Did I get an accurate impression of Portland? (Union: neighborhoods, wedding)

[slcity]

I just got back from a trip to the Pacific Northwest. I spent about 3 days in Portland, 2 days in Seattle, and 3 days in Vancouver.

I didn't get to spend as much time walking around in Portland as I did in Seattle and Vancouver because I was there for a wedding and therefore some of the time was spent with family. But what I did see of downtown Portland left me with not a very good impression of the city. Many areas I saw seemed run down and/or deserted. Not to mention plenty of homeless people, one of whom was shouting obscenities and seemed on the verge of violence near a playground where kids were playing.

Sure I did see a few nice areas in Portland, such as Riverplace on the south end of Waterfront Park, and 23rd street. But my overall impression was not a good one. Did I just not see enough of the city, or is this a fairly accurate impression?

I enjoyed Seattle and Vancouver far more. Just seemed like there were more things to do in those cities, it was pretty lively everywhere I went, and I never felt threatened.

[noid_1985]

Portland seems more blue collared than the other two, at least that was my impression

[pnwguy2]

Yes, I think you are accurate. Portland has some problems, there is no denying that. The homeless problem has been addressed on this site before. (And Seattle also suffers from such to be fair). However, it seems more out-front in Portland for whatever reason. Portland is a somewhat quirky city with great neighborhoods, but doesn't compete on a large economic scale. This tends to create a somewhat negative atmosphere, IMO.

Seattle is a yuppie/geek heaven. Tremendous growth in downtown and South Lake Union. It does seem more positive though, at the end of the day. Both cities attract newcomers, but Seattle's growth is off the charts. Portland is growing, but much more slowly.

As for Vancouver, it is the most residential inner city of the three, there is no doubt. But from a commercial sense, Vancouver lacks what Seattle has in this department.

The future will become apparent, especially if Seattle continues to become both a job and residential center. So far, this seems to be the trend.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by slcity

I just got back from a trip to the Pacific Northwest. I spent about 3 days in Portland, 2 days in Seattle, and 3 days in Vancouver.

I didn't get to spend as much time walking around in Portland as I did in Seattle and Vancouver because I was there for a wedding and therefore some of the time was spent with family. But what I did see of downtown Portland left me with not a very good impression of the city. Many areas I saw seemed run down and/or deserted. Not to mention plenty of homeless people, one of whom was shouting obscenities and seemed on the verge of violence near a playground where kids were playing.

Sure I did see a few nice areas in Portland, such as Riverplace on the south end of Waterfront Park, and 23rd street. But my overall impression was not a good one. Did I just not see enough of the city, or is this a fairly accurate impression?

I enjoyed Seattle and Vancouver far more. Just seemed like there were more things to do in those cities, it was pretty lively everywhere I went, and I never felt threatened.

Sounds like you saw two neighborhoods in the City of Portland, which has so many distinct areas and hoods so, no, you didn't get a feel for Portland based on your experiences you shared.

[CAjerseychick]

I have been over to that side of Portland a handful of times over the last 2 years...- I live on the east side and play and work here too- there is so much to do and see here and the leafy quiet neighborhoods are so walkable and easy going- I feel safe in my day to day and night activities- and this is coming from who lived in central SF for 20 years.
So I would have to say you got an accurate impression of a tiny part of Portland, but missed a lot of it too.

[CAjerseychick]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Yes, I think you are accurate. Portland has some problems, there is no denying that. The homeless problem has been addressed on this site before. (And Seattle also suffers from such to be fair). However, it seems more out-front in Portland for whatever reason. Portland is a somewhat quirky city with great neighborhoods, but doesn't compete on a large economic scale. This tends to create a somewhat negative atmosphere, IMO.

Seattle is a yuppie/geek heaven. Tremendous growth in downtown and South Lake Union. It does seem more positive though, at the end of the day. Both cities attract newcomers, but Seattle's growth is off the charts. Portland is growing, but much more slowly.

As for Vancouver, it is the most residential inner city of the three, there is no doubt. But from a commercial sense, Vancouver lacks what Seattle has in this department.

The future will become apparent, especially if Seattle continues to become both a job and residential center. So far, this seems to be the trend.

Yup, more people should definitely move up there!

Portland is not a huge metro on par with the other ones, I wasn't aware it was trying to be.

Its not for everyone, but thats why we all have options, right?

[DKM]

Yes your observation was accurate. And there is nothing fun to do in Portland unless you drive outside of it to grab some world class nature activities (weather permitting). It used to be much nicer before it attracted a large underclass of mostly drug using 20 somethings from all over the country, some of whom graduated into mentally ill homeless drug addicts. Nobody seems to know if it was the illness that made them use drugs or the drug abuse that made them mentally ill but they have a real problem there now.

[CAjerseychick]

Originally Posted by DKM

Yes your observation was accurate. And there is nothing fun to do in Portland unless you drive outside of it to grab some world class nature activities (weather permitting). It used to be much nicer before it attracted a large underclass of mostly drug using 20 somethings from all over the country, some of whom graduated into mentally ill homeless drug addicts. Nobody seems to know if it was the illness that made them use drugs or the drug abuse that made them mentally ill but they have a real problem there now.

well I live here NOW and I love it. Just giving my impression of what its like now, living here, east side.
But, yea people who don't find it for them should leave and leave it to the rest of us...
(I know plenty of law abiding 20 somethings who work hard and are good citizens here, lol)...

[Luckystrike1]

"Where" in downtown Portland looks run-down or deserted??? The only areas I can think of that look run-down would be the deep industrial NW area.


And post #4 has a point. Portland is spread out into many districts and neighborhoods, most with their own character, and most are across the river. This is what can make Portland difficult for a tourist on limited time, because too many of them don't go outside downtown proper.


Homelessness, yes. The problem is everywhere in Portland, and even the suburbs are seeing increasing numbers of it.

[DKM]

Originally Posted by CAjerseychick

well I live here NOW and I love it. Just giving my impression of what its like now, living here, east side.
But, yea people who don't find it for them should leave and leave it to the rest of us...
(I know plenty of law abiding 20 somethings who work hard and are good citizens here, lol)...

Yep, it changed, I didn't like it and left. Portland was getting a bit intolerant for my tastes (conform or be chastised). This idea that I should like the problems it has or gtfo was becoming more common and I tired of it. I lost interest in paying for their attempts to save the world with their "progressive" experiments. Lucky for me there are many other great places to live in the West Coast.