Portland/Vancouver vs. Sacramento... (Lake Oswego, St. Helens: sales, apartments, rent)

[the central scrutinizer]

Hi. 55, white male, fit, two degrees, 2x divorced, part-time teens who live with their Mom out-of-state, musician/creative, good cube career. I've been living in Sacramento almost 10 years, have no attachments to really keep me here - don't own a home. Opportunity has come up to work in Vancouver, WA across the river from Portland. Job is in downtown Vancouver, I would not be working in Oregon. Income would be low 100s, trying to decide if a move is a good idea... dating has not been all that successful in Sacramento, wondering if Portland would be better (or at least no worse) in that aspect, curious about the creative scene in Portland/Vancouver although that is not how I make my living.

Yes, I'm aware that it rains a LOT. But I am thinking that the raise + no state income tax and from perusing the realty listings, there seems to be newer and decent housing available on the WA side (I have no interest in fighting the bridge traffic on a day to day basis, but how is traffic on the WA side?), there are definite pluses in considering a move to the NW. I'd appreciate any insight anyone has to offer. I am interested in how the artistic/musical/intellectual scene compares to Sacramento (which seems to not have a lot of any of that except for spending lots of public money on sports arenas the voters didn't want). Thank you.

(I realize I could cross-post this in the Vancouver forum but I figured I would get more responses in this forum which is much more active. Thanks again).

[EasyBeezy]

The traffic on the Washington side of the river is inexplicably much better than the Oregon side. Check Google Maps at rush hour and you'll see what I mean.

The problem with Vancouver is that it's boring and featureless. It's basically suburbia mixed with downtrodden apartments. But if you live there, work in WA, and shop in Oregon (no sales tax), you can do nicely.

I have no idea what the dating scene is like for a 55 year old man, but it can't be that promising in Vancouver or Portland.

I think you'll find Vancouver on the whole to be not that much different from Sacramento. Portland is very different however, and is only a short drive away outside of rush hour.

[Nell Plotts]

There are groups where you could start to build a social life. Basically in Portland metro people meet people where they both enjoy an activity. For example: Bergfreunde Ski Club - Portland, Oregon

There are ski clubs, cycling clubs, bridge clubs (the serious players meet at Marabella Towers Portland Bridge Club, Portland, Oregon, USA), I am sure there are counterparts in Vancouver. I am not a musician but I have heard that there is a vibrant community of serious musicians. Pink Martini is Portland based. Portland State has nurtured Grammy winners: Portland State College of the Arts: School of Music | Welcome

No reason to be lonely. Welcome home.

[gray horse]

I say do it! That's a good paying job for the area!


You will find a much more cultural and creative scene vs. Sacramento. As far as dating, I also think you will find it better than Sacramento. As Nell mentioned there are a lot of groups to get out and meet others with your interests.

[Squidlo]

At that income level Vancouver is a slam dunk. No income tax. Active outdoors lifestyle is at your feet all day everyday. I am not sure of the dating scene for 55+. I am not a fan of East Vancouver but further out into the gorge is nice. Right in Vancouver has some nice spots. Art/music scene will mostly be in Portland not far at all. Tolerance for far left politics is a must in the intellectual art/music scene. Vancouver is pretty mild politically, closer to the middle than Portland. If politics don't matter at all just be aware it matters to some.

[CAjerseychick]

I would say Portland/ Vancouver for sure.

Just left the sierra foothills sllghtly north of Sac/ but of course went through there a bit- my impressions of that area... not so great,

at least reporting from the Portland side of things, am in a creative, artist, musician circle (I'm not musical personally but friends are)... definitely good here, so much local, live talent to see on almost any given night- fun and casual!
and the folks are nice.
You could join Meetups for an icebreaker...

We are also in your demographic range (late 40s) age wise btw if that helps....

[USDefault]

I'd do it. Vancouver, WA is very nice, beautiful location, tons of outdoor things to do. Downtown Vancouver is a smallish city, but the traffic is light. Also, if you wanted, you could get a place to live along the Columbia River, it's so picturesque and quiet, I think you'd love it.

Also, being very close to Portland is a major benefit. Portland arguably has the best food scene in the United States. You can very quickly drive to PDX airport, one of the best in the nation, we've done the drive in under 10 minutes when there is no traffic. We often go to Portland for dinners, to buy stuff (no sales tax in Oregon), and for certain medical care, though Vancouver has good medical care too.

Some other benefits: water is plentiful. Electricity rates are among the cheapest in the nation due to Columbia River turbines -- the electricity is so cheap that Bitcoin server farms were cropping up all over to run servers due to the lowest-in-the-nation electricity prices. Gasoline and natural gas are competitively priced and way cheaper than California. No income tax -- enormous savings for you compared with California. Most property taxes are reasonable. Housing prices are much, much cheaper than most areas in California, which is why so many people from LA and the Bay Area are buying everything in site in Portland. Flights from Portland Airport to the Bay Area always are jammed with tech peeps.

So much to do. You can hop a train to Seattle, get a business-class car with wifi, and spend the weekend in downtown Seattle, it's awesome when you don't have a car because Uber is everywhere and reasonably priced. Or you can do a roadtrip into Canada, Vancouver B.C. is an amazing city. Tons and tons of stuff to do, all the mountains, hiking, Oregon coast and beach cities, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, all of the water and fishing activities and hiking -- I am on firm ground when I say the PNW is one of the most beautiful and awesome places to do outdoor stuff in the United States. Abundant water, lush, green, serene.

Beware rush hour traffic and Portland, however. The bridges and freeways to and from Oregon and Washington are a nightmare during the morning and evening commutes. A thirty-minute ride will take 1.5 hours easy if it's weekday workrush commute. Also, don't buy or rent a place near the paper mill (located maybe fifteen miles east in downtown Camas), it's gotten much better over the years, but the place still gives off a bad smell and I wouldn't live near it.

Finally, beware moving too far East into the Gorge -- the winter winds and winter weather really picks up if you are east of Camas, especially at elevation, or if you are living in the heart of the Gorge. Big winds, big gusts, and more snow and iced roads (they are dealing with it right now). It's stunningly beautiful, but has its challenges in December and January, when winter is in high gear. We live in Camas and that's close enough to the Gorge for us, we get some moderate wind events maybe four to seven days out of the year (this year it's been only two days of winds), and that's more than enough for us.

Make the move. Portland-metro area blows away Sacramento. Truth.

[jribe]

Originally Posted by the central scrutinizer

Hi. 55, white male, fit, two degrees, 2x divorced, part-time teens who live with their Mom out-of-state, musician/creative, good cube career. I've been living in Sacramento almost 10 years, have no attachments to really keep me here - don't own a home. Opportunity has come up to work in Vancouver, WA across the river from Portland. Job is in downtown Vancouver, I would not be working in Oregon. Income would be low 100s, trying to decide if a move is a good idea... dating has not been all that successful in Sacramento, wondering if Portland would be better (or at least no worse) in that aspect, curious about the creative scene in Portland/Vancouver although that is not how I make my living.

Yes, I'm aware that it rains a LOT. But I am thinking that the raise + no state income tax and from perusing the realty listings, there seems to be newer and decent housing available on the WA side (I have no interest in fighting the bridge traffic on a day to day basis, but how is traffic on the WA side?), there are definite pluses in considering a move to the NW. I'd appreciate any insight anyone has to offer. I am interested in how the artistic/musical/intellectual scene compares to Sacramento (which seems to not have a lot of any of that except for spending lots of public money on sports arenas the voters didn't want). Thank you.

(I realize I could cross-post this in the Vancouver forum but I figured I would get more responses in this forum which is much more active. Thanks again).

i've spent a number of years living in sacramento (native californian) and have moved all around Nor Cal and out of state. I recently moved to the portland metro - and am now living above vancouver (new house in a great neighborhood for under 400k). we absolutely love it! People are friendly; there's plenty to do; housing is relatively affordable; and your 100k will go much further here than in CA. Can't speak to the dating scene; but we are very happy having moved to the metro. Traffic is much lighter on the WA side; we lived in Lake Oswego OR for about 6 months and got sick of sitting in traffic to go anywhere (although LO has a lot of great things about it). It's easy to go across the bridge into portland when you want to for visiting - and much, much easier to get to the airport.
best of luck!

[Jumauslo]

I grew up near Sacramento in the Elk Grove area. I sometimes miss it down there, but that might be nostalgia. I would not take people's word that the COL is cheaper in Vancouver than Sac. Do your homework. Myself I've just not been that impressed with Portland, but I am certainly not in the dating scene. My suggestion is to make sure you visit and check out whether it is really your cup of tea. Sacramento is underrated in a lot of ways, aND Portland is certainly not for everyone.

[boulder2015]

Originally Posted by the central scrutinizer

Hi. 55, white male, fit, two degrees, 2x divorced, part-time teens who live with their Mom out-of-state, musician/creative, good cube career. I've been living in Sacramento almost 10 years, have no attachments to really keep me here - don't own a home. Opportunity has come up to work in Vancouver, WA across the river from Portland. Job is in downtown Vancouver, I would not be working in Oregon. Income would be low 100s, trying to decide if a move is a good idea... dating has not been all that successful in Sacramento, wondering if Portland would be better (or at least no worse) in that aspect, curious about the creative scene in Portland/Vancouver although that is not how I make my living.

Yes, I'm aware that it rains a LOT. But I am thinking that the raise + no state income tax and from perusing the realty listings, there seems to be newer and decent housing available on the WA side (I have no interest in fighting the bridge traffic on a day to day basis, but how is traffic on the WA side?), there are definite pluses in considering a move to the NW. I'd appreciate any insight anyone has to offer. I am interested in how the artistic/musical/intellectual scene compares to Sacramento (which seems to not have a lot of any of that except for spending lots of public money on sports arenas the voters didn't want). Thank you.

(I realize I could cross-post this in the Vancouver forum but I figured I would get more responses in this forum which is much more active. Thanks again).

Be a good dad and move closer to where your kids sre. What state is that? They are at an age where they could really use having their dad around.