, can I get a dollar from you to ride the bus" (which is free anywhere in "Fareless Square" which is most of the city). I hated having to walk in the drizzle (not rain) so often in the fall, winter and spring. I had never even owned an umbrella before moving to Portland.

However, a friend of mine from Indiana who had a similar experience in life as I did LOVED Portland. He liked the scenery, the people, the restaurants, the microbreweries, everything. It just all depends on what you like. Some people need mountains, others the ocean, some rolling prairies. For me, I just needed to be around more people I felt comfortable with and definitely did need more sun. I also like my privacy, and I felt invaded anytime I was downtown (when I hear someone say Pioneer Courthouse Square I get the chills! ) I sound like a broken record, but I never got hassled like that by street people living in Miami, Atlanta, Denver or Indianapolis.

By the way, I DON'T think Portland Visitors Bureau or Chamber of Commerce would hire me

[Northern Drifter]

Where did you move to? Im on my way out too lol