Anyone thinking of leaving Portland????/ (transplants, attorney, water heater)

[GB1]

Honestly, the "California thing" is just a way for Portlanders to excuse anything they don't like about Portland -- much like "Blame Canada!" in South Park.

Stuck in a traffic jam? Can't be the folks who live across the river in Washington and commute to downtown...it must be Californians.

Yuppie boutiques and restaurants thriving? Can't be the locals eating and buying enough to keep them in business...it must be Californians.

A ridiculously posh bowling alley opened this week in SE Portland, where the lane rentals are $50/hour during peak times. Despite the fact that it's a Portland-based company that opened it, I've already seen it blamed on Californians.

And the state passed legislation last year to allow gay civil unions, only to have it (temporarily) put on hold this week by the courts. When it passed, I saw it blamed on "liberal Californians" by those who didn't like it...and this week, someone blamed the holdup on "Rush Limbaugh Californians" in the state. Yes, really.

It's funny for a while, and then it gets extremely tiresome and childish, if not just outright prejudiced. The irony is that the Californians who do move here tend to be the ones who adhere to "Portland values" (environmentalists, "small-footprint" types).

To answer the original question: I'm moving this month to a different state (not California!)...not because of schools or politics, but because the job market here just...isn't. There's a vast "creative class" willing to work for $9/hour while they pursue their dreams, but the number of good-paying, basic jobs listed in the Oregonian could be printed on a Kleenex.

Last year, I applied for a job in my field and got a call back. The recruiter, a nice woman, told me in confidence that she'd received 163 resumés for the position, threw out the bottom 80, and was working her way through the rest by telling applicants the salary and the benefits (low and none, respectively).

I love the weather here (unlike many), and the scenery is beautiful...but I'm moving to a place with better jobs, and, frankly, nicer people.

[starchild1]

Originally Posted by GB1

I love the weather here (unlike many), and the scenery is beautiful...but I'm moving to a place with better jobs, and, frankly, nicer people.

Couldn't have said it better myself (except for the weather part-I love the beautiful rain, but not for 9 months). I'm looking to move out in the next few months and will be in tears (of joy).

[molly1280]

Originally Posted by end-of-atmosphere

I moved here 10 years ago. I do like Portland. But now with rents going higher finding hard to afford living here on lower scale salary.

Figuring that maybe some other cities may be just as affordable as Portland. At least have better salaries to afford increasing rents.

Who else is considering a move?

Seattle, Chicago, Ann Arbor, Madison, Santa Fe....

The world is your oyster.

I am in Portland right now and love it, but my boyfriends job is moving us to Chicago and I am kind of nervous about leaving the moutains, coast, trees, foodie destination...

I would say check out Madison. I grew up there, and it is very similar to Portland, but very small as well. OR, minneapolis/st.paul. Don't know about the job market, but I am totally in love with Minneapolis.

[ThompsonRings]

I just moved here from Tampa, FL and I absolutely love it. I have not yet experienced the famed Portland rain but I'm pretty sure it won't be too bad. I was raised in TN and the weather there is overcast and cold all winter long as well and it wasn't unbearable. I can honestly say that I'm quite impressed with the quality of people here. I didn't realize how pushy and rude people were in Florida until I moved here. Downtown Portland is as amazing a city as I've seen. Well thought out and beautiful. Florida could really learn a thing or two from this state.

[Cat_Person]

I'm from California, and like to fornicate once in awhile (that's all I get...I'm single in my 40's). Does that make me a Californicator? If so, bring it on. I'm not dead yet

Guess I'll have to head over to those cafe's that Angelbug mentioned...(the ones with cute grey haired guys). I think I'm going to love PDX...

[parasol]

Originally Posted by ThompsonRings

I just moved here from Tampa, FL and I absolutely love it. I have not yet experienced the famed Portland rain but I'm pretty sure it won't be too bad. I was raised in TN and the weather there is overcast and cold all winter long as well and it wasn't unbearable. I can honestly say that I'm quite impressed with the quality of people here. I didn't realize how pushy and rude people were in Florida until I moved here. Downtown Portland is as amazing a city as I've seen. Well thought out and beautiful. Florida could really learn a thing or two from this state.

What brought you out to Portland? I'm currently where you left and have been researching your new city for about a year and a half. I hope to make the big move one day despite my entire family living here.

[Dignan]

Originally Posted by Cat_Person

I'm from California, and like to fornicate once in awhile (that's all I get...I'm single in my 40's). Does that make me a Californicator? If so, bring it on. I'm not dead yet

Guess I'll have to head over to those cafe's that Angelbug mentioned...(the ones with cute grey haired guys). I think I'm going to love PDX...

"Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste..."

[Leisesturm]

Get a room!

[Leisesturm]

[bliss60]

Got to visit childhood homes in now too expensive neighborhoods but I am having a hard time breathing in the heavy air and smog. Way too many rear end collisions...you are suppose to chase the guy in front...not hit him.

Speaking of crime, check out the assaults downtown in a 30 day period, compliments of the Portland Police

Department.Search CrimeReports.com

Homeless people are poor. Poor people do desperate things.

Other crimes are Spirit Mountain and Chinook Winds Casinos. They send buses to Portland area retirement homes everyday about 10:00 a.m. By 11:00 a.m., senior victims are sitting near the casino front doors, already broke on nickel slots. Those b....... never even gave them a few hours fair play before stealing their social security and other pension checks. See, in Oregon...the buyer beware state..the Indian Casinos don't have to publicize their percentage payouts. In both Washington and California, they do. Check it out...most businesses can be rated online. These casinos are very wiley..they pay big bucks to avoid being rated by consumers on the internet.

Did you LOVE the "Family" themed, Spirit Mountain float in the Rose Parade this year?

It's ok to speak the truth. That is the only way to help others.

I say, as a vacation town, it is a good family 2-3 days at an inexpensive airport hotel, from where you can ride the MAX. Do not walk around in most Portland neighborhoods at night.

If you really want to see the Northwest, homebase outside of Seattle. From there, you can see: The North Cascades National Park, Olympic Peninsula, The San Juan Islands, Victoria BC, Vancouver BC and take numerous ferry rides. There is simply no comparison between a Northwest Washington and Northwest Oregon vacation. I know because I wrote the book.

See, this is not an issue of good versus bad. It is about overselling..hyping..scamming by not delivering the advertised version. It's dishonest.

Do complain about tenent/landlord laws - or lack thereof - to the people in Salem. Do I like government intervention in my life? No! But in California, when something (like a water heater) gets broken in a rental, the tenent can get it fixed and take the cost off the rent. In Oregon, you have to hire an attorney.

You can love it here but love it enough to want to fix the problems.

After two road trips around the country I love: Austin Texas, Placerville California, Trinidad California, Redding California, Bandon Oregon.