Portland’s quality of life 42nd-best in the world (Sandy: appliances, employment)

[tigerlily]

According to a study by the Mercer Corporation, Portland ranks No. 42 with regard to quality of life. Seattle made the list with a score of 50. Mercer compiles the information for companies who must place workers in various parts of the world.

Portland̢۪s quality of life 42nd-best in the world - Portland Business Journal:

[EnricoV]

Very impressive. I went to investigate the organization, and what their criteria was. It sounded fairly thorough. Said it used 39 factors, grouped into 10 categories:

* Political and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforcement, etc)
* Economic environment (currency exchange regulations, banking services, etc)
* Socio-cultural environment (censorship, limitations on personal freedom, etc)
* Health and sanitation (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution, etc)
* Schools and education (standard and availability of international schools, etc)
* Public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transport, traffic congestion, etc)
* Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports and leisure, etc)
* Consumer goods (availability of food/daily consumption items, cars, etc)
* Housing (housing, household appliances, furniture, maintenance services, etc)
* Natural environment (climate, record of natural disasters)

Thanks for pointing it out to us.

[subsound]

I kind of wonder what their weighting system is (either neutral or give more credence to one), I think jobs would be huge for me...it's hard to enjoy a place, no matter how good, if you are just scraping by.

[Minervah]

I noticed they do not even mention employment. I think that would be the most important of criteria.

[Brandon26pdx]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I noticed they do not even mention employment. I think that would be the most important of criteria.

That would definitely kick Portland down the ladder a rung or two IMO. I suppose they're assuming employment doesn't get in the way of such analysis, like if everyone was independently wealthy.

[subsound]

I think it would hurt European cities rankings as well, many have unemployment worse then Portland (especially France).

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I noticed they do not even mention employment. I think that would be the most important of criteria.

Not to them. The point of the survey is for businesses and their employees - as in relocating to new cities, etc. Employment figures wouldn't factor into that. They'd be coming with a job.

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

Not to them. The point of the survey is for businesses and their employees - as in relocating to new cities, etc. Employment figures wouldn't factor into that. They'd be coming with a job.

Bingo.

[Michael Tryn]

is better than
Chicago I think , even though I have never been in Oregon ! Compare your metro to the So. side of Chi. I won't go too far or I will get a flag from the administrator. I will read more about Irvington, St. John, Sellwood. I hear you have a Russian area somewhere on the East Side, perhaps it is around Sandy! I will get out my Portland map tomorrow.

[tigerlily]

Originally Posted by Michael Tryn

is better than
Chicago I think , even though I have never been in Oregon ! Compare your metro to the So. side of Chi. I won't go too far or I will get a flag from the administrator. I will read more about Irvington, St. John, Sellwood. I hear you have a Russian area somewhere on the East Side, perhaps it is around Sandy! I will get out my Portland map tomorrow.

I know from my daughter in law there is a Russian community in Vancouver. She has Russian friends, I believe, in the Hollywood area in east Portland. My son and his wife moved from Cleveland to Portland last year. She said the Russian community in Portland is more conservative, religious than in the Cleveland area.