Portland Has Changed Since 1984 (Salem: how much, to move, nicest)

[pabock71]

I was stationed at the MEPS from 1984 till 1989. There was a gradual change but nothing to worry about. Then I left and just came back. MY GOD HOW PORTLAND HAS CHANGED! It's no longer the "small" city I once knew. It has grown into something that resembles Los Angles in many ways. It's gotten so large that from Portland to Salem is just about one big city. The people haven't changed a whole lot. I will give that to them. They are some of the nicest people in the world. But I've changed my mind and am going to move again to some place, if I can find it, that reminds me of the old Portland.

[sayulita]

This is your second post about this. It's been 24 years, nearly a quarter of a century, since you've been here. And you are surprised that Portland has changed? Did every other city in the country stay just as they were 25 years ago? What on earth did you expect? That we would just stand still waiting for you to come back? Nothing anywhere is the same as it was 25 years ago. Including you. And everybody you know. Get over it.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by pabock71

It's gotten so large that from Portland to Salem is just about one big city.

Uh... no.... the Urban Growth Boundaries keep that from happening. There are several small towns along I-5, but between the Willamette River and Kaiser it's pretty much all farm land.

[sezzam]

I would be worried if any city stays pretty much the same for ~30 years.

[Squidlo]

OK almost everyone is nice....

The change is even more dramatic from the 70's. The economic conditions prior to the 1980's primed Portland for change. Things were more or less stagnant/static before the economy perked up in the 80's and 90's. I was amazed at how fast things were turning around. I wont go into a rant about how much I did, or did not like the change. Good luck finding a city like "old" Portland.

[VTHokieFan]

Lets never compare Portland to Los Angeles again

[christiner81]

Originally Posted by vthokiefan

lets never compare portland to los angeles again

+1

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by Squidlo

OK almost everyone is nice....

The change is even more dramatic from the 70's. The economic conditions prior to the 1980's primed Portland for change. Things were more or less stagnant/static before the economy perked up in the 80's and 90's. I was amazed at how fast things were turning around. I wont go into a rant about how much I did, or did not like the change. Good luck finding a city like "old" Portland.

You should have been here in the '60s. Man 16th and Alberta couldn't even spell gentrification.

[Nell Plotts]

Humm... I still have stuff in my closet from the 70s, its now called vintage.

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Humm... I still have stuff in my closet from the 70s, its now called vintage.

I call that era middle age.