Relocating to Oregon, in or around Portland: talk to me about weirdness! (Gresham: fit in, real estate)

[sbrookek]

Portland's 'weirdness' is something I'm familiar with. You guys know all about it, I'm sure; the old-fashioned vintage style housing, the fairly prominent weed culture, and the eclectic hodgepodge of hipster type people and fashion. It's not necessarily an issue, but while I myself fit into all this mess well, my Mother is a bit of a different breed, and while she doesn't mind visiting it, we both fear whether or not she will feel like she would be able to find anywhere that feels more... her, y'know?

She has a long history as both a mother and a successful businesswoman. She's athletic, stylish, classy, and likes to dress up and look like a professional. She feels like she would get along nicely with the goofiness in Portland but as far as her neighborhood, she doesn't want a drastic change from the wholesome, family type environment we've had in Colorado and Arizona, and as a single woman, she's concerned about being able to find a guy here that's anything like her.

We're aiming for a small house, and she's always thrived in more modern-looking housing, so while we would prefer a townhome, bungalow or cottage, the quality and condition of housing is important (none of the commonly dilapidated homes, or old 'fixer-uppers', please!)

Are there areas in or around Portland that are a bit less condensed with Portland's 'weird' stereotypes? Is the weirdness really as noticeable as people and the TV show Portlandia (apparently only slightly dramaticized, according to a friend-of-a-friend I know in Portland) make it out to be? Would a woman like her have any luck finding a gentlemanly/classy dude, or are people like that too few and far between here to bother trying? We've also given some consideration to Beaverton and Gresham, but don't really know enough about either to be serious yet. Where could we begin to look?

[Steve Pickering]

I don't think Portland is anymore weird than any place else in Oregon. Just more condensed and populated. Actually some of the less populated get even weirder.

[PDXNative2Houston]

It's not *THAT* weird when comparing to other town's "hip" centers. Houston is the complete polar opposite of PDX, however we have the montrose/kirby area which you could mistake for hawthorne and powell if it wasn't for the heat.

Whatever you do, do not buy fully in to the Portlandia stereotype. Portland is unique, has a strong hipster culture and is very left...but it's not nearly as crazy as people make it out to be.

[SETabor]

The only red flag I read in your description of your mother is that she likes to dress up and look like a professional. Seeing as you've lived in Arizona and Colorado, I'm sure you're more used to everyone dressing casual than someone from New England would be but I think Portland takes it to another level.

I go to the theater fairly regularly. If I go directly from work, I'll be in my work clothes - slacks or chinos and a button down shirt. If I'm wearing that, I will often be the best dressed person in the theater. Even going to the symphony or opera, there will be at least half the audience in jeans.

[bler144]

Why is she moving to Portland at all? Will she be reliant on working, or is she retired, etc?

Away from a few hip neighborhoods (Pearl/Hawthorne/etc.) most of the city - and moreso the metro - is quite normal.

[Steve Pickering]

Well that is something one of my Ex's pointed out. Oregonians have no fashion sense, and dress like they were wearing everything they owned at once. None of it matching anything.

[KJoe11]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

I don't think Portland is anymore weird than any place else in Oregon. Just more condensed and populated. Actually some of the less populated get even weirder.

Do you think people are confusing the word "weird" with pretentious?

Having tats, doing drugs, and having multiple body piercings is no longer considered weird but more of the norm.


pretentious

[ priˈtenCHəs ]


adjective

1. attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed:

[OscarLevant]

Originally Posted by PDXNative2Houston

It's not *THAT* weird when comparing to other town's "hip" centers. Houston is the complete polar opposite of PDX, however we have the montrose/kirby area which you could mistake for hawthorne and powell if it wasn't for the heat.

Whatever you do, do not buy fully into the Portlandia stereotype. Portland is unique, has a strong hipster culture and is very left...but it's not nearly as crazy as people make it out to be.

This... when I was living in PDX it was kinda of a disappointment. Being from Houston when I moved to PDX for work it was kinda bland ( I was in PDX for 10yrs, back home in Houston now). Especially since Houston has always had a do your own thing vibe. ( I do not know when you moved to Houston, but Montrose used to be ALOT of fun before it was 'cleaned up')

The 'weirdness' in PDX comes off as kinda fake and forced, the term 'trying to hard' comes to mind. I lived in SE, Milwaukie( briefly) and Lake Oswego. I would say if you can afford it Lake Oswego is the way to go. Great group of folks there along with lots of community and social activities, in addition to being a very welcoming 'burb. SE was nice but my place was broken into several times and parking was always an issue.

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by bler144

Why is she moving to Portland at all? Will she be reliant on working, or is she retired, etc?

Away from a few hip neighborhoods (Pearl/Hawthorne/etc.) most of the city - and moreso the metro - is quite normal.

I read it as it being the o.p.'s desire to move. Mother is along for the ride. Your point is well taken in any case. I am wondering why either of them are attracted to PDX at all since they do not express any affinity for well known Portland intrinsics. Big red flag.

H

[Firry]

If your mom is looking for areas of Portland that appear a little more safely conservative she might want to look for a home on the southwest side of town - anywhere between Portland and Beaverton. Depending on how much she wants to spend, there areas on the east side of Portland that she might like too, like Laurelhurst. In downtown Portland there are areas of Pearl District or Goose Hollow that are nice, but it's so filled with tourists it can be like living in "Disney Portland."

If walkability and public transport are considerations (especially as she ages), then it's worth noting that the southwest side of town is far less connected and has many more hills.

It would be a good idea to have a talk about what specific things she's looking for in a home, and specific things in a neighborhood, then get a real estate agent who can act as a buyers agent. He/she will be able to point you towards locations that will work.

Good luck!