Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It is kind of refreshing, because I live in Orlando now and it is the same way. Some people will just not be happy or helpful when they post. It is refreshing to see that it takes places in other forums. BTW, I love everything about Portland but the rain; I lived there 22 until I had to get away! It is a great place to live and I wish you the best in your move!
I think the boards reflect the attitude of the regular participants and not necessarily that of the city. Because of my research into many areas and interests in a dozen or so select areas I have watched many forums. There are some that are big boosters of their area regardless of the facts and those that are bitter about their existence and will shoot any bright spot... and of course all opinions in between. But these are generally the words of a hundred regulars, not the group conscience of the area. Take opinions with a grain of salt.
I love this town, but people here think that their poop don't stink cause they live here. What a joke. This town is great, and should never have to compare itself to other places or prove itself. It just is its own unique, cool town. But all the self-indulgent idiots who just love to go on and on about how they live in Portland is really ridiculous. And yes, there is negativity galore in these posts...what gives? How about a little live-and-let-live?
See, this is a good example of what I generally have a problem with most of the naysayers on this board. You make such a eloquently sweeping statement that "people here think their poop don't stink."
I always wonder ... have you met everyone in Portland. Do you know that they all think that. Why, if you've had bad experience with a few people, or even your entire ciricle of acquaintences, you talk like it applies to EVERYONE. It just doesn't.
People are all different. And they like and do different things. If you don't like it - it doesn't mean no one else will. It doesn't mean it's bad. All it means is ... you don't like it.
I agree! Thats definatly something that makes me rather cranky, to be generalized like so...That, and the exaggerations. It gets tiresome hearing over and over how "it rains 9months out of the year in Oregon" and "its always foggy on the Oregon Coast". I can be sitting here, looking out my window at a beautiful calm day, sunny skies and barely a breeze, yet someone in another state will be saying "No, she's wrong, its always raining and ugly on the coast". sigh. really kinda gets my goat. That, and how there will be some wonderful advice, lovely helpful posts on a thread, and certain people will ignore anything pleasant and just dig for the negative. It seems some people thrive on trying to bring out every bad angle there might be, totally bypassing anything good. Thats irksome.
I know, I agree, Oregonians are a proud people for the most part. most of us love our state, and yes, sometimes we do go overboard in singing the praises and defending against those who hate it here. Some who have lived here before, and didnt like it, just cant stay away from coming on and posting as many bad things as they can, warning people away from this "gloomy, rude, backwards, dreary," etc. state. And that just gets annoying.
anyhow, please look again, there are so many terrific, helpful, friendly posts on here. People who generally love Oregon and would like to help someone who is trying to make a choice if they should move here or not. Ya, we have our downsides, state tax being a biggie for me!! but but keep in mind, a number of our "Crankies" on the board are people who lived here years ago, or some, who have never lived here before at all that are for some who knows reason, trying to slam us all. Too much time I suppose....
anyhow, Im not cranky. Im gonna go enjoy another beautiful day along the Oregon Coast!!
Tiffany
In defense of the "negativity"--because I participated in this particular thread--a poster explicitly asked people what some of what they thought to be negative traits about PDX. Naturally the results of this would seem more "cranky."
I'd prefer to see honesty--acknowledgement of both the good and the bad of a place, because every city has good and bad qualities. A forum with no "negativity" is about as credulous as that election where Saddam got 100% of the vote.
Oh, I definitely think there's a need for the negatives ... we all need to be realistic. I think it's more how it's stated.
People can call Portland is a liberal hotbed - but that doesn't mean everyone. There is still like 35% of the city (or was it county) who are registered Republicans. They're not going to run you out of town (though I certainly wouldn't bother putting a lawn sign out for a Republican candidate ... it won't be there long). And don't bother running for a state or local office from a Portland district if you're Republican.
Of course it rains here. More often than most other places (though not more volume). And is more often cloudy. But that doesn't mean it's always dark and grey. Sometimes it is, but often it's puffy white clouds. And they're beautiful. And the green that it all produces can't be beat.
Nowhere is perfect. There's those "glass is half empty" versus the "glass is half full" people. But too many loud voices here (I really think it's only a few people) that given a half-filled glass, see it not as half empty, but claim it's bone dry.
Alright everyone, now that we have gotten that off our chests. Let's continue to seek out good and informational posts and report the negative ones so that moderators can take care of it. I'm the new moderator "in town" and from this point on, Waterlily and I will be going through and cleaning things up when we can.
So, remember the CD rules and let's work together to make this forum a much better place for people to seek information. Be fair and don't draw out too much meaning in posts you don't agree with. Report posts that you feel aren't in line with those CD rules.
Alright everyone, now that we have gotten that off our chests. Let's continue to seek out good and informational posts and report the negative ones so that moderators can take care of it. I'm the new moderator "in town" and from this point on, Waterlily and I will be going through and cleaning things up when we can.
So, remember the CD rules and let's work together to make this forum a much better place for people to seek information. Be fair and don't draw out too much meaning in posts you don't agree with. Report posts that you feel aren't in line with those CD rules.
Thanks everyone for being understanding!
I guess that people who love this town take a personal pride that is almost like the defense of one's family. I don't quite understand it myself. I don't see it on other boards. The problem arises I think when someone gives an opinion to a specific question as the one that asked for the negative aspects of living here and others feel they have to rush to be on the defensive.
First and foremost and correct me if I am wrong, the purpose of this board is to give people valuable information; good, bad and whatever, about living in a specific area. I am searching other cities to gather info as to where I want to move. I have to say in all my reading I have found this forum to be the most argumentative and maybe the most bizare. There was one woman who used to answer questions very authoritatively regarding anything and everything about Portland. I thought some of her info was off-base and wondered where it came form.
I found out sometime later that she did not even live in Portland let alone Oregon. She was actually living in the Midwest but decided to move here after a vacation in Portland. When I go on a city-site asking questions, I want to hear from those with experience living there. I consider sometone who does what she did no better than a troll.
I found her out when I was on another city forum and saw her name. She told everyone she lived there but was planning to move to Portland. A bit later she posted she decided to stay where she was.
People need to be careful when gathering opinions about other cities. You never know who is giving the answers so what is said should be taken with a huge grain of salt.
I also find it odd that there are large numbers of people on here at any given time who no longer LIVE in Portland, instead they've moved away to somewhere they're now happier, yet return to harp about Portland. There's a difference between saying something like Portland didn't work for me because of x,y and Z and I'm now happier in _____, which gives people who aren't from the area a perspective, as for example, someone now happier in Arizona was not happy in the PNW for obvious reasons. But to come on here just to complain about a place that didn't work for them years later is odd to me. Personal experience/feedback is relevant but it seems to be taken way further than that as if when people aren't happy here they leave with a huge chip on their shoulder.
Well, as odd as it is, there are people that are like that. The best thing is let's just be good examples then and not bring ourselves down to their level. Don't let those get under your skin in her or anywhere in your life. Life is too short for that stress.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $53,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Im gonna go enjoy another beautiful day along the Oregon Coast!! 
