Anyone thinking of leaving Portland????/ (Phoenix: extended stay, crime, home)

[nancy thereader]

I would not think that TTCs are anything like Portland. I have been to Minn-St. Paul , but not for many many years.
Actually 1970.


The one new thing that Minneapolis has that I have always wanted to see is The Mall of America. As a mall addict, it is almost worth going all the way out there just to experience going there (when it isn't too crowded whenever that is).

[oldtintype]

The Mall of America would be my worst nightmare!!!!

[tiffela74]

sheesh Oldtintype, then when Nancy and I decided on a ROAD TRIP, we'll have to leave you elsewhere! lol
I have always wanted to go there too, tried to convince the fam. to transfer our Disneyland fund to a Mall of America fund and nobody would go for it!?!?!?!? sheesh.

[nancy thereader]

There is an even larger one in Edmonton. It's a little far north, but I guess there is not too much else to do up there during those long cold winters. Sure you wouldn't want to come with tiffela and me , ott?


Edmonton Shopping Malls: Shopping Malls in Edmonton, Alberta

[nbres]

Nancy,

Here is a link about Florence:

USATODAY.com - Retirement place rated best: Florence, Ore.

You need to checkout the SeaLion caves.

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

There is an even larger one in Edmonton. It's a little far north, but I guess there is not too much else to do up there during those long cold winters. Sure you wouldn't want to come with tiffela and me , ott?


Edmonton Shopping Malls: Shopping Malls in Edmonton, Alberta

I'd love to visit Edmonton but not to go to a mall!!!

[tiffela74]

okee, we'll drop you off somewhere that interests you, you just gotta pitch in for gas, we're well over 3.00gallon here. ouch
My inlaws live in Florence. THey like it.

[Tesaje]

I've done quite a lot of traveling and one thing that sure looks a lot the same all across America is malls. The last thing I want to do is go to the local mall where I can find the exact same stores with the exact same things as the mall at home.

I've been to both TC's and Portland (both OR and ME). Other than approximate city size, river thru town (like most cities) and being green, they have nothing in common. TC is really cold and snowy in winter, very flat, very midwestern type populace, severe thunderstorms in summer, and giant mosquitoes. Very black rich soils with the northern plains agriculture.

Portland, OR has a semi-marine climate that is fairly mild, snow is a rarity, lots of steep hills, coastal range on one side and a big volcano on the other side with other volcanoes in sight, lots of trees, a distinct Pac. NW population and attitude, a beautiful rocky coast line nearby, lots of clouds in winter, and on and on. It has more in common with Portland, ME but is also quite different in a lot of ways.

[Lillietta]

First let me say I detest the Mall of America!

Here are the ways in which the TC resemble Portland:

Lots of green, 5 lakes right in the city that I can think of - Lake of the Isles, Nokomis Como, Calhoun, Harriet); beautiful, clean parks with gorgeous surroundings; several wild life refuges right in the city; many cultural activities - universities (Concordia, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Hamline, the U of Minnesota, Macalester, Augsburg, Metro State (Carleton and Northfield 40 minutes away) more theater companies than any other city, including NY (read "companies" and of course the best known - the Guthrie). The cities are made up of neighborhoods - like Portland - with coffee houses and boutiques. People here love to hunt, hike, camp and fish as woods and lakes are abundant. They work to live rather than live to work. I saw a lot of similarities which is why Portland attracted me.

Aside from that, of course we don't have Portland's weather or mountains, and the winters can be long which would be the main reason people leave. But we all cozy up with our fires and books and visiting back and forth and, like most everyone who has a certain type of weather, it doesn't stop us from going out. There are many ski trails nearby, and snowmobilers revel.

[nancy thereader]

~~~nbres ~~~
Nancy,

Here is a link about Florence

Thank you for that information and also for the link. I most certainly will check it out. Until I read that , I had not realized that Florence was such a large place. I thought of it as a tiny coastal town, I guess.