Displaced Alaskan: Seattle or Portland? (job market, college, quality of life)

[hgurke]

I really need your help, guys!

I just graduated from college and am looking to either move to Seattle or Portland, Oregon within the next 3-4 months. I have spent time in both Seattle and Portland, but it was over ten years ago, and I can't really afford to check out either area before I move, so I need some good advice as to which one I should choose. I miss Alaska and am looking for a city similar to my hometown (Anchorage), but don't want to endure another Alaskan winter anytime soon.

Currently I am in Chicago and am looking for:

1. somewhere that is not as obscenely crowded as it is here, but
2. still has a (relatively) decent job market, especially for someone who doesn't have a car (and doesn't really want to get one anytime soon),
3. decent public transit, and/or is "walkable" (i.e, I don't have to walk three miles to the nearest convenience store)
4. is scenic, and is closest to the outdoors (again, especially for someone who doesn't have a car.)

I suppose finding a job in my field is my primary concern (my field is Finance), along with the other factors I listed. also, random question: which city would you consider to be more "scenic", Seattle or Portland? just wondering...

Thank you, everyone!

[Ira500]

While Portland has the Willamette River, Seattle has Puget Sound.
I think Seattle has a slightly better job market, and is a little closer to Alaska. I think both cities are scenic, and I like both of them.

[Rooter48]

You may find the Portland winters to be more severe than Seattle's. It rarely snows in Seattle any more and Portland has had some hellacious ice storms recently.

[509]

Originally Posted by hgurke

I really need your help, guys!



Currently I am in Chicago and am looking for:

1. somewhere that is not as obscenely crowded as it is here, but
2. still has a (relatively) decent job market, especially for someone who doesn't have a car (and doesn't really want to get one anytime soon),
3. decent public transit, and/or is "walkable" (i.e, I don't have to walk three miles to the nearest convenience store)
4. is scenic, and is closest to the outdoors (again, especially for someone who doesn't have a car.)

I suppose finding a job in my field is my primary concern (my field is Finance), along with the other factors I listed. also, random question: which city would you consider to be more "scenic", Seattle or Portland? just wondering...

Thank you, everyone!

Portland.

Portland is for humans. Seattle is for corporations.

The reason we drive six hours to Portand rather than three hours to Seattle is that the car is parked in Portland. The public transport system is that good. Seattle is LA North. No car to sit in traffic, means you cannot go anywhere.

That said. Taxes are much lower in Washington. But you know sometimes the quality of life issue is more important. Both cities are totally nuts when it comes to political issues.

You will miss the common sense of Alaska.

[toughguy]

Originally Posted by 509

Portland.

Portland is for humans. Seattle is for corporations.

The reason we drive six hours to Portand rather than three hours to Seattle is that the car is parked in Portland. The public transport system is that good. Seattle is LA North. No car to sit in traffic, means you cannot go anywhere.

That said. Taxes are much lower in Washington. But you know sometimes the quality of life issue is more important. Both cities are totally nuts when it comes to political issues.

You will miss the common sense of Alaska.

I'm sorry but any state that is as deep a shade of red as Alaska, is as far away from "common sense" as you can get. These people voted Bush in not once, but twice.

[MaikeerinWA]

LOL - isn't this where the state's federal politicians pork barreled a bridge to nowhere?

Originally Posted by 509

You will miss the common sense of Alaska.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by MichaelinWA

LOL - isn't this where the state's federal politicians pork barreled a bridge to nowhere?

Yes, and continue to vote for Senator Ted Stevens while complaining about political corruption!

[seattlenextyear]

Ahh. Good ol' Senator Series of Tubes.

[Bud Dickman]

Portland. Better public trans, plenty of outdoor activities, cheaper.

[cobolt]

Are you able to visit both cities as to get a "feel" for what might suit you better? Job market will probably be a bit better and higher paying in the Seattle area.