Portland , is it this liberal, friendly paradise I hear it is? (income, cities)

[Mini-apple-less]

Portland is more libertarian than progressive (despite people's endless insistence to the contrary) and the people are very reserved. It might have a liberal image, but deep down it's a very conservative place.

[dirt _farmer]

If you are a liberal, it's fine. If not - then not.

I loved living in Portland (and Bend, even moreso), yet I moved back to my home state of Wisconsin after 18 years away. Scott Walker, the guv'na and failed "presidential" candidate, is a sad failure, and a true boil on the ass of humanity.

Originally Posted by Mini-apple-less

Portland is more libertarian than progressive (despite people's endless insistence to the contrary) and the people are very reserved. It might have a liberal image, but deep down it's a very conservative place.

Howso?

[VTHokieFan]

Originally Posted by JasonF

Howso?

We are talking about lower-case "l" libertarianism

-Indifference toward guns
-A mature, robust anti-tax culture
-Laissez-faire on things like strip clubs
-Lack of gay neighborhoods (libertarianism is inherently anti-"group" and identity politics)
-An overall distaste for city and state government

[SyraBrian]

Originally Posted by VTHokieFan

We are talking about lower-case "l" libertarianism

-Indifference toward guns
-A mature, robust anti-tax culture
-Laissez-faire on things like strip clubs
-Lack of gay neighborhoods (libertarianism is inherently anti-"group" and identity politics)
-An overall distaste for city and state government

The only reason Portland doesn't have gay neighborhoods is that all of the gentrified neighborhoods are pretty much designed to their liking.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by SyraBrian

The only reason Portland doesn't have gay neighborhoods is that all of the gentrified neighborhoods are pretty much designed to their liking.

Not too well known these days but back in the 80's the area between Hawthorne North of the big Safeway and Belmont there was a large gay population. I lived at 26th and SE Madison. My apartment complex consisted of retirees, gays, lesbians and me. I was the only straight young person in the building. The other apartment buildings were pretty much the same with straight people in the minority. The first people to "gentrify," the neighborhood, that is actually buy property and fix it up, were gay couples and singles.

Most moved on though, as other Portland neighborhoods began to be more accepting and it wasn't necessary to be in all one place. I do know a couple of gay men though who still live in the same apartment complexes in that area who moved into the Hawthorne neighborhood in the old days and are still there today.

[pdwpdx]

I don't think there are any truly liberal cities in the country right now. Gay marriage and green policies aren't enough to be liberal anymore. A city will be truly liberal when it takes serious steps to improve income inequality and provides opportunties to people of the entire spectrum of socioeconomic status, aptitudes, abilities, etc.

There have been recent articles about how the most blue cities in the country are also the most expensive and unequal.

Originally Posted by SyraBrian

The only reason Portland doesn't have gay neighborhoods is that all of the gentrified neighborhoods are pretty much designed to their liking.

Bingo. No need to concentrate when the city is filled mostly with people who aren't going to get upset if they see two guys holding hands.

[VTHokieFan]

Originally Posted by SyraBrian

The only reason Portland doesn't have gay neighborhoods is that all of the gentrified neighborhoods are pretty much designed to their liking.

But the other points are fairly valid, IMO. Portland: no where near as liberal as Seattle or San Francisco. Definitely has a much different tone.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by Minervah

Not too well known these days but back in the 80's the area between Hawthorne North of the big Safeway and Belmont there was a large gay population. I lived at 26th and SE Madison. My apartment complex consisted of retirees, gays, lesbians and me. I was the only straight young person in the building. The other apartment buildings were pretty much the same with straight people in the minority. The first people to "gentrify," the neighborhood, that is actually buy property and fix it up, were gay couples and singles.

Most moved on though, as other Portland neighborhoods began to be more accepting and it wasn't necessary to be in all one place. I do know a couple of gay men though who still live in the same apartment complexes in that area who moved into the Hawthorne neighborhood in the old days and are still there today.

Also SW Stark St use to be a major gay street back in the day. Long before the rents on that street have since jumped up and pushed out all the old businesses for new businesses.