Displaced Alaskan: Seattle or Portland? (Beaverton, Oregon City: new home, job market, college)

[hgurke]

I really need your help, guys!

I just graduated from college and am looking to either move to Seattle or Portland, Oregon within the next 3-4 months. I have spent time in both Seattle and Portland, but it was over ten years ago, and I can't really afford to check out either area before I move, so I need some good advice as to which one I should choose. I miss Alaska and am looking for a city similar to my hometown (Anchorage), but don't want to endure another Alaskan winter anytime soon.

Currently I am in Chicago and am looking for:

1. somewhere that is not as obscenely crowded as it is here, but
2. still has a (relatively) decent job market, especially for someone who doesn't have a car (and doesn't really want to get one anytime soon),
3. decent public transit, and/or is "walkable" (i.e, I don't have to walk three miles to the nearest convenience store)
4. is scenic, and is closest to the outdoors (again, especially for someone who doesn't have a car.)

I suppose finding a job in my field is my primary concern (my field is Finance), along with the other factors I listed. also, random question: which city would you consider to be more "scenic", Seattle or Portland? just wondering...

Thank you, everyone!

[davefr]

Originally Posted by hgurke

1. somewhere that is not as obscenely crowded as it is here, but
2. still has a (relatively) decent job market, especially for someone who doesn't have a car (and doesn't really want to get one anytime soon),
3. decent public transit, and/or is "walkable" (i.e, I don't have to walk three miles to the nearest convenience store)
4. is scenic, and is closest to the outdoors (again, especially for someone who doesn't have a car.)

Thank you, everyone!

1. Slight advantage to Portland

2. Probably a slight advantage to Seattle re: job market.

3. Definately Portland due to the MAX system and the development along the MAX route. Seattle is still street bus only except for their downtown monorail system. The Seattle Ferry system is excellent but I'd give that an advantage to #4.

4. They are both scenic. Seattle has the Puget Sound, Olympic mtns, Mt Rainier. Portland has the rivers, Mt. Hood. It would probably be easier to get to the outdoors due to the Seattle Ferry system. Both are bike friendly cities.

[Bluesbabe]

PORTLAND!

But ~~~~~

What I CAN never stress enough, is to study the transit system maps well before you decide on a place to live! Yes, we have the Max Lightrail and, yes, we have a sprawling bus system.

But Max is only a main artery that serves those who live near it. Too many of the busses don't run as often as they should (to me, once every 30 minutes is not enough), and some areas don't have it at all. I work in Beaverton, and many of the employees who live in SE Portland, or Oregon City, complain that it takes almost 2 hours to get here by mass transit. That is not acceptable, as far as I'm concerned.

[John Shaft]

I'd say Portland sounds more like what you're interested in. Seattle has a much bigger city feel than Anchorage. Portland in general has better public transit in the central area than both Seattle and Anchorage.

But the response brings up two good counter arguments: the common wisdom is that Seattle has a better job market (but there isn't exactly a lot of finance positions available at Washington Mutual right now, so it might be a push). Also Seattle's proximity to the Puget Sound will feel more like Anchorage in that regard, since Portland is 1.5 hours from the coast.

[parasol]

I think both are awesome choices and I think the posts above already have really great information, but I just want to extend a vote for Portland.

Obviously both places are very scenic and beautiful: mountains, water, GREEN! But I think if you look closely you might observe that they're scenic in slightly different ways. And agreed with the above post that Seattle has a greater 'city' feel, while Portland generally just feels more unhurried and relaxed. Also I believe that Portland has, on average, slightly warmer temps throughout the seasons.

I hate to give an edge to one over the other because I think both places are majestic. Another question could be: which has more of the amenities that you'd like to have in a new home. If you decide on Portland I really think the only thing you'd miss is the city-roaming moose. ;-)

[hgurke]

Thanks for the responses, everyone! I cross-posted this on the Seattle area forum and only got one reply there so far...I appreciate all of the feedback.

One last thing...I am (more than) well aware that we are in a recession; however, can anyone give me an idea as to what the job market is like in Portland right now (especially for recent college grads)?

Thanks again everyone!

[argo69]

I think either city would be an easy transition for you but I have read an article or two online about how Portland is the number one destination for Ex-Alaskans. Given that Seattle is closer to Alaska, there must be something to Oregon that draws people to skip over the Emerald City for it.

I live in Seattle but visit Portland regularly. While Seattle may have been grunge 10 years ago it is becoming more like San Francisco with every passing year. More expensive, more upscale, more geared to high-tech/computer professionals, etc. Portland is heading in the same direction, but more slowly. It still seems more flannel than fashion, less moneyed, mellower and less status oriented...and at least within the city limits, a heck of a lot more green. It seems that every few blocks there is some sort of public park in Portland while in Seattle you generally DRIVE outside the city to get to the more notable nature areas.

For me, the key part of your post is your statement that you do not have a car. For me, for this reason alone, I'd pick Portland. It is much more amenable to living carless...although as a former poster noted, better if you are living near a max stop. Otherwise, you are dealing solely with buses which are still better than those in Seattle (air conditioned, newer, departing at higher frequencies etc.) but not as pleasant as the MAX. In Seattle, every day after 7pm and all day Sunday the buses only run every half hour and are often late. Good luck!

[Candle]

Originally Posted by hgurke

I really need your help, guys!

I just graduated from college and am looking to either move to Seattle or Portland, Oregon within the next 3-4 months. I have spent time in both Seattle and Portland, but it was over ten years ago, and I can't really afford to check out either area before I move, so I need some good advice as to which one I should choose. I miss Alaska and am looking for a city similar to my hometown (Anchorage), but don't want to endure another Alaskan winter anytime soon.

Currently I am in Chicago and am looking for:

1. somewhere that is not as obscenely crowded as it is here, but
2. still has a (relatively) decent job market, especially for someone who doesn't have a car (and doesn't really want to get one anytime soon),
3. decent public transit, and/or is "walkable" (i.e, I don't have to walk three miles to the nearest convenience store)
4. is scenic, and is closest to the outdoors (again, especially for someone who doesn't have a car.)

I suppose finding a job in my field is my primary concern (my field is Finance), along with the other factors I listed. also, random question: which city would you consider to be more "scenic", Seattle or Portland? just wondering...

Thank you, everyone!

1. somewhere that is not as obscenely crowded as it is here - Seattle is out of the question here. Portland is much less crowded although it isn't empty either. Both are becoming increasingly crowded...
2. still has a (relatively) decent job market, especially for someone who doesn't have a car (and doesn't really want to get one anytime soon), - I'm not too sure on the finance job market in either city but as others have said, Portland's infrastructure and transit system beats most cities in the US.
3. decent public transit, and/or is "walkable" (i.e, I don't have to walk three miles to the nearest convenience store) - You shouldn't have trouble walking more than a mile or two (without bus or max support) to get to a store in Portland.
4. is scenic, and is closest to the outdoors (again, especially for someone who doesn't have a car.) - I'd say Seattle is less scenic because there are way too many tall buildings obstructing the view. Portland has a few but far less. Seattle does have Mt. Rainier, the Olympics, and I think Mt. Baker. Portland has Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams within sight...depending on where you are of course.


I live here now but plan on moving to Anchorage next summer...

[lovethegreen]

Portland is friendlier

[meltinjohn]

Portland is a great city especially considering the circumstances. Bums, lesser cost of living than SF or Seattle, Oregon being a conservative state etc..
Portland may even have some conservatives in it, but in my experiences, I met more cool people for sure. I saw some conservatives but I seen just as many or more cool peeps there. Weird however, should probably be reduced some. The keep Portland weird slogan they gotta trash even if it is weirder than other cities. 30% of the city is probably weird, not 70 like they make it sound lol.
Portland reminds me of Boston and northern New England all mixed into 1 so this is one more reason why I liked it a lot there.