Is Portland really a Progressive area? (Dallas: how much, live, moving)

[localgirlpdxbldr]

Yes, Portland is progressive. But certain parts of town are more eclectic / progressive / accepting than others. If you move to Portland, move to SE, NE, or N as that is where more of the counter culture is found! Plus right downtown. 15 minutes outside of the city and you'll find yourself in small town Oregon, where some people may have a slightly smaller world view. I just left Portland after living there for sometime to Colorado (out side of so-called liberal Boulder) and am dying to be back in the progressive culture of Portland!

[geneInMissouri]

Yes, Portland is really Progressive. I have a good friend who is a white lesbian with 3 adopted black boys. She moved from the Midwest to escape the judgement. She's now in Portland and loves it. On her block is another black and white family like hers. She goes to a welcoming and affirming church that gives more than lip service to honoring diversity.

I just got back from a long trip which included a stop in Portland. She is soooo much happier there than she was here.

Of course, there are judgemental jerks there like elsewhere. But, they are the exception in the Portland area, not the rule.

Gene

[sayulita]

Originally Posted by firechicken

I hear a lot of talk about the Portland area being liberal/progressive. I am a bisexual, liberal, atheist, artist, nerd, soccer mom currently living in the Mid west and sufficating from the repression. As soon as my kids are out of school I am moving out of this area and to someplace that can accept me as I am. So do you think I will be a little more accepted there? Should I just move to Northern Europe?

Why wait? If you are suffocating there, the kids probably are too. Or will soon enough. Move now. The kids will adapt quickly and they'll have a happier mother.

[alexxiz]

Originally Posted by firechicken

I hear a lot of talk about the Portland area being liberal/progressive. I am a bisexual, liberal, atheist, artist, nerd, soccer mom currently living in the Mid west and sufficating from the repression. As soon as my kids are out of school I am moving out of this area and to someplace that can accept me as I am. So do you think I will be a little more accepted there? Should I just move to Northern Europe?

Make sure you get the newest hipster attire, glasses and you'll be fine...in fact, you'll be looked up to! Keep some smart-sounding phrases about literature, running a marathon through Nepal, "sustainability" and "permaculture" handy as well, this helps to get accepted. Causally mention that you refuse to drink coffee unless its fair trade. Eating only raw food can add a few acceptance points (simply organic just won't cut it)... Perhaps add a touch of communism to your political beliefs...and you may even end up becoming a mayor in one of these places.

[Beenhere4ever]

Originally Posted by alexxiz

Make sure you get the newest hipster attire, glasses and you'll be fine...in fact, you'll be looked up to! Keep some smart-sounding phrases about literature, running a marathon through Nepal, "sustainability" and "permaculture" handy as well, this helps to get accepted. Causally mention that you refuse to drink coffee unless its fair trade. Eating only raw food can add a few acceptance points (simply organic just won't cut it)... Perhaps add a touch of communism to your political beliefs...and you may even end up becoming a mayor in one of these places.

Snark!

[alexxiz]

There was NO irony in my post... Just try the above things and see the amazing acceptance that follows. The irony is that there's no irony in what I said at all. Sit somewhere in public and just eat a whole raw onion... and be questioned as Nutrition Guru by the approaching hipsters/granola pple (yes, this is from real life experience)

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by alexxis

There was NO irony in my post... Just try the above things and see the amazing acceptance that follows. The irony is that there's no irony in what I said at all. Sit somewhere and just eat a whole raw onion... and be questioned as Nutrition Guru by the approaching hipsters/granola people (yes, this is from real life experience)

I for one believe you. A while back I was in rehearsal for a play where at a lunch break someone brought in some Burgerville burgers and chicken sandwiches. As we sat eating them, one person in the cast took it upon himself to strongly lecture us on not being vegans or vegetarians as he removed the chicken from his sandwich and tossed it in the garbage can.

When we politely told him to calm down, he got even more agitated. I guess acceptance is not always a two way street.

[cittic10]

You didn't mention where in the midwest you're located but according to a site we're not allowed to post here, there is a lot higher percentage of republicans in portland than in chicago. There's also a higher percentage of republicans in portland than there are in madison, miluakee, and detroit.

Now you didn't ask about how people vote and ordinarily I wouldn't say that someone voting as a democrat would necessarily indicate they are liberal and accepting, but it's generally safe to say that republicans are not liberal, isn't it?

[pdxMIKEpdx]

In my experience, Oregonians tend to be moderate libertarians with a progressive streak, and the transplants here tend to be liberal democrats with a progressive streak.

Not to say that there aren't republicans here. There are plenty. They just can't seem to get elected to office.


cittic10, What exactly did you mean by your post? Either I'm really really tired, or it's not clear.

[kyled]

It's been my experience people everywhere accept you as long as you don't expect them to drink your particular brand of flavored sugar-water.