Portland: Your questions re moving here

[JonathanLB]

I believe cities in general are likely to turn more into whatever they are already turning into as people are increasingly moving to where they want to be as far as culture and politics and vibe. In other words, a conservative city in Texas is going to be more conservative and attract more like-minded people, and a city like Portland is (in my opinion) unfortunately going to slide into being even weirder and basically full of people who either don't have money or have money, but didn't work for it. It's hard to imagine wealthy business leaders wanting to live here when the income taxes are oppressive, property taxes are high, capital gains taxes some of the highest in the entire world, and on top of all that you have a culture that's openly hostile towards success and wealth. There is a very clear attitude here that I never got while I was in Los Angeles -- another liberal city -- where wealthy people are the enemy, they're not paying enough of their dues, they're not helping out enough, blah blah, etc. Portland is a city that values the bearded guy on a bike over the suit-and-tie wearing businessman driving his brand new Mercedes downtown. I really don't get it, personally, as that's not the world I grew up in at all. Success is to be admired and respected and most of the "hipsters" with part-time jobs at the coffee shop are just losers. There's nothing cool about being a loser. I don't know why in Portland there's that overwhelming vibe that the weirder you are, the bigger loser that you are, the "cooler" you are.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by JonathanLB

I believe cities in general are likely to turn more into whatever they are already turning into as people are increasingly moving to where they want to be as far as culture and politics and vibe. In other words, a conservative city in Texas is going to be more conservative and attract more like-minded people, and a city like Portland is (in my opinion) unfortunately going to slide into being even weirder and basically full of people who either don't have money or have money, but didn't work for it. It's hard to imagine wealthy business leaders wanting to live here when the income taxes are oppressive, property taxes are high, capital gains taxes some of the highest in the entire world, and on top of all that you have a culture that's openly hostile towards success and wealth. There is a very clear attitude here that I never got while I was in Los Angeles -- another liberal city -- where wealthy people are the enemy, they're not paying enough of their dues, they're not helping out enough, blah blah, etc. Portland is a city that values the bearded guy on a bike over the suit-and-tie wearing businessman driving his brand new Mercedes downtown. I really don't get it, personally, as that's not the world I grew up in at all. Success is to be admired and respected and most of the "hipsters" with part-time jobs at the coffee shop are just losers. There's nothing cool about being a loser. I don't know why in Portland there's that overwhelming vibe that the weirder you are, the bigger loser that you are, the "cooler" you are.

People wear suits and ties in Portland as well. Personally I prefer a nice shirt and tie with a Columbia jacket, but thats me.

[Roz7]

Perspective, Perspective. We moved here over 5 years ago from Chicago and love the mild climate. It's less gloomy and gray than most of the Midwest, warmer and no snow (or rare snow) compared to Chicago, and rain is more of a drizzle so you can walk around in a light hooded jacket during the winter and not even worry a bit about your eyeballs freezing Many houses don't even have AC as super hot days are also rare. It's the prettiest place I will probably ever live.

That said, Housing is going up but reasonable if you come from a big city, not so much otherwise. Good high paying jobs can be hard to find. Personal income taxes (9-10%) are outrageous, don't know how anyone retires here. Even with no sales tax, I don't consume 10% of my income. Traffic is still ok compared to Houston, LA or Chicago, but taking a bit longer. The "be nice and polite" to everyone gets old and I think is causing the homeless takeover of our lovely downtown areas. There is very little diversity but food carts have added some great ethnic food options.

Like all cities (towns?) there are trade offs.

[Nell Plotts]

Honest, even when DH & I were working in professional positions our OR income tax did not amount to 9%, let alone 10%, of our gross income. As retirees our income taxes are very modest.

The best way to measure the impact of our income tax is to prepare a mock return, easy to do using any of the popular tax software packages.

I can't find the comment where someone compared Portland to Missouri - keep in mind the fact that most Oregon Pioneers fled Missouri in a covered wagon in the mid 1800's. Our ancestors didn't like it then and their progeny have no interest in returning.