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Old 03-23-2012, 10:11 PM
 
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,724 posts, read 58,067,115 times
Reputation: 46190

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Quote:
Originally Posted by TygrrEyzz View Post
I want to move to Portland ... it is full of over-qualified young professionals who are barely making ends meet because there are no decent jobs for them. I am afraid of falling into this category. I have healthcare experience as a CNA and CMA and where I live I can walk into a place and basically get a job within the hour... I am wondering if that is so in Portland? ... most offer only 10 or 11 dollars an hour for those positions. Where I live I make at LEAST 12, if not 14. Why is the pay worse there? ...... I am a photographer and would like to do something with my degree there in Portland. ...what is the bread and butter of Portland a
Portland was built as an AG product shipping and then manufacturing hub, thus income WAS related to heavy industry. (And was good).. Lots for $50-$80k/ yr jobs are GONE, but people decide to stay, AND Drs / dentists / college graduates decide to stay and it results in too many people for available 'downsized' economy. Portland / PNW is also very ez for folks from CA to escape too, and NOBODY can afford to live and work in much of CA territory.

Midwest USA does NOT have the issue with 'Attraction-to-stay' / quality of recreation and scenery within 20 min to 1 hr. Denver and Salt Lake are the closest similarities, and each have quite a few opportunities for young professional.


Currently Boeing is the place creating the most high paying jobs in Portland, but it is very cyclical. Graphic Arts folks are a dime a dozen, and I know lots of them who are unemployed / under-employed.

The recommendation for VA is VERY good, and they will PAY for your classes / degrees / special testing and edu. My sis has done1 day / month at VA for 20 yrs and has benefited with 3 degree programs + full HC benefits for family.

Personally... I would get a VA position in Vancouver, WA (very nice NEW / SMALL VA care center ~ 7 minutes to Portland (w/o traffic)) and work and live in WA with very EZ access to Portland (this will be worth a 10% pay increase (no state income tax). Have VA pay for your career development, get a cushy VA position with benefits and high pay. Enjoy / build your photo business during time off. Eventually you can decide if the photo can pay your way, but in the meantime you will have VA coverage, and FREE EDU.

My sis has been REALLY fortunate to get several yrs VA paid Med training at Emory U, (Atl) and in San Antonio... Imagine, getting paid full-time wages + daily perdiem to GO-TO-SCHOOL and live in NICE places, It has been sweet (but not always EZ).

I would live on Officers Row in Vancouver (very pretty and nice and quiet except on the 4th of July), walk to VA, and hop a bus to Portland, all within 5 minutes. http://www.fortvan.org/pages/leasingl-residential-rentals (broken link)
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Old 03-26-2012, 05:17 AM
 
33 posts, read 52,081 times
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I would agree with StealthRabbit's assessment. There have to be more artists of some sort per capita here than any other city. Same with LMT's.

Lots of lower paying jobs in Portland, or jobs that pay 10% less than elsewhere, which is an exchange for quality of life.
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Old 03-27-2012, 06:30 PM
 
Location: Houston
1,257 posts, read 2,654,175 times
Reputation: 1236
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rider51 View Post
I would agree with StealthRabbit's assessment. There have to be more artists of some sort per capita here than any other city. Same with LMT's.

Lots of lower paying jobs in Portland, or jobs that pay 10% less than elsewhere, which is an exchange for quality of life.
QOL is relative. I worked my heart out, through a marriage and many friendships trying to "make it" in Portland. I was born and raised in the town. I took a risk and left. I can say my QOL is better today than it has ever been in my life. I sure miss my home town. I don't miss the premium for the privilege of living there. If you can get by on a monks salary just to be there, more power to ya.
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