What make Portland an "expensive" place to live? (for sale, to rent)

[BPLive]

I am not joking here, in my younger wilder days I was at night club and made friends with this cool, hip dreddie guy. The guy slept in his car in NW Portland in this low-income neighborhood, mostly composed of immigrants. Nobody there seem to care that he slept in his car and he was like a welcomed guest.

Anyhow, the guy took me out to ZUpans one night and says government gives him all of these free food stamps and that he wanted to just use them up cause he didn't know what to do with all of them. So, the guy bought me some nice smoked salmon and other treats as a friendly gesture and bought himself some stuff too. I was shocked, I worked a 50 hour a week job back then and got paid $10/hr. I could barely afford to eat and lived in Felony Flats at the time. THis guy was living in his car and working part time as a DJ at a club. This guy took me out to eat and he was homeless. WHo paid for my meal that night, I would like to know?

nice example but that happens everywhere just so you know

[gmattie]

I am not an expert, but I think that our minimum wage is high and that makes the cost of goods go up because the growers, and people who work in the stores to stock, ship, etc. are paid more. Many of those veggies that taste so good are shipped in from as far away as south America. That will add to costs too.

[John Shaft]

Originally Posted by gmattie

Many of those veggies that taste so good are shipped in from as far away as south America. That will add to costs too.

Actually I have found that the veggies that are shipped in are often about half the price of the locally-grown ones. When I think about how much money must be spent in fuel and shipping costs to bring those goods up here, it boggles the mind.

[bluevelo]

Originally Posted by John Shaft

Actually I have found that the veggies that are shipped in are often about half the price of the locally-grown ones. When I think about how much money must be spent in fuel and shipping costs to bring those goods up here, it boggles the mind.

Its called "Economies of Scale."

Also, chances are the local veggies aren't grown with crap like pesticides.

OTOH, we have many farmer's markets here in the Sacramento area and the prices are awesome, and people come from as far away as Monterrey with their stuff and far down in the San Joaquin Valley.

[rhodan653]

Things that are more expensive:

1.)Gas - 25 cent per gallon gas tax PLUS state law requires all stations to be full serve to employ people so it drives gas costs up even more.

2.)Income tax - 9%!! At least a sales tax usually isn't on essentials and so people can minimize the tax burden if they reduce spending but there is no way to avoid the income tax.

3.)High minimum wage - drives up the costs of all goods and services, particularly in the restaurant business. Many states actually have a lower minimum wage for restaurant workers because they get tips. Not Oregon.

4.)Housing costs are so variable, I think Portland is middle of the road on housing costs when compared with other areas outside the midwest. The problem is that in addition to average to high property taxes they also nail you with the income tax. The combination of the two is tough to stomach but someone has to pay for the 11% to 12% unemployment rate.

[khyron]

Originally Posted by rhodan653

Things that are more expensive:

1.)Gas - 25 cent per gallon gas tax PLUS state law requires all stations to be full serve to employ people so it drives gas costs up even more.

I'm curious about this...what about biodiesel? I've read that there are some pumps around town that employ "cardlock" systems? Can you fuel up your own diesel vehicles in Oregon? I'd be sad if I couldn't, not just because tipping full serve seems silly when you have full use of your own limbs, but because I like to top off my tank (it has a vapor valve release) in a specific way. Anyone know?

[mobilemindstationaryreality]

I will admit, I sometimes want to leave for greener pastures. Somewhere where I can keep at least 90% of my wages. It seems the people moving to Portland these days don't care about how much things cost and those leaving do care. Interesting to see how things will be here in 25-30 years.

I'm looking for a job transfer up to the Puget Sound region.

[jjpop]

Originally Posted by chocobot18

I will admit, I sometimes want to leave for greener pastures. Somewhere where I can keep at least 90% of my wages. It seems the people moving to Portland these days don't care about how much things cost and those leaving do care. Interesting to see how things will be here in 25-30 years.

I'm looking for a job transfer up to the Puget Sound region.

I think you're going to have to leave the country if you want to keep at least 90% of your wages. Either that or you are the king (or queen) of tax loopholes!

[jojo4]

Originally Posted by chocobot18

I will admit, I sometimes want to leave for greener pastures. Somewhere where I can keep at least 90% of my wages. It seems the people moving to Portland these days don't care about how much things cost and those leaving do care. Interesting to see how things will be here in 25-30 years.

I'm looking for a job transfer up to the Puget Sound region.

easy, make less money.

[sharkylittleton]

Since the state income tax is at a whopping 9%... does anyone know specifically what that money is used for here in Oregon?