Portland vs Seattle (car rental, rentals, credit card)

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

In fact, I just checked, and Portland's unemployment and Seattle's are just about identical but Portlands is falling, Seattle's is not. Even more to the point, Seattle's employers are no more or less likely to hire someone not presently working than Portland's. Personally, I just don't think there is enough difference between the two places in this one area to make a buying decision.

To be fair, I'm sure that Seattle's unemployment numbers will start falling further then Portland's. Just from a statistics standard it has too. It only takes one or two companies in Portland to drastically skew the numbers, where as it'll take many more in Seattle to move them the same distance.

[DLJ67]

Lower crime: close to even across the board, though Seattle had had some pretty high-profile crimes that didn't surprise me, but would very much surprise me if they happened in Portland. We have a few gang-related shootings every so often, and property crimes (theft, mostly blamed on meth addicts)...but more often than not when watching the local news, there isn't any hard news and their top story is about something trivial.

Cheaper rent: in general, yes - cheaper in Portland. There are deals to be found in Seattle, if you look hard or get tipped off, but it's comparatively less expensive in Portland. Also, Oregon doesn't have a sales tax and Washington does, so, if something costs $9.99 that's really the price and not $10.24 or whatever it would be in WA. Not a big deal, until you buy that $200 bed or bigger-ticket items. Oregon does have a state income tax - not sure about WA - so it probably evens out in the end. But you're 19 and not concerned with taxes - probably won't make enough and will get it all refunded, if you'll be working grunt jobs when starting out.

Public transportation: definitely better in Portland, and still expanding. If you live close-in (in or around downtown or just across the river), it's easy-peasy. The farther out you live, you'll have fewer choices, be further away from the nearest stop, and have to wait longer. And maybe pay more to get to your destination - the system is zoned.

Ease of finding a job: can't comment. Some industries are seemingly always hiring (Plaid Pantry, a local convenience store chain, seems to always have Help Wanted signs in the windows; telemarketing and market research call centers are usually on a constant hiring cycle because of high turn-over; a quick scan of CL jobs shows a lot of entry-level jobs).

If I had moved here at age 19, I probably would have settled into a studio or 1BR downtown in one of the relatively affordable apt buildings, gotten a roommate, furnished our place with CL freebies or cheap stuff, gotten 2 part-time jobs that I worked 2 or 3 days each per week, and made lots of friends in the apartment building...

[Yankeemama]

I noticed college was not a factor in your equation. Will you be planning to go or go back to college in the next few years. Seattle is a very educated city and I would think you would have to compete with people or own age for jobs but if they are going to The University of Washington, they seem more desirable in many ways. All depends I guess on what you plan on doing. I suggest don't get stuck in a new city without family and no college education. I am middle aged and have made a ton of mistakes of my own so that's were I am coming from.


QUOTE=MBrykein;20009353]For a while, I've been planning a crazy move to Seattle, but I'm considering the possibility of Portland instead.

I heard that Portland has lower crime, cheaper rent, and better public transportation. Is this true?

And, would it be easier for me to get a job in Portland, than in Seattle? As a lowly entry-level wage-slave, that is.[/quote]

[MBrykein]

I'll be sure to remember Plaid Pantry.

And, in my original Seattle plan, I was looking to go to Seattle Central Community College, then go to Evergreen and/or UW. But I can change that plan. Portland's community college seems to have more classes than SCCC.

[beaumecpdx]

If you smoke, dont even consider moving to Seattle as smoking and having a drink at the same time is not possible, of course your too young to drink, but one of these days. Seattle is totally different than Portland, the people, the transit, the attitiude. Personally, i would live in Houston or Detroit before Seattle, but thats just me. Portland is a cool, friendly place. I never regret coming here. good luck.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by beaumecpdx

If you smoke, dont even consider moving to Seattle as smoking and having a drink at the same time is not possible, of course your too young to drink, but one of these days. Seattle is totally different than Portland, the people, the transit, the attitiude. Personally, i would live in Houston or Detroit before Seattle, but thats just me. Portland is a cool, friendly place. I never regret coming here. good luck.

Smoking indoors is illegal in Oregon too. Even bars. Although Cigar Bars are popping up more often, along with Hookah Lounges.

[beaumecpdx]

Originally Posted by hamellr

Smoking indoors is illegal in Oregon too. Even bars. Although Cigar Bars are popping up more often, along with Hookah Lounges.

You can smoke on patios in Oregon, and have your drink at the same time. In Washington State, you can not smoke on patios, balconies, or courtyards. You can not have a drink and a cigg at the same time, unless you go to an Indian casino. Washington is a horrible place for smokers, Oregon is much better.

[Nell Plotts]

We'll have to fix that!

[MBrykein]

Originally Posted by beaumecpdx

If you smoke, dont even consider moving to Seattle as smoking and having a drink at the same time is not possible, of course your too young to drink, but one of these days. Seattle is totally different than Portland, the people, the transit, the attitiude. Personally, i would live in Houston or Detroit before Seattle, but thats just me. Portland is a cool, friendly place. I never regret coming here. good luck.

I don't smoke or drink, or want to. Even if it was legal for me.

[ironcouger]

Originally Posted by beaumecpdx

You can smoke on patios in Oregon, and have your drink at the same time. In Washington State, you can not smoke on patios, balconies, or courtyards. You can not have a drink and a cigg at the same time, unless you go to an Indian casino. Washington is a horrible place for smokers, Oregon is much better.

Wow really every bar and club I go to in Seattle has outdoor patios and theres lot of people smoking. I guess Ill have to let them no they dont exist most bars and clubs built outdoor areas for smokers when the smoking ban started.