Anyone thinking of leaving Portland????/

[newlywednj]

Is the traffic and crime really that bad out there?? On all the research websites I've seen the crime incidents in the Portland area are neglible and commute times are a lot shorter than a lot of other metro areas. What are people's experience with these issues? Thanks!

[EnricoV]

[quote=SeattlitefromNC;5050905]It's all perspective until you try to get a job.

Unfair but (generally) true: many employers view older workers as more expensive ... especially in light of health care costs. QUOTE]

They don't view them as more expensive, they are more expensive. Several years back I know our business had Blue Cross coverage for its employees, and rates were priced by age group. As I recall, at that time we paid less for covereage of an entire young family (a family was an infinite number of four or over) than for only one "older" employee. So in hiriing, why would any employer in their right mind hire the older employee?

[Bluesbabe]

[quote=EnricoV;5297019]

Originally Posted by SeattlitefromNC

It's They don't view them as more expensive, they are more expensive. Several years back I know our business had Blue Cross coverage for its employees, and rates were priced by age group. As I recall, at that time we paid less for covereage of an entire young family (a family was an infinite number of four or over) than for only one "older" employee. So in hiriing, why would any employer in their right mind hire the older employee?

I work for a large employer, with a whole helluva lot of us Baby Boomers who are going to try and scram (retire) within 5 yrs. Some of us have health issues, alright, but let me tell you: The absolute WORST attendance goes to younger parents who have to take care of sick kids at home. Some of their kids seem get sick a LOT (something I just can't grasp why), and I've seen a lot of hard feelings among co-workers having to take up the slack. Time lost is money lost. And then there's Parental Leave, and once in awhile they decide not to go back at all. Again, time lost, money lost. The younger parents themselves may not see doctors so much but their kids sure do. Most of us older ones with health issues may see the doctor often for appointments, but we're pretty dang dependable where attendance is concerned. I've been a cardiac patient since my early-40's and so far this year I've had to call in sick only one day. There are a LOT of ways for an employer to get drained other than just health insurance.

[RichPeru63]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

Portland was great but its changing in a hurry...panhandlers on every street corner.
S.E. Portland looks like a war zone with the burnt-out crack houses...and it is very Expensive.
Look outside Portland...If I were to live in Oregon again, I would live in The Dalles or Hood River...or Seaside....sorry.

I agree with you. If I were to move to another location in Oregon, it would either be in the coastal areas of Tillamook, Seaside, or Astoria, or in Eastern Oregon such as Pendleton, La Grande, or perhaps, Joseph.

Other than that, I would move to Nebraska or Texas.

[subsound]

Originally Posted by newlywednj

Is the traffic and crime really that bad out there?? On all the research websites I've seen the crime incidents in the Portland area are neglible and commute times are a lot shorter than a lot of other metro areas. What are people's experience with these issues? Thanks!

Yes and no, Portland is a dense city with lots of public transport so traffic isn't too bad compared to other places I've lived (Denver, Philly) and violent crime was not so much as each. On the other hand I-5 and I-26 are a nightmare at commute times compared to anywhere else in the city...just hasn't really grown in tandem with the amount of people here (they are trying, but environmentalists are using everything they can to block it).

Violent crime was usually pretty low (was about 1.5x the national average), there are a great deal of thefts and property crimes (over 3x the national average). I would say that is changing with the downturn, I am hearing a great deal more about armed thefts and violent home invasions (usually drug fueled)...certainly not to the degree of large east coast cities, but not like a small city anymore. Take each with your own preference, I would much rather live here then any of the big cities but I'm heading to the burbs.

To each their own though, it's only personal opinion. Come check it out for yourself and see, at least you'll have more widely varied experience in a new place

[walkerdawg]

Experiences are another thing-some people do not mind pan handlers. Some people do not mind rain or 100 degree Arizona weather. Some people like busy cities while others prefer small towns and would find the situations they do not like distasteful.



Seattle's cost of living is not as high as Portland's. We lived in Seattle for thirty years. You can look up a cost of living calculator on the internet and get the truth. They have anti panhandling laws and do actively enforce them. We do not go to downtown Portland because of the bums verbally assaulting us and menacing us on the few occassions we did. That was our choice.

The mass transit in Seattle is amazingly efficient. You have huge park and rides everywhere whereas IN Portland many of them are AVAILABLE ONLY ON WEEKENDS BECAUSE THEY ARE ON CHURCH PROPERTIES!

You have rail available. Yes, there is major congestion but there is major congestion in Portland.

You need to calculate in overall wage earnings, cost of housing, taxes etc. when thinking about cost of living. Unless you are a huge spender, income tax costs will far exceed sales tax burdon. There is no tax on groceries in Washington State. Housing costs are pretty equal. Seattle has far more entertainment, shopping, way beautiful outdoor opportunities insofar as recreational hiking, boating, waterfront parks, proximity to well maintained and beautiful trails for backpacking, lots of outdoor sports arenas, etc. We are moving back to our home there as soon as our grandson turns 18 and cannot wait to go back.

We are sure Portland is beloved by many but to us it is an expensive, poorly run mess. We have many good friends who live in Portland who are seriously considering moving due to high costs of living and very poor schools. This defender of Portland is either retired on a government pension or disability and does not check their facts. Check your facts.

This country is full of beautiful places to live that cost far less to live in. This means you will have money left to do the things in life you want rather than pay for a poorly managed government system.

[EnricoV]

Only one?

But your facts are wrong, too. I'm sure that living in Seattle 30 years ago, things were much less expensive. But using CNN's cost-of-living comparison (and yes, I know any one is likely to be skewed one way or the other), and using a salary of 50K, Seattle's cost-of-living over Portland is:

Your Results


Comparable salary in
Seattle, WA
$53,086
If you move from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA....
Groceries will cost:
5%
more

Housing will cost:
16%
more

Utilities will cost:
10%
less

Transportation will cost:
2%
more

Healthcare will cost:
13%
more