NYC --> Portland? (Diversity, hipsters) (Woodburn: fit in, transplants, established neighborhood)

[adamgerbs]

Hello,
I am seeking advice for my girlfriend and I, both in our mid-late twenties, who are considering moving to Portland from NYC. Any ideas or reactions to this post appreciated- thank you.

I should state that we are considering Portland for all of the great reasons that people bring up again and again on these forums (transportation, accessibility to nature, quirkiness of character, coffeeshops, etc.). But there are several concerns that I have that I would like to get some feedback on- we are planning a trip to see for ourselves, but haven't been yet.

First, what do you think of the transition from NYC to Portland in general? We also live outer-borough, not in Manhattan.

Another concern is the diversity in Portland. We're used to the endless number of cultures represented in NYC. Obviously few places will be as diverse as New York, but I've been reading about how the Portland area has such a high percentage of whites and not as many ethnic groups. My girlfriend is Hispanic, and grew up in a section of Queens surrounded mostly by Spanish culture. Though she has largely distanced herself from this culture, it's still a part of her and she is used to being around many different cultures, as Queens is one of the most diverse places on earth. I'm white and grew up outside NYC but, after having lived here for a while, do prefer the multicultural aspect of New York compared with other more homogeneous places I have lived. How do you think Portland would feel for people like us, in this sense? (I hope I've explained myself sensitively on this sensitive topic)

Also, like I said we're attracted to some of the quirkiness of Portland's culture, as we're pretty weird ourselves. We don't really fit into any one category of a subculture, although we do embrace different kinds of alternative ideas. But we can't stand the hipster culture in New York- we stay as far away from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, or "hipsterland", as my girlfriend has branded it. What's your impression- is Portland made up of lots of these same hipsters, is it more hippie, or just made up of different-thinking off-beat individuals? Not having been there yet, it's kind of hard to tell.

We greatly anticipate visiting in person, but in the mean time thank you for any and all thoughts.

[bluebird39]

Having never been to NYC, I'm afraid I'm not an expert there. I recently visited Washington DC, and have relatives in New Orleans, and Chicago, and LOVE the diversity in those places. I also have relatives in Portland though, and lived in Southern Oregon for many years.

When I moved to Oregon from the deep South (N.O.) I was used to being a minority as a white person, and initially hated the lily whiteness of Oregon, but after living there for a while realized that at least in S Oregon there was a pretty sizable Mexican population. I'd say that in general the West Coast has predominantly Mexican immigrants. I don't' know if your wife is Mexican or S American, or?? I do know that there's a difference. In N.O. there were lots of South and Central Americans, but until after Katrina there were very few Mexican immigrants. So I don't know if that helps answer your question or not.

There are also more Asian immigrants and Native American minorities in Portland (and the West in general) than say African Americans or Middle Eastern people. But in general, it's is still very white. I think it's over 80-85% white. So it is not very diverse.

The culture is a very youthful culture, so that'd be a good fit for you. Most folks like or pretend to like the outdoors a great deal. It's a much more healthy culture than most places, and I see more Priuses and bicycles there than anywhere I've ever traveled. The mass transit goes along with that too.

I'm not too sure I'd say it is quirky or hipster, but those pockets do exist just as they do in NYC. It is a big enough city to find something for everyone I think.

What I personally like about the West vs the East is the general lack of people, and tons of public land to enjoy. I love the mountains too. Even here in Michigan so much land if private, and if you do want to enjoy a lake or river you almost have to know someone who has a "cabin" on one. There's very little of that in the West in general. I think life is much more laid back in the West too. That can drive some transplants crazy.

Anyway, good luck.

[emh]

Originally Posted by adamgerbs

Hello,
I am seeking advice for my girlfriend and I, both in our mid-late twenties, who are considering moving to Portland from NYC. Any ideas or reactions to this post appreciated- thank you.

I should state that we are considering Portland for all of the great reasons that people bring up again and again on these forums (transportation, accessibility to nature, quirkiness of character, coffeeshops, etc.). But there are several concerns that I have that I would like to get some feedback on- we are planning a trip to see for ourselves, but haven't been yet.

First, what do you think of the transition from NYC to Portland in general? We also live outer-borough, not in Manhattan.

Another concern is the diversity in Portland. We're used to the endless number of cultures represented in NYC. Obviously few places will be as diverse as New York, but I've been reading about how the Portland area has such a high percentage of whites and not as many ethnic groups. My girlfriend is Hispanic, and grew up in a section of Queens surrounded mostly by Spanish culture. Though she has largely distanced herself from this culture, it's still a part of her and she is used to being around many different cultures, as Queens is one of the most diverse places on earth. I'm white and grew up outside NYC but, after having lived here for a while, do prefer the multicultural aspect of New York compared with other more homogeneous places I have lived. How do you think Portland would feel for people like us, in this sense? (I hope I've explained myself sensitively on this sensitive topic)

Also, like I said we're attracted to some of the quirkiness of Portland's culture, as we're pretty weird ourselves. We don't really fit into any one category of a subculture, although we do embrace different kinds of alternative ideas. But we can't stand the hipster culture in New York- we stay as far away from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, or "hipsterland", as my girlfriend has branded it. What's your impression- is Portland made up of lots of these same hipsters, is it more hippie, or just made up of different-thinking off-beat individuals? Not having been there yet, it's kind of hard to tell.

We greatly anticipate visiting in person, but in the mean time thank you for any and all thoughts.

As someone who recently relocated from DC (which can rival NYC in terms of diversity), I've been surprised at the diversity in Portland. No, it's not NYC or DC, not even close, but it's not as bad as some people make it out to be.

[subsound]

There's hippies and hipsters all over Portland. The hippies sit in little circles with no shoes, drums, and dance every few blocks. The hipsters crowd up all the coffee shops with their goatees, laptops and cellphones, and then pretend to be important. It's hard to get coffee and walk in the streets because of them.

The hippies won't let me in because I'm a terrible dancer, and the hipsters frown at me because I have no one to call.

[PNW-type-gal]

You'd be moving from a metro area of about 18 million people, established in the 1600s, to a metro area of about 2 million, established in the mid 1800s. So yes, it's much less diverse, there are far fewer established neighborhoods and comparatively almost no established ethnic neighborhoods. Portland isn't NYC in miniature.

[Michael Tryn]

Hello PNW type girl , I saw your posting today. Do I understand there is still a Russian or old Jewish area on the East Side ? Someone ,if I remember correctly , said Foster street. I find it a "Very Good Thing "for families values, that Portland is not so loaded with creepy characters, and third world types. The police have enough to deal with I am sure. I don't put much credance in posts that talk about cheap eats. and assume L.O. is a place to feel good about living in ! Keep on cyclin all.

[EnricoV]

Yes, there is a Russian presence out along Foster. Enough of a presence there are social services like this, which says 100,000 immigrants in the area. Here's a website with some info on Russians in Portland.

I think you'll find a large number of Russians living in Vancouver, Washington and down in the Woodburn area, as well.

[meltinjohn]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

Yes, there is a Russian presence out along Foster. Enough of a presence there are social services like this, which says 100,000 immigrants in the area. Here's a website with some info on Russians in Portland.

I think you'll find a large number of Russians living in Vancouver, Washington and down in the Woodburn area, as well.

If you want russians, go to St Pete FL.

[Minervah]

There is nowhere near the diversity of a Chicago or New York City. The Jewish area on the South Side has not existed for decades. The Russian community near Foster Road is fairly new.

Also, like I said we're attracted to some of the quirkiness of Portland's culture, as we're pretty weird ourselves.

Could you explain what this is? Honestly when I hear this I wonder to what people are referring. I know when I moved here in the 70's one could say this but today I find Portland people to be much less individualistic. I'm not saying this as a criticism, just an observation that Portland is becoming less and less quirky and much more bland.

[adamgerbs]

Also, like I said we're attracted to some of the quirkiness of Portland's culture, as we're pretty weird ourselves. Could you explain what this is?


This is just an impression from researching and talking with other people about Portland- as I said, we'll be visiting for the first time soon. I guess, to describe it in other words would be a reputation for being somewhat out of the mainstream in comparison to most of the rest of American culture; an acceptance, and even promotion, of certain countercultural ideals.
I'd be interested to hear more about your thoughts on Portland people being less individualistic. As I mentioned previously, my girlfriend and I are repulsed by so much of what we see in a place like Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where everyone thinks they're being an individual, but really in the end seems more like the same thing over and over again. I'm sure that Portland is unique with its own culture, distinct from Williamsburg or anywhere else, though I was unsure if the vibe was more of conformist/ trendy/ "hipster", or some more ideal amalgamation of people who generally hold alternative and independent sets of ideas.
Meanwhile, thanks much for all of the helpful comments and thoughts offered so far...

~Adam