Is all of Portland really this depressingly bad?

[Kenny48]

Originally Posted by gnab gib

We're on vacation in Portland right now, and we are seriously underwhelmed so far. The scenery out in the countryside is some of the most beautiful I've ever seen, anywhere, but the city has so far given us the creeps.

We parked down along Naito Parkway to head to the Saturday Market, and one of the first things my wife saw as we left the parking garage is some guy crouched behind a bush, taking a dump. I smelled urine in at least three spots along the streets, and I saw one kid whip it out and take a leak at a park down by the Portland Building. There was some lunatic wandering around Pioneer Courthouse Square, wearing gloves and a winter coat on a nearly 80-degree day, stopping every few steps to look skyward, gesture, mumble something to himself, turn, take a few steps, and do the same thing all over again. There were bums everywhere, and lots of them were kids. One guy thrust his arm out at me and then another at my wife, explaining that perhaps his other arm was easier to read. He had something tattooed on his arm about giving him change for beer money. So this guy is apparently in a permanent state of begging, if he went to the trouble to get his begging mantra tattooed on his arm. And he didn't even want money for a meal, or a place to stay. He wanted BEER MONEY. Nice.

Then there are the strip clubs all over the place, and lots of lots of sketchy neighborhoods. Trailer parks, RV parks ... we were going to eat at a restaurant out on Alberta Street, but we turned on a side street to get there and thought we'd been transported to the world of tar-paper shacks down in the Mississippi delta. It was horrible. Our car probably wouldn't have been there when we came back, had we actually stopped.

Are there actually any nice areas in or around Portland? Anyplace with nice, clean neighborhoods, where the windows aren't boarded up or have bars on them? No strip clubs on every corner? A place where we can walk down the street without being accosted by some bum at every intersection? I've heard so many wonderful things leading up to our trip, and now that we're here, frankly, it's a dump so far.

Please don't lecture me about how I want too much, how I sound elitist, or whatever. We're a white couple in our mid-30s, and we now live in an older but safe neighborhood in Alexandria, Va. I've dealt with bums in D.C., but I've never had them throw their arms in my face, asking for beer money. We're out in the PNW now to scope things out for a possible move here, but right now, from what I've seen, I wouldn't feel comfortable moving my wife out here. We're just looking for a decent neighborhood. It doesn't have to be upscale yuppie heaven, just safe, quiet, clean, and family friendly.

We drove out to see Vancouver, Wa., today, to see what was there, and the west side wasn't too bad. From what I've been reading tonight, the east side, around Fishers Landing, is worth checking out. Would anyone agree with that? And are there are comparatively decent places on the Oregon side of the river?

Well, if you want everything "clean and conservative" you could move to here, where I live in Pasco County Florida. I for one, will be happy when I see it in my rear view mirror. Give me "weird" any day! I love Portland, and hope possibly move there within a few years. My other choice is Pittsburgh Pa, but don't know if it's diverse enough for me. As for Virginia and DC, you couldn't get me to even visit. Different strokes for different folks. I would advise, not visiting SF either. It has lots of homelsess people and they are tolerated just as in Portland. Not everywhere locks poor folks up. As for asking for beer money, you don't have to give anyone, anything you don't want! At least they are up front enought to say what they are begging for. I have had just about all I can stand of the South and the East Coast cities,they are way to right wing for me.

[Sean87]

Coming from Europe to Portland, it's funny how liberal this city proclaims to be. Everyone talks about it, and it becomes tiring. In Europe, it's just liberal and no one is mentioning it. Other than that, yes, Portland has it's problems with homeless people, but you get that in a lot of other American (and European) cities as well. They're just more visible here, hanging out downtown. Portland is a nice city, and I wouldn't say it's dirty or sketchy, just avoid certain areas. Truth be told I have never felt unsafe in Portland, which I cannot say about a lot of other American cities. The huge focus on being environmentally friendly is definitely a plus with Portland, even though some are truly fanatic, avoiding all stores that MAY have their products made by children, such as IKEA. Portland is different/alternative, and that's what makes this city special. Without it, it would just be another boring American city with a dead downtown area.

[thehamster]

"Are there actually any nice areas in or around Portland?"

There are many beautiful old residential neighborhoods. Or if you like a downtown setting, get a condo in the Pearl District. Trouble is, they're expensive.

The ugliness you've seen in Portland is no worse than what you'll see in any big city -- in fact not as bad as in many. Our daughter lives there and loves it. My wife and I would probably move there ourselves when we retire if it wasn't for the rainy climate -- I'm subject to SAD.

[oscottscotto]

Originally Posted by gnab gib

some guy crouched behind a bush, taking a dump.

... well that is the natural way to take a dump.

[brubaker]

Originally Posted by scone

A friend of mine used to work for the Texas social welfare department. She said they had a last-ditch solution for their hard-core cases: "the Greyhound solution." In other words, a bus ticket to San Francisco. That's what I see happening in Portland--

I can vouch for that.

Again, it's what happens when one place has a somewhat 'rational', empathic view of a segment of the population that most other states treat as criminals...the one state with a progressive attitude gets swamped with the refugees from all 49 other states.

Then the other 49 stand tall and talk about how their laws are working better because, "Just look at our streets! We don't have people dropping loads behind bushes for christ's sake!"