Unwelcome vibe? (Portland, Ashland, Phoenix: real estate, rental, house)

[Neal2009]

I honestly have never experienced this during my time in Portland. I come from Texas and have never once felt unwelcome in any way. . Interestingly enough I feel like I fit in alot more here in Portland than I did in Texas. I feel alot more connected to the people and the place, so I actually feel quite the opposite, a large feeling of welcomeness. Most of the people I come across here are not from Portland. The majority of transplants I have encountered come from California of course, but I also have friends from New York, Atlanta, Colorado, Texas, Idaho, Chicago etc.. They have never once complained to me about being discriminated against or feeling unwelcome. When I do meet Oregon natives, they have always been very friendly and non standoffish. I think one is more likely to feel unwelcome in a smaller town where the natives drastically outnumber the transplants, but you will find this in any state and not just in Oregon.

Take everything you read on this board with a grain of salt. The majority of transplants never experience what you are describing and those who do are in the minority.

[sayulita]

There are more than 550,000 people in Portland give or take. Not counting the suburbs. it's kind of silly to think that we'd spot a new face if you came. The nice folks here are just trying to let you know what you will be facing if you move here. You can't sell yourself if you can't get an interview. You are not unwelcome. Just wait until you are sure you can secure a job. It's obvious how much you want to come here. I don't blame you. It's great here. But not if you can't support yourself. We're not kidding when we tell you how hard it is to find work. We're not trying to keep you away. We just don't have room for you to "crash on our sofa".

[subsound]

People always shout blame transplants for everything, in real everyday life no one really cares.

We are all transplants from somewhere.

At work we bust each others chops over it occasionally, but it's always in fun.

[Disembodied]

It's hard to find work anywhere. I've always had difficulty finding work since I graduated from college. Obviously there are SOME jobs out there. You just have to be willing to do more than just email a resume. I know how to get jobs. I don't know what the whole no room on your sofa thing means but whatever.

[sayulita]

Originally Posted by Disembodied

It's hard to find work anywhere. I've always had difficulty finding work since I graduated from college. Obviously there are SOME jobs out there. You just have to be willing to do more than just email a resume. I know how to get jobs. I don't know what the whole no room on your sofa thing means but whatever.

I think it's pretty clear that you've made your mind up to come, so OK. Come. You will not feel unwelcome here. I know nothing about the availability of jobs in the mental health field but presumably you do. I wish you the best of luck. Sincerely.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Disembodied

It's hard to find work anywhere. I've always had difficulty finding work since I graduated from college. Obviously there are SOME jobs out there. You just have to be willing to do more than just email a resume. I know how to get jobs. I don't know what the whole no room on your sofa thing means but whatever.

The "room on the sofa" simply means right now Portland is having a difficult time accomodating the people who live here let alone those who come here. No one is putting you down, it's just that there are so many, many intelligent, personable, clever well-educated people who can't even find work in fast food here it's unbelievable. Everybody knows it takes more that just sending out resumes. In Portland it takes networking, networking, networking. It's very difficult to find a job unless you know someone.

But you choose not to believe it so come and see for yourself and welcome. Let us know how it all works out for you.

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by subsound

...in real everyday life no one really cares.

That's the short of it. No one will know you are a transplant and no one will care. This whole 'blame it on Californians, Floridians, etc.' thing is pretty ridiculous and simply cannot be taken seriously. What a bunch of silliness.

We all have differing opinions. Take everything with a grain of salt. But the one thing we have all agreed upon is how difficult it is to get a job here.

No one is giving you grief for your wanting to move here and give life in the PNW a shot. There are far worse places to be. I'd rather be homeless here than in Florida and I can understand your desire to leave.

Whether you are willing to gamble on spending your savings to survive in Oregon is something you'll have to decide. At the very least, you will have tried. And at best, you will find a job.

I agree that you will be welcome here. Good luck to you in whatever you decide ~

[backdrifter]

I think a lot of people from other parts of the country have an attitude that, since it's America, if you TRY hard enough then you WILL find a job. That is just NOT the case in Portland or Oregon. Especially in this economy right now where Oregon's is among the worst in the country with Portland's being the 2nd worst major metro area right behind Detroit, Michigan (!!!). Just because you have the will, doesn't mean you will.

As for the native thing... You'll nary experience hostility from a native if you're an outsider. We're too polite for that. But some resentment might still be there. I mean... If you can even find a true native...

Nobody here has roots anymore it seems. I think that is a shame and that that transient nature of the population really takes away from the state in very negative ways and makes people collectively really appreciate it less.

As you can tell, I don't resent any outsiders for moving up here en masse (L.A., Orange, San Diego, and Riverside counties are the top counties for relocation to my county) and overwhelming the infrastructure and causing greedy developers to bulldoze beautiful forests and meadows where I live just to put up ugly cookie cutter subdivisions and strip malls because the area is growing too fast to grow intelligently and causing traffic and pollution where there was none before.... No, not at all. No resentment. Did I mention Northwesterners tend to be slightly passive-aggressive?

But really, the economy sucks. I honestly would welcome you to Oregon if I thought your prospects of finding a job were actually good, but they're not. That's just the reality here right now. There aren't enough jobs here for Oregonians (no matter where they're from originally), let alone non-Oregonians.

[PHXtoPDX]

Originally Posted by Neal2009

I honestly have never experienced this during my time in Portland. I come from Texas and have never once felt unwelcome in any way. . Interestingly enough I feel like I fit in alot more here in Portland than I did in Texas. I feel alot more connected to the people and the place, so I actually feel quite the opposite, a large feeling of welcomeness.

When I do meet Oregon natives, they have always been very friendly and non standoffish. I think one is more likely to feel unwelcome in a smaller town where the natives drastically outnumber the transplants, but you will find this in any state and not just in Oregon.

Take everything you read on this board with a grain of salt. The majority of transplants never experience what you are describing and those who do are in the minority.

I agree completely with this post. I moved here at the end of April and have had the exact same experience. I have felt more welcome here than at any time during my 23 years in Arizona. A lot of it has to do with the attitude you project. I always got a good reception from expressing my desire to do as the locals do and seeing what Oregon has to offer. That is, acting as a transplant looking to integrate rather than trying to change Oregon to fit me.

Specific to this board, I think many are just trying to make sure you know the risks employment-wise before you move. They're not being unwelcoming, just trying to let you know what you're about to get yourself into in this job market. Incidentally, I moved here without a job and landed something about a month ago, so it can be done. Expect it to take a long time, and don't expect it to be easy though. The competition is quite stiff. Do your homework, know your industry and network wherever possible.

[Neal2009]

Originally Posted by PHXtoPDX

I agree completely with this post. I moved here at the end of April and have had the exact same experience. I have felt more welcome here than at any time during my 23 years in Arizona. A lot of it has to do with the attitude you project. I always got a good reception from expressing my desire to do as the locals do and seeing what Oregon has to offer. That is, acting as a transplant looking to integrate rather than trying to change Oregon to fit me.

Specific to this board, I think many are just trying to make sure you know the risks employment-wise before you move. They're not being unwelcoming, just trying to let you know what you're about to get yourself into in this job market. Incidentally, I moved here without a job and landed something about a month ago, so it can be done. Expect it to take a long time, and don't expect it to be easy though. The competition is quite stiff. Do your homework, know your industry and network wherever possible.

Well its good to hear a success story for once. You came here when things were at their worse and still managed to find a job. I have another friend from Texas as well who came in late May and had to look for about a month, but finally found a job after some hard searching. He isnt working in his dream field, but he is willing to make some sacrifices because he loves Portland and the lifestyle here. I think people realize this, that there may be some sacrifices, but in my opinion Portland is more than worth it.

As much doom and gloom that there is right now, there are success stories and what was written about Will earlier I dont completely buy. The power of will and belief can manifest things including jobs and arent always dependent on the circumstances.