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My husband and I will retire within two years. We are considering moving from Europe to either Las Vegas or Portland, Or. Anyone out there lived in both of these cities? We've never been to Portland....we are bit concerned about the long gray winters. We love city life and are attracted to the natural beauty of Portland. We are attracted to Las Vegas because of the percentage of sunny days but are not excited about the extreme heat in the summer....we've never lived in the desert. Also attracted to Las Vegas because of the lower cost of real estate right now.....can anyone comment on this point in particular, that is, the cost of living in Portland vs. Las Vegas. We do love the idea of having access to the entertainment in the Las Vegas strip also. We don't have children and want to live somewhere that we can fit in and become part of a vibrant community with lots to do. We enjoy both outdoor activities like hiking,(not golfing), also enjoy attending classes (at maybe nearby college), and doing volunteer work. Clean air and availability of organic fruits and vegetables are priorities. Any info, thoughts are appreciated.
wow..as far as the general scenery of the places, you have pick polar opposites;
*We went to our family reunion in Las Vegas and it was literally 120 fahrenheit out. That is REALLY hot and I was shocked that so many people could live there. Because there is no water there, people don't have lawns (much) and instead, they spread gravel around.
*I grew up in Oregon where everything is green, really green. Why? Because it rains (well, not really rain, just drizzle) for 9 months out of the year. Whenever I see a movie that's supposed to take place in London, the weather always reminds me of Oregon-Willamette valley weather. Imagine London drizzle in a forest and that's the Willamette valley. I hear there are other places to live in Oregon besides the Willamette valley, but I like the rain so I never really investigated them.
All in all, I personally could never live in Las Vegas..too dry...to hot...no green. But Portland living takes a special kind of person too..
I haven't lived in Las Vegas, but I've lived in a lot of places besides Portland...all of them SUNNY! I don't find the winters to be hard here...until about April ;-). At the end of March, however, we schedule a trip to brighter climes to get our spirits up and ready for the GORGEOUS summers that are Portland. Portland summers have been described as "Nirvana" by a friend of mine. There are so many fun things to do in Portland, you won't ever get bored! We even have Cirque De Soleil in town right now (just trying to give LV a run for its money).
If you're thinking of moving in 2 years you should HIGHLY consider The Sheldon Cooperative. There's nothing like it on the west coast, although the idea has really caught on in the mid-west & east. It's an urban, age 55+ Co-op Community with bright, fun people who love the energy of the city. It's located right on the streetcar line in a very walkable neighborhood (NW Portland). It will be highly sustainable and completed in about 2 years. Several years ago a bunch of friends got together to create this concept because they were disapointed with the options for "retirement communities". This is VERY different.
Check it out at The Sheldon Cooperative - Community, Security, Home (http://www.thesheldoncooperative.com - broken link). You can also join our facebook fan page where we'll keep you up to date on the project and also what else is going on in Portland. Maybe it will give you some help in your decision-making.
Portland is really progressive and community minded. It is also very environmentally friendly, with plenty of recreation areas. If those things interest you, I'd come here. I only just got here and am loving it. Apparently, they call it "the Portland Flow"...Things just seem to fit together when you get here!
My husband and I will retire within two years. We are considering moving from Europe to either Las Vegas or Portland, Or. Anyone out there lived in both of these cities? We've never been to Portland....we are bit concerned about the long gray winters. We love city life and are attracted to the natural beauty of Portland. We are attracted to Las Vegas because of the percentage of sunny days but are not excited about the extreme heat in the summer....we've never lived in the desert. Also attracted to Las Vegas because of the lower cost of real estate right now.....can anyone comment on this point in particular, that is, the cost of living in Portland vs. Las Vegas. We do love the idea of having access to the entertainment in the Las Vegas strip also. We don't have children and want to live somewhere that we can fit in and become part of a vibrant community with lots to do. We enjoy both outdoor activities like hiking,(not golfing), also enjoy attending classes (at maybe nearby college), and doing volunteer work. Clean air and availability of organic fruits and vegetables are priorities. Any info, thoughts are appreciated.
I have lived in both cities and they are as opposite as you can get. I suggest that if you are retiring, you take advantage of the foreclosures in Las Vegas and buy low. Live in Las Vegas from Oct to May, find a condo in Portland to live from May to Oct. The rain is hard if you are not native. There is more culture, arts, organics, walk-ability, food diversity and very environmentally conscious state. Las Vegas is struggling with how to re-make itself. Low educational activities, MUST drive, strip entertainment gets old, not a food growing region, must live in air-conditioning but the summy days are nice.
If the cost of living is a factor, it is way higher in Oregon. Otherwise like the others stated these are two very opposite places.
A friend of mine moved to Vegas after being a lifelong resident of Vancouver WA and Portland OR. She prefers Vegas. But it's because Vegas offers things that Portland doesn't. I think you have to make a list of what you would like and dislike in either place and go from there.
Lived in Las Vegas 15 years...then Oregon/Washington
Hello,
Not sure how far out this post is from the original, but I am one who made the move. I lived in Las Vegas for 15 years, the last 8 years in my first home. I sold my house on a short sale and headed to work for the state of Oregon in Salem, OR. Willamette Valley was too slow for me, maybe after 15 years of Las Vegas excitement, it just wasn't enough. I thought that Salem was quaint and beautiful and I moved to get away from the heat of Las Vegas, so I definitely accomplished that. I moved to Vancouver WA just across the Columbia, which I really love.
Heat was the main reason I moved away. It's funny now that I think about it, but you get acclimated to the heat. I wanted four seasons, and you definitely have that here in the Pacific Northwest. I love the summer/fall in the Northwest and the winter/spring in the desert - it's not as harsh. I think the people suggesting to have both are onto to something, especially if you can afford it. Although, it is quite far between the two places. We traveled 1099 miles to Salem from Vegas, then another 60+ into Vancouver WA a year later.
I am a single professional woman age of 45, and I've spent many years in Las Vegas wishing I lived somewhere else because the single life is rough in that town. Now I miss the social life I had in Las Vegas. I don't know if it's because so often you can go out into the sunshine and enjoy cafes and restaurants (indoors in the summer months), and all the events they have, but my social life was much better in Las Vegas.
My sister and I have spent summer, fall and winter in Vancouver and it is truly beautiful. My job situation is uncertain due to being a contractor for the Federal government, and I don't know if I will have another position here when I need it. Las Vegas was hit really hard in the economy, but they are starting to thrive again. I'm hearing that things are looking up. So even though I moved to get away from the heat, and I love the Northwest, I may go back to the life I know and love. The people, I know hundreds of people, and there are so many wonderful people in Las Vegas. There are here in the Northwest too, I just wish I could get out there more often and mingle with them. I find it is not as easy. I've lived here two years, so maybe my perspective is not the best, but no matter what they say about the heat and desert, Las Vegas is a wonderful place, and not just for VISITORS!
There is the "fun" thing while you are younger, then the "health" thing as you get older.
I would suggest first moving to Las Vegas and renting for a year or so. Then you can have lots of fun. But it gets old after a year. (Health care in Las Vegas is poor.) Hint: Walk into a casino and listen for coins dropping in the slots. If dead silent (no one winning), walk out! Some "off the beaten path" casinos are where the locals play - for a reason.
Then move to Portland or surrounding areas and buy a house. Excellent health care in Portland. And excellent public transportation system for when you can no longer drive or would rather not. Also lots of fun to be had in Portland. Gardens, Zoo, Museum of Science of and Industry, China Town, big events like Rose Festival, dinner cruises on boats if they still have that, and on and on...
My husband and I will retire within two years. We are considering moving from Europe to either Las Vegas or Portland, Or. Anyone out there lived in both of these cities? We've never been to Portland....we are bit concerned about the long gray winters. We love city life and are attracted to the natural beauty of Portland. We are attracted to Las Vegas because of the percentage of sunny days but are not excited about the extreme heat in the summer....we've never lived in the desert. Also attracted to Las Vegas because of the lower cost of real estate right now.....can anyone comment on this point in particular, that is, the cost of living in Portland vs. Las Vegas. We do love the idea of having access to the entertainment in the Las Vegas strip also. We don't have children and want to live somewhere that we can fit in and become part of a vibrant community with lots to do. We enjoy both outdoor activities like hiking,(not golfing), also enjoy attending classes (at maybe nearby college), and doing volunteer work. Clean air and availability of organic fruits and vegetables are priorities. Any info, thoughts are appreciated.
You should look into Portland, or Northern Wash. state. Las Vegas would not be the place for all the hiking, fresh fruits, down home stuff you're seeking. Portland is very green city, has lots of beautiful gardens, you could drive to areas for hiking etc. Washington state is gorgeous too. Some really nice small towns w/ all the amenities you want.
The nightlife you could do if you visit Vegas couple times a year.
Before you make your final decision....I would visit both places for at least a week each....travel around, spend time downtown, out and about at all hours before committing your retirement and future.
A friend of mine moved from Portland to Las Vegas about six years ago. She was a lifelong resident of Portland. But she really liked Vegas. But after a few years there she became homesick for all that Portland had to offer. So she came back.
Once back in Portland, she found she really missed Las Vegas so after a year back in Portland she moved back to Vegas to stay. When she gets a hankering for what Portland has to offer, she comes here for a week or two and enjoys herself. Then she goes back to Vegas after getting her Portland fix.
It's just a matter of deciding which city has more of what you want.
I wouldn't recommend vegas to my worst enemy.. Sure, the lights are nice on the strip, but unemployment is the worst in the country, and the extreme dryness and heat sucks the life right out of your skin! People LITERALLY die from heat stroke EVERY summer! Business are constantly closing within a year or less or opening, and you've only got 2 classes here, wealthy, and dirt poor, with the ghetto being within 1 block(or less) or high rise condos for the wealthy! The strip is ALL tourists, locals avoid it like the plague, and the only businesses that do well here are casinos... AVOID las vegas!
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Lived in Las Vegas 15 years...then Oregon/Washington
