Cross Town Traffic Questions (Portland: transplants, restaurants, shop)

[JLay36]

Originally Posted by jjpop

I don't know if others would agree with me here or not, but I think there's just something about a long Portland commute that is more wearing, more tiring than a long commute in other cities. I've worked in So Cal and in the Bay Area and had to commute to work and wouldn't have bat an eye at a 45 minute or hour-long commute back then. But up until last year I had a job with a 45-50 minute commute each way here in Portland and it was really tough.


Or maybe it's that I'm older and have better things to do with my time.

More great feedback, going to look at the suggested areas as well so thanks a ton for those. I've also lived in SoCal (passive personalities) and the Philly Metro (super aggressive personalities) so this traffic pattern should be interesting for sure.

I've read articles that stated Portland is the "Gold Standard of Civic Planning", these traffic comments don't do a ton to validate that. Should I be concerned?

[Copsgirl73]

Originally Posted by JLay36

More great feedback, going to look at the suggested areas as well so thanks a ton for those. I've also lived in SoCal (passive personalities) and the Philly Metro (super aggressive personalities) so this traffic pattern should be interesting for sure.

I've read articles that stated Portland is the "Gold Standard of Civic Planning", these traffic comments don't do a ton to validate that. Should I be concerned?

I lived in LA....I would take a commute on the 110 over my commute to work in Portland ANYDAY.
See they have these things called carpool lanes down there and they are like magic

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by JLay36

I've read articles that stated Portland is the "Gold Standard of Civic Planning", these traffic comments don't do a ton to validate that. Should I be concerned?

You have to remember that Portland's most optimistic growth projections were so wildly inaccurate due to a large number of unexpected factors that we could be in a LOT worse shape. The fact that we're doing as well as we are speaks volumes to Urban Planners every where and leads to "Gold Standard" statements.

[skiffrace]

I've read articles that stated Portland is the "Gold Standard of Civic Planning", these traffic comments don't do a ton to validate that. Should I be concerned?

You should read those as follows: considering the obsolete and inadequate infrastructure, things could be a lot worse. The current average speed on Portland freeways is 20-something mph. Without
the planning it might be 10 mph.
The Urban Growth Boundary has a pronounced effect on the traffic patterns in PDX area.
UGB packs more people into smaller area. That makes the travel distances less, but at slower pace.
Your travel time maybe be similar to other cities, but you cover fewer miles.
I'd be inclined to cautiously say it is a good thing. It makes other forms of transportation, such as bicycling, public transit or even walking more viable.
Of my last 4 jobs, 2 were within walking distance from my home in Southwest Portland (about 40' each way), 1 reachable by bus, and only 1 where car was required.

Google Maps will be your friend.

Map out your route at the time when you would be going to work or coming home, and check out the "in current traffic" times. What would be a perfectly acceptable commute at 6 AM might be an absolute nightmare at 8 AM. Depending on the particulars of where you live and work, a Portland -> Hillsboro commute may well take the same amount of time as a Beaverton -> Hillsboro commute. Even your potential Hillsboro -> Vancouver route is doable at certain times.

Avoid bridges.

The current average speed on Portland freeways is 20-something mph.

I assume that includes both rush hour and off-peak times? Rush hour can turn into a parking lot pretty easily.

[JLay36]

Originally Posted by JasonF

Avoid bridges.

.

Wise words right there.

Thank you all for your feedback, you've given me a lot to consider.

While I have you, may I impose on you all for another question? Culture Shock. I've been in NJ in the Philadelphia Metro for 12 years and my personality reflects it. I can be direct and abrasive (this town is famous for throwing snowballs at Santa at an Eagles game after all), but the one thing you can always count on is an honest response..whether you want to hear it or not. How's that going to play with the locally sourced salt crowd?

[SETabor]

This commercial should help you a little:
Confused East Coast Transplant - YouTube

[JLay36]

Originally Posted by SETabor

This commercial should help you a little:
Confused East Coast Transplant - YouTube

HA! That was awesome..good pull SETabor.

[Copsgirl73]

Originally Posted by JLay36

Wise words right there.

Thank you all for your feedback, you've given me a lot to consider.

While I have you, may I impose on you all for another question? Culture Shock. I've been in NJ in the Philadelphia Metro for 12 years and my personality reflects it. I can be direct and abrasive (this town is famous for throwing snowballs at Santa at an Eagles game after all), but the one thing you can always count on is an honest response..whether you want to hear it or not. How's that going to play with the locally sourced salt crowd?

As long as you agree with other Portlanders you'll be fine

[JLay36]

Originally Posted by Copsgirl73

As long as you agree with other Portlanders you'll be fine

Depends on the topic I suppose, I'm sure I can find one or two around somewhere..