NYC --> Portland? (Diversity, hipsters) (Green: crime, unemployment rate, schools)

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by subsound

Sadly, it is kind of eerily accurate to what I see with my own eyes.

I am chiming in with my agreement as well. It makes me sad to see these young people working so hard at conforming to non-conformity. My neighborhood, Hawthorne, is the epitome of this kind of behavior.

[subsound]

I love watching that sort of behavior/dress...it's people watching to great entertainment. Especially now that I look like "The Man" people are wanting to rebel against, I get all sorts of comments and looks.

[LeftCoastee]

I know what you mean. I was just downtown last week for a few days and staying at the Hilton. I walked from the Hilton up to the Bridgeport Brewery for a late dinner one night and encountered quite a few of these types around 10th and either Stark or Burnside. I was definitely getting the stink-eye since I was still dressed from work. I'm 37 and could probably identify with these kids about 15-20 years ago, but the need to earn a living and support your family knocks it out of you pretty damn quick.

[subsound]

Originally Posted by LeftCoastee

I'm 37 and could probably identify with these kids about 15-20 years ago, but the need to earn a living and support your family knocks it out of you pretty damn quick.

Hehe, I love it, I'm just turning 30 in May...I still kind of see myself in a few. Of course if I said anything about earning a living versus their passion I would be trying to control them

[sebby]

I see little difference btw an a-hole hipster with a flannel shirt and skin-tight jeans riding a fixed gear and a business douche in a navy blue suit, bright red tie, driving a beamer.

Virtually everyone wears a uniform.

Virtually no one will readily admit it.

[LeftCoastee]

Originally Posted by sebby

I see little difference btw an a-hole hipster with a flannel shirt and skin-tight jeans riding a fixed gear and a business douche in a navy blue suit, bright red tie, driving a beamer.

Virtually everyone wears a uniform.

Virtually no one will readily admit it.

I disagree. The difference can be summed up by one question. If the hipster decides to stop wearing flannel and tight jeans will he lose his job (assuming he has one)?

[subsound]

Originally Posted by sebby

I see little difference btw an a-hole hipster with a flannel shirt and skin-tight jeans riding a fixed gear and a business douche in a navy blue suit, bright red tie, driving a beamer.

Virtually everyone wears a uniform.

Virtually no one will readily admit it.

I think the business person dresses the way he does because he must to keep his/her job, and provide for their family, not because he desires too (the BMW, well they are nice cars). The non conformist dresses the way they do because it's not the way other people dress, to get attention, and most usually in a manner to disturb people.

I abstain from either, just jeans and a t-shirt unless I need to. I love watching people who dress in weird fashions, I think it's fun. I'd rather look obsequious and anonymous...I think my actions more then my dress define me. To each their own though, I won't prevent anyone from doing their thing.

[Jordo15]

Well damn, was thinking about moving to Portland from Victoria, BC but it sounds EXACTLY the same almost lol

I'm also prone to seasonal depression come winter time which is why I want to get out so bad (plus I've lived here all my life and need to get out of here).


I also kind of wanted to get away from this hipster thing too. While I admit I like flannel shirts and the occasional skinny jeans, I do it because I just like those types of clothes.

I only have 1 other friend who dresses like that, because he's down to earth and normal like me, compared to all the other kids who are so into themselves that they just hang out with others like them to make themselves look cooler (I mean come on, you can't hang out with a kid in a tshirt and jeans can you?!). Must be a result due to them plastering themselves all over myspace/facebook and being really self-centered

Anyways, Utah it is I guess haha

The only thing is I'm hoping its not a big culture shock and too boring for me. I love the landscape, but I hear socially it can be too different (memberships to enter every bar etc.).

ARG, where else is there to move that would be a change, yet still be comfortable with while having good weather? I would just move to montreal or halifax, which I know I'd enjoy, but the weather would be twice as bad as BC

[Todd.LA]

I have a certain grudging respect for hipster fashion sense. Sitting down with a cup of coffee at any Stumptown location will always guarantee an interesting fashion parade. There is obviously some conformity within hipster style (like any distinct sense of style), but it's fun to watch, compared to the overall lack of concern about style and fashion in Portland (e.g., always dressing as though one is engaging in one's favorite outdoor activity, even when one is running errands in the city and has no intention to engage in any outdoor activity anytime soon).

[sebby]

Originally Posted by subsound

I think the business person dresses the way he does because he must to keep his/her job, and provide for their family, not because he desires too (the BMW, well they are nice cars). The non conformist dresses the way they do because it's not the way other people dress, to get attention, and most usually in a manner to disturb people.

I abstain from either, just jeans and a t-shirt unless I need to. I love watching people who dress in weird fashions, I think it's fun. I'd rather look obsequious and anonymous...I think my actions more then my dress define me. To each their own though, I won't prevent anyone from doing their thing.

What I mean is both think they are in some way "better" -- the hipster because s/he is, uh, hipper, and the rich business person because s/he has big bank and a fancy car. There are, of course, many, many exceptions, but that doesn't make the average hipster or business a-hole any less annoying when viewed from a short distance