Anyone move from PDX to Seattle? (Kent: sales, violent crime, safe area)

[running-girl]

I'm curious about how you perceived the difference in cost of living between the cities? As I run cost-of-living calculators online, they vary quite a bit--from CNN's calculator which says PDX is actually more expensive, to most others saying Seattle is 5-13% more expensive.

I'd also appreciate any other observations you'd like to share about the differences you've noticed between the two cities (weather, people, traffic, etc.). How similar/different are things from Portland?

[Topaz]

I've lived in both.

Salaries are usually lower in Portland so while the cost of housing is less in Portland, I think you end up with a higher standard of living in Seattle unless your career is one that pays the same in both Seattle and Portland.

Other observations:
Traffic - bad in both places, although in Seattle the residents will admit the traffic is bad. In Portland, residents will swear there is no bad traffic even as they sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic!
People - much friendlier in Portland, which is a very relaxed, mellow type of place. Customer service professionals, especially, are extremely nice in Portland. There is more "attitude" in Seattle.
Weather - it seemed sunnier in Portland to me...I'm not sure if the actual weather data would show that to be true.
Economy - booming in Seattle, sluggish in Portland.
Size - Seattle feels like a much larger city than does Portland, even more so than would be indicated by the true size of the towns.
Safety - Downtown Portland seems seedier than Seattle...Seattle always felt like an amazingly safe city to me - maybe I just stayed in safe areas there. In downtown Portland, I've had several experiences where I was actually frightened.

[seattlepeanut]

Topaz has it right on in every category. Portland overall has a much more "funky" vive and Seattle is more metropolitan.

If you like to bike to work and love your dog - Portland is the place. Love gourmet dining and a little longer commute - Seattle is it.

[kclseattle]

Yes, I agree with Topaz. Seattle is more expensive. Sales tax in Seattle is 8.6% and 9.1% for restaurant bills (to pay for that baseball stadium). Seattle does feel safe. I've lived in town for the past 12 years...though it seems violent crime is up according to what we hear on the local news. And Seattle people, while generally nice, tend to keep to themselves making it hard to form long term friendships.

[ohanby]

Gonna agree with Topaz, too. My family still lives in Portland and cost of living for them is much lower than for me here in Seattle (and I'm in Kent!). We pay $900/mo for a two bedroom, my sister pays $900 for a three in SE Portland (near Clackamas Town Center).

It is sunnier in Portland... by a few days.

I like Seattle better though. It's fun! And not so close to my crazy family.