Overcast-weary Portlanders thinking about moving to Tucson. (Phoenix, Green Valley: to buy, movies)

[Maroon197]

Bookmans is not really like the strand. The strand is a full blown bookstore. Bookmans sells used books alongside Nintendo 64 cartridges, old butter dishes, used maracas, VCRs, etc. The bookstore on 4th is called Antigone and it’s definitely still there, but it’s very small and pretty limited.

[Adamson520]

Originally Posted by 509

Portland isn't very diverse and really sheltered from most of America.

This.

I grew up there and spent 35 years there. They pride themselves on their "diversity", but take one step outside the accepted PC line and you're shouted down. For decades, Portland was the whitest big city in the nation. It may still be - and possibly even worse now that gentrification has forced longtime residents of the Alberta/Mississippi neighborhoods out of town.

Tucson may not have a Left-handed Leather Lesbians of Color parade, but it's a thousand times more diverse than Portland. That's why I'm here and not there.

[sueisme]

Originally Posted by 509

Both Washington and Oregon have open carry laws that are just like those in Arizona. In fact, I see as many people openly carrying in Washington and Oregon as in Arizona.

Portland isn't very diverse and really sheltered from most of America. Tucson is a lot more diverse than Portland and I can see where it would be uncomfortable for people that have lived in Portland. Portland is a nice town, Tucson is a gritty town.

For people that have lived sheltered lifestyles the gated communities in Arizona are very popular for that reason. That way folks don't have to deal with people NOT like them.

Of course, for me that is the charm of Arizona and Tucson. But if all you want out of Arizona is sunny skies, a gated community is perfect for you.

PS...Bookmans does not even come close to Powell's. Powell's is the best thing about Portland.

I'm puzzled: Who said anything about me wanting a gated community? Are those who move from the PNW to Tucson forced, at open-carry gunpoint, to live in one?

I agree Pdx isn't that diverse (though, thankfully, it's changing -- esp. in the SE). We're looking forward to a more diverse city -- we used to live in NYC.

Yeah, OR is open carry, but Multnomah County (Portland and surroundings) isn't.

[sueisme]

Originally Posted by RickTucsonHomes

I'll chime in on the food and drink seen. I visit Portland several times a year. I usually stay in the Pearl District when I am there. For frame of reference, giving the Pearl District a 10 score in terms of walkability, quality & quantity of food and drink I would give Tucson maybe a 3 or 4, IMHO. Craft brews in Tucson metro is up and coming, but a loooooong way from Portland.

Thanks for the info. Our beer is tasty. We need something to do during those 8 months of rain.

I'll take up and coming -- we love supporting local, independent places.

[PizzaBelly]

Originally Posted by rah62

For decades, Portland was the whitest big city in the nation. It may still be - and possibly even worse now that gentrification has forced longtime residents of the Alberta/Mississippi neighborhoods out of town.

Tucson may not have a Left-handed Leather Lesbians of Color parade, but it's a thousand times more diverse than Portland. That's why I'm here and not there.

Yep. Portland is still by far the whitest big city in the U.S. Over 72%. Its closest competitor for cities of its size (over 500k) is Seattle at 66%, which has a very similar political & social landscape.

[fumbling]

Originally Posted by 509

Both Washington and Oregon have open carry laws that are just like those in Arizona. In fact, I see as many people openly carrying in Washington and Oregon as in Arizona.

Living in a state that doesn't have open carry, I have never seen anyone open carry, even though I've been to Oregon and Arizona but must have not noticed before. How do they typically open carry their firearms, is it in a holster at their hips like the cowboy movies?

[Saguarogirl507]

The only time I ever saw someone with a holster and gun was in Bisbee once. Yes, on the hip like the police.

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by fumbling

Living in a state that doesn't have open carry, I have never seen anyone open carry, even though I've been to Oregon and Arizona but must have not noticed before. How do they typically open carry their firearms, is it in a holster at their hips like the cowboy movies?

Open carry can be done in various ways. This is one way.

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by RobertaWa

The only time I ever saw someone with a holster and gun was in Bisbee once. Yes, on the hip like the police.

Sometimes I think people have the idea that we ALL walk around with a gun on our hip. I work in a very large, and busy, retail store and I see guns so seldom that it kind of takes me by surprise when I do. I mean we have, literally, hundreds of people in and out 24 hours a day and I don't even see one once a day! I expect there might be people who don't openly carry but do have them however I doubt it's very many. When I do see one I wonder why. Are they paranoid? Do they just want to appear 'macho'? Are they looking for the chance to be a 'hero'? What's their deal? I have nothing against guns. Grew up with them and learned to handle them young but don't feel I need one to protect myself all the time.

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by AZDesertBrat

Sometimes I think people have the idea that we ALL walk around with a gun on our hip. I work in a very large, and busy, retail store and I see guns so seldom that it kind of takes me by surprise when I do. I mean we have, literally, hundreds of people in and out 24 hours a day and I don't even see one once a day! I expect there might be people who don't openly carry but do have them however I doubt it's very many. When I do see one I wonder why. Are they paranoid? Do they just want to appear 'macho'? Are they looking for the chance to be a 'hero'? What's their deal? I have nothing against guns. Grew up with them and learned to handle them young but don't feel I need one to protect myself all the time.

Answers to your four "questions":

1. No.
2. No.
3. No.
4. "Their deal" is that "they"/we live in America, which has the Second Amendment, which has given the right of the people to keep and bear arms, and so we do.

It says thus:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."