Portland vs. Minneapolis, MN (Phoenix, Jefferson: spring break, find a job, living in)

[sushigirlie]

I've visited Portland about 6 times now. While staying in Portland, I ran into a lot of people that moved from Minneapolis. I was wondering what is the reason besides weather? Are there any regrets? Please share your experiences.

[sonicarchives]

My wife and I moved from Mpls to PDX earlier this year, and although I really don't miss the snow, the weather didn't even factor into our reasons for moving.
We knew it rained quite a bit here, and I guess we figured we could handle that, since we grew up with snow in the Midwest - it's just a different kind of inclement weather, really.

Comparatively, Portland has Mpls beat in terms of public transit, a greater public awareness of bicycles as traffic, a more efficient public transit system, a more dedicated eco-consciousness that didn't stem from some trendy "green" marketing concept, urban growth boundaries.....

Okay, I do realize this isn't utopia, but based on my own observations, I feel that more of an effort is generally being made here in Portland, to address basic concerns in everyday lives, than what we were experiencing back in Mpls.

I've read a number of posts on different threads in this forum, regarding what one posterr described as "liberal tyranny" here in Portland. That may be, but it seems more genuine to me at least, than what some of us called the "fake liberal" attitudes that were prevalent in the Midwest.

I'm really not trying to slam Mpls, or glorify Portland, for that matter, so I do hope my commments dont offend anyone - it's just the way I feel about the difference between the two cities.

[DChi]

that was awesome. couldnt agree with the previous post more

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by sonicarchives

My wife and I moved from Mpls to PDX earlier this year, and although I really don't miss the snow, the weather didn't even factor into our reasons for moving.
We knew it rained quite a bit here, and I guess we figured we could handle that, since we grew up with snow in the Midwest - it's just a different kind of inclement weather, really.

Comparatively, Portland has Mpls beat in terms of public transit, a greater public awareness of bicycles as traffic, a more efficient public transit system, a more dedicated eco-consciousness that didn't stem from some trendy "green" marketing concept, urban growth boundaries.....

Okay, I do realize this isn't utopia, but based on my own observations, I feel that more of an effort is generally being made here in Portland, to address basic concerns in everyday lives, than what we were experiencing back in Mpls.

I've read a number of posts on different threads in this forum, regarding what one posterr described as "liberal tyranny" here in Portland. That may be, but it seems more genuine to me at least, than what some of us called the "fake liberal" attitudes that were prevalent in the Midwest.

I'm really not trying to slam Mpls, or glorify Portland, for that matter, so I do hope my commments dont offend anyone - it's just the way I feel about the difference between the two cities.

Really?? I think everyone here is a bunch of phonies... Sham liberals, mostly from other parts of the country drawn to this trendy greenwashed lifestyle that Portland can offer them. That's what it seems like to me anyway. Living in Portland and realizing that we're so much more eco-conscious is not reassuring at all. Behind the green dream we're such a typical consumptive American city that likes to hype and market our town as if it were an ecological oasis of harmony among man and nature within a world of smog and plastic bags.

But back on topic... I see a lot of Minnesota license plates around. I also hear there are a lot of people moving in between Twin Cities, Seattle, and Portland, generally, as they all seem to offer a more similar vibe to one another than they do to other American cities.

[bledsoe3]

I visit Phoenix every spring break. You see a lot of plates from other states (snow birds). But I noticed of all the out of states, Minnesota was the most common. It's a game I play with my daughter to find the most different state plates so we looked a lot.

[Nell Plotts]

Bottom line: my grandfather immigrated from Norway to Minneapolis... and kept on moving. He first settled in suburban Seattle, then moved to the Willamette Valley.

They are both fine cities but if an immigrant from Telemark kept going....

Culturally they have much in common, but weather wise there is a huge difference. The key factor is employment opportunities. If it is easier for you to find a job in Minneapolis than Portland choose Minneapolis. If they are equal I would choose Portland.

[XandV]

This is a great thread, as I'm currently in Minneapolis and have been planning a move out to the PNW for a while now. With the milder winters and access to much grander natural settings (Mountains?? what are those!?), it was a pretty natural fit for me. I imagine it's so attractive for us Minnesotans because, well, we're used to terrible winters, so some gloomy, wet days aren't as intimidating as they would be to someone from warm, sunny locale. Basically, I get to upgrade my winters, stay in a similarly sized city, don't have to hear about the Vikings all the time, get to drink better beer AND get a mountain to ski on? Sign me up!

I do have a question for any former Minnesotans: how do you feel about the drizzly, gray winters versus the ones back in the Twin Cities?

[Nite Ryder]

I live in Oregon. The thing I notice about Portland, and hate the most, is the voters in that area are very liberal and control the whole state. Back in the forties there was a movement underway to make a new state named the State of Jefferson. Our involvement in the war put an end to the movement, whose purpose was to make a new state from the Northern part of California and the Southern part of Oregon. What a great idea, wish someone would start that movement today. I've lived here over 70 years and I'm beginning to feel ashamed of the fact that I'm an Oregonian.

[Nell Plotts]

Originally Posted by XandV

This is a great thread, as I'm currently in Minneapolis and have been planning a move out to the PNW for a while now. With the milder winters and access to much grander natural settings (Mountains?? what are those!?), it was a pretty natural fit for me. I imagine it's so attractive for us Minnesotans because, well, we're used to terrible winters, so some gloomy, wet days aren't as intimidating as they would be to someone from warm, sunny locale. Basically, I get to upgrade my winters, stay in a similarly sized city, don't have to hear about the Vikings all the time, get to drink better beer AND get a mountain to ski on? Sign me up!

I do have a question for any former Minnesotans: how do you feel about the drizzly, gray winters versus the ones back in the Twin Cities?

Not a Minnesotan, but move out here and the chatter about the Seahawks, Mariners, the Ducks or the Dogs is pervasive in the NW west of the Cascades. In both states sometimes it seems that the east side of the Cascades is another world.

[roneb]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Not a Minnesotan, but move out here and the chatter about the Seahawks, Mariners, the Ducks or the Dogs is pervasive in the NW west of the Cascades. In both states sometimes it seems that the east side of the Cascades is another world.

Trust me, the Vikings talk IS more pervasive than what we get with our teams out here!